Over the past week I have been sharing a few fall decorating ideas with you. Today, I am going to continue and show you how I decorated the mantel in my living room.
Before I show you though, I wanted you to know that I used to go CRAAA…azy when it was time to decorate for fall. I remember I would drag out bins and boxes filled with fall decor to decorate my house. I used to work in retail display and would treat the house as I would a shop or store. I would start at the front door, move into the foyer, then to the living room and kitchen. I even did up each of my daughter’s rooms.
Fast forward to today, that past method is over. I still adore fall. It is my favorite season, but I realize I no longer need bins of stuff to make my home comfy-cozy for fall. Adding a little bit of texture and a few touches of warm colors around the house can have a big impact.
If you are new to my blog, you may not realize that this fireplace wall in my living room was one of the first makeovers I did to the house when we first moved in. It was a brick wall previously. We built a frame around the fireplace and faced it with the stone you see in the photo and paneling off to each side of the fireplace. The white mantel was the top removable crown section of a dining room hutch that we no longer had use for.
You can read about it here. Fireplace Mantel Makeover.
My fall mantel this year consists of lots of chunky white candles. I love white candles, they are so versatile and I use them all over the house year round.
My stash was getting low so I did have to go out in search of some new ones. I wanted to find very large, unscented ones. Both in width and height. I found them at the Pottery Barn Outlet in Gaffney, SC that many of you told me I should go to when I was looking for a slipcovered sofa.
I also love the challenge of coming up with new ways to use stuff I already have. The basket in the center of the mantel, I grabbed from my party closet. It is a sectioned utensil and napkin basket that I use when we entertain outside in the summer. The handle is hidden by the flowers. The flowers are the same ones that I used in a hanging wall basket in my kitchen last year.
One reason I don’t mind fake florals… you get to use them again and again in different ways. To fill this basket, I simply stuffed the mums in the front sections and the straw in the back.
The wood log slices that a few of the candles are sitting on are from my Christmas decor. Last year when I saw logs at my local nursery, I asked the owner if he would cut up a few slices and sell them to me. He said, sure, I paid $10 for all of them.
I still have the outdoor chairs in the living room as I wait for 2 leather recliner swivel rockers to be delivered. I made the coffee table. You can read all about it in this post:
Repurposed Mirror Coffee Table
I will show you more of what I did to the room and the deck that overlooks the lake later in the week as I am still waiting for the nurseries around me to get their shipments of fall flowers and pumpkins that I plan to use outside.
Till then… :-)
Sources: White Candles
Sharing over at Tip Junkie where you will find all kinds of DIY and Decor Inspiration
Amy Anderson says
The simple decoration is one of the best ways to decorate if you are going for more designs in your decoration will be looking awkward I am also going to redecorate my house so this helps me a lot
Slate Countertops says
Beautiful fireplace mantel and fall decor! Looking forward to seeing more now that the season is here!
The Furnshop says
I like this candles decoration for fall mantel. It’s looking beautiful.
Barbara says
I m always so happy to check out your site. You have the most amazing ideas. I don’t have a fireplace. I wish I did.
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Barbara – The house I lived in when I was growing up didn’t have a fireplace and I always wanted one. I love how they add coziness to a room. I am happy to have a few very large one now. We use it almost every weekend in the colder months. In a past home where we didn’t have one, I placed a stand alone mantel along the wall and faked it. :-)
Cate says
As expected, Diane, it’s perfect! I just love the pop of color and not having clutter all over the room.
Sheryll & Critters. says
I love your simple decor! I was wondering where you found your grass//straw? And I’ve been wanting the velvet pillows since I first saw you use them. Although I really want one orange and one raspberry. Anyone else know where to find such (inexpensively) in Jacksonville, Fla?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sheryll – I found the grass/straw at Michaels. I always use my 40% off coupon too. :-) Did you check Walmart for an affordable velvet pillow? They sometimes have great looking decor, especially in the BHG line they sell.
Debbie Klausing says
Love your style! Always uplifting!
Also, can you share where you ordered your leather swivel recliners? My DIL is expecting in December and has been looking for one.
Thanks Diane!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Debbie – I ordered the leather swivel rocker recliners from Chapin Furniture. It is right on I-26 by the Chapin, SC exit. They are made by Southern Motion and are going to be delivered next week. I will post more about them then.
Ricki Jill Treleaven says
Everything looks so pretty next to your stone fireplace. I love our mantel!
laura janning says
i love the simplicity of fall decor. it allows us to enjoy all the other beauty going on around us.
Pam Cates says
Beauty in Simplicity! It’s just stunning!
Sherri Smith says
I absolutely love Fall time especially the decorations! Straw is one of my favorite things to decorate with in the fall. You did a beautiful job! Simple and perfect!
Sherri Smith says
I love Fall time! Fall decor is some of my favorite decor items especially straw. You did a beautiful job with your mantel its beautiful, simple and perfect!
Norma Rolader says
Love beautiful and simple Thank you and God bless
Norma Rolader says
Beautiful but simple mantel Thank you and God bless
Becky in 'Bama says
You got a smile from me regarding your past decorating habits. YES … for years I went mad with Fall/Thanksgiving decorating – until I realized it was a short window to Christmas decorating. NOW I’ve pared way back on both. To-date I’ve ditched most of the dust catching Fall and Christmas doo-dads. Life is too short to keep up with all that stuff. (And on our last move, I lost dining room space which was my go-to for all things decorating.) LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. your fireplace wall makeover. Happy minimalist-decorating-Monday!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Becky – Isn’t it a wonderful feeling to lighten up? I enjoyed the years where I decorated every inch of the house, but now I love keeping things simple. It is like a breath of fresh air. Like you said… Life is too short. :-)
Erin says
So warm and inviting! You have spurred me on to unpack and discard the plastic storage boxes filled with seasonal items that I sometimes use. Will pick my favorites and donate the rest. I’ve reached a season of life where less is more in terms of what is valued and enjoyed. I appreciate your ideas Diane. Happy fall!
Jeane Gallo says
Diane, I am trying to simply my decorating. I have tubs of fall decor, tubs of Halloween, tubs of spring, tubs of Easter and tubs of Christmas. How do you edit down? I have far more than I can possibly put out, and try to use different things from year to year. But I need to winnow it down. How do you restrain yourself?
Becky in 'Bama says
Jeane: I don’t know you – but seeing your comment reminds me of my late mother – who had TUBS (serious numbers) of all things seasonal decorating. When we were forced to clear out my parents’ home we tried to sell, give away, and ultimately donate all those things. I kept a few items for sentimental reasons, but I was aghast at how much we had to just ‘dump’. Very little of it sold in our estate sale. (My brothers and their wives were not interested in any of it.) She had some really quality items, and the dollar value of all of it was a bit staggering to consider – but I recalled that at the time, it was what my mom enjoyed, and it was her money. Start now trying to eliminate, donate, etc… Of course you may have children and/or grandchildren who’d like to have some items. It’s never too early to start asking.
Jeane says
Becky, I know your advice is correct, and from the heart, since you experienced it yourself. In addition to all my decor, I have a huge doll and teddy bear collection. (Mine and my mother’s) Unfortunately, I’m an only child and I don’t have any children! I’m hoping that one of my cousin’s grandchildren will take an interest in dolls. I also have some family heirlooms, such as our grandpa’s pocket watch. Everyone that would like to have it are older than me!
Linda Weeks says
you sure know what you’re doing! I love all the color in here, and it should be perfect even after Halloween comes and goes! Will you be actually using this beautiful fireplace? Does it get that cold in S.C.?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Linda – It does get cold here, not like up north, but in the teens sometimes. I need to wear a coat in the winter, but it isn’t a big bulky one like I had to wear in PA in the winter. We use the fireplace almost every weekend in the colder months. It is really nice to relax and watch football or movies with a fire warming up the room.
Connie says
Love how you show us that simpler can be better. It’s a little like having that perfect little black dress and adding just the perfect, simple earrings…and nothing more. :-)
Though I usually don’t decorate for fall, seeing your small hints of fall colors has me thinking wellll….maybe I’ll do that this year ;-)
Gorgeous as always, Diane!
Jennifer Kenrick says
The Columbia State farmers market has a Fall flower fest September 22-24. They have vendors with great selections of pumpkins and mums! You should check it out.
Donnamae says
It’s perfect in its’ simplicity! ;)
Marilyn says
Lovely–as usual. :-)