Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Fall Mantel

Rather than the first day of fall, I use October 1 as my date for fall decorations.


 After reading a post on Kirb Appeal about Kirby's fall mantel, I decided to go with glass containers.


Dried hydrangeas, the few that bloomed in my garden this year, fill one container.


A few tiny pumpkins and gourds join one of the trio of pumpkins I made from left over drop cloth.


Colorful leaves and a candle fill the other container.


My goal for October - Enjoy Life - is tucked into the container and mini drop cloth pumpkins sit at the side.


The center of the mantel looked empty so I googled autumn quotes and found one by Nathaniel Hawthorne which pretty much sums up how I have spent the first 9 days of the season.


Last January, Steve and I were hiking above city hall and he took the photo that inspired the painting.

It might have been winter, but the colors fit perfectly with my fall mantel.


The mantel is decorated and I need to make more changes around the house, but October began with a gorgeous day which I chose to spend outside just like Nathaniel Hawthorne would have done.

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I am joining these fun parties

Funky Junk Interiors - Fall Mantel Decorating

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

39 comments:

  1. Oh- I love the sweet simplicity of your mantle where that painting really takes center stage. Man! Is he GOOD, or what? What a GORGEOUS painting. It is not always easy living with a talented person. Don't ask me how I know that. lol Love the use of clear glass containers- xo Diana

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  2. Yep!! That quote sums it all up perfectly!!! I love that you chose to use glass! The hydrangea look so pretty as do your pumpkins that you made! Of course the painting is beautiful!!! Happy days to you friend!!!

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  3. I love the container with the flower and candle, and the mini pumpkins are so sweet. Happy October.

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  4. What a beautiful mantle. Steve's painting is stunning, he is terrific! Everything looks great with his picture.
    Have a wonderful fall weekend.
    Mary

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  5. How beautiful! The glass really features the colors and textures of the items inside. Great idea! My daughter is pressing for Halloween decorations. Maybe tonight. Have a nice day!

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  6. Good morning Carol dear!

    I love your home. That mantle is so lovely, simple and so CALIFORNIA! The little drop cloth pumpkins are stunning and this year, I had wanted to make some velvet ones, but do I even have time? I just bought some lovely white natural pumpkins at the market and they look wonderful.

    Well my friend, I hope to post soon. I have missed creating posts every week, but teaching at the middle and high school along with trying to devote more time to poetry has really been fabulous, but I'm short on time! WIshing you another lovely day at the shore. Anita

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  7. Sooo Pretty, Carol! I love how you've filled glass containers with fallish things. And the drop cloth pumpkins are as adorable as can be!
    Mary Alice

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  8. The mantle looks very nice. Love the painting. Clever idea with those pumpkins. I also like the Quotes. xoxo,Susie

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  9. Steve's painting is perfect over your mantel. Love all your fall decor especially those drop cloth pumpkins.

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  10. I love your Fall decorations...love the little wagon with croquet balls even better. I'm going to wrap some twine around my pitiful pumpkin and see if that helps! lol Have a wonderful day! Hugs!

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  11. Carol I can see why you chose that quote. It's another one that I might have picked too. Although right now I'm looking at your days at the beach drifting in the water with Steve and I'm a bit jealous. We would love to have that pace of life right now too. And maybe that's the lure of our pending move. More time for Mr. Moss to enjoy himself and get out of the 'rat race' more often. The Fall décor looks so pretty on your mantel too. I'm loving those pumpkins :)
    xo

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  12. I have some hydrangeas I am waiting to turn brown and you gave me inspiration for it along with everything else of course!

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  13. Very nice and the painting is wonderful! Enjoy the weather! :)

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  14. Loverly!!!

    My mantel is almost done... Pix maybe later today, and will post ASAP

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  15. Hi Carol, I love your fall mantel. What a great idea to make pumpkins out of drop cloth. I love the texture and color. Your glass container looks nice too. The painting on the wall is absolutely stunning. Wonder how much a painting like that would cost. Some day, when my funds are better, I'd love to have a painting done for my living room.

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  16. Your fall mantel looks great! I wait until Oct to start too. I am decorating the porch and mantel today.

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  17. Carol,
    Love the fall mantel and love your little pumpkins. They are so so cute.
    Kris

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  18. Your mantel looks adorable and I love the little drop cloth pumpkins! What I especially love about your blog and decorating is that you incorporate color! So many decorators out there use white on beige, beige on white with a touch of gray, etc. I love color and your decorating style adds a nice splash of color to a sea of white blogs.

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  19. You sure know how to enjoy life! I rarely get off this computer. Seems like there's always something I need to do on it. Love his painting!
    Brenda

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  20. Love the quote! This time of year we must savor every moment of crisp Autumn goodness!

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  21. The painting is so beautiful. It looks like a photo. I like the little accents with color and the drop cloth pumpkins. Your cottage has the perfect colors for fall. Keep on enjoying. Enjoy was my word for the year.

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  22. Beautiful brush strokes by Steve, warm and pretty styling by you! Happy October, Carol!

    Poppy

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  23. Wonderful painting! I love the colors! October 1 is a great day as any to begin fall in southern California. I really like your color scheme. It really is very versatile.

    I don't try too hard with fall decor. It is still hitting 100. November will feel like fall for us.

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  24. Lovely, Carol and I do love that quote!!

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  25. Your mantel looks wonderful and ready for Fall. That painting is fantastic!

    Judy

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  26. Carol--
    Thanks for the shout-out! It is a lot easier to work with the glass jars and just change what's in them.

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  27. Such a lovely mantel. I love the glass containers filled with the beautiful colors of autumn. I usually use my apothecary jars to decorate with but I have yet to drag my decor out to get started. Hopefully this weekend. I love the painting and it does coordinate so well with the decor. Once again I say, Steve is so talented! I would give anything to have that kind of talent...:) Keep enjoying those glorious autumn days...I would do the same thing!

    Blessings, Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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    1. Your Fall mantel looks great!! It doesn't feel much like Fall here...it got back up into the 80's. They are saying that it will really cool off next week...after the rain this weekend. Not good news for my show on Sunday, but the show will go on rain or shine.
      hugs,
      Cindy

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  28. Your husband's paintings are amazing! I love the regionalism captured in this painting and it is beautiful. I wish I had my own dried hydrangeas. Keeping my fingers crossed to plant some next year.

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  29. I love how your mantel uses colours that are in the painting. And anything with a quote wins my heart anyway!

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  30. October is one of my favorite months on the Central Coast. Your cottage is looking quite fallish. Mimi

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  31. The quote is perfect and I like the little piece you put it in. The fabric pumpkins are adorable and the whole vignette works perfectly with Steve's wonderful painting.

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  32. Carol, I now see what you mean about the hydrangeas - they are beautiful with your other colors and in the glass. I love the painting - it is the crowning glory.... and the saying ....well, it says it all doesn't it. Have a fabulous evening... Cathy

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  33. For me as well....October 1st is when I begin to think of pumpkins and such...our weather is cooling down a bit, so I am getting in the mood for all things cozy...
    I love your beautiful decor, and the splendid painting, of course! :)
    Have a terrific weekend, dear Carol...give the ocean a "wave" from me! ;) hee...
    Hugs,
    - Irina

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  34. October is a wonderful month. I hope you enjoy every minute of it now you're retired. Your mantel is lovely.

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  35. Your fall decor is so sweet. I love the way you have displayed your autumn quotes.

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