This weekend I took a little break from the nursery and added some fall decor downstairs.  It’s funny how sometimes the smallest changes really refresh an area and make you fall (no pun intended) in love with it all over again.

One of the areas I worked on this past weekend was our mantel.  I wanted it to be able to last thru both October and November.  So that ruled out any Halloween decorations.  My goal was also to try to shop for most of the decorations within our house (keeps the cost down).  So I turned to my great friend Pinterest for inspiration.  Who else loves Pinterest?

Images found here, here, and here.

I am not even sure if this is a mantel, but I love all the white used in it.  Using the same color over and over again really ties everything together.  The white also helps all the fall colors to contrast with the already warm toned wall behind it.

Another great use of white.  I am sure she already had the decorations around the house.  The use of milk glass really got my mind working.  I don’t have any, but I do have some orange carnival glass and considered doing something similar with it.

This also works as a simple, inexpensive fall mantel.  Add a few pumpkins and use vases to fill with dried grass or flowers.

Here’s what I ended up with!

Like the inspiration pictures, I tried to tie everything together with color by using white pumpkins and white candles.  The use of white really helps to create contrast with the wall.   I also feel like it adds sophistication to the whole arrangement.

The first thing I did was grab a few pieces around the house that I thought might work.  Then each piece sort of had auditions to see if it would make the final cut (unfortunately some were “the weakest link… goodbye”).   Since I have a good deal of wall space above the mantel, the first obstacle I tackled was the height issue.  The metal artwork, vase, and candle stand all work to extend the eye upwards.

I was already using this serving tray, pottery and smaller vase on the mantel.  While they weren’t technically screaming “Fall”, they are earth tones that work well when paired with leaves and an ornamental pumpkin.

The sequined “S” my sister made for us as a housewarming gift.  I really like the pop of gold it adds to the mantel.   Every area should have a little bling.  I also paired leaves with this hurricane vase with green glass rocks in it to create balance with the orange on the other side of the mantel.

I have learned that the least expensive flower arrangements are the ones that come out of your own yard.  We have this lovely basil growing in our yard.  Since it is the end of the season for it, I clipped a few pieces and placed them in the vase.

The pumpkins are the only things I purchased.  I found them at our local produce store for around $10 total.  I didn’t think that was too bad since it was all I spent on decorations.

I am really pleased with how well it turned out.  My eyes feel automatically drawn to the fire place while in the living room for the simple reason it’s something different.  I know I will enjoy our mantel this fall and feel like it will carry all the way through Thanksgiving!

I am linking up with Layla at The Lettered Cottage.

 

and Amanda  at

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