Fall Front Room {Mantel-less Mantel}

 Are you growing tired of seeing my Fall decor?  I hope not, because here is some more. ;)  Just a few subtle changes to bring in the season in my front room.  You have seen this little mantel-less niche before, HERE & HERE.  I liked the lantern thing I had going, so I decided to just add a bit to it.

A few pine cones, some pears, fall leaves and a pumpkin to be exact.  Below I rested a little sign in the spot where one day I’ll have a gorgeous antique mantel, and hung my dried magnolia wreath on the screen.  Next to this sits my FREE garage sale gourds! {insert my happy dance} Aren’t they lovely?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeling Fall-ish and cozy!  I love to ‘hide out’ in this room.  It’s quiet and {usually} clean and I sometimes can’t be found in here…  For like 5 minutes.

Do you have a space in your home you enjoy like that?

Getting all Linky…

Cottage and Vine Falling Up Party

 The Nesting Place Fall Mantel Party

Hooked on Houses Fall Open House

Southern Hospitality

Fall Mantel {Salon Edition}

 

Some of you may know I am a Cosmetologist by trade.  I really enjoy the art  and creativity of doing hair and makeup {and may even do it again one day}, but once I had babies, I was lucky enough to get to stay home with them.

Our family (my Mom & Aunt) own the cutest salon and they so kindly let me sell some of my creations in there and also have me decorate. *My mom could do it all herself because she is so talented, but sooo busy*  It is an old historical (built in the 1930’s) home that has been transformed into a salon.  This makes for such an inviting and warm atmosphere for the stylist and clients.  I love it!

One  day I will share a tour of the whole salon because it has such charm and character, but for now I want to show you the Fall Mantel.

Like I said, the original details in this old home are amazing and I love the fireplace.  You have heard me cry about not having my own traditional mantel, so getting to play with this one makes me happy! 

I made the wreath last year for the salon and I love how it brings attention to this great mantel.  I found some thrift store books and simply tied these little pumpkins to the top with just twine, which is repeated throughout.

 

       

I wanted a natural organic feel, not only to continue the inviting warmth to the clients, but to also compliment the original feel of the home. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m hoping you’re all feeling the cozy fall feeling I wanted to invoke with this mantel.  Thanks for taking a peek!

p.s.  In case you are wondering, I was going for an aged appearance on these pics…hm…not sure if I am lovin’ it. ;)

 

Linking up…

 The Nesting Place Fall Mantel Party

Wine Barrel Plaque {a knock off}

Oh, drive by garage sale finds…how I love thee!

I love garage sales, but it seems like my weekends are crazy and I usually don’t end up making it to Saturday morning sales. 

Excitingly enough last Friday,  as I was driving back from getting my first pumpkin spiced latte of the season {heaven in a cup}, I saw a Friday morning moving sale!  If you follow me on twitter, you may have seen my pic of all the loot I scored for only $4!

Lemme show ya what I did with one of those amazing steals…

Have you seen the lovely wine barrel plaques from Ballard?    I noticed them a while back, thinking ‘oh, I wish I could find and old barrel lid like that’.  Well, I have yet to find one.  So what do you do if you can’t find something you want? 

You create it!!

So here are Ballard's barrel lids.  Pretty nice huh? They are three different sizes but the smallest is 14” in diameter and 4” deep.  It sales for $69.00.

Enter my $1 garage sale find. 

Um, what is it?  Maybe a drying rack of sorts? 

Fill me in if you know.  All I saw was my barrel lid project!

So I started with the lid and just stained it with gel stain I had from my trunk makeover.  Next I stenciled on the words I wanted.  I started with Pinot Noir because it’s my fave and the numbers are Mr. Husband’s and my anniversary.  A little fleur de lis stamp for some softness, and there ya go. 

A custom piece for a DOLLAR!

   

The lower parts had slats so I had to add in some cardboard.  I painted it all out in black, almost dry brushing, to give it an aged rustic appearance.  I stenciled on the words and numbers and free handed the shield and leaf in the center.

 

What do you think about 2 custom pieces for a dollar?

How about 3 for a dollar?!

  

For this one I used cardboard again and painted it all in Heirloom white.  I then stenciled on my words, freehanded some designs and lightly sanded & glazed it.

 

I quite like them.  Mine measure 12” in diameter and 2” deep, so they are a tiny bit smaller than theirs, and just a little cheaper.  Just a little. ;)

 

I hope this inspires you to think about things differently look at that garage sale “junk” and see past what it is,  to what it could be. 

Linking up…

 

 
 

Autumn Owl Vignette

 

I am loving my little Autumn Vignette.  Isn’t the little owl cute?  I got a lot of slack from my family when I brought him home last year, but I quite like him.  I have him nestled on top of my antique storage box {I scored for $2!} with some 75cent thrift store candle holders.  Backed by some clearance mirrors, each about $1, and a old fall leaf garland.

You’ll also see a grapevine pumpkin I have had for years and my newly revamped Autumn sign.  If you missed it’s little makeover you can see it HERE.  I love hanging things from this lamp.  It has a tall base which gives me room to hang unconventional decor from it, like my Egg Basket from last Spring. 

I used some books to help vary the heights in my display.  Layering and varying heights in your vignettes is a must.  This not only shows off your pieces, but also gives a flow to your display to make it pleasing to the eye.

*A couple quick tips for arranging accessories… Vary your heights and colors in such a way that your eye easily follows the flow.  Also, leave some space for the eye to rest.  I like to have a variety of textures and elements that compliment each other. Group like items and try to add interest and your own style.  Play around with your layout and make it feel good to you, that is most important.

Having displays like this around your home gives warmth and character to your home which makes your guests feel at ease.  Most important though, is how it makes you feel.  If you love something and it reflects you, that is what matters most.  Creating a home that is ‘you’ and that makes you and your family comfortable and  happy is {in my opinion} the best decorating plan to follow. :)

Hooked on Houses Fall Open House