Vintage Look School Mantel

The kids are going back to school in a week so I thought I’d decorate the house a little to help celebrate their return. Actually I’ll take any excuse to decorate the mantel again. You’ll never be able to accuse me of having a boring or un-decorated mantel. It’s one of my favorite things to change with the seasons, holidays or special events. I didn’t purchase anything for the School Mantel, I just grabbed things from around the house that were school related.

School Mantel

This map is actually a piece of scrapbook paper I had in my stash. It’s displayed on the top of a wood box. The map is an unusual size so it didn’t fit in any frame I had, but by trimming it a little it fit easily in the top of this wood box. Since it just slides into place it can be easily removed.

School Mantel scrapbook paper map.1

These pencils are a gift from my best friend. I love the natural element they add to the mantel. I just placed them in a vintage glass jar to display.

School Mantel pencils.1

I borrowed a few books from the book shelf and turned them spine in to display the pages side. I love how the pages show how old the books are. I added the vintage clock because once school starts we’re on a schedule again. I just leaned the wood ruler against the books.

School Mantel books.1

I purchased the slate US map a few months ago at Home Goods. It’s a cheese tray that can also be written on with chalk. Maybe I’ll outline a few of our favorite states or where we’ve lived previously. I grabbed a few pieces of chalk to place in a jar near the map.

School Mantel chalkboard map.1

The school paper banner was purchased at the Target dollar spot and I wrote SCHOOL on it with the dry erase marker. I like that it can be erased and changed whenever I want.

School Mantel Banner.1

The small clipboards hold cards showing the date school starts, a map, and a back-to-school sign. The clipboard on the right is wrapped in washi tape and the sign is made with scrapbook paper and left over stickers.

School Mantel clipboards.1

Here’s my back-to-school mantel for no cost. The kids have been gone this week so they haven’t seen it yet. I hope they like it. I have a few more surprises for them before school starts.

School Mantel close up.1

 

{ 3 comments… add one }
  • Jeanine August 14, 2015, 9:13 pm

    So cute I love it!

  • Alicia V August 18, 2015, 5:55 am

    Love this mantle display… has a very simple vintage feel to it!

  • Cathy August 22, 2015, 1:10 pm

    Very Cute! I don’t have a mantel but I have a huge shelf in my foyer, that would look awesome done in a back to school theme. Maybe next year though because we started August 8th.

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