{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.

More {Front Porch} Fall

For my fall front porch {phase 2} I added some more color with some sweet little Mums. I made this little planter early in the summer and wanted to get some flowers planted in it. Well… I am only a few months late, but I am loving how these flowers look for fall!  They pull out the colors in my wreath too.

Aren’t the colors amazing?!  LOVE. 

I just lined the planter with burlap and dropped in the little containers of mums.  If they survive do well, I may have to transport them.  That being a BIG IF because my gardening skills are, um, well…not the best. ;)

Stay tuned for some more Front Porch Fall…and back patio too!

 

{Just} A Cake Stand

I love cake stands and I really only have one, which is weird….anyway, I have loved seeing all the amazing repurposing of things to make unique cake stands.  So, here is another one.  Nothing too crazy cool or spectacular,  but pretty cute for very little time or money. And now I have two cake stands!

I had 2 little votive holders that I bought from the dollar store a while back.  Because they are from the dollar store, they were sort of irregular, which in this case was wonderful!  One of the bottoms was smaller so it fit perfectly in the other, so I Gorilla glued them together and then placed my old {like first married old} metal charger plate on top.  Throw in a little ORB spray paint to unify the look,  and what do you get?…

A super lovely -using what you have- dollar store -one of a kind -cake stand!

I am not sure where she will end up, but I borrowed this little arrangement from my Etsy Shop to show you one way it could be used.

* My sincerest apologies about the dust in these pics that is driving me nuts!!  So please ignore. ;)
 

Do you have a fab cake stand you’ve created?

Gettin’ Linky with it…

The Shabby Nest Frugal Friday

{My} Wreath for Fall

 

Fall wreaths are my favorite!  I am usually busy making wreaths for my wonderful clients and customers so my front door is always a little behind.  Amazingly enough I did get my fall wreath up and I love seeing it when I pull into my driveway.  It is like a smile for my front door.

      

There was actually no plan for this wreath.  I really just used what I had around.  Bits and pieces left from custom orders and some metal fall leaves I have had for a few years.  I used bright colors to pop off my door and I always love the texture  that pine cones add.  I like the mixed ribbons I used here and really think the metal leaves add to the over all look.

 

Here is my front porch {phase 1}.  I want to add some more fall, but this is it so far.  I need to get some pumpkins and gourds…a little more festiveness & color.

 

Most the time your front door is the first impression for your guests.

A warm invite or a welcoming to your home.

How is your front door looking?  Do you go all out, or keep it simple?  I love seeing all the great ideas out there and how you are all  welcoming friends, family and guests.  

Joining in the fun…

&

A Design Story’s Fall Wreath Party

It’s Amazing What a Little Clearance Fabric Can Do

Nothing super brilliant or unique here today.  Just a 10 minute project that has been left undone for a couple years. I seem to have a lot of those….  Anyway, this chair belonged to my Great Grandma (thanks Grandma!) and it is in excellent shape.  Sturdy.  Finish is good.  Just a crazy old black pleather seat with paint on it.  (not sure why or how?)

So I unscrewed the seat, and removed the lovely vinyl. Which BTW revealed some lovely velvety chenille fabric.  It was probably the original and I almost just used it because it is really pretty, so I left it attached but decided for now to cover it with a scrap of clearance fabric.  I was lucky enough that it worked out that I could make sure my pattern was centered in the seat.*  {You can use the existing fabric as a template to cut your new fabric, but I just laid the seat on the fabric and cut around, because that’s how I roll.}  Stapled it on, lemon-y pledged the wood and instantly beautimous!
*When using patterns or stripes you just need to make sure your fabric is lined up how you want it before you start stapling.  I usually start in the center of each side working my way out to the corners.  Make sure you keep your fabric tight and smooth as you work your way around.  My corners just folded in nicely, but if you fabric is super bulky you can cut out a notch.  I am no where near a seat covering expert, so if you want like real instructions you should probably Google it. ;)  I’m just more about the effect it can have.

Seat Covering is really soooo easy and takes soooo little time, but makes a HUGE difference.  Because it is so simple –and in this case, CHEAP! - it is also fun to be able to change it up easily.  You should totally try it!  Or not. Whatever.  It’s really up to you. ;)  You can see another one of my easy seat covers HERE.
…Oh and if you’re curious, this little lady will probably end up at my sewing desk, in my craft room, that someday I will show you. (yes, I have a sewing machine;)

Sharing today with…
 
 

Fall into Autumn

Here is a simple little update on a piece of  Fall decor.

       

I’ve had this little fall leaf picture kicking around for a few years and I have never put it out.  Not to say it isn’t cute, but I just wasn’t feelin’ it.  It needed an update. So I simply popped off the letters and removed the fabric leaf.  Then added some jute twine, spelled out Autumn in stickers and glued on a couple faux fall leaves in the center.  I was thinking it might be fun to change them to dried ones when the leaves start changing here, but for now I am pleased with the transformation.

I really almost gave that little picture away, but I am glad I gave it a second chance.  Look what a little creativity and 10 minutes can do! 

Do you have any Fall decor that needs some new life?

Linking up…

Some FREE Fall Shipping Going On

 

Feeling Fall yet?

           

Just a little FYI.

               There is FREE shipping

                        on some fall items in my

 Etsy Shop!