Welcome to another great Pinterest Challenge, friends! This month won’t disappoint with its Fall Mantel theme… I think we are all a bit ready for the heat of summer to end and some fall crispness to blow our way…
Thank you to Cindy of County Road 407 for gathering us all together again for this month’s challenge. We all love creating our Pinterest Challenge posts for you and hope you enjoy them as much as we love creating them!
If you are just visiting for the first time from Laura‘s place, Everyday Edits, don’t you love how she decorated her mantel? She has such great taste!
Our inspiration photo
This fall mantel vignette comes to us from Janelle Trinette and her post Fall Tour 2020. I love that she has used:
- a large glass container for fall branches
- a framed quote about fall
- several sizes of wood candlesticks; in fact, LOTS of wood in the mantel and in the decor
- small orange and white Baby Boo pumpkins
- a pretty burnished brass lantern
- and fall leaves scattered about the mantel top
My interpretation
Oddly enough, I have very few natural or stained wood elements in our home. Except for some monkey pod plates my husband mailed back home as he passed through the Philippines on his way to or from the Gulf War in the early 1990’s, and a few pieces of furniture, that’s it. Over the years, I’ve tended to paint everything white, or lately, layered-on paint for an antique look when it comes to either home decor or furniture.
So my interpretation of this mantel full of wooden items has more of a French Country painted and gilded look, and less of a farmhouse country look.
The mirror I have on the mantel is the right size as our large inspiration quote and it is paired with a print for something written. This really cool matted musical print I found at a local thrift shop in my favorite grey-green color.
I used three of my painted wooden candlesticks (How to Create Candlesticks from Old Lamps) to mirror our inspiration wood pieces, plus I added two round wood slices to add height underneath the woven lantern and the glass vase.
- For fall leaves, I opted to layer in these resin glass-like glitter leaves I found a couple of years ago. I don’t remember where I found them but they are really Christmas ornaments.
- Real pumpkins are pretty scarce right now so I used two velvet pumpkins I made plus a cute sweater pumpkin I found at Joann Fabrics last year.
- The glass vase on the left holds a spray of leaves and mini velvet pumpkins stacked up inside.
- The woven plastic faux candle lantern on the right side of the mantel carries on the painted grey-green theme. I found it on clearance at Menards in South Dakota on our trip up to see our newly born grandson during the summer of 2020.
- The little owl was a gift from a friend when we lived up in Sanger in our Prairie Home (our RV) and he brings in some more of the fall browns and oranges.
And that’s my mantel interpretation! Now let’s hop on over to Cindy‘s at County Road 407 and see her beautiful mantel. If you like to hop around, the full list is here at the bottom for you, too!
Thanks for stopping by today,
Barb 🙂
I don’t do a lot of white for fall and I have to say, it looks very elegant and also cool, which I’m sure is nice in your Texan autumns! I’ll have to start thinking about that soon!
Your fall mantel is so pretty, Barb. I look forward to seeing more of your fall decor over the next few weeks.
HI Barb, lovely fall mantel. I love that you incorporated Christmas ornaments. Such a great reminder to repurpose. And the wood candle holders. I love a chunky candle stick! laura in Colorado
So pretty! This is such a fun challenge. So many great ideas. Hugs and blessings to you.
Hi Barb, Did my comment go through? Ha! Love the chunky candlesticks and how you used Christmas ornaments in your fall decor. Great idea to repurpose! laura in Colorado
The blues and greys work beautifully together for fall, Barb. The matte finishes give your mantel a soft look for fall after the brights of summer. The chunky candlesticks are a great addition.
Making pumpkins, making candlesticks from lamps, using Christmas ornaments and a thrift store find…?! That is amazing. And I noticed you rearranged your living room. Where did my fave white slip covered chair (that you also made) go? It’s not at my house! 😉 Thanks for joining in today Barbara. I know you are busy so it’s much appreciated. Pinned
Your mantel turned out so pretty. I love the soft colors and that knit pumpkin is a favorite.
Awww yes, now this is my kind of mantle. I love the soft, cool colors you used!
Thank you so much, Laura! I am enjoying the mantel’s new look.
Here’s hoping for cooler weather soon,
Barb 🙂
I love that you decided to go with a French Country theme, Barb! It turned out beautifully! I especially admire your musical print, since I’m a pianist and singer…that caught my eye immediately! Those candlesticks are gorgeous, too. They make the perfect accent with your color scheme. I also really like that mirror as the backdrop. Well done!
Thank you so much, Crissy. I really enjoyed sharing this musical print.
Barb 🙂
You mantel has such a romantic feel. Love it. So fun doing these together. I get so many ideas.
Hi Barb, your soft French country spin on the inspiration is so pretty and the framed music sheet is a lovely touch. Love it!
Barb, the soft colors of your fall mantel are so pretty! I love those resin leaves and the pumpkins!
I absolutely love how you kept true to your vintage French home. The sheet music with white sweater pumpkins is just so pretty. That plaid chair is fabulous!
This is a beautiful mantel!!
Love your framed music and all the neutrral colors. So pretty.