The kids are back to school, the pool is being drained, leaves are starting to turn, the temperature is a cool 95 degrees, ok ignore that last part but everything else points to falls arrival. My friend posted a pic of her beautiful fall mantel and I was feeling inspired to change mine up after seeing hers. If you want to pin this image, please head over to and pin directly from her blog.
It was also probably the feeling of sweet freedom as all 4 children were in school and I had laundry and dishes nothing to do. The bub’s started pre-school yesterday, this momma did not cry, ok well maybe I shed a tear of happiness as I have 7.5 hours to myself each week but who’s counting. He needs to get out and play with some peeps his age and I need some time alone so I can do important things, like cleaning and organizing playing with fall flowers in the dollar store for 45 minutes.
Here was mantel from sometime this spring/summer. I love my Martha Stewart Sunburst mirror but I have really had a hard time finding stuff that fit around it. By the way, I have a love hate relationship with mantel decorating. I see cute mantels like Erin’s and get all inspired and then I end up getting frustrated after two hours and just throw something up there. Something like the picture below.
Today after hauling up many different accessories from my storage area, trying things, taking pictures, posting to fb for feedback and tpssing goldfish at the bub’s while he sat on the couch, I came up with this. The right side I love, the left side is ok. I’m open to suggestions so please feel free to help a sister out. Part of my problem is that I am not a hoarder and I”m actually the opposite which I guess would be a minimalist. I don’t have a lot of “stuff” to work with for the mantel. I need to hit up some garage sales for books and maybe a few picture frames.
Just for fun, this is the mantel from last fall. Granted we had only been living in this house for about four months and I was still trying to figure out what furniture for which room, where to place the tv, etc.
The family room has come a long way in the past year, the painted trim and walls certainly lightened up the space. I think even in my photography there has been some improvement, thanks in part to a better camera but also trying to shoot in manual mode and learning some skills.
I’ve also realized while talking with my friend Jen that I don’t even own a pumpkin for fall! Can you believe it? Not a ceramic one, plastic one, wooden one, raffia one, crocheted one, fabric one, nothing. Hobby Lobby might be a good place to start, I have a birthday soon, maybe I should ask for pumpkins for my gifts. Maybe I will become a pumpkin hoarder. Do you own a pumpkin? Do you decorate your mantel for the seasons?
Your fall mantel looks beautiful. Now that the kids are back in school I can start thinking about it. You’ve inspired me.
Looks awesome Ange! I love that wooden box with the flowers…wonder where those came from?
Hi Ange – I think it looks great. Love the way the sunburst mirror works with this vignette. My only suggestion would be to switch positions of the wooden box with the oval plate and smoosh them together a bit – that way you have a pop of colour closer to the end to match the other side. Hope you meant it when you said you were open to suggestions and I haven’t irrevocably challenged our relationship.
Wow, your family room has come a long way! Oh, and your photography skills too. Love your mantle. The pops of color are perfect. I’m normally not one to change up my mantle decor, but seeing ones like yours sure make me want to.
it looks beautiful! the room looks so light and bright- great picture! love that mirror, and i think you found the perfect arrangement!
So pretty Ange!! I’m in love with that mirror you have. Great anchor piece to any mantel makeover! I can’t believe the progress you’ve made in that room in only 4 months. Simply amazing!! And thanks for the kind words and feature of my Fall mantel. You’re too sweet!!
I think the room looks great all painted out. I have the hardest time styling anything because I find I am such a minimalist. Love the mirror.
What an incredible difference from last fall! Looks great!
Your photography skills certainly have come a long way!! I”m envious. Your mantle looks incredible. I would add something tall on the left side…maybe a crystal candle holder or a thin vase with a simple bud. Looks really great Ange!
Ange, your mantle is so pretty. I love your touches for fall! I’m a total minimalist when it comes to seasonal decorating – a little goes a long way. Your bunch of flowers and and the pop of red from the pillow are nice and warm for fall!
My mantel is in desperate need of some tlc right now. It’s pretty bare and I have a few random things up there. I’m just on the mood to change it to Fall yet. I don’t know, I guess I’m weird that way…I have to get in the mood. I’m ready for cooler weather, just not ready for all the Fall decor. I love your minimalist approach to decorating, Ange. Maybe this might inspire me to get in the groove.
I love the simple, pretty look of your mantle. I like the books stacked especially. Maybe put something with more visual weight or that is taller on the left? Do you have any pottery/vases/ or pitchers in fall colors that you could add there? I love the paint color change in that room, so light and bright! I am in the process of making burlap pumpkins….they look really cute so far but I am figuring how what I want to use for a stem. I will be posting about them soon, and if you like them, I will mail you one.