Late October Mantel with the Snow Owls

It's mid-October and my mantel tends to change up a bit when the weather starts getting cooler. I have a few vintage critters that come out to play in late fall and this year I decided I wanted to give my vintage concrete owl a little refresh before he swooped in and took up residence on the mantel.

I found him a few years ago, and love his realistic wise and natural appearance. I'm not a purist when it comes to antique and vintage finds concerning paint or repairs. If it doesn't work for me I have no problem with a bit of paint carefully applied or replacing a knob or handle; whatever it takes to make it workable within my color palette and decor style. I hadn't made any changes to him even though his outer layer of paint was chipping off. But this year I took a closer look and decided it was time for a little cleanup.

This mini paint refresh just took a couple of minutes with some old white and old ochre chalk paint strategically brushed on. I'm sure he had lived outside or on a porch for years, because the concrete is a bit crumbly and flaky. 

Much better, and now he blends in with the rest of the bunch. Did you know that a group of owls is called a parliament? me neither. had to look it up. So, I have a small parliament on my mantel this fall...

He has a few friends hanging out with him, and you all have met them before, too. The Snow Owls are here joining in all their frozen glittery glory.

Aren't they adorable? Who would know that behind those precious little faces lurks a natural born killer. You can read about how I gave some old 70's ceramic flea market specimens a new look a while back... Elegant Glitter Snow Owls.

I've tweaked things a bit here in the Hearth Room since last month and my early fall post. Cozy Up to Fall in the Hearth Room. Fall comes in stages here. As the temps fall and the leaves change colors the textures change up too.

I brought out these textured, nubby orange and black Buffalo Check pillows I bought a few years ago. There's just a short window to use them for fall, but I love that color combo for late October.

Did you get a chance to read my post last week about the dough bowl pumpkin centerpiece with a faux pumpkin refresh? I used a new textured paint technique and real stems to give them a mini makeover.

I still have out my ticking quilt on the ottoman. I use ticking throughout the seasons because it coordinates with almost everything.

My vintage Homer Laughlin ironstone mixing bowl is holding some shed deer antlers and fall faux wild flowers with the pumpkin on the cobbler's bench. I should have centered that tray, but that's where my feet or a hot mug usually land.

Here's the repurposed vintage sewing table in the corner with a 90's brass lamp that has been repainted with chalk paint and a textured spray paint base coat. I guess I'm going to have to move it and find a temporary spot shortly because that's where the little woodsy Christmas tree usually sits.

You can see the October Entry with Snow Owls post from last year, to see a few spots where I've used them.

Hope you'll come by the link party on Monday evenings.

joining in here:

The House on Silverado,  Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 

 Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 

  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life  Home Imagined at the Antique Journey

Wednesday Link Party at Our Tiny Nest

 Wonderful Wednesday at Eclectic Red Barn

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage

Share Your Style at French Ethereal,  Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Farmhouse Friday at  County Road 407  Fabulous Friday at WM Design House