Fall Mantel

Is it ok to admit I’m still holding on to summer? Can I tell you how hard it is to decorate for fall when our temps have been in the 80’s? Thankfully, yesterday was the first crisp and cool morning and you could smell a bit of fall in the air. It was a fuzzy slipper kind of morning.  I made myself a steamy pumpkin latte (or two, or three)and then climbed the attic stairs to lug down the autumn bins. Today I’d take it easy and joyfully tackle the Fall Mantel! Why so joyous? Well this mama took her mantel back!

I gleefully said “buh-bye” to the big flat screen TV over my mantel! I’ve been working on hubs for years to move it across the room but he refused. One day a few weeks ago he agreed to try a new arrangement! I couldn’t believe it, but quickly got him dismantling the monstrosity sucking up all my lovely mantel space.

If you do have a TV over your fireplace you will want to read my post for helpful design tips on How to Decorate a Mantel Around Your Big TV.

The hardware that held the TV was still installed on the wall along with the power outlets. It was not pretty and needed either repairing or disguising. So I took an oil rubbed bronze made over mirror from another part of the house and leaned it against the hardware. I actually secured it to the hardware too so it won’t fall. This mantel is 5 feet tall!

Mini wheat stacks from Home Goods flank the sides. One is paired with the oh so delicious smelling Angel Kiss Candle by Goose Creek and a metal “W” initial from Restoration Hardware. A pretty Anjou russet pear rests against the letter.

The pear and bittersweet vine motif continues on the other side with a large oil rubbed bronze pear from Target and a bittersweet wreath adorning the mirror. It’s held by a suction cup hook.

More bittersweet berry garland suspend under the mantel and are also tucked into a dough bowl filled with heirloom pumpkins and gourds.

When I came across this dough bowl I immediately envisioned it filled with pumpkins! Isn’t is beautiful? I love it!

I’m happy with the balance of the decorations, colors, shapes, and textures. The eye keeps moving yet is not overwhelmed with too many items.

Have you started decorating your fall mantel yet? What do you have planned? If you don’t blog, I’d love to see pics of your mantels! Just email them to me. You never know, you might be featured!

Kim

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linking up to: Home Stories A to Z- Tuts & Tips Not to Miss, Centsational Girl- Autumn Mantel Party, Savvy Southern Style- Wow Us Wednesdays