Hi and happy Fall!
My friend Sarah is hosting a Fall mantel decorating link party at Thrifty Decor Chick today, so I had some fun playing around with our’s a little yesterday afternoon.
Because I do these seasonally (and I love a low-dough design challenge!), I made it my mission to pull things together on the cheap. The mirror, gray crocks, white ceramic gravy boat and mercury glass & cable knit candle holders were already up on the mantel, and my neighbor Tammy let me borrow one of her cotton wreaths…
I hung it from a piece of trim I had from another project and used a dab of hot glue to hold it in place. The dried leaves technically came from Tammy, too. I picked them up off the sidewalk in front of her house- LOL!
And speaking of friendly folks- our around-the-corner neighbors, Bill & Marcie, let me borrow some of their FABULOUS wood books:
Bill makes them in his wood shop out of thick, reclaimed planks of wood. (If you’re interested in snatching some up you can contact him at BillCornwell (at) hotmail (dot) com!) They make great pedestals for stacking things on…
I also leaned one of them up against one of my tall, bark-covered candle holders (from TJ Maxx):
…which, by the way, are actually meant to be turned up on their other end so that you can put a tall candle down inside of them, but I decided to turn them upside down and use them as candle stands instead. (The brass candlestick holders also came from TJ Maxx.)
Last but not least, I picked up the wheat and mini pumpkins at Publix. 
The white pumpkins were already white, but I sprayed the little orange one with some leftover gold spray paint and then rubbed some of Miss Mustard Seed’s antiquing wax onto it to make it look kind of like old brass:
It was a fun little display to put together and I can’t wait to check out lots more Fall mantel links over at Sarah’s today. I’m hosting a Fall craft link party on Thursday, so if you’ve blogged about a craft project that you’d like to share, please feel free to swing by that day and link up your post!
PS- Don’t forget: Kate is hosting a Tablescapes & Vignettes link party at Centsational Girl next Tuesday, and Rhoda is hosting an Outdoor & Door Decor link party at Southern Hospitality next Thursday!
I love that cotton wreath! We live in an ag community where cotton grows everywhere (when there isn’t corn in that same acre). I would love to have a wreath like that!
Such a pretty mantel! I really love that cotton wreath.
I’m loving this Layla!! I think those wood books might be my favorite thing in a long, long time! I will definitely be emailing him! The whole thing looks clean, fresh and just really awesome! Nice work!! And congrats on the show!! Can’t wait to see it! We’ll have to talk “shop” sometime soon and see what you think of this whole TV thing too! It’s crazy and awesome!
-Mon
Beautiful, Layla … love the neutral palette … the fabulous wreath … and, I want a few of those fabulous *books!* Happy Fall!
Love it! I’m loving all the natural and neutral colors this season. It’s a nice break from the traditional.
Christy
Do you know where TAmmy got her wreath?
She told me it was from Park Hill, Kami. 🙂
loving your mantle. the cable knit candle holder sweater is adorable. Did you make it or buy it?
I’ve kind of gone a little over the edge with painting small things here and there gold. 🙂
I can’t believe the trend is back…wondering if I’ll ever pull out that thick herringbone necklace I used to wear in the 90’s. 🙂
I love your mantle!! I am looking for a cotton wreath for mine!!
Ummm, I think Pottery Barn is going to be knocking down Bill’s door for those wooden books!!!!!
Leah: )
I love your mantel… very chic and not overdone! The wooden books are great idea!
Ah…a delight to see no orange!
Love the cable knit! And the gravy bowl- I would’ve never have thought of that but it evokes such warm memories of the holidays <3
Thanks for the beautiful mantel inspiration Layla!! I love the antique wax on the gold pumpkin — so pretty. Leah, you are so right in your comment about the beautiful books — they are classic Pottery Barn! …durable and add warmth and character to a room : )
This is just perfection! Funny, I was researching where to get raw cotton just two days ago so I could make a wreath! I love it!
So pretty with all the neutrals, Layla! I’m working on mine today and can’t wait to link up!
xo Heidi
Hi there!
Love your site. Read it almost everyday.
But today a huge call of duty ad came up and took over your page. Was that supposed to happen? I’m not a COD girl, and I’ve never taken you as one either. I know sometimes you don’t have control of your ads but I couldn’t get it to Close. Just wanted to let you know just in case.
Hi Andrea! I had to Google, “call of duty and COD!”- LOL! 😀
I’ve never seen one pop up, so I’ll have to check with my tech guy about that. Thanks for the heads up!
Hi! I only know what COD is from having teenage boy cousins! Apparently I’m not very cool because I don’t play. 🙂 It just caught me completely off guard, Your adds are usually so nice and relevant, and I even find new ideas and products from you adds. Again, it doesn’t bother me, but just thought you should know.
Love your blog, so sweet, inspirational. I actually started reading your blog because of your DIY-ing and cottage style, but I have stayed because of your writings on faith and life. Its so nice to have a 5 minute break in my day to read or to see a little something beautiful that brings a smile. So thank you for that.
Andrea
Well you are just the sweetest thing, Andrea! Thank you so much for the kind compliments. You’ve me smiling BIG over here today! 😀
Your mantel is beautiful as always, Layla. What a blessing you are!
Love your mantle, of course. The wreath and the books are my favorite part. PS, loving some of your new profile pics (your personal one on your blog and the one of the link party). Not that your pics weren’t amazing before, but these ones are sweet and soft 🙂 So pretty!
The wreath is beautiful! Such a unique mantel. I linked up at Thrifty Decor Chick!
I loved all the wood art, and the colors of the elements (wood, metal, porcelain, cotton, candle) worked so well together! The cotton wreath is lovely! Great post, very Inspiring!
Well someone needs to start making those wreaths and selling them! I am in LOVE. Searched Etsy with no success. 🙁
I found some at Southern Home & Gardens in Montgomery, Tasha. I believe they’re on their website, too! 🙂
Thanks so much Layla! I found them there. =) Godbless!