Pumpkin Books

 

I received some nice comments about the little pumpkin book stackers I made for the mantel at my Mom’s salon. {Thank You!}  They are just a variation of all the fun ideas using books in your decor.  I have always loved using books in my decorating and have recently being seeing the covers off and I love it. 

The talented Miss Mustard Seed (love her!) did it HERE and like she said, it is a great alternative if you can’t find books with beautiful covers.  I have quite a few on my own I have collected, but for this display I need to find some quick.  I found a few that worked, painted one and ripped the covers off of a few. 

Another very talented lady at My Sweet Savannah(love her too!), inspired me HERE with her gorgeous flower topped books.  I simply tied on my little pumpkins, stuck in a leaf and there you go…

A super easy, inexpensive and quick way to add to your fall {or everyday} decor.

Feeling Linky…

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

{10 minute} Fall Mantel

I put up a little fall on the mantel in our family room.  It is so easy to make simple changes to bring in the new seasons without spending a lot of time or money. 

 

Start to finish really took me about 10 minutes and I just shopped my house. 

First off, I flanked either side of the TV with garage sale shutters. They add dimension and another layer to my decor, but also work to hide the unsightly cords.  I changed out the eggs in my little trellis planter you might remember from my Spring Vignette.  Just put in some fall pears and added ribbon on top.   I have always loved using books in my decor so I stacked a few garage sale finds and put the pears on top.  I then took this little ceramic pitcher and filled it with wispy grasses and tied a jute ribbon on the handle.

I Brought out a fall garland from last year and stuck  a few pine cones in for some additional texture and interest.  Next added my little light and a pine planter I wrapped with ribbon. I added the little Harvest sign in the middle to maybe help distract from the black hole in the center. ;)

  Speaking of the blackness in the center of the mantel, I am sure you have heard me whine about it before.  As I mentioned last Christmas, I love mantels and fireplaces but our home set up for a traditional mantel.  I am grateful for what I have, it’s just from a decorating standpoint, it’s not the best.  (I know, waa-waa ;)Had we built this home I would have done it differently and I plan to work on it, but in the mean time just picture my mantel looking more like this…

Even with my extremely super poor editing job of pasting this beautiful mirror in, I think it looks lovely!   Sorry flat screen, this mirror is way prettier than you.

My Christmas Mantel

I finally got my Christmas Mantel up!  My house is like a crazy Christmas tornado hit it!  I love this time of year and love to make my house all cozy and Christmasy, but I am feeling slightly overwhelmed at the moment.  I think it might be that all the other responsibilities of the household don't pause while I play.  Weird, right?  If only laundry was as fun as Christmas decor!  Anyway, here is my mantel and the rest of my decor is soon to come.

I love fireplaces and would have one in every room if I could.  My favorite is really traditional mantels (I will show you my moms soon, it is so pretty)  I have 3 fireplaces in my house and none of them have a "traditional" look.  I feel lucky to have found a home that I didn't build that I love as much as mine.  I don't have my traditional mantel ( do you think I've said traditional enough?), but I do have 3 great fireplaces.  This one is my family room.  The way it is set up, the only place for a TV is on the mantel, which is great, works wonderfully.  Having said this, I imagine a gorgeous mirror, beautiful painting, wreath, etc., when I think traditional mantel.

I used 2 six foot garlands so it would give me plenty to work with.  I wanted it to hang over the edges.  These garlands already have some pine cones and a few different kinds of pine, which I love because it gives it more texture and fullness.  They were $9.99 each.  Also, they weren't exactly alike because one was from last year so here is a little trick.  Instead of hooking them end to end, I cut one in half and hooked one half on each end of the other.  This way both the ends will be the same and it may trick the eye for any differences.  I wrapped them in a set of 100 mini lights.

I stuck in a few berries for some color and then my favorite part...the long hanging pine!  I just bought 4 stems of these at Michaels on sale for like $2 each.  I simply cut off individual pieces and stuck them throughout the garland.  It adds so much interest and dimension.




I found these precious candle holders at Tuesday morning on clearance(of course) for $2.50 each!!  I know, soooo exciting!!  They were originally like $30 each and they are really heavy and nice. I already had these little candle lights on my mantel so I just put them on top of the holder with a sparkly fruit candle ring.  I then added the little shades I got for $2 each at, again, Tuesday Morning. I quite enjoy that store!

It ended up pretty simple and...traditional? :)  All in all it makes my family room feel festive and cozy.  That's the goal here.  Make your home warm and inviting and do what makes you feel good.  I hope ya'll are getting in the Christmas spirit and enjoying your family and friends and this wonderful season!  Warmest Wishes!

I'm sharing at TheShabbyChicCottage for Transformation Thursday and TheInspiredRoom Holiday Linky Friday.

Lots of great stuff, check it out!