Monday, September 24, 2012

Our Fall Mantel


 Happy Fall!  

We had a wonderful weekend... the weather was beautiful and we visited the pumpkin patch one afternoon.  We came home with pumpkins and corn and since I just finished painting the mantel, it seemed the perfect time to decorate.


 One of my favorite things about fall is taking a hay ride out to the patch and picking pumpkins to bring home.  I may actually share some pictures later this week of our day. 


 I especially loved these little white pumpkins and knew they would be perfect for the mantel.


On our way to the pumpkin patch, we drove by some cotton fields and my husband kindly stopped after I begged, pleaded, mentioned I'd like to pick some.  I may remove the cotton balls here soon but right now I'm just enjoying the branches. 


However, I couldn't resist using some of the cotton balls that came loose on our way home on the mantel.  Last year the farmers planted rows of cotton across from our house and I miss it (this year they've planted corn instead).  Jillian learned all about cotton as we would pass by the fields... ever since then she often likes to talk about what kinds of things are made out of cotton.  (smile)

 

This past week I found a cute little wooden box and when I brought it home I realized the grain sack sachets that I bought from Ann fit just perfectly in it.   I stuck them on the mantel until I figured out where to put them but then ended up loving the way they looked there.  Of course, these sachets are my favorite thing right now so I think I would like them anywhere!

We also saw these corn cobs at the pumpkin patch and the colors were so beautiful I bought a few.  This year I'm really enjoying trying to incorporate natural elements of the season into my decor. 


 I wish I could pan and show you a finished ceiling as well, but we're still working on it.  However, I have been painting as I have time.  The fireplace probably doesn't look much different from before in the photos, but I painted over the creamy off white with a very light gray.  My original plan was white to match the trim I'm in the process of painting, but it looked much too stark against the wood walls and completely clashed with the picture above the mantel.  Then I decided to try painting it the same gray I'm using on the staircase and it was just right. 


I love fall in the air and all the inspiration I've been seeing lately.  I struggle with putting together vignettes, but nevertheless I've had so much fun taking a little time to bring in some touches of the season.  

How did you spend the first weekend of autumn?

27 comments:

  1. It's stunning! It's all so gorgeous and inspiring. Is that a painting on the wall? I thought at first it might be a small quilt.
    Brenda

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  2. I love your mantel. Love the corn and I am wanting some cotton branches. Don't remove the cotton. That is what makes them so pretty.

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  3. I think you did a lovely job on this vignette! A home feels so much cozier to me when you incorporate as much natural things as possible. It's all perfect and looks so inviting.

    I really love that artwork above your mantel! I wish I had something just like it for above mine.

    The first week of fall has been beautiful....but cold.

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  4. Happy Fall! I love the little white pumpkins - a favorite of mine for fall decor. Love your leaf garland across the fireplace as well. I'm inspired to add one to ours. I spent the first weekend of fall outdoors as well as in the kitchen baking bread and dessert. It's nice to smell good things coming from the kitchen on a chilly day. :)

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  5. I'm loving the corn in jars... as centerpieces. Our family is in charge (actually I am) of decorating for a family gathering coming up end of October. I'm thinking, You're my Inspiration!

    Thank you!

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  6. So pretty, Andrea. I love the natural elements you are using.

    I am looking for a cotton field to pick some cotton to use around our house. I totally love the look of it. I can't seem to find a beautiful field of cotton anywhere.

    Hopefully will run into you on Friday.

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  7. Your mantel looks beautiful! It doesn't look like you struggle at all with vignettes. I adore the little white pumpkins and the cotton. I spent the first weekend of fall shopping for antiques in the little town where I grew up. It was a beautiful sunshiny weekend with that perfect crisp fall air. :) Have a lovely day! ~ Jamie

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  8. Sounds like you had a perfect fall outing. Your mantle looks great!!

    Judy

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  9. We don't have mantels here in Switzerland, as older houses often have tiled ovens and modern fireplaces rarely have them, either (we have a woodburning stove for fun and flames, otherwise the central heating does the job!). But I miss mantels and so have a console table under a huge mirror and a couple of floating shelves that I like to do vignettes on, instead!
    I loved yours! Very autumnal.
    White pumpkins now remind me of my middle daughter's wedding two years ago: I scoured the local farm stands for white pumpkins of all sizes and we based all the decoration around them. In the biggest ones, I cut out a large heart shape on the upper side and stuffed it with red roses. We distributed these and all the smaller white pumpkins along the tables, with purple grapes and blue and red tealights and heart sequins, as well as some ribbons - it was so beautiful! That will always be my association, now ;)
    My eldest daughter also married in the autumn - her theme was sunflowers... another lovely association (I am looking at my autumn bouquet of chrysanthemums, corn cobs, sunflowers and spiked mini-pumpkins as I write!).

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  10. I really like simple, natural decorative elements--so I think your mantel is lovely. Those pumpkins in the box are gorgeous, too! Glad you had such a nice weekend. Ours was beautiful, too. So glad the 90+ weather seems to be gone for good!

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  11. Your fall mantel adds such a warm and cozy feel to your room. I love it!
    Mary Alice

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  12. Your mantle doesn't look like it was a struggle at all, it is beautiful! I like the clean uncluttered look. Very nice! I am telling my blogging friends that Cozy Home Scenes is no more. I had to start over because a company threatened legal action saying I was violating their trademark. Please come over to A COZY PLACE CALLED HOME to continue following my blog. Hope to see you there. I want all my old friends to join me at the new place.---------- Shannon

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  13. The blog is so new that I am making a mistake with the name. It is A COZY PLACE CALLED HOME not Shannon @ A Place Called Home. Sorry.

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  14. Beautiful mantel! I love going to the pumpkin patch. Especially with the grandkiddos.

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  15. You would never guess that you struggle with vignettes - your groupings always look so natural and refined. I love how you put the corn into the jars - it s a nice way to display their colour and texture. Looking forward to seeing your ceiling!

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  16. Ever, ever so beautiful...I cannot imagine that you struggle as the mantel is flawless....as your home...and I am such a fan of cotton...if i could, I would have a cotton field in my yard...they are beautiful!!...Planning to to with my granddaughter and family to our annual trek to the pumpkin patch....to make more memories and see joy in a child's heart....
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  17. So beautiful!! I wish it felt like fall around here! It is still 100+ degrees and all we want to do is be in the swimming pool!! Maybe I should just get my Fall decor out and it will feel more like FALL!!

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  18. I think you have done such a good job on this mantel...the natural elements are perfect. I love the corn in the vases. See...that's thinking outside the box. I haven't seen that on any other blog. :o) Thank you again for mentioning my sachets. I so, so appreciate it. I think it's wonderful that you can just stop your car and go pick cotton. Just can't imagine!

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  19. Mantels are the hardest thing to decorate (for me), but you've pulled together a fresh natural look. I love your cotton branches!

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  20. I think it looks beautiful...what a wonderful way to welcome fall into your home!

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  21. I just picked some more cotton this afternoon to send Ann, and then I saw her sachets on your mantel! I love how you've incorporated all the natural elements from nature in your display, and it's wonderful that your daughter is learning all about cotton.

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  22. Your mantle is so lovely! I love that adorable garland too! So simple, rustic, and perfect there!!
    Thanks for sharing your loveliness! I will be bringing home some cotton soon, too! The look is so wonderful, isn't it?

    Have a delightful day!
    Becky

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  23. Your trip to the pumpkin patch paid off in two ways - l) a delightful day with the kiddos and 2) a beautiful mantle. It really does say "cozy".

    Judy

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  24. I love the classic yet updated feel and not too overly "fall". Just right! Take care, Laura

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  25. I love your home and family. I'm friends with Cody. I visited the Eco Naturals website. I plan to try their products. Thank you. Wendy B

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