There is so much inspiration for creating a lovely fall vignette in your home by just looking at nature. Achieving that look doesn’t have to break the bank. Your fall mantel can be a budget-friendly display by utilizing natural elements, metals, and reclaimed or found items.
Join me and a fantastic group of bloggers as we take you on a Fall Ideas Tour beginning today with mantels, and lasting all week long. Get ready to be inspired! (Links to tour for each day of the week below)
When looking to create my fall mantlescape for this season, I wanted to stray from my typical fall orange-yellow-red color scheme, like I did for this display a couple of years ago. I craved a simple palette that would help me transition into the seasons yet to come.
It all started with this pile of scrap wood pieces that came from our master bedroom remodel that we revealed this past spring.
DIY FUN
When we took down our shelves in our bedroom, I didn’t want to reuse the corbels that were there because they were bulky and took up too much space. So I replaced them with iron brackets instead. Since nothing goes to waste around here, we ended up using those wood corbels for building our window boxes we added this spring as well. When building the boxes, the original corbels had too large of a profile, so we trimmed them down and left us with that pile above. (Didn’t my hubby do good?)
I have saved them in a box for over a year, because…well…they were cool looking and I knew I could come up with some good use for them other than our burn pile. There were several ideas that came to mind, but then inspiration struck and here’s what I came up with…
I whipped out my favorite tool accessory, my Kreg Jig (I love that thing!), and joined those pieces together, then gave them a washed appearance with stain and paint. This would be my focal point of my mantel. I had hoped to achieve the look of a salvaged architectural piece.
THE REVEAL
What do you think of my fall mantel decor?
With a few gourds, dried botanicals, and some thrifted finds, it all came together in a simple, neutral palette.
If you’re not familiar with that furry guy, that’s my shadow (aka. Teddy). He appears along with our cat, Lily, on social media every now and then. ♥
The soft tones suit my decor and can be changed up with splash of color once Thanksgiving rolls around. My linen chair, a curbside barrel, and some fresh hydrangea all pair nicely for a welcoming spot.
While up above my DIY cotton branches stuffed into a flea market pitcher, and thrifted milk glass urn with a mossy orb create a nice juxtaposition.
METAL ACCENTS
The metal serving trays, I believe, are from a high-school shop class project, complete with hand carved names and dates, also found while thrifting. Then there’s my Maybelle (heifer head). She is wearing a cow bell from my mother’s childhood.
I have a thing for making my own beeswax candles and this tapered set was one of my first attempts at making this style. They’re rustic (that’s what we’ll call them) and go well in that candelabra I scored for a buck.
Down below, white pumpkins, a gathering of grasses from my landscaping in an old vinegar jug, and a barn roof panel from a set I found on Craigslist that will soon be my family room ceiling. No need to hide them until then, right?
It all blends together, but in a mis-matched way… the way I like it.
Funny how it all started with a pile of scrap wood, isn’t it? I shopped my home for most of these things and you can too. Take a walk through your space and look at your decor in a different light. You never know what will speak to you. And by all means, utilize nature. So many wonderful aspects of creation can be implemented to add texture and color without spending a dime. Have fun with it!
In addition, pin and share my fall mantel to inspire others too. ♥
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Also, more DIY like my fall mantel from yours truly:
Monday
Postcards from the Ridge | All Things Heart and Home
Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer | Domestically Speaking
Prodigal Pieces | Housepitality Designs
Mad In Crafts | My Creative Days
Tuesday
Refresh Restyle | 2 Bees in a Pod
Fox Hollow Cottage | Artsy Chicks Rule
Our Southern Home | Restoration Redoux
Savvy Southern Style | Atta Girl Says
Wednesday
H2OBungalow | Cottage at the Crossroads
Today’s Creative Life | Dukes and Duchesses
Hunt & Host | The Interior Frugalista
Sweet Pea | Petticoat Junktion
Thursday
At the Picket Fence |Town and Country Living
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | So Much Better With Age
I’m in love with every detail! You have a way with design that makes me happy my friend xo
How awesome to hear, Robin! Thank you!
I love your mantel so much! And, I love that you keep cool pieces lying around too. They always come in handy for some project.
Oh yes, just have to find a purpose for them, right? Thank you for the love, Lindsay!
Crushing on your mantel today!….I love that you so beautifully incorporated so many amazing pieces to create that amazing neutral toned mantelscape and hearth. The wood mantel itself it stunning! Great to party with you today!
Yes, fun to be a part of such a talented group! That mantel was a dream come true for me and am so happy to call it mine. Thank you for coming by!
Everything is simply gorgeous!! Love your wood wreath, and all things fall. Your creativity is inspiring !!
That’s awesome to hear, Ida! Thank you so much. I had fun and my family enjoys it too. 😀
Love the rustic nature and layers of your mantel. I truly love the old beam!
I just had to have one and finally got it a few months later than promised. 😉 Better late than never, right?
…and she does it again, turning scraps into fabulous treasures! I love what you did with those corbel pieces Larissa and the rustic finish you gave them. I used to make beeswax candles, so much better than store bought ones, and the charm is how they don’t look all perfect. Love your Fall Mantle!
Oh yes! I make candles all the time and pretty much anything else we use like lip balm, salves, herbal rubs, etc. I can’t get enough of beeswax and it’s glorious properties. Thank you for the love!
You and that Kreg Jig are just showing off now… lol!!
It looks fantastic, and perfectly fall.
Loving all the texture 🙂
Hahaha…I seriously don’t know what I ever did without that thing. The possibilites are endless! Now to have the time to use it. Thanks for stopping by!
So many lovely touches. It’s a gorgeous space.
Thank you so much, Amy! Fall is a favorite of mine and I enjoy changing it up.
I think that this is the first time that I’ve seen your fireplace and mantel. It looks so pretty decorated for fall. Did you make the mantel? We are in the process of making a similar mantel now using a beam from a demolished carriage house on the farm where my grandfather grew up. It’s been in my mom’s barn for 40 years just waiting to be used.
Yes, we made the mantel from an old barn beam and have a DIY tutorial on a floating mantel if you should need one. 😉 I think the story that your beam will tell will last for generations…fun!
Hey Larissa – We love your mantel and decor…especially the wood piece you made for the mirror! Your neutral farmhouse style is fantastic!
Hello ladies! I had fun creating for this season and look forward to each time I can change it up. Thank you for stopping by!
It’s beautiful Larissa… love all the neutrals this fall.
Thank you, Maryann! I just felt the need for a calm effect this year. 😉
You always amaze me Larissa. I love what you did with the leftover wood. I also love all the neutral colors. I haven’t done my mantel yet. I’m trying to decide between color or neutrals??
I appreciate the comment so much, Kathy. Thank you! I am a color girl most of the time, but wanted a sort of peaceful feeling this year. Have fun!
You are so creative! I love what you didwith the lefover wood pieces. Perfect.
All so pretty.
xo
Nancy
Thank you, Nancy! I was bound to find a use for those things and am so happy with the result.
This is really you Larissa. The corbels look like an old gothic piece made many years ago. I love that you have placed so many treasures on your mantel.
Thank you, Mary! That was the effect I was going for. I believe our decor should have a story, and something to generate conversation and memories. 🙂
Love the mantel décor! Who knew corbels would make a cool architectural piece! Looks awesome!
Thank you, Sherry!
I love everything you do and this mantel is no exception! It is such a great mix of wonderful things. Then there is the mantel itself…gorgeous!!! all the way down to the perfectly posed doggie 🙂
That’s awesome to hear, Kim! Thank you. Yes, I don’t know if you can tell, but Teddy is ready to get up and come beside me. He’s my shadow. 🙂
So many delicious textures! I just love it!
Thank you, Jessica!
Larissa, I’m so impressed with what you did with those scraps of wood! Sooooo creative! All of the elements you used combine to make a unique, rustic fall mantel. Just goes to show that you don’t need to run out and purchase things to make something beautiful!
Thank you for noticing, Jane. I have a thing for making my space my own…something you can’t find in a store. It’s so much more fun that way!
You’re so creative, Larissa! I love your new wooden artwork and your chippy door caught my eye!
Hahaha…yes, that chippy door is a score for me, but an eyesore for my hubby. He’s gotten used to it. Thanks for stopping by!
I love everything about it, Larissa! That would “wreath” is the coolest! I would never have come up with that from those scraps! XO
Beautiful! I love the layering you did with the platters and candles. Can’t wait to see the rest! 🙂
Thank you so much, Kimm! It’s a much used space and could use some updating…soon!
OH, so pretty! As you know, I’m a HUGE fan of vignettes and mis-matching, you’ve done a wonderful job showing how to use your amazing finds in such a beautiful way! I could totally shop your house girl, LOVE!!!! Oh and that mantel, I feel a little heart flutter when I look at that, the texture and the patina = perfection!
You are a girl after my own heart, Laurie! Including that pitchfork decor, girl….love! 😀
This is lovely Larissa! All those touches come together to makeit so rustic and warm. love it!
Thank you, Ursula! It’s our favorite room in the house. 🙂
So pretty my friend! I love the rustic look and the items you layered are pure genius.. especially those too cool shapes you made for your mirror!
Thank you, Wendi! The tour is amazing!!
Your mantel is beautiful, Larissa. I love every single element of it!
Thank you so much, Mary Beth! 🙂
What a wonderful idea! Just beautiful as always!
Thank you, Christy!
This is lovely Larissa! All those touches come together to makeit so rustic and warm. love it!
Thank you!
Everything looks so inviting and warm, simply amazing – thanks for the inspiration! Me and my wife are looking for re-decorating our living room 🙂
Thanks!