Wednesday, September 25, 2013

A Fall Mantel for when you don't know what else to do...

Things don't look much different this year than last year, here on the Living Room mantel. No matter what I've tried, I just like this look the best, so "that's my story, and I'm sticking with it". I did do a little tweaking though, and changed out one small thing. These are the "after photos", you'll see the "before photos" a little further down. Originally, I had tried a small white ironstone tureen, but things looked a little boring, so I replaced it with the old oval tray. It added a little more "Fall" to the mix, and was a little larger focal point.




I need to keep things symmetrical in here, otherwise things look off kilter. I've tried experimenting early on and it just didn't work. So these big Wolff Pottery vases are pretty much a fixture here, no matter what the season. I love their height, especially stacked on book bundles.



The Hydrangeas are a mix of dried and faux, 
with some real bittersweet and faux berry branches.




I always love to layer the mirrors...



Right now this is a faux pumpkin in the Pottery Barn urn. I'm behind on more real pumpkins due to the fact that my roof is being replaced this week, and it looks and sounds like a war zone outside.







 Prepare yourself, these next pics are scary...



this is just a small fraction of the chaos.





Yikes...it's just day one.
and the fur girls are traumatized already.

 Now back to something less crazy.







On the end tables I have these little bifold frames from the 40's and 50's.
This one has some Fall graphics from old postcards.



and on the other one...
Potpourri and a small glass accent dish from my bud, Julie.





And if you remember we found this big heavy iron relief in St. Louis earlier in the year. I think it must have come from an old parlor stove. I guess it will have to stay here, I can barely drag the sucker around.




OK, so here is the first attempt, I took these photos a couple of days ago. There are basically some of the same shots and angles of the room and coffee table, I just thought I'd include them anyway. Call me predictable, I can take it...























So much for the "Early Fall Mantel".
I'll bring back my snow owls in October.
They're antsy to make their appearance!

I'll be joining in on these great Fall Parties:

Blissful Whites at Timewashed
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
It's Fall Y'all Mantels at Thrifty Decor Chick
Inspiration Exchange at Yellow Bliss Road
HomeWork at Everydayhome
Open House at No Minimalist Here
Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours
Daily Cup at Mrs. Olson's
TTT at Stone Gable


xoxo,
If you see a crazy woman running down the street
it will be me trying to escape the construction noise.

58 comments:

  1. Everything looks so beautiful and elegant! You could have saved those roof pics till closer to Halloween and say that a big witch crashed there when her broom broke :)

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  2. I think it looks just beautiful, Debra! I love your coffee table vignette, too. Love the urn with the pumpkin and grapevine. I think when the mess outside starts to get to you, just turn around at look at that mantel. : )

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  3. It looks like a show worthy home to me! Bravo!

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  4. You house is always so lovely, no matter the season. You have such a knack for arranging your collections and pretties. I'm always in awe of your talents.
    Brenda

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  5. I love the wooden box with the velvet pumpkin, urn and birdcage!!! Perfection!! I am predictable also. I used to change things up more than I do now...may be part laziness, but I like to think that I finally decorate t way I like! Ha!!
    Blessings~

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  6. Loving all the fall decor! Your photos are beautiful too:)

    xo, amy

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  7. Oh my goodness, Debra! We must be on the same wavelength! I used a similar real white pumpkin with grapevine and bittersweet in a silver urn in my living room! How funny!!! I would never have thought that pumpkin wasn't real! We so need our roof replaced - but I'm sure I will hate the mess and noise when it happens!

    Blessings,
    Doreen

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  8. They sure are making a big mess. I know how it is, We've had ours replaced twice in four years due to hail damage. The kitties around here were beside themselves. LOVE that urn on your coffee table with the white pumpkin and your mantel looks beautiful.

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  9. Debra - What a beautiful room. Everything you show about your home always looks so gorgeous, calm and serene! I always enjoy looking at ay room in your home. The mantle looks so pretty. Sorry about all of the noise - isn't that frustrating? And nothing you can do about it. Wait, maybe go out shopping!

    Judy

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  10. Hi Debra... your Fall mantel looks so pretty!... and so does everything else... love your living room in Autumn... your couch is such a pretty color and all of your little vignettes are just perfect for Fall... I was trying to figure out what you had done to your mirror on your mantel, then I realized those are your ceiling beams reflected in it... your construction zone will be gone soon hopefully and you can finish outside... poor kitties!... Tessy hates that kind of thing too... I really love your tray full of Autumn's bounty on your coffee table... much love, xoxo Julie Marie

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  11. Perfectly autumn!! Great job, Debra. :o) I'd love it if you'd link your mantel up to my new party: http://www.prodigalpieces.com/2013/09/its-party-time-whats-your-prodigal.html
    Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces

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  12. Your decor looks wonderful but I was fascinated by the reflection of the beams in the mirror! The reflection is a work of art in itself! At first I thought you had a painted palette or old piece of wood leaning there! The reflection of the chandy is awesome also! Good luck with your project, it's hard to live with a mess for sure!
    Jenna

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  13. So pretty!! I love how you've put everything together on your coffee table-looks great!!
    Susan

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  14. Debra, everything looks soooo fantastic! The colors are so cohesive and soothing, you've done a great job. The wood beams are a dream of mine to have too, they look great. Good luck getting through the roof job!!

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  15. Predictable? Never. Reassuringly beautiful, always :) If it's not broke, don't fix it.

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  16. Deb, the only thing predictable about you is class - it looks terrific. As for the messes outside, I would be going absolutely crazy! And don't forget about your attic space, if you have one - there will shingle speckles all over everything. Better run to Lowe's for some heavy plastic to cover what you don't want to have to clean!! That seems to be a staple in my arsenal, lol.
    ~R

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  17. Debra, your mantel is gorgeous! I think the tray with darker fall colors is perfect in the middle. Your whole room is stunning!
    Mary Alice

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  18. Debra your mantel looks gorgeous!! All your Fall touches look wonderful!

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  19. This is my favorite room in your house. I never tire of looking at all its loveliness. I like the look of layered mirrors, too. And that big mirror on the mantel is just gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful room, Debra. You have such a knack of knowing where to place things. :)

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  20. It all looks beautiful Debra! Hope you are doing well!!

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  21. Hi Debra, while there may be chaos outside your home, the interior looks quite tranquil and soothing! Your fireplace and mantel look wonderful. I must admit, I'm a bit stubborn when it comes to change with my own mantel. I get to liking a look and find it hard to deviate at times, but I think that is fine! That must mean it's just a super great look that's hard to improve!

    I love the pottery vases on the stacked books . . . I'm still using dried hydrangea among my own indoor vignettes too. You are quite far ahead of me for the changing of the seasons, so I better get on the ball. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  22. Beautiful Fall decor.....love the touches of orange!! Blessings~~~Roxie

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  23. Hey Debra! I love the mantel! It looks fantastic! Bright, yet fall shines through! Great job! Why dont you come over and link it up at our Wonderful Wednesdays linky party - live now! http://wonderfulathome.blogspot.com/2013/09/wonderful-wednesdays-linky-party-5-with.html
    See you there!

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  24. Wow this is stunning no wonder you don't want to change it! can you come over and do my mantle now? ;) love love love it. Come link up to centerpiece Wednesday and share your ideas with us. Www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com
    Karin

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  25. You have such beautiful things, so of course your autumn mantel is beautiful too! Love all the layering and different textures!

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  26. Your mantel is fabulous, Debra. I feel the same way about the hearth room mantel. I arranged it after Christmas and there it has stayed, because I love how it looks. I didn't add a pumpkin or gourd, just left it.:-)

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  27. Lovely, Debra! Your arrangements are beautiful on your mantel ... love the layered mirrors ... and, your vignette on the coffee table is gorgeous, as always!

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  28. Gorgeous Fall touches! and I love your vignettes on the mantle and the coffee table!

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  29. Would you please come decorate my house? Yours is SO BEAUTIFUL! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

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  30. Why change a thing? It looks beautiful!!! It must look so warm and cozy in the evening with the small lamps turned on. Having a roof replaced is awful. It's so messy and it sounds like your house and things on the wall are going to come crashing down.

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  31. Everything looks so beautiful! I feel your pain about your roof. Been there, done that but it goes really fast! Meanwhile, I'm just in awe of your photos. Can you come over and stage my home?! =)

    Jeanine

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  32. Helloooo Debra!*!*!
    LoVe the Coffee-Table Vignette ~ Urn... Pumpkin... Wreath... BirdCage...
    Jeanine Burkhardt

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  33. Whoa! Such a gorgeous room! I just love every aspect of your decorating. My home colors are very similar and I just find it all so warm and inviting. I absolutely need to now mimic or find the tray you have with the screen bottom to it! Thanks for sharing. Oh ya---came your way via The Everyday Home Homework Wednesday.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Fondly-Lisa

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  34. It's beautiful and so cozy. Your home reminds me so much of when I lived in Olathe, KS and then Belton, MO. We lived there for only 18 mos but it has a certain warm feeling...the heartbeat of America feeling and your home reminds me of that. It should be in a magazine for fall!!!

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  35. Everything is just so mesmerizingly beautiful, even if it is similar to last year....mine is too, it's just worked for me w/out having to spend more $$$.

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  36. Your home is just gorgeous. There is no reason whatsoever to change your mantel... you've achieved perfection with those urns and bittersweet and hydrangeas. I love symmetry ... and they look beautiful. I also just adore the urn with the wreath and pumpkin. I wish i could find one just like that so i could plop a pumkin right in it just exactly like yours!

    Cindy

    Cindy

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  37. It's gorgeous and the Wolfs must stay. We need a new roof too. I dread it. Especially paying for it. xo, olive

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  38. It's all so beautiful you always make your home look so classy and elegant and your fall look is simply that.

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  39. Debra, I love that box of treasures on the coffee table!! Hmmmmm. I think you've inspired me - again! :-)

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  40. Oh, yeah! I'm totally borrowing your idea to perch birds on candlesticks in your birdcage! It's pure genius! Why didn't I think of it? Love you table and your mantel, Debra.
    -Revi

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  41. Debra, Your home decorated for Fall is beautiful! Love the mantle and coffee table vignette.
    xx,
    Sherry

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  42. At least the inside of your home is clean and serene. I love the vignettes around the room and if you like it, it should stay that way. After all, you are having to put up with the destruction of the roof. I am looking forward to those owls.

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  43. Your room looks so pretty, Debra. As pretty as the small white dish on the mantel is (truly is lovely), you were right -- the scale is too small. The tray is just beautiful! Good luck with all the roof chaos!

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  44. Everything is just gorgeous! I am your newest follower. Would love it if you would stop by and see me! Have a nice evening.

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  45. Gorgeous Debra! Your mantle makes me really miss my two story dramatic fireplace! Really enjoyed all the lovely photos and your wit about the construction :)
    I'd love for you to share this tomorrow at Stylish Friday Finds!
    http://www.astylishinterior.com
    Have a stylish day!

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  46. This is really gorgeous, Debra...I am a big fan of symmetrical...PERFECT! Hope they get that roof done SOON!

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  47. Your home looks lovely. I love urns and I especially love the urn inside the tray on your coffee table, and that iron relief piece in front of your fireplace - is amazing.
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

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  48. what?!! no drop cloths to catch the roofing debris and protect the bushes and your porch things? what a mess. love your mantel! it does look best with the platter. the small tourine got lost. thank you for the pictures! i love to peek into other people's houses!

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  49. Wonderful pictures. Like a layout in a magazine. The room looks elegant and inviting. I didn't see it last year so I'm glad I got a second chance.! Happy SYC!

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  50. Debra, why mess with perfection? I love the Wolff pottery atop the books. You just have such a knack for pulling things together. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  51. Hi Debra! Beautiful as always! You're right, it looks better with he oval picture on the mantle instead of the tureen. Also love the way you pulled everything together. The white pumpkin resting on the "nest" in the urn is just so pretty, and love the velvet pumpkin to the side. Gorgeous! Catherine

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  52. Absolutely beautiful- I love the neutrals with small pops of fall colors. Just perfect.

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  53. Debra your mantle looks beautiful! Love......Love.....Love your fall decor.I know this is your favorite season to decorate and your home really shines!Thank you for the inspiration!
    xx
    Anne

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  54. Oooh Debra - your living room is just gorgeous all dressed for fall! It is one of my personal faves from last week's Home{work} Wednesday bloghop and will be featured on my blog at this week's party. Thank you for linking up!

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  55. This is just lovely, Debra, and I'm featuring you on my fb page today and on Home{work} Wednesday. Thanks for linking up!

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  56. So much texture! I absolutely love everything you've done! Who cares if it's not all brand new, it looks great and that's a great story to stick to!

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  57. Such a beautiful fall mantel! I love those velvet pumpkins. Thank you for joining HSH!
    Sherry

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