Sunday, September 30, 2012

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

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.


Linking With

Sunday

Sister Sunday
Thrifty Treasures
Monday

Metamorphosis Monday
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Just a party with my peeps!
Make it Pretty Monday
Monday Marketplace
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Fall Nesting Party
All Star Block Party
Tuesday’s Treasures
Wednesday

Share the Love Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wed
Restored it Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Penny Pinching Party
What’s it Wednesday
Thursday

Under $100 Link Party
All Star Block Party
Transformation Thursday

Thursday Open House Party
Share Awesomeness Thursday
Time Travel Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Doin’ It Yourself
Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Potpourri Friday
Friday Redoux Link Party
Frugal Friday
Inspiration Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend
Fridays on Remodelaholic
Frugalicious Friday
Flaunt it Friday
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday
Show and Tell Saturday

11 comments:

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

Iron lanterns for a dollar??? I am so jealous...in a good way...
Very beautiful mantel!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Thanks for coming by and sharing your pretty mantel with us...luv that frame!

Blessings,
Linda

Full Circle Creations said...

I love your mantel. Great job. Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party.

Holly

Angie @ Knick of Time said...

Your mantel looks lovely, Revi and I really love that clock! Thanks for sharing at Knick of Time Tuesday!
Blessings,
~Angie

Katie Drane said...

How creative! Your mantel looks gorgeous, thanks so much for sharing:)

Katie
www.funhomethings.com

Little Susie Home Maker said...

The symmetry is really nice! such wonderful items you have displayed!

Unknown said...

Beautiful Fall mantel!

Pamela said...

Revi your mantle looks beautiful. I love the mirror you have up there. Thanx for coming to THT!

Michele said...

Your mantel is wonderful. I love all the elements you incorporated in the vignette. Isn't it interesting how often elevating an item makes all the difference?

Unknown said...

What a beautiful mantel! I also went with a neutral palette this year. Your's is so elegant!
I'm a new GFC follower!
Barbara at Chase the Star
chasethestar dot net

Kathy said...

Wow! Those Mercury Glass obelisks are amazing - great deal. your symmetrical mantel looks amazing! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy