Tuesday, October 27, 2015

2015 Fall Mantel and Following My Heart

We have been blessed with a beautiful foliage this year and I am taken aback each time I pass by a window or step out the door. Our landscape has morphed into something new and exciting and it reminded me that the time had come to refresh our mantel.

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My original thoughts were to fill the ledge with all things Fall, but I paused for a moment to listen to my inner voice and knew that my heart yearned for something different.

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I hesitated to show you this 'Fall Mantel' as it doesn't fit into the traditional 'Fall Decor' category. There isn't a single pumpkin, a gourd, a pinecone, an acorn or even a turned leaf. It doesn't contain any of these things, but it does reflect my style and how I want our home to look and more importantly feel.

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Days of late find me drawn to a simpler life where quiet moments often bring the greatest joy.  I suppose this is the reason that I tend to favor a style that borders on minimalism with a touch of rustic coziness, character and charm.

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As always, I chose a few basic elements to emulate the look that I wanted.

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First things first, in keeping with the art of 'making do' - I shopped my home and used items that I had on hand.

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Next up was bringing in 'character and charm'. I added a bit of texture here, a bit of texture there and a hint of color to reflect the season at hand.

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I like mixing newer items with worn and well loved things from the past. They just seem to bring out the best in each other.

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Plants - you don't need to live in a greenhouse but a few small plants breath life into a space and bring in that cozy, feeling of home.

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Hand crafted items always add a special touch. I had searched for a mirror for some time, but couldn't find one that I liked. This is where my DIY mindset kicked in and ended with me making this 'Sunburst Mirror' using wood shims. I followed the instructions here at the Crazy Wonderful blog with a few small changes. I staggered the shimmed fans a bit more and used a smaller mirror.

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Mother Nature may have given us a bounty of color outside, but my hushed 'Fall Mantel' seems to be more than enough for our home this year.



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10 comments:

  1. Absolutely gorgeous, Suzanne! I love the simplicity. I am planning on going that route with my Christmas decor this year. I have never shown restraint in my decorating, lol, but I am really going to try this season! I adore the wagon wheel high up on the fireplace. Jane

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  2. Your fall mantel looks lovely because it coordinates wonderfully with your gorgeous room. I like the simple touches of non-traditional items you've chosen to display to represent "hushed" fall tones. It never happens for me, but I'd love to try something simpler when it comes to seasonal decorating. You did an excellent job creating that sunburst mirror and it looks perfect in that spot. Pinning.

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  3. I love it! I love the color. I adore it!

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  4. Sometimes less is more, love the books. I tend to do this in January, clean lines and all white after the wonderful clutter of Christmas.

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  5. Your hearth and mantel are refreshing! I love the beauty the greenery adds to the rusticity of the wood and stone. Well done!

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  6. I love the reduced look, Suzanne. Your sunburst mirror turned out just fabulous! Great job!!

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  7. Your mantle is stunning!!!! I definitely don't think you have to have the traditional fall elements to make a gorgeous fall statement. It's perfect as it is :) And, your mirror turned out amazing!!!!! It is jawdropping with your stone fireplace!

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  8. I love it, I get tired of the traditional thing myself and this is perfect. I just want to say that your over all fire place is amazing! Ithe stone and everything. Beautiful!

    Carole @ Garden Up Green

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  9. I love it! Especially the mirror! Simple is my favorite!

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  10. They are all right. The simple touch of your "Fall Mantel" makes it even more beautiful.

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I love reading each and every comment and welcome any questions or feedback you may have.

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