Vintage Bottles and a Summer Mantel

Summer is more than half over and while I love fall, I will mourn the loss of long sunny days. But for now, I’ll enjoy the colorful flowers from my garden.  My ever-expanding collection of vintage aqua bottles proudly display cheery Zinnias from the garden. Altogether it makes my summer mantel. I thought I had collected all the vintage aqua bottles I wanted. But a trip to our local flea market last weekend proved me wrong.

I needed a place to display my newfound vintage bottles and the mantel was an obvious choice.

I hope you’re not tired of seeing my zinnias. They’re blooming their little hearts out in the garden. They’re a perfect adornment for aqua bottles.

One of the vendors at the flea market had tables overflowing with vintage bottles in a variety of colors. Clear, aqua, brown, purple; in all shapes and sizes. They were all beautiful.

I couldn’t resist and bought several. The vendor knew a lot about vintage bottles and shared a few stories about his bottle-scavenging experiences. He scoured rivers, dumps, and more to find these precious glass gems.

Three round bottom soda bottles at one end of his expansive table caught my eye. The idea behind the design is that people can’t set the bottle upright, ensuring that the cork stayed wet. Hubby asked how I was going to display them since you can’t stand them up. So I tracked down a a crusty metal basket before leaving the flea market for the day.

A larger bottle makes the perfect flower vase. And a teeny tiny one is the perfect receptacle for a button zinnia.

A large stoppered glass bottle stole my heart.  It’s beautiful all on its own.

My summer mantel is looking cheery and colorful with the addition of my latest finds. I plan to use my vintage bottles when I decorate for Christmas. I have a few ideas floating around in my head.

My summer mantel will be enjoyed for as long as the zinnias last. I’ve got plenty more in the garden to replace any faded blooms. I’ve also got more vintage bottles to share with you.  I finally started a purple bottle collection and will share those soon, along with a special story about them.

I hope you’re enjoying the last days of summer. Make the most of it by dining al fresco, take a long hike, or pack a picnic lunch. Now’s the time to enjoy a few more warm-weather activities!