Summertime is quickly coming to a close and with that it is time for a mantel refresh at our new home! Come along and check out what all is going on…
One of the things I really love about this new-to-us home is our living room mantel so I’m trying to really get in here and change up the decor more often. Make this place comfy and cozy so that when we come home and friends come over, it is always welcoming!
I found a few goodies at Target in the dollar section this past week and the black and white checked pumpkins set the tone for this mantelscape. I haven’t really decorated with black and white before so I thought I’d challenge myself to incorporate it into my usual Shabby French style.
Until we can repair the wall where plugs used to run through for a television above the mantel, I always have to be mindful to put something in front of the ugly white plastic cover. Searching around the house for items with black, I pulled in this old candy tin which I have had since my mother turned over sewing to me when I was very young. With its beautiful roses painted on tin it is the perfect piece to place near the middle.
I began thinking about October coming and Halloween and went looking through all of our books for props. A couple of semi-spooky stories I have had since I was in grade school are placed over on the right side of the mantel.
Nancy Drew Mysteries are perfect for bringing in that fall fun feel! The books’ yellow color brings in the pop of color I was looking for to balance the muted fall colors and the black.
Trying different looks
On the left side of the mantel I tried out a couple of different looks. The first is with this purple candleholder my mother-in-law found at their IOOF thrift shop. She thought I’d love to use it in my decorating and she was right!
When I first saw it I immediately thought of fall and fun dusky candlelit evenings… One of my first posts five years ago was a candlelit mantel at the Big House and I have missed a mantel filled softly twinkling light…
Keeping with the mildly spooky theme I thought of doors and locks of a haunted house so adding in a door escutcheon and vintage door knobs add extra charm.
This ironstone pitcher with colorful fall blooms was the second look I tried. Even though this mantel look is asymmetrical I needed to balance the height of the black sparkly Target tree placed on the right side with something taller on the left.
This is ultimately what I decided to go with (for now) until I find the right vase or lantern to finish out the left side. Not perfect but getting closer.
😉
Decorating challenges
Playing around with a couple of books as lifts was a small challenge. The mantel’s top is narrow so each book had to be just the right width to fit the space. I love the look of books without their bindings but I won’t rip off covers of good books just to create a look so I went with turning a couple books around instead.
The mini velvet, checked and real Baby Boo
pumpkins make this a fun spot!
This is a mantel with a lot going on but I like it for its difference from the summertime mantel look or from the patriotic mantel that was up earlier.
I am loving this fall look ~ perfect with bits of autumn color!
What’s next at French Ethereal?
I have a few pillows that I’ll be sharing soon which will tie in with the black and white theme for the living room. Check back soon for that post in the next couple of weeks.
I am just about finished with the t-shirt quilt for our son so I’ll be sharing it.
And I am the chairperson of an upcoming IOOF event with a Downton Abbey theme so look for a post (or two) sharing what all went on there soon!
Happy fall decorating!
Who does not love your refreshing home interior? The style is very unique and special, I like it definitely! Waiting for your next share!
Beautiful mantel Barbara. I especially like the black and white pumpkins and how you incorporated yellow with the books. Happy fall dear friend!
Hello, Who does not love your refreshing home interior? The style is very unique and special, I like it definitely! Waiting for your next share!home buyers
So nicely done Barb! I particularly like the black and white check pumpkins. And, the Nancy Drew books tugged at my heartstrings! Growing up I read every one then published. I still have several, including the first one I ever read — Mystery of the Dancing Puppet.
Lovely, Barb! You have some beautiful pieces and I love how you integrated the books on the mantle!
Nothing better than some Nancy Drew! Pretty mantel. Love the black and white check pumpkin.
Gorgeous style and textures! You have a real talent for design, Barbara. I am looking forward to Downton and have been re-watching the series in preparation for the movie in a few weeks.
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What a pretty colleciton. I adore your tin! The Costumers are having a Georgian picnic in November. We are celebrating Marie Antoinettes birthday. https://www.dfwcg.org/
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Thank you for your sweet comments!
Thank you, Mary! I do like how this mantel turned out with the yellow and bits of black. Happy fall to you, too!!
Thank you, Debbee! Glad you like this mantel's decor. I don't think I have read the Mystery of the Dancing Puppet. Will have to stop by the library and see if they have it to read! I still have all 23 which I bought with baby sitting money back when I was 11-12 years old.Happy fall,Barb 🙂
Thank you, Jeanie! I am glad you liked this fall mantel's look. Definitely ready for a little fall weather over here; I'm sure you are, too.Happy fall,Barb 🙂
Thank you, Linda! This was a fun vignette to create.Happy fall to you,Barb 🙂
Hi Meegan! I rewatched the whole Downton Abbey series this summer ~ I do hope the movie is good. Thank you for your lovely comments! <3Happy fall,Barb 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comments!Happy fall to you,Barb 🙂
Thank you so much, Laura! This tin is my favorite out of the bunch I have with different sewing and embroidery goodies in them. I'll stop by the DFWCG later this week. It'd be nice to see the ladies again! Marie Antoinettes birthday would be so much fun to celebrate and dress up!!I met a young woman at Joann's this Sunday who is a similar guild and I told her about the DFW group. Hope she will join! Happy fall,Barb 🙂
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