For as much as I’ve been talking about fall and planning fall events, I haven’t done much fall decorating around my own house which is very unlike me.  I managed to pull together my fall mantel last weekend though.  I love changing the mantels frequently.

You may remember my most recent, late summer mantelscape where I displayed my collection of vintage mixing bowls.

Well that is gone and a neutral color scheme is in.

Neutral is also very unlike me.  Normally I go for the bold colors.  Not this time.  I started out with this vintage picture.  It is a print that I acquired from my grandfather.  The shape and muted color scheme really interested me.  It looks to be a rainy day by the canal in Amsterdam.  So up the picture went with the windmill being the center of the mantel.

You probably noticed the branch candle holder right away.  I have been wanting to create something like this for a long time.  When I found it at a reasonable price at an antique shop recently, I crossed making my own right off the list.

Basically they took a large branch and used a drill press or drill bit to cut out space for candles.  Clever.  Of course I grabbed the coordinating branch candle holders as well.

I just love the warmth all of the candles add to the mantel.

Keeping with the mellow, natural color scheme, I placed some hardwood flooring frames on the left side of the mantel to mimic the framed art on the right.  I particularly like the blue stripe left on the one frame.  The frame is made from old basketball court hardwoods.  You can imagine that blue marking where the point guard stood or something similar.

Subtle pops of blue also show up in the picture.

So I added in a blue canning jar for good measure amongst my natural pumpkins.

I love how the colors of the nearly discarded art inspired an entire mantelscape.

The fireplace is just begging for a roaring fire.  We haven’t gotten that far yet this season though so the candles will have to do.

So what’s on your mantel?

Oh and if you need more inspiration for your fall decorating, come to our Harvest Party this weekend!  Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5pm

1814 Valley Forge Road Worcester, PA

Linking to Home Stories A to Z, Funky Junk Interiors, Centsational Girl