| |

Vintage Inspired Patriotic Mantel

Vintage Inspired Patriotic Mantel - Family items, mostly vintage, and a few handmade things make a patriotic mantel to honor July 4. virginiasweetpea.com Being out of school has meant that I’ve had time to enjoy doing things around the house including decorating for July 4.  My mantel is decked out for the 4th using mostly vintage or vintage inspired items.

 

I started my patriotic mantel decorating by hanging a vintage “Old Glory” print over the fireplace.  Believe it or not, I found this print in a dumpster and the frame was found in someone’s trash on an early morning run.  I had a mat cut to fit the frame and print and think that they go together beautifully.

Vintage "Old Glory" Flag Print - virginiasweetpea.com

 

The Ikea Rast Patriotic Dresser that I shared with you in March was placed on the hearth in front of the fireplace.  Recall that the flag design on the front of the dresser was modeled after an antique gate that we saw in a museum in Vermont.  The flag holder on top of the dresser is one that Mr. SP and I made after seeing something similar in a Plow and Hearth catalog.

Vintage Inspired Patriotic Mantel by virginiasweetpea.com

 

The sconces on either side of the flag print are a Goodwill find.  They are marked “Made in USA 1971 Homco.”  I think I paid $1 for each of them.  The blue vases belonged to Mr. SP’s grandmother and are Czechoslovakian.  The red candle holder and milk glass vases belonged to my grandmother.

Vintage Inspired Patriotic Mantel and Living Room Decor by virginiasweetpea.com

 

Let’s take a closer look at a few things on the mantel.

Isn’t this piece pretty?  My friend Suzanne found it at Estates Revisited and knew that I would enjoy using it for 4th of July decorating.Antique Eagle Small Bowl

 

 

The post card was sent to my Great-Great Aunt Willye in 1907.  I wonder who in Lynchburg sent it to her in Roanoke?

1907 Vintage 4th of July PostcardAntique 4th of July Post Card 1907

 

A vintage 4th of July hat is displayed on the music stand to the left of the mantel.  It belonged to the son of the great-great uncle who built my mom’s 1912 house.

decorating-with-antiques-for-july-4

 

You can better see in in this picture from last year’s patriotic decor.

Vintage 4th of July Hat

 

The table to the right of the mantel holds a few more things that aren’t directly patriotic but are the correct colors and are vintage.  The vase is Blenko and was my grandmother’s.  The frame holds a check from “John D. Ahalt – Distiller of Pure Mountain Spring Rye Whiskey” to Jeanette Ahalt.  Ahalt is my maiden name and this would be a distant relative.  For years I have haunted Ebay trying to find an Ahalt whiskey bottle.  I almost had one a long time ago but had to let it go when the bids went over $300.  Maybe I’ll get lucky and find one in a thrift shop one of these days!  (Edited to Note:  I got my Ahalt Whiskey bottle.  Read all about it here.)

John Ahalt Rye Whiskey Check and Blenko Vase

I so much enjoy using my vintage treasures for seasonal decorating.

Patriotic-mantel-virginiasweetpea

 

Here are a few more patriotic projects that I’ve shared recently:

Easy Patriotic Wreath

Easy Patriotic Wreath

 

Patriotic Pillows

DIY Patriotic Pillow

 

Easy Patriotic Table Runner and Vintage Mason Jar Centerpiece

Easy Patriotic Table Runner

 

Now that I’ve decorated for 4th of July, I need to decide how we’ll celebrate.  I’m hoping for a day spent at the lake.  How about you?  What are your 4th of July plans?

 

Sharing With:
The Interior FrugalistaDwellings-The Heart of Your HomeBetween Naps on the PorchConcord Cottage, Stone Gable, Sand and Sisal, Yesterday on Tuesday, A Stroll Thru LifeSavvy Southern Style, Just a Girl and Her Blog,  Common Ground, Imparting Grace

16 Comments

  1. I love how you decorated inside for the 4th! It looks beautiful. What a steal you got on those sconces too – for $1?! That’s great!

  2. Hi Paula, I love your patriotic mantel! The dresser looks adorable there and the pillows are way too cute too. Love it all. Thanks so much for sharing over at our Something to Talk About Link Party! Hope you’re having a great week xo Lisa

  3. I love everything about this! 🙂 You are so talented at combining beautiful vintage finds and family heirlooms in to a cohesive design. Pinned the wreath and table runner too! 🙂 I need to pull out some patriotic decor this weekend.

    1. Thank you, Kimm! I love being able to use my family things. I’m lucky that both grandmothers and my mother kept everything!

      Paula

    1. Isn’t it neat that the hat survived the years? I enjoy using it for a decoration and I’ll be the original owner, my grandmother’s cousin, would be thrilled if he knew that a relative is still enjoying it.

      Paula

  4. Oh Paula! I just love your holiday decorations. From Christmas, to Easter and now to the 4th of July, you have such impeccable taste, style and pieces. Thanks once again for inspiring me to look beyond what I see 🙂

    1. Thanks, Meegan! You are so sweet! I really enjoy decorating seasonally, especially with vintage things.

      Paula

  5. Hi Paula! Thank you so much for posting the picture of the check from John Ahalt to Jeanette! They are my husbands 2nd great grandparents. Was doing a little ancestry search for Jeanette as it is rumored that she was of American Indian decent, and came across this post. You have an awesome treasure!

    1. I am so glad that you found my picture, LeeAnn. My maiden name is Ahalt and my family is from MD but I’m not sure the connection to John Ahalt. I’ve always been told that he was a distant relative. If you would like a closer picture of the check, I’ll be glad to take one and send it to you.

      Paula

  6. Hi Paula, I love the vintage print, and oh wow, I just went back to your post on creating that amazing Patriotic Dresser. this is so fabulous. Please be sure and come link up your posts, and especially the one from March on the Dresser at my Patriotic Party Thursday Evening at 6. thanks for joining in for SYS!

  7. Paula,
    Oh that would be wonderful if you could send an image of the check! I know the family would love to see it! The Ahalts from that family come from the small town of Middletown, MD. You can email me at [email protected]. Thank you so much!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.