Early Fall Mantel

I usually look forward to doing a fall mantel, but this year I just wasn't ready to take down my summer one.

I really love it!

But we are having a "gathering" here this weekend, so I thought I would go ahead and put up at least some fall decorations. I think I need to move that turquoise frame!

I kept the old window but changed the blue tin piece for a green one.

Kept the old fleur-de-lis finials but added a little church and acorn garlands.

Love this old tattered suitcase!

Instead of flowers, I added wheat to my white pitcher.

Little details.

The whole enchilada (minus the giant frame!).

The other side of the room, which is the entrance.

Just some tarnished silver and sprig of fall berries added to the pear candlesticks.

In the dining room, I just added a burlap runner and white cyclamen

plus a "thankful" banner.

 I thought it looked a little bare,

so I added some paper leaves.
Now it will do until Thanksgiving!

Spring Mantel

I needed a new spring mantle.

 I knew I wanted to use the yellow quilt that someone gave me recently,

and that green piece of tin that I love,

 as well as the leaded window,

so I just layered them and began adding other things like the little pots and the "Rejoice" banner from last year.

I pretty much always use this white pitcher, I just love its shape, 

and I wanted to keep the lantern, it balances the pitcher nicely.

 

But that's when I needed my camera,

to help me decide on the center detail.

That's the one.

Decorating is in the Details: A New Summer Mantle

By the time the 4th of July was over, I was growing tired of my red, white and blue mantle decor,

and longing for something simpler and softer.

So I packed up Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam for another year and started looking around the house for inspiration. I wanted soft, neutral, beachy...something cooler for these hot August days.

I started with some shells the kids had gathered from the beaches of Washington when we lived there. That was a good start. What else did I have that fit my criteria?

How about some white squash from the garden?

A white pitcher... white birdhouses...

and other odds and ends.

Plus a new summer banner.

Put it all together and it is just what I was looking for!