Fall Mantel

Remember that fireplace makeover we worked on at Kevin’s brother’s house a few weeks back? Well, we decided to surprise them with some fast and fun Fall mantel decor last week, too!

The cardboard letters came from Hobby Lobby. We just hot glued them together and hung them on the wall with masking tape.

(We couldn’t bring ourselves to pound nails into their pretty new planks just yet- ha!)

We wanted the mantel decor to coordinate with the look and feel in the rest of the room…

…so we gathered up a collection of green & gold faux pumpkins (gourds?) and a strand of faux leaf garland (Hobby Lobby), along with some old books, and dishes, and candleholders we already had on hand. We also used a couple of small grapevine wreaths to act as a pedestal for the small pumpkin on the right…

It was a super simple snazz-up, and we sure had fun creating it for them!

Can’t wait to see lots more fall mantel pics over at Centsational Girl today!

PS- Looking forward to Thrifty Decor Chick‘s “Easy Fall Decor” link party on Thursday, too!

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60 Responses to Fall Mantel

1. Keeping it Cozy says:

   Sep 25, 2012 at 8:04 am

   It looks beautiful! I missed seeing your mantel decorated this year so I’m glad you shared this. I love the sweet simplicity… and the hints of blue are so pretty.

   

   Reply
2. Jennifer says:

   Sep 25, 2012 at 8:17 am

   I love how fresh it looks even with fall decor. It still knocks my socks off when I see that new mantel. Off to go plank something…

   

   Reply
3. Tonya @ Love of Family & Home says:

   Sep 25, 2012 at 8:25 am

   It looks beautiful!! Love how you hot glued the cardboard letters together to create that awesome focal point!! Such a great & inexpensive idea!!

   

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4. Ter'e Crow Lindsay says:

   Sep 25, 2012 at 8:35 am

   You know my favorite part????? The COLORS! The colors seem “slightly off”……..not exactly what you would expect……….
   Just perfect. So unique! They just reek “H O M E”. I positively love them. I even love those silly green pumpkins….or are they gourds? Whatever, I love them. LUV!!!!!!!!!!!
   Can I come and have a cup of hot cider and enjoy your decorating?
   

   

   Reply
5. Lynn in AZ says:

   Sep 25, 2012 at 8:49 am

   I love the hot glued letters! What a fabulous idea. I am so glad there are creative people like you out in cyberworld who are willing to share ideas. Thank you so much for sharing.

   

   Reply
6. tenn hens says:

   Sep 25, 2012 at 8:51 am

   Oh my gosh, I adore the letters. I’ve walked past those before in craft bins and never paid much attention, but I’m totally copying your idea now Love it!

   

   Reply
7. Penny @ The Comforts of Home & Flea Market Makeovers says:

   Sep 25, 2012 at 9:05 am

   What a great fall mantel!

   

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8. Courtney Walsh says:

   Sep 25, 2012 at 9:12 am

   Oh Layla, how awesome is THIS??? Wow!! I am loving it! (And I think I could actually DO this which is even better. ha.)

   

   Reply
9. Laura@peacebutnotquiet says:

   Sep 25, 2012 at 9:14 am

   Love it! My mantel is absurdly narrow so I love the idea of putting things on the wall space above the mantel to create a focal point as well…

   

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10. Vanessa says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 9:23 am

    It looks so lovely! Simple, yet elegant and the “Give Thanks” is just perfect!
    Vanessa

    

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11. Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 9:23 am

    Could you not just live in Hobby Lobby? And are the Mr and I the only ones that sing that rap song “Laffy Taffy” replacing it with Hobby Lobby when we go? Yes? Oh.

    

    Reply
12. Debbie says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Love it, will you surprise me with a little makeover at my lake Martin condo?? Now I have to go to Hobby Lobby
    Debbie

    

    Reply
13. Laure Gill says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 10:20 am

    I love this idea! One of my favorite parts of your blog is that its done on a budget, yet absolutely beautifully stylish! I’m praying for you guys during this house transition…enjoy the ride.

    

    Reply
14. Mary @ Finding Healthy Hope says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 10:23 am

    this is totally gorgeous!

    

    Reply
15. hello haha narf says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 10:53 am

    so simple, and yet so lovely. thanks for the inspiration!

    

    Reply
16. Amanda - Cupcakes and Corndogs says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 10:57 am

    I love it! Love that you did a fall decor with a crisp clean look.

    

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17. Lucy says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 11:54 am

    You all have done it yet again!! The letters are fabulous!! The whole look is very comfortable and classy! I’m not a fond lover of orange, so I really appreciate the neutral colors you all chose for this “pleasing to the eye” display. Great job! And, such a dear family you all have! I love how you decorate for them!

    

    Reply
18. Kim in MD says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    Love, love, love this!

    

    Reply
19. Stephanie @ The Hardscrabble Home says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    I LOVE THAT!!!

    

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20. Lisa W. says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    VERY cute…very clever. You two are GOOD:)

    

    Reply
21. Laura @ Finding Home says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    Love it – and gluing together the letters was a great idea. Lots of possibilities! Thanks for the inspiration as always!

    

    Reply
22. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    So cute! I really love the “Give Thanks” made from the cardboard letters!

    

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23. Lauren Regan says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    You have the most clever ideas ! You know the meaning of less is more, so simple and elegant.

    

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24. Chris McGetrick says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Cute idea – Loved the mantel redo.

    

    Reply
25. Leslie says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    I love this. It’s such a good idea that I might have to try it myself!

    

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26. Ter'e Crow Lindsay says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Layla:
    What are the letters called? I do not have a nearby HL so will have to do my ordering online. I’d like to do a “GRADITUDE” wall………..these are just co kewl.
    Thanks so much! Let’s see how I can modify this idea to fit into my FL home. I have no mantle! I do have an armoire top I can use, however.
    I’m gonna tape those suckers to it!

    

    Reply
27. Ginger says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Simple but oh so pretty.

    

    Reply
28. Heidi @ Decor & More says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    Beautiful and simple! Such a great reminder that it doesn’t have to be involved or complicated to make a fresh statement. Kudos, Layla!
    xo Heidi

    

    Reply
29. Kelly says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    L love how you say “surprise them”! Do you have your own key and sneak in? That would be so fun to come home to! Love it!
    Kelly

    

    Reply
30. Jenny B. says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    I LOVE IT! And, no offense, but when I clicked on the post link, I was fully prepared to be all, “ho-hum, another fall foliage mantel, blah, blah…” What was I thinking?! The Awesome Layla & Kev would never do that to me! I absolutely love the pops of blue, and I think the planks behind the letters give a subtle nod to handwriting lines, which is just completely cool!

    

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31. dena says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    LOVE the give thanks!! i wish i had a mantle!

    

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32. LisaT says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    You two always amaze me!

    

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33. pickmepam says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    good thing you didn’t hot glue them to the wall! (my first thought when i read “hot glued”… (i know you’re smarter than that!) what a dork i am.

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Sep 26, 2012 at 8:51 am

      LOL! If the tape hadn’t worked, we may have actually tried that! Nester used it to hold her beadboard in place:

      http://www.thenester.com/2010/08/making-over-a-renters-kitchen.html

      So awesome!

      

      Reply
34. Mary F says:

    Sep 25, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    It may have been simple to put together, but it’s definitely my favorite out of the ones I’ve seen in blogland so far this year!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Sep 26, 2012 at 8:49 am

      You are too sweet, Mary! We sure appreciate your kind comment.

      

      Reply
35. Rachel says:

    Sep 26, 2012 at 12:29 am

    I love this idea! The whole room turned out wonderful… but I adore that hug-you-when-you-walk-into-the-room reminder to Give Thanks!

    

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    • Layla says:

      Sep 26, 2012 at 8:48 am

      Awww, I love that Rachel!

      

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36. Axelle the french cook says:

    Sep 26, 2012 at 1:38 am

    You’ve got real beautiful ideas all the time !

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Sep 26, 2012 at 8:47 am

      Thank you, Axelle!

      

      Reply

37. Pingback: Amy’s Notebook 09.26.12 | The Motherload

38. Sommer J says:

    Sep 26, 2012 at 8:00 am

    Wow, gorgeous!!!! I love the letters, I doubt I’d find anything like this in Germany..

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Sep 26, 2012 at 8:47 am

      Thank you, Sommer!

      

      Reply
39. Laura Whitaker says:

    Sep 26, 2012 at 8:45 am

    Hi there! Love the fireplace make over and the ‘give thanks’ above it is so pretty. Instead of masking tape – why don’t you try the 3M removable hangers. The have some that are ‘velcro’, you stick one side to your art and the removable side to your wall. I just used some in my family room – they hold great and are easy to use!

    

    Reply
    • Layla says:

      Sep 26, 2012 at 8:47 am

      Thanks, Laura! We actually just used what we had on hand, but thanks for the heads up about the 3M products!

      

      Reply
40. tara Lowry says:

    Sep 26, 2012 at 11:13 am

    it is beautiful!
    I am truly digging the planks that you guys added.
    We have a HUGE massive space above our fireplace, and I think doing something similar to this just might be the trick.

    

    Reply
41. Jana says:

    Sep 26, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Looks great. I hadn’t seen the fireplace redo yet. I love the horizontal boards above the mantel. Gorgeous as always!

    

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42. Melody says:

    Sep 26, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Here’s an easy idea for mantle decor — mostly for the toddler age… http://testingtrendy123.blogspot.com/2012/09/halloween-countdown.html

    

    Reply
43. how2home says:

    Sep 26, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Lovely mantel!

    

    Reply
44. Shirley says:

    Sep 26, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    I love this. It turned out so well. It’s very different from the traditional fall wreath. (Although I do loooove wreaths.) The letters look great. I think they would be even neater sand blasted or aged somehow.

    Also, the idea of the grapevine wreaths as pedastools is really neat. Turned out beautiful! (And I still love seeing the pictures of your in laws rooms.)

    Shirley
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/ABowForMama

    

    Reply
45. Kelly says:

    Sep 27, 2012 at 10:29 am

    Love that you just left the letters natural cardboard, I never would have thought of it, but it looks just right!

    

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46. Naomi W. says:

    Sep 27, 2012 at 11:29 am

    If you need to hang something, use the 3M Command Removable wall hooks. They are great!

    

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47. Amanda says:

    Sep 28, 2012 at 10:40 am

    I love the light color of the room and the navy and leather together. Hoping to use this for inspiration on my new house! I have been searching for a jute/natural looking rug for our living room and would love to know where the one in this room came from. Thank you!

    

    Reply
48. Shannon says:

    Sep 28, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    Ok, seriously. How many times have I looked at those letters at Hob Lob and not known what to do with them? That’s my Doh! moment of the day. Love, love the simplicity of it all. Thanks for the inspiration!

    

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49. Erin @ The Great Indoors says:

    Oct 3, 2012 at 8:08 am

    I love your idea to hot glue cardboard letters together– definitely pinning (and eventually stealing!) that one.

    Erin

    

    Reply
50. Home of Bambou says:

    Oct 4, 2012 at 1:22 am

    So sad I’m too late. Check my decor here : http://homeofbambou.blogspot.be/2012/10/autumn-link-party-my-fall-vignette.html

    

    Reply

51. Pingback: 30 Fall Mantels | Creations by Kara

52. Jen says:

    Oct 10, 2012 at 9:10 am

    So warm and lovely! Love how you used the letters, simple yet a nice bold statement.

    xo,
    Jen

    

    Reply
53. Madeline says:

    Oct 22, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    I love the ideas of using letters… Might have to steal this for Christmas. Ho ho ho? Silent night? Peace on earth. So many options!

    Here is our fall mantle:

    http://createbakecelebrate.blogspot.com/2012/10/create-fall-lima-bean-wreath.html?showComment=1350427601588&m=1

    

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54. Tiffany says:

    Nov 3, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    LOVE your mantle and am SO trying recreate it; but WHERE did you get those yellow leaves?

    The closest thing I’ve found are these “Autmn Artificial Silk Yellow Mini Maple Leaf Stems” at this link:

    http://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/products/2149_2050_2153-26284-autmn_artificial_silk_yellow_mini_maple_leaf_stems_12_pieces.html

    

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