Fall Mantle : Found Vintage Items

The crisp air last week made me get into the fall decorating mood. I wish it was a little less rainy but I’ll take what I can get. I am ready for the leaves to change, fall fashion (my favorite) and everything pumpkin! Yes, I am aware of how “basic girl” that sounds, accept it, we all need a little of that in our life.

Moving into our newly built home this past March has been a blessing and a challenge. I am so grateful to have our beautiful home to be full of potential in bare spaces to use my creativity and make it our own. Although, with it being a blank slate, I have to come up with unique ways to fill the house which is always a challenge between thrifty and spending a little cash. Our home was a big part of my inspiration to start this blog so I can share all of these new ideas to hopefully help you with your blank space or to spruce up your current one!

I wanted to create a fall mantle but didn’t want to spend a ton of money doing it. So, while I was organizing my craft room due to the boxes and boxes of wedding stuff I was putting off putting away; I ran across the box of distressed books I used in my centerpieces. Lightbulb! Here is how I used pieces from my everyday mantle, using pieces I already had that were serving another purpose and spent only a few dollars on pumpkins.

I always start a new mantle by completely clearing off of the space and building from there. I got the small pumpkins from Meijer at a cheap price to use on the mantle but had a few left over to spread around the house too.

The candle sticks were being used for just that purpose-to hold candles. Try using candlesticks for something other than holding candles. So,  I placed a pumpkin on one of them! I love the pumpkins being  the center focus on the mantle.

Now for the inspiration of the mantle; the vintage distressed books. I started by stacking the books in different ways so it didn’t look too staged.  I made sure to pick out books with warm colors to bring in fall tones. Although, another option to choosing books is to go neutral in your color choices. That would make an orange pumpkin pop!

I also loved the idea using the industrial “Z”. It was actually used at our wedding and had it sitting around the house trying to decided on where to hang it and decided to use it on the mantle instead! It brings in a little different eclectic feel and texture. Do you want one now too? They are still being sold at Hobby Lobby (be sure to use a coupon 🙂 ). Also try using candles for something other than holding candles! I love the pumpkins being center of attention on top of the candle sticks.

I used some leftover greenery from the Fall wreath I made and placed it under the pumpkins and across the front of the mantle.

Be creative and think outside the box! Use other items that are being used in other rooms, even reuse them for different purposes or find something in the basement or back of the closet.

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What are some interesting items you have on your mantel?
How would you use books differently?
What are items that never leave your mantel?

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Cheers!