A Neutral, Symmetrical Mantel for Early Fall

Today, I've worked on "fall-i-fying" a few things!

Like many of you, fall is my very favorite season.

My mantel has a large mirror above it,

which makes it a challenge to style. 

If I didn't appreciate the extra light the 

mirror reflects, I'd take it down. 

To begin, I assembled items I wanted to use

when I changed my SUMMER MANTEL

to a fall mantel - and the stash has been growing!

There were two iron lanterns purchased

for a dollar each at a garage sale this summer.

(I recently used them when our power 

was knocked out for 24 hours in a storm.)

All I had to do was give them a good scrubbing.

They're sitting on these mystery items

I found for a dollar each at a thrift store.

Don't be too shocked, but I actually used an item 

that is NOT from a garage sale or thrift store!

Well TWO items. They're from a local furniture

store - 75 percent off the sale price!

I went to help my mom select furniture and 

thought I'd regret not buying these...

They're mercury glass obelisks.

Two of them were about $7 each.

I've been saving them for just this thing!

Let me back up a bit...and remind you that I 

usually prefer asymmetrical symmetry - 

balanced but not the same - compositions.

I find them generally more interesting than

symmetrical compositions. They allow a

wider range of items to be used.

But today when I began assembling my mantel,

it ended up being a symmetrical composition!

I started with a clean slate, with an asymmetrical arrangement in mind. So I started on one side. I began by putting the obelisks together - one on a stack of deconstructed books. It just wasn't right.

Then, I noticed that I had two of many items...

So I began in the center with the clock and the frame.

The dark bird cage fit nicely on top of the clock.

It also added height. Next came the obelisks.

They were moved a bit farther out, to

accommodate deconstructed books with

dollar store pumpkins painted white.

Moving toward the outsides, 

I thought some candles might work well.

Then I remembered the two lanterns...

I loved their dark rusty finish with the

other items in the vignette!

And as it just so happened, I had two

new white candles from Julie's garage

sale that fit perfectly in them.

They needed something,

so I remembered the rusty thingies

and thought they might work.

They were just right!

To finish the composition,

I had two deer antlers that were

tucked behind the lanterns.

It came together so easily!

Here it is all together:

One thing I might try to add is a bit of green...

I love the "life" that even fake greenery adds.

I'm still pretty happy with the mantel, 

even though these photos all show a big,

ugly, red ladder in the background!

I used it when I cleaned the mirror.

Aaaargh. Why didn't I notice that!

And I was soooo careful to keep mySELF 

out of the photos. Oh well. More photos

sans ladder later...when I show more fall decor.

One thing leads to another, 

so I've restyled the bookshelves,

and the coffee table, and the table in 

front of the window where the dog tries 

to attack the postman, etc., etc.

FYI - 

When I tallied up the cost for all the items 

on this mantel, they were less than thirty dollars.

Half that price was the obelisks!

UPDATE:
More tweaks!
Greenery perched on bronze candlesticks:

Tweak #2:
Chartreuse moss balls on white distressed candlesticks:

Word for the Day:

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

² a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
³ a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
⁵ a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
⁷ a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Linking With
Sunday
http://www.sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com/	Sister Sunday
http://southernhospitalityblog.com	Thrifty Treasures
Monday
http://betweennapsontheporch.net	Metamorphosis Monday
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/	Show Off Your Cottage Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://howtonestforless.com/	Just a party with my peeps!
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com	Monday Marketplace
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://theinspiredroom.net	Fall Nesting Party
http://www.newhousenewhomenewlife.blogspot.com/	All Star Block Party
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/	Tuesday’s Treasures
Wednesday
http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com	Share the Love Wednesday
http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/	Primp Your Stuff Wed
http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/	Restored it Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Penny Pinching Party
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com/	All Star Block Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/	Transformation Thursday
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/	Thursday Open House Party
http://www.the36thavenue.com/	Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/	Treasure Hunt Thursday
http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com	Home and Garden Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
http://akadesign.ca	Doin’ It Yourself
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/	Potpourri Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/	Inspiration Friday
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://homespunhappenings-tammy.blogspot.com	Rustic Restorations Weekend
http://www.remodelaholic.com/	Fridays on Remodelaholic
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/	Frugalicious Friday
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/	Flaunt it Friday
Saturday
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/	Saturday Nite Special
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday