Hey there! What did you do this weekend? Anything fun you’d like to share? I stayed home and had the house all to myself. It was fabulous! As I was getting out the fall decor, I decided this year I was going to keep it simple. Keep the fall decor to a minimum. Straight forward and uncomplicated. So, today’s post is creating a simple and festive fall mantel.
Creating a Simple and Festive Fall Mantel
So many times I overthink things. I make things more complicated than is necessary. Do you do that? If so, try this and see what happens. Keeping it simple is so liberating. Much like removing the brassiere at the end of a long day. You know what I mean. 😉
Be strong in your festiveness!
Even though I lean more toward the look of Hobby Lobby or Kirkland’s regurgitating fall all over my house, I’m not doing it. I will stand firm! One of the ways that will keep me on track is by using this dinky uneven small mantel. Oh you’ve heard me complain about it before. Many times.
The thing just ain’t right. I’m supposed to be getting one for my birthday which is the 14th. We’ll see. Definitely not holding my breath. I’ve only been asking for 5 years. But just in case, it’s going to be soooooo nice! I won’t have to prop things up with little beige pieces of paper or rocks. I won’t have to use duct tape to keep things from toppling over. It will be a miracle!
You may be tempted.
Once you look at this mantel and are not used to effortless decor, you may be tempted, like I was, to add more pumpkins and gourds and maybe some twinkling lights. That’s alright. I actually had more stuff ready to add but I stopped myself. I wish you could see it in real life. The leaves and berries look so real and go so well with the rest of the colors in the living room. Your eyes move around the room and you feel cozy. Your eye moves again and there’s vibrant color and simple touches with nice empty spaces so it doesn’t overwhelm. It’s perfectly festive!
Go with texture in fall decor.
If you decide to keep your fall decor simple and clutter free, I have some advice. Go with lots of texture. Simple can look extremely bare if everything is smooth or hard. Look at the single pumpkin. It can’t have much more texture than that.
All you need!
The only thing you need for creating a simple and festive fall mantel is one textured pumpkin, four stems of fall leaves and two stems of berries. That’s it! You are done! Finished with keeping things simple. I know for some of you, this might be as exciting as a mashed potato sandwich but live with it for a couple of days. I did and now I love it!
Speaking of easy, if you’d like to read about creating the easiest fall wreath you’ll ever make, click here.
I’m with you on keeping it simple, Cindy! I had that thought in mind for decorating my house for fall. All I’ve done so far is my living room and today as I do the family room and porch, I’m going to *try* to keep it simple to make it easier on myself. I hope you get your new mantel this year. That narrow one sure would be hard to deal with.
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Hard to deal with is an understatement. I’ve cursed that thing so many times! I have day dreams about the someday I can add large jars with real flowers. Have fun decorating your family room and porch. I’m not touching our front porch here for another couple of weeks. But my plan is another simple one. Hmmm. Now that I type that out, seems like I’m being lazy. 😉
I love this! The berries are everything and the textured pumpkin is the perfect focal point! Thanks for ALWAYS giving us great ideas!
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It’s Gayle! Hello! Thank you for the encouragement. It means a lot. September 22 – yay fall!
Looks simple and perfect! Wishing for you a new mantle for your birthday.
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Thank you Miche! I’ll pass that along to the Mister. I might end up doing it myself if he doesn’t get the hint. LOL!
Pretty! I’m all about keeping it simple this year with less cutesy stuff and more natural (and faux natural) items like fall foliage, baskets, earth toned pottery, vintage copper pieces, and a few pumpkins. Hope you get your new mantel! Happy early birthday!
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Thank you Vicki! I hope I get it too. Fingers and toes are crossed! I don’t think I’m even going to decorate the kitchen this year. It’s hard to decorate two houses so less is more for me this year.
This mantel is so pretty! Love every detail! Fall is ALMOST HERE!
Happy day to you friend!
karianne
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Thank you KariAnne. I am super excited about fall this year!
Would love to see some Fall decor ideas for the hearth!
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I’ll try and work on that Linda. I usually don’t decorate my hearth because it’s already so busy with the stone. When the kids are home and it’s cold outside, everyone piles up next to each other vying for a place right in front of it! LOL.
Looks great to me! Oh, and having been married for 48 years (June 3rd)it has been my experience that hinting is not as effective as, coming right out and TELLING them. Either that or a 2×4 upside the head, whichever. JK! or not…
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LOLOLOL Denise! If I don’t get the mantel for my birthday this year, I’m trying the 2 x 4 idea!
I love the look, simple looks nice and neat and sometimes i think we can put a little too much out. As i get older less makes me happy and less tired,lol, besides i think i’d rather go for a walk and see all God’s beauty outside.
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You and me both Marlene. Less is what I’m liking best as I get older and I love being outdoors in the fall looking at all the beauty He created.
You’re so right, what you have looks realistic…lights etc would have changed that.
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Thank you Gail. I keep getting the itch to add more but I keep telling myself – walk away Cindy, walk away! 🙂
Cindy,
I love your fall mantle! The colors are great.
Rachel
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Thanks so much Rachel! I keep smiling each time I walk through there. I love the fall colors!
This is such a pretty way to celebrate Fall, Cindy, I love it! The way you have the pumpkin, leaves, and berries intertwined like that is so beautiful. It reminds me of our hikes at the cabin. I love your antique sign too. I’ve been looking for something more permanent to go across our mantel for 11 years now. I swear I feel like I’m reinventing the wheel every season 🙂 Hope you all your birthday wishes come true! Hugs, CoCo
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Thanks CoCo, you and me both on the birthday wishes AND reinventing the wheel each season! One day the perfect thing will come along. Not sure yours didn’t come along during those 11 years though! LOL!!! Hope you have a great week.
Yes, simple decor is for me! Partly because I hate putting it all away ha ha. Your mantle looks perfect! Just subscribed! Looking forward to more decor!
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Awe thank you so much for subscribing Marie! And I’m with you. I hate putting it all away. I get lazier about it every year. I look forward to becoming good friends!
Your mantel is perfect. I love the simplicity. My mantel is narrow like yours but at least it’s smooth. I hope to get a real mantel next year! I have pretty things up that I really like; I don’t change it much. I just don’t have the energy to go “all out” any more. Still like those pretties though.
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I bet your mantel is pretty Jeannie, even if it is narrow. And you sound like me. There are a few spots in the house that I like and don’t really change much either. Those areas are mostly the shelves that are up high. I’m tired of dragging around a ladder for them. Thank you for the sweet comment. I really appreciate it! Happy Fall 🙂
You had me at simple Cindy. Your mantel looks fabulous! Thank you for sharing with Charming Homes and Gardens.
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My pleasure Kim and thank you so much!
I think simple is perfect! I love the colors you chose! It just gives such a warm fall feeling! If you have time I would love for you to start joining us at The Embracing Home and Family Link Party. https://theeverydayfarmhouse.com/embracing-home-and-family-link-party-6/
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Thanks so much Jennifer. I’d love to join y’all for the link party! Hope you have a great weekend.
Cindy,
Very pretty!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!! Have a great Labor Day weekend!!
Hugs,
Debbie
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Thank you Debbie. I love seeing what you are up too. The 5th is our 28th anniversary so we’ll be doing something fun I’m sure. Hope you have a great weekend as well.
So pretty Cindy! Your mantel is gorgeous already and you gave it the perfect touch of Fall!! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
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My pleasure friend! Thanks for your sweet comment. They always make me smile.
Cindy,
This is so creative. Look for your feature on Wednesday Charming Homes & Garden Link Party.
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Really?! That’s awesome! I thought I’d be the only one that actually liked it. Thanks so much Rachel. You made my day!
Cindy, Your mantel is perfect! Just the right amount of fall. Found you through Charming Homes and Gardens! Thanks for sharing. Your home is beautiful.
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I love that link party Mary! So glad you clicked and saw my mantel. Thanks so much!