I’m usually not big into decorating for holidays other than Christmas but I’m learning that decorating your mantel is almost a requirement for a decor blogger. Who am I to argue?
Here was our mantel for the summer…who am I kidding? Here is our mantel from the past two years…
Here is the mantel after a little fall decorating…(I love how it looks like Ike is chewing his bone in the fireplace)…
The faux pussy willow are from Wal-Mart (Better Homes and Gardens). I had three people comment on how pretty they were as I walking around. These comments made me question if buying the weeds was a smart decision. The comments also made me realize why I don’t normally shop at Wal-Mart. People in Target mind their own business.
The owl was from TJMaxx. I have a bird phobia but these little cartoon owls get me every time. I also loved the color.
The pumpkins were from my basement…originally from Joann’s.
I know the mantel is a little bare in the middle. I may have come up with a solution. We’ll see. I’ll keep you in suspense.
I also purchased two placements from Target. No one commented on how pretty these placemats were. I love Target. I turned the placemats into pillows.
I just ripped a small hole (larger enough for my hand) in the seam and then stuffed some stuffing in it until it looked like a pretty pillow. I then sewed them back shut. Cost was ~$6 per pillow. Awesome. I’m obsessed.
The living room now says bring it on fall. We’re ready for your dog snuggling, hot cocoa drinking, and new seasons of television watching!
Are you a holiday decorator? Are you pumped for fall or sad to see summer go?
The weather changed and now I am ready for fall! Need to get crackin,
ReplyDeleteSo pumped for fall! My poor mantle never gets any attention, I guess I'll never be a "real" blogger. Your mantle looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe punch of color is nice and I love the owl. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteTarget rules, walmart drools
Well for started I am totally pumped about fall and summer can stay awaaaaay!
ReplyDeletelove the fall touches you did with your mantel. I have a little owl almost just like that except mines brown and can I just say how I love the windows in your living room!!!
I'm going to go all "wal-mart" up in here and comment on how pretty your mantle is.
ReplyDeleteLove that friendly little owl, too!
Autumnal...and yes to target!
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to find some pussy willow for months now. Mainly just to embarrass my Rob though. I could possibly be one of those people who emphasize the pussy of the name over the willow... really loudly in stores so he cringes and tries to stand a few feet away from me. ;) hehe
ReplyDeleteI love fall decorating. I just brought out the throw blankets and switched out my pillows. Looking forward to my first fire in the fireplace.
ReplyDeleteMy house has a lot of fall colors anyway, so it is easy to move things around a bit to make it more fall-like. I will miss summer though. Your mantel looks great - cute owl!
ReplyDelete-Shelley
Fun changes! No mantle here, either, so I guess no real blogger-ness for me. :) And I totally never thought of opening a placemat and stuffing filling in it. Maybe if I went to Wal-Mart more often someone would give me tips like that? If I looked particularly desperate?
ReplyDeleteLove your fall decor!!! Isn't it funny how different the atmosphere is between Target and Walmart?!? I am total Target junkie! Lol. The placemat pillow is so ingenious of you!! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Oh, you crack me up. I hope you were wearing your jammies at Walmart, so you really fit in. Without fail, i get someone trying to touch my baby when I go to Walmart . . . I want to make him a little "Hands Off" sign. That owl is adorable, I love the whole mantel!
ReplyDelete1.) Totally pumped for fall.
ReplyDelete2.) Your living room is RIDICULOUSLY clean and tidy! Oh how I pine for a room that clean.
3.) Please let your dog out of the fireplace.
4.) I LUUUUUUV your clean fall mantel...just the right amount of "fall".
LOVE the placemat/pillow idea!!! Even I could do that...I think... :)
ReplyDeleteI SO agree!! I feel like I need to but I think I'm going to blame Tenley for the lack of fall decor this year...
ReplyDeleteIt seriously looks amazing though! I too was reminded today about my love for Target, twice my belly was rubbed at WalMart!
I am just like you when it comes to seasonal decor.
ReplyDeleteLast week, I decided to decorate our mantel and entryway for fall. My husband 'bout fainted when he walked in the house and saw fall decor.
Your living room space is beautiful!
I dropped by from A View Along The Way, and I'm so glad I did! I'm your newest follower, I love the guest spot you wrote, it's so true how blogland can eat you up and make your own stuff look like crap in comparison. I had to give myself a stern talking to on the subject! Stop by and visit me at housedressingblog.blogspot.com when you get a chance.
ReplyDeleteWalmart festers nosey people. This is why the only time I buy, uhum, feminine products is when i have a cart full of stuff or I'll buy I shirt just so I can hide the products under in my cart. There's nothing worst then coming across your (45 year old male) neighbor and exchanging a hello while he eyes the products. Akward.
ReplyDeleteOne time I went to Walmart at 5:30 in the morning because I did not want to deal with the whole escapade that I go through and won't you know that there was only one line in the whole story open and the cashier was the (male) class clown from high school. Again, I do not want to have that "oh, how are you doing? Haven't seen you since high school." While he is ringing up "the products."
I notice people eye-ing my cart worse at Walmart though.
Love the shelves! I love fall...especially living in New England, apple picking, apple cider, Halloween....fall is my favorite season!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I acutally don't mind that there is nothing in the middle. I like a less cluttered look so that you can really see and appreciate what's there. That owl is so cool. I love ceramic owls, but don't like them in real life. They're creepy with those big eyes and head that turns almost all the way around.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I'm sad to see summer go!
ReplyDeleteBUT your decor makes me happy :) I love that owl and I have that same wrought iron scrolly thing over my front door :)
Those pillows are genius!
P.S. Target is way better than Walmart but sometimes I go to Walmart, too. Mainly if Target didn't have what I was looking for :)
The mantle looks great! Am I completely immature (yes) or does the name "pussy willow" make everyone snigger just a little? Love how it looks, though. =)
ReplyDeleteGreat job editing your closet; I'm a closet designer and professional organizer and nothing makes me happier than purging and watching other people purge their closets! I'm so ready for fall and the sweaters and boots that come with it! Keep up the great blogging.
ReplyDeleteoh i love your mantel! i was just telling dan that i need to go holiday shopping and he is breaking out in a cold sweat. i may just have to go shopping in my boxes of decor in the basement :).
ReplyDeleteAnd to answer your question, totally pumped for fall, September-December is my favorite time of the year!
LOVE the owl.
ReplyDeletewe're heading into spring here - yay - at last!!
enjoy your fall!
cheryl xox.
Looks great - I was working with a tv over the mantel too and opted to keep it pretty simple. The owl is a great addition - fall-like without being too theme-y.
ReplyDeletep.s. love the pillows! I almost bought those placemats and did the exact same thing!
its amazing
ReplyDeletei like this decor
ReplyDeletewow, so pretty :)
ReplyDeletenice
ReplyDelete