Last week, I shared a burlap topiary that I had made, and I betcha you were wondering what I was going to do with it, right? Well, here it is, sitting on our mantel as part of a display that I created using oyster shells!
The neutral color palette lends itself to late summer decorating and will ease us right into early fall. And not only that, it expresses our love of this beautiful bivalve. The shells that I used were in a big pile behind Leo’s brother Jim’s house, left over from our New Year’s oyster roast that we had. Jim had saved and bleached the shells, knowing that my sister-in-law Jean and I would probably want to use them in some decorating project.
So here they are, decorating our mantel! You may say that Leo and I have a bit of an oyster obsession. Not only do we love them roasted, but we eat oysters raw on the half-shell, in oyster stew, baked, and in making oyster shooters. Why, we even had oyster shells crushed and added to the concrete to make our sidewalks and patio when we lived in the Lowcountry.
I just love the pearlescent color of the inside of the shells. Did you know that pearls normally do not form in the oysters that we eat? But when I was a young girl, I found a pearl in an oyster when I was eating oyster stew!
As always when decorating our mantel, I have to work around the small speakers that are sitting on top of the mantel. So I hot-glued several shells together to camouflage the speakers.
I painted this candlestick, which was originally dark brown, with some gray AS chalk paint that I had, and then used some metallic paint to simulate the iridescence of the interior of the shells. I hot-glued one oyster shell to the top of the smaller wooden stand and placed some gauzy fabric on top of the mantel.
To coordinate with all the natural colors, I made a garland using scraps of fabric that I had.
When I finished making the garland, I felt like it needed a little additional something, so I hung some white tassels that a friend had given me on it. P.E.R.F.E.C. T. Did I mention that I didn’t spend any money creating this display? I used all materials that I had on hand.
I decided to make an oyster shell wreath and hang it on the fireplace screen. It was easy to create.
I already had a grapevine wreath that I had spray-painted white to use as a base.
Then I hot-glued some shells on the wreath.
And then I tucked some Spanish moss around the shells.
And I added a little “pearl” garland around the wreath. Didn’t I tell you it was easy?
This display will stay up until I’m ready to bring out the oranges of fall!
I think Lucy approves!
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I love your style and I am going to follow you. Thanks for explaining things on my level! And my dogs name is Lucy too!
I love your mantel! I, too, am an oyster fan but only for decorating purposes! LOL! My husband is the oyster eater in our family! You did a fantastic job on the wreath!
Jane, I’m loving the oyster shells! I would have never thought of that. It looks wonderful.
Thanks for sharing it
Helen
It looks fantastic Jane!! I love the burlap topiary too. It was so great to see you and Leo at Haven last weekend! Definitely a highlight for me! 🙂
Vanessa
What a nice idea, putting together the Oyster Shells and the Burlap! It really looks lovely.
Your mantle is beautiful! How pretty and original!
Very pretty!
I almost asked the waiter for their shells – but my hubby would not let me! Sigh – I need this wreath!
Kelly
How very creative.
Oh please keep those oranges tucked away till Sept 21. We wait for summer a long time here in NY, and I want to savor my days at the beach in the salt air. Fall will be here soon enough!
Love your oyster shell decor. I like finding them when we clam down the block, but I don’t eat them.
Do you still have the pearl you found?
Very nice mantel display. The softness of colors with the emphasis on oysters is pretty. I wasn’t sure where you were going with the topiary but the result is great. Congratulations. I love it. Jean
Everything looks so pretty, Jane. I’m not a big fan of eating oysters, but I do love your oyster shells as decoration. 🙂 I want to make some of your topiaries, and the garland would be perfect in my booth. Just call me copycat!
It was so good to see you both again at Haven. You guys are the sweetest couple. I love the burlap topiary above. Very cute! Hope to see you again soon!
Love all the details and how you created so much lovely texture. We have an old farm house and we use propane stoves as our heat sources. I love not having central heating, no air blowing about. But we don’t have any mantles either! So have thought about re-doing a mirror with shells. We only live about 5 miles from Puget Sound and Blau Oysters. Just a short jaunt to collect some oysters and shells! Thanks for the ideas! Mary Anne
Your oyster shell wreath looks amazing. Love the shells and Spanish moss.
I never see oyster shells here, but I’m going to look for some when we go to Myrtle Beach…along with shark teeth. 🙂 Did you see the Martha Stewart video where she made a little dish with them?
Love the wreath, so pretty. What a great brother-in-law.
Cynthia
You have a very thoughtful brother-in-law! Your mantle is lovely! Enjoy your day! 😉
Makes me long for the beach!
I so love the Low Country look of the oysters…you certainly achieved a beautiful summer look Jane…The wreath is so pretty and love how you wrapped the pearls through it…great idea!!!
I am sure you and Leo had a marvelous time at Haven. Mantel looks very summery and lovely. xo
This is perfect and you are right…it definitely says late summer into fall. You could keep re-working this all the way to Christmas! Favorite thing is the banner. I’m a sucker for tassels and what a score that someone gave them to you! I saw some pics of you at Haven…looks like you had a fabulous time. Happy Thursday…I’ll pin this for ya!
I love your oyster shells on your mantle Jane! They’re beautiful with your painted candlesticks and on your wreath! We’re oyster lovers too. My husband actually cracked a tooth on a pearl in an oyster in New Orleans about 15 years ago, it was an expensive trip with dental work : )
I’ve always loved the look of them in a coastal homes in the driveways, chandies and mirrors.
It looks great. You have a very creative imagination. Can’t wait to see what you come up with this fall.
Jane, this looks so good and summery. It was so good seeing you and Leo again.
What a beautiful mantle display! I adore all the natural colors and elements. I LOVE the burlap topiary and the garland hanging from the fireplace! Gorgeous!! All the oyster decor is so original and creative. I’ve never had oysters…Anyway, I’m visiting from Wow us Wednesday. Have a lovely evening! ~ Jamie
You know, I have never had an oyster, but I love fish and shellfish so I would probably like them. Love your beachy vibe! Great way to wrap up summer.