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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

SEPTEMBER'S MANTLE

I usually do not do things the same way twice and this year's Fall mantle is no different.  I didn't  look at the pictures of last year's mantle until I sat down to write this post.  I liked last year's mantle and thought it might be a good reference for comparison with this year's mantle.  Here's 2011 mantle...

(Sorry about that photo editing, or lack thereof.  But, at least you get the idea.)


This year I began with just the bare essentials on the mantle, the items that rarely change, and I thought I would try to show how the final outcome came about.  Here are the basics...

I love white and wish all of my woodwork was white, but, it isn't soooo......on the mantle I use white items to satisfy my white cravings. 


This is the first layer of my design.  I knew I was going to use my garage-sale-find as the center of the display.  I set the sign on books with the covers turned inside/out for more "whiteness".  I also wanted a nature-inspired mantle so I added salvaged pine cones off of an old Christmas wreath and propped them on the left side.  The seeded pear and pumpkin were added on the other side for balance.

The little funky pumpkin in the middle of the pine cones was placed to cover the gap and to add  more "whiteness" along with a white sea rock behind the pumpkin for more texture.

The other side of this arrangement didn't have a gap, but needed a spot of white, so the little owl was added.  Also, you might have noticed, I moved the shutters in a bit--so I wouldn't have to accessorize all of the mantle.  The shutters cut the space and move in and out, as a mantle design comes together--or doesn't.


A closeup of the garage sale score.  You could easily recreate it.


A little mouse and a piece of sea rock on driftwood.  I actually found the driftwood pieces while walking my favorite beach this summer.  The little mouse is from Target last year.  I got twelve or so of these in a package for $1.00 and I love them.  I used them on a cloche last year.  You can see that post here.


Here's the final view.  Simple, smaller, and done!



P.S.

This was one of the considerations I tried before I got the final form.  That was (fake) coral on the candle holders and I tried it for the whiteness, but decided, as much as I love the sea, the coral looked a little too funky for me.  This was when I decided to move the shutters in and call the design finished.

P.S.S.  Yes, the blog template has changed--yet again.  I've been playing on my computer again.  What do you think?  Do you like the changes?  Did you even notice?  Does it bother you when you expect to see the same format and I've changed it AGAIN?  Let me know, if you will.

I thank you for reading, or just looking at the pictures.  If you've followed my thought process on this project and have input, I'd love to hear constructive criticism.  Feel free to leave a helpful comment.  HAPPY FALL!


13 comments:

  1. I love it! Isn't fall decorating so much fun? Robin, you do an exceptional job. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Great job Robin! It looks so nice for Fall and I actually like the one with the coral, too.
    I'm a huge seashell and coral fan...oh, and pine cones, too :)
    Thanks for all the great Fall ideas.
    Babs

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  3. Love your pumpkin sign! Thanks for sharing at Cowgirl Up this week. I featured you on my fb page tonight!
    :) Samantha @ Crafty Texas Girls
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crafty-Texas-Girls/140299076008437?ref=hl

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  4. Lovely! What a great sign! Would love if you'd join our Countdown to Fall link party! Hope to see you there! Have a great week! :)
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_09_17_archive.html

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  5. Love the shutter idea. I have a couple of sets in my garage and have been wondering what to do with them. My mantle is almost the twin of yours and as much as I would love to paint it white, my dear hubby would kill me. Never thought of using the shutters to whiten it up a bit.Thanks for the inspiration.

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  6. I'm really into fall, love your mantle too. Mine is never the same either.
    Perfect bringing the shutters in.

    hugs
    cindy@stitches

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  7. Lovely decoration for fall... nice that you shared the thought process and images along the way during its creation... found you via Weekly Top Shot. :-)

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  8. Very pretty - I especially love the 'pick your own pumpkin sign'!

    Visiting from Weekly Top Shot :)

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  9. I love it! The sign, pine cones, snowy owl, well, all of it! You have a very good eye! Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #49!

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  10. That framed world map makes a wonderful backing for just about anything, doesn't it? Nice arrangement - and I admit I'm especially partial to that little mouse.

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  11. I love how you layered it! Well done!

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  12. Very pretty, Robin! Thank you for sharing your creativity at Potpourri Friday!

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  13. You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I to find this matter to be actually something which I feel I would by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and very extensive for me. I am looking ahead on your next submit, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

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