Summer Carnival Mantel & Fun in the Sun

Summer time! It’s my favorite time of the year.  I love that I can do some fun decorating in our colorful and eclectic family room in progress. I’ll be sharing a tutorial for the gallery wall but the collection is all thrift store items from my decorating accessories stash. The colorful glass were filled with flower arrangements at our wedding reception nearly 8 years ago. My colorful candlesticks were an easy DIY thrifty transformation. 

summer carnival mantel decor

Sunshine, long days, festivals, carnivals, amusement parks…don’t you love that stuff?

summer carnival mantel

Funnel cakes, elephant ears, cotton candy, candy apples, gyros, french fries, snow cones, popcorn, hot dogs,  

summer carnival mantel

Rides. Wait. I’m more of a merry-go-round than roller coaster type girl and avoid things called ‘tornado’ and ’tilt-a-whirl’ or anything that drops. 

summer carnival mantel decor

 Concerts, bands, music festivals and fireworks.

colorful eclectic decor

Duck pond, ring toss, games, balloon animals, clowns, cheesy prizes, face painting and pony rides.

summer carnival mantel decor

 Step right up! 

summer carnival mantel

 Everyone’s a winner!

summer carnival mantel decor

See the DIY foam board accent wall/wall art/gallery template tutorial for more details on a lightweight, easy, cheap way to add pattern and color to your decorating.  

Crazy and whimsical and temporary. Keeping furniture and walls neutral allows me to change things up more often. I’m using the foamboard for another project, so it’s now looking a bit more like this:

summer carnival mantel

Do you decorate for the seasons? Have you been following along with the Fun in the Sun series? So much summer inspiration! Here are the details:

Fun in the sun summer linky party and giveaway

Be sure to visit all of the Fun in the Sun hostesses and their awesome summer projects:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia – how to make pom pom lanterns

paper-lantern My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Sand & Sisal – summer centerpiece

Summer-Centerpiece-Sand and Sisal

Fox Hollow Cottage – pool noodle summer wreath

AlohaSummerFlipFlopPoolNoodleDIYWreathCraft - Fox Hollow Cottage

Adventures in Decorating – Summer Porch

summer porch - Adventures in Decorating

Setting for Four – summer beach mantel 

beach mantel - Setting for Four

Debbiedoo’s – 5 quick summer craft projects including this recycled can caddy…

recycled-cans-Debbie Doos

French Country Cottage – summer table setting

summer table setting French Country Cottage

Cupcakes and Crinoline – beach inspired desserts

beach inspired desserts - Cupcakes and Crinoline

Domestically Speaking – Ultimate All American Sundae

ultimate-all-american-sundae - Domestically Speaking

At the Picket Fence – DIY outdoor coffee table

chalkboard-outdoor-coffee-table At the Picket Fence

Yellow Bliss Road – sweet & simple summer mantel

summer mantel - Yellow Bliss Road

JoJo and Eloise – avocado, blueberry & coconut cream popsicles

avocado-blueberry-coconut-cream-popsicles-gluten-free-dairy at JoJo & Eloise

DIY Show Off – summer carnival mantel

summer carnival mantel

Coming up tomorrow (6/27): Fun in the Sun Link Party & Kindle Fire Giveaway! 

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