Decorating a Mantle on a Yard Sale Budget

Mar 21, 2009 | Trash to Treasure | 61 comments

One of the joys of living frugally is the creative aspect that you can tap into for just a few dollars.
With my walls painted a dramatic green,
I desired to go with the shabby chic look. Since I
have been stuck with the same mantle decor for awhile,
I decided to shop my house (and yard sales) in a quest for some white pieces,
and get it ready for spring.
Because I have made a conscious decision to avoid any impulse purchases, my home decor is always a work in process.
It varies greatly from yard sale season to yard sale season, and honestly, that is part of the fun.
Since I collect anything having to do with teacups, tea parties or hospitality, the white tea pot shown above was a sheer joy for a mere $.50.
I found a few bunches of white flowers at another yard sale for another $.50, and together, that’s one delightful dollar .

I am on a perpetual hunt for white pieces, since I am going to re-do one of my hutches and display all the milk ware glass/white pieces that I find.
This is where patience is a virtue.
This above water pitcher was $1 – love those finds.

And see the frame above?
I had one little open space left on the mantle,
and couldn’t think of what to with it,
so I improvised with a $.25 brass frame.

And I re-purposed it, instead of throwing it out.
(from my post “When Brass and Spray Paint meet”)

I got crafty a few months ago with the
intentions of hanging this plate on the wall.
But when I shopped my house, I found this to be the perfect spot.

It started as this wonderful handmade gift from a friend,
but was in the box for Goodwill after a dishwasher disaster.
The labels came off (bottom left corner) from the heating process.

So I spray painted it white,

took a regular piece of scrapbook paper,
rounded the corners,
and then spread a bit of Modge Podge on top to glue it down.

It was still a bit plain,
so I cut one of the yard sale flowers branches,
glued it down in the middle and attached a bit of my daughter’s hair ribbon.
LOVE.IT.HERE (for now :).
It makes me feel all Martha Stewardish.

I am currently on the hunt for ugly plates ($0.25)
to spray paint.
They will adorn this $1 yard sale mirror.

So let those creative juices go wild this yard sale season.
To think that I can create a marvelous mantle arrangement for $10 (even though it doesn’t meet all the designer tips for layering), and then change it around as I find things to improve upon….
is a good thing.
I’ve learned to appreciate the process.
********************************

In case you missed these other ideas:
*Shopping the house with a little spray paint
*When spray paint and brass meet

61 Comments

Gina on March 19, 2009 at 3:49 am

Could you just come over for a few months?

Talk about bedlam! 10 kids?!?!
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Law Wife on March 19, 2009 at 4:23 am

Beautiful mantle! I love the tea pot and pitcher. 🙂
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Jessica on March 19, 2009 at 4:25 am

You’re the bomb a Jen!
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AnNicole @ OurSuburbanCottage on March 19, 2009 at 4:52 am

Great job! Good for you to hold out for BARGAINS you love. That’s definitely the most gratifying way to do it.
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Laurel @ Ducks in a Row on March 19, 2009 at 5:00 am

Love all the plates – love that you just spray paint them. They are awesome.
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Tasha on March 19, 2009 at 5:03 am

I love this! Green is my favorite color, I have several walls painted a similar color to yours. I just adore my pops of white against it.
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HouseMama on March 19, 2009 at 5:17 am

Thank you so much for encouraging and inspiring me to do a better job in the kitchen and around the house on less money. God Bless!
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Liz on March 19, 2009 at 8:40 am

I love what you have done with all of your finds!
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Danielle on March 19, 2009 at 9:07 am

Love the white items against the green wall…looks great.x
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Ruthanne on March 19, 2009 at 10:20 am

I love it! It looks so fresh and crisp.
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Imperfect on March 19, 2009 at 10:46 am

Love it. It’s all so pretty. I need to do a mantle makeover – It still has all the dark pieces I used through fall and winter. It’s time for a little spring!
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Kim on March 19, 2009 at 11:20 am

I’m going to have to get myself some spray paint! Garage sales should start popping up soon! Hopefully you will write a post about “tips for garage sale shopping!” Hint hint!!
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Sandy Toes on March 19, 2009 at 11:22 am

What fun! I love “white” anything…it all looks great~ Don’t you just love spray paint!

Do you think we can paint our toenails for summer using a spray can????
sandy toe
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Christi on March 19, 2009 at 11:59 am

LOVE your teapot – can’t believe you got it for $.50. Your mantle looks great!
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Kimba on March 19, 2009 at 12:27 pm

Wheeeee!!!!! It all looks great, girl! Love it! You are one creative, thrify gal. Two of my favorite things.

I have a little creamer and sugar bowl that match your teapot. Very cute.

Love you!
Kimba
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That Girl on March 19, 2009 at 12:37 pm

I LOVE that plate with the green splash of color. perfect!!
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Dawn@Embracing the Ordinary Life on March 19, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Those are some cute ideas!
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Amanda on March 19, 2009 at 12:43 pm

I love it! The green and white just make such a statement! Thanks for the tips. The patience part is where I fall short. I’m working on that.
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Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality on March 19, 2009 at 1:01 pm

Yes, yes, & yes, Jen! Love that white & the yardsale finds. I don't think I've seen your green wall before. I love that color!
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Erica on March 19, 2009 at 1:10 pm

Loving all of the garage sale finds! I can’t wait for the garage sale season to start here in the Midwest 🙂
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Chris on March 19, 2009 at 1:10 pm

I love everything. White with pops of green is one of my favorite color combinations. Looks great!
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Misti of Studio M Designs on March 19, 2009 at 1:29 pm

Hey Jen~ Your mantel looks fabulous! So bright and cheery. I tried to spray paint some plates white a few weeks ago, but it was too cold in my basement and the paint when crazy. So I am off to sand them and start over. I really want them on the wall soon! Thanks for sharing you pretties.
~Misti
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Astrid on March 19, 2009 at 1:29 pm

Lovely!

I’ve been looking high and low at our Goodwill stores and I just haven’t been lucky. I think I’ll take your tip and find some random plates and spray paint them.
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Darlene on March 19, 2009 at 1:56 pm

I love all the white pieces you are using….it looks great!
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sunshine on March 19, 2009 at 2:01 pm

Everything looks lovely! I wish I could get out to yard sales! Maybe someday… hehe
Laura
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Parisienne Farmgirl on March 19, 2009 at 2:42 pm

This looks wonderful! Gotta love spray paint and hate brass don’t ‘cha?
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Old Centennial Farmhouse on March 19, 2009 at 2:59 pm

I love it all and am just learning to love the white stuff…and that’s going to be a point for me this yard sale season…and I love your work with the spray paint can! Any tips for us that have no experience with spray paint? I’m off to get a can of robin’s egg blue!
XOXO
Joni
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writing4612 on March 19, 2009 at 3:11 pm

It’s looking good!
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Domestically Sassy! on March 19, 2009 at 3:12 pm

There’s just something about a great Treasure…that’s really cheap!
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Miss G on March 19, 2009 at 3:58 pm

Jen, this is a GREAT post! Super job! Looks wonderful! I had a great thrift store trip yesterday and for less than $6 got 6 nifty things. I am in the process of putting them to use and then plan to do a post. I have four things down, two to go! stay tuned . . . 🙂 Kelly
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the BLAH BLAH BLAHger on March 19, 2009 at 4:13 pm

I’m DYING to get my spray paint on!!!
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Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality on March 19, 2009 at 5:50 pm

That’s great, Jen! I’m glad you jumped in the party, this IS springy, girlfriend.
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Miss(es) Canadian Pie on March 19, 2009 at 6:31 pm

I love love love white decor items. They just POP so much. Your mantel is a dream. Just so wonderful. Aren’t you so amazed sometimes what people get rid of in yard sales and charge so little for? I love it!
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Shannon on March 19, 2009 at 6:54 pm

It looks so great! I love all the white pieces. I can’t wait to see your white iron piece.
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HeathahLee on March 19, 2009 at 8:52 pm

I love all those white pieces! I just went to Old Time Pottery and found a couple of little white dishes to go on my wall. They were $1 each, and they fit perfectly. Nothing like finding exactly what you’re looking for, and cheap, too! : )
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tami on March 19, 2009 at 10:04 pm

i love it! i made my first “white” purchase at a thrift store this weekend. it was a ceramic tea pitcher i believe. now i am on the hunt!!
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Bonita on March 19, 2009 at 11:21 pm

Jen, that’s a beautiful mantle. Love the color combinations.

On a different note, I saw that you and I are both speaking at NCHE this year. We will have to meet up!
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Tanya on March 19, 2009 at 11:27 pm

I love white dishes and collect as many as I can! I do need some white pitchers so I’ll be on the garage sale hunt too!
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Manuela@Pleasures of Homemaking on March 20, 2009 at 12:56 am

I love the white against the green of your walls – so pretty!

Manuela
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cityfarmer on March 20, 2009 at 2:04 am

lookin’ might-y fine

Don’t ya just love the white stuff???

It’s g.sale season…coming right up!
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Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda on March 20, 2009 at 2:21 am

Great “mantle~scape!” Love the white pottery pieces! ~hugs, Rhonda 🙂
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Rhonda on March 20, 2009 at 2:50 am

Wow. It looks lovely. You certainly have a gift.
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Kim @ Forever Wherever on March 20, 2009 at 3:32 am

Wow! You really are like Martha!! Love the cheap plate painted white!!! It looks wonderful and your wall color is very pretty! Two thumbs up on your $10 decorating girl!
~Kim
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Jen r. on March 20, 2009 at 3:48 am

I love how clean and pretty and fresh it looks! Jen
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Hoosier Homemade on March 20, 2009 at 6:38 pm

Very pretty! I love the white vase.
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
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Brianna @ Heart(h) Management on March 21, 2009 at 12:41 am

Nuh uh. Wow! I’m so impressed! That is absolutely beautiful!
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Sandy at God Speaks Today on March 21, 2009 at 1:19 am

What creative ideas. I’m doing spray paint in my basement, but with black. Our basement is sort of a Panera Bread decor, and I have all these oak frames, clocks, mirrors, etc from…well, when I was into oak. Spray paint has transformed them beautifully.

Blessings,
Sandy
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~Sara on March 21, 2009 at 2:59 am

Beautiful! Great job. I just love yard sales.
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Karen on March 21, 2009 at 4:20 pm

Your fireplace mantle is gorgeous!!! Way 2 go girl. 🙂
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Smelling Coffee on March 21, 2009 at 7:07 pm

Beautiful whites!
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Darlene on March 22, 2009 at 8:26 pm

great, inexpensive ideas!!!
your mantle looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing your great ideas!
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Sandy on March 22, 2009 at 9:31 pm

Good job Jen! I am SO happy that it is yard sale season. SO happy. Have a blessed week ahead! ox
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Amy on March 23, 2009 at 12:49 pm

You are a whiz with the spray paint. Everything looks absolutely beautiful! I wish I had a mantle to decorate- I would totally do that! 😉
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Life'sJourney on March 23, 2009 at 2:24 pm

I was spring party hopping and am so glad I found your blog!! I love how the plate turned out.. it inspires me to be “marthastewart-ish”… I will be stopping by often!! Thanks
~Rachel 🙂
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Linda/"Mom" on March 23, 2009 at 4:56 pm

* Couldn't agree with you more, and you did it soooo beautifully!!! WHERE oh WHERE does everybody get to go to garage sales n' flea markets & get INCREDIBLE, LOVELY bargains like your pitcher?!?!?! I am SOOO envious!!! IF there were to be a FLEA MARKET HERE, I suspect it would only HAVE fleas, darn it!!! Grins n' thanks, Linda *
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A Hint of Home on March 23, 2009 at 6:34 pm

I love the mantle with all the white. It looks so fresh for spring.
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Cass on March 23, 2009 at 9:31 pm

I love thrifty decorating, and yours is lovely! thanks for sharing… Cass
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Chandy on March 23, 2009 at 9:47 pm

Very cute pictures! I love them all!
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Pinky on March 24, 2009 at 2:36 am

What GREAT finds and what wonderful things you have made out of them! Very creative and practical….but beautiful! Love it all! I have got to start going to garage sales. BTW, I was looking around my house and garage for Spring things and came acroos a box of things that hadn’t sold at MY garage sale last year and was SO happy they didn’t! I am now using them all!!!!!!!!!! Hugs, Pinky
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FOR THE SAKE OF TIME on March 25, 2009 at 1:55 am

Well done! You make ” a lot” out of “a little”. A little time and….a little money! Thank you for sharing.
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Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) on March 28, 2009 at 4:03 pm

Oh, I am sooo loving all the white! And I love what you’ve done…wish I had your luck at finding such beautiful pieces so reasonably! Great job salvaging the plate and dressing it up! This was a wonderful Met Monday post! Susan
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