9.27.2010

Trying a bit of fall-ish-ness and stuff.

PSSSST...I'm no longer blogging here!
You can now find me at

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Last autumn as I was just getting into the blogging world, everyone and their dog were linking up these terrific halloween/fall vignettes and decor.  I had never really invested much time or money into such things because
a) I am never organized enough to plan such things and
b) I hadn’t come up with a good excuse for my hubby explaining why I was throwing  cash at orange plastic stuff…
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But now I have all of you to decorate for (‘cause lord knows I never entertain) and motivate me to get posts ready to par-tay. 
This year I had just way too much fun pulling out my 2 bins of fall-ish-ness from last year.  Way too much fun.  I need a life.
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So here’s some shots of my fireplace mantel.  (you don’t see the molded gourd.  No you don’t.) You must understand that fall is the ONLY time I love my fireplace.  It fits with the rustic cottage look I’m going for this season.  You know, dead things and plastic leaves.
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BUT, this puppy is getting a makeover next month….just in time for the holly-days. As is the entire room.  The pictures say it all.
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I’m determined to lighten the feeling of this room with as little money as possible.  We will mostly use pry bars and paint brushes.  Maybe a hammer and some panels of some sort.  Some chippy corbels and distressed pieces.  The usual.  Caw Caw.
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So fall is the last hurrah for this countrified space.  I hope by Christmas, it will have a more refined, modern cottage feel.  We shall see now, won’t we? 
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I have a thing for twiggy wreaths.  Not sure why.  I like burlap too.  Not sure why. And turning some pictures black and white.  Not sure why.
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Oooops.  This is the other corner, where the corner cabinet used to stand.  Not my mantel.  Obviously.  But tell me the plastic pussy willows look cool, yes?
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Here’s to a happy fall.  And my fireplace’s last ‘before’ shot.
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Linkin’ up and bringing Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies with orange filling:
The Nester’s Fall Mantel Party (Wedesday)
Roeshel's DIY Fall Festival
Donna's 3000 Follower Event-Junk Vignettes
Brambleberry Cottage's Tips and Tricks Tuesday
This Blessed Nest: Fall Festival
Julia's Hooked on Houses Fall Open House
Rene's Cottage and Vine Falling Up Linky
Gina's Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday
Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday
Kristin's My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia's Fall Decor Link Party
Beth's Stories from A to Z Halloween Mantel Party
and......


ravengfairy006

46 comments:

Polly said...

Looks great Cindy! I don't have a mantle to decorate (no fireplace)! :-(

Jane said...

You're right...that mantel was made for fall. Everything looks great. I like the shutters on both sides of the mirror. You created a very pretty mantel for your family and all of blogland!
Jane

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

If'n yer not careful there be someone up in there wantin' to buy yer punkins! What do you mean you don't entertain? I'm expecting to be entertained when I'm there!

Lily said...

Polly-- you don't necessarily need a fireplace. You just have to have enough chutzpah to buy an old mantel and hang it on a blank wall. Spouse and I did this, and I love it. We live in a parsonage, and people from church always stop by and comment, "I didn't know there used to be a fireplace there...." Well, there didn't. In fact, there's a stairwell behind that wall, but I missed having a mantel, so we put one up. :) My mom told me we were goofy until she saw it. Then she said I'd had a great idea. I guess it's not for everyone, but it worked for us.

BTW, Cindy-- nice work! :) And we have popcorn ceilings in some of our rooms. I hate them too, but that's a 'maybe one day' project for us. Good luck!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

yay for fall! and yay for your decorations. and one more yay for your upcoming makeover. :)
I have a mantel, but I don't do fall. I have been pondering why everyone else does, and I don't. I finally figured it out. I don't decorate, PERIOD. It's just not me.
I redid my fireplace, and Jamie helped me accessorize it, so there it sits. It's not getting a new outfit for fall. Maybe I'll give her a new look for Christmas.
have a great week!
gail

Anne Marie said...

HEY CINDY! holy funny...I had no idea it was your blog until I see your pictures are everywhere here

lol

what a coincidence!
you should drive out to the farm for the sale in a few weeks!!
Jenn Rizzo is selling here too :)

Becca Bertotti said...

Your mantle is soooo pretty! I love the pumpkins in the apothecary jars ... the little shutters ... the "plastic leaves" (lol) ... and the burlap! It all looks lovely, warm and inviting! Thanks for sharing, *Becca*

Chrissie said...

Everything looks gorgeous. I love the pumpkins, the wreath and the burlap! Very cozy!

The Green Pea said...

The mantel looks beautiful. Years ago I scraped of my ceiling. Just with a spray bottle of water and a scrapper, it was not hard. Blessings, sandi

NanaDiana said...

LOl Cindy...When I first glanced at that picture I thought it was an old floor with a dog doo-doo on it-and then READ that it was the ceiling...lol. What's that old saying, A picture is worth a thousand words? Yep! I can see why you want to fix it.

Your fireplace is really pretty and I think your mantle looks lovely-very Autumny and wonderful.

And the plastic pussy willows...well...how about some cat tails for Fall and pull the pussy willows out for Spring again? lol They aren't bad looking for plastic ;>) And, if ya didn't tell us- we would never know! Hugs- Diana

Ali @ Honey and Maple Syrup said...

I hate popcorn ceilings too. Can't wait to see what you do with the room!

GRAMS said...

Maybe I can hook you up with some free doors to do your living room with. My Niece up in Canada sent me a link to an add for free doors in her local classifieds. Hmmm. Wanna go on a road trip?

~ Regan said...

Your mantle looks GREAT! I just pulled out my tub of fall decor, too. It gave me the same giddy feeling as it does when I decorate for Christmas. ;) Now my home feels super comfy!

Can't wait to see the re-model in process, you always inspire me!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

It's a fabulous fall mantel. I love everything about it. I skipped fall & went straight for Halloween. Mostly because I am lazy.

Funky Junk Interiors said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Funky Junk Interiors said...

LOL!!! Oh gosh you make me laff.

I had no idea you had plans to redo your fireplace and this room! How fun!!! And I too wait to hear what you do with those ceilings.

And can I just say... don't TOUCH that mirror. Step A W A Y with your hammer in tow from that beauty. It was truly made for that spot!

I love those little shutters too. And the wreath. And burlap. And even the black and white shot. Nevermind.. your work is over. It's awesome as is!

Donna

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

I love your burlap twig wreath and I can't wait to see what comes of your cheese ceiling! Your mantle looks great! Have a blast with that pry bar! :)

Johnna said...

Beautiful as usual! You have such a knack for making ordinary items look rich and put together! Love it

Claudia said...

Now you've got me thinking about buying some gourds and pumpkins...love the decor. As always, I LOVE that mirror and the addition of the twiggy wreath and burlap is perfect.

xo
Claudia

Gail said...

Oh my goodness Cindy everything looks great! Can't wait to see what you have plan for your living room.

{northern cottage} said...

I love the texture you include. I WANT that mirror on your mantel with the lovely scalloped top. mmmmmm

Amy Kinser said...

I did not see the molded gourd, I promise.

Your mantle looks great. I can't wait to see what you do with it, though. I love big redos.

Leo said...

Love your fireplace. Looks great. And I also love burlap and twig wreaths and I really like bird's nests made out of those same twig branches.

Looking forward to seeing the makeover.

Sandy said...

I love your mantel and the rest of your fireplace too! Oh, I'd love to have a brick fireplace.

My fireplace is really plain and much too modern looking for me, but we do have plans to add a lot of white molding and a wood mantel which I think will help.

Jane said...

"Throwing money at orange plastic things"?!?!?!? That is just too funny. But, I must say, your mantel looks divine - dead leaves and all. As does the plastic pussywillow in the other corner. Visiting from your link over at This Blessed Nest's Fall Festival and glad to have found your delightful blog! I'm a fan!

Jane
Stopping by from ~
www.janiesporch.blogspot.com

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

Everything looks really pretty. I have a thing for twiggy wreaths too. I love them, especially over mirrors. :) And that mirror! Love! I have been looking at the thrift stores for something similar.

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Your fall mantel looks beautiful! I love that mirror with the wreath over it. So pretty. Glad you could join my party today. Thanks for playing along! :-)

René said...

One of my favorite things is mirrors over wreaths and yours look great. I think the natural touches this time of year are so appropriate. Thanks so much for joining the party.

Akeewee said...

where the heck did you find that GIANORMIC gourd?? Love it, nice job on the vingettes - which I too am new too this year!

debbies said...

Really love the wreath hanging over the mirror!

3LittleByrds said...

Love those shutters and that wreath. Great job.

3LittleByrds said...

Love those shutters and that wreath. Great job.

Rustique Gal said...

Hi Cindy,
This is such a happy look. I love fall, don't you? My decorating is going on outside on the porch so far. Your house looks awesome!
Happy Fall...
Sherry

nest of posies said...

wow!

i was reading your words almost more then looking at your pictures. you have your work cut out for you! we have ugly popcorn ceiling too. i hate it.

your mantel looks beautiful - all in it's "before" glory!

thanks for linking up to the FALL FESTIVAL!

kellie

gena said...

So cozy and welcoming ! Love it all !

thanks for sharing,
gena
www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

Prior said...

your mantel looks beautiful, hope it all gets done by Christmas, because that mantel will look very pretty then as well! LEzlee

Debra@CommonGround said...

Cindy, you're cracking me up! Love your wreath with the burlap, really cool! and no, I didn't see a moldy pumpkin...
Glad you linked up!
xo,
Debra

KimMalk said...

Hi Cindy, I love your single pumpkins in the glass jars. It's such a classic look - you know with all of the dead things, ha! I know what you mean about getting started last year, I still feel "behind the 8-ball". Blessings, Kim

Natasha in Oz said...

Boy, I wish it was autumn over here! All of these divine Fall displays are so gorgeous out there in blog land...I am feeling very sad that I can't join in! Your mantle is truly gorgeous and the wreath looks gorgeous against the mirror-I love it all!

Best wishes,
Natasha,

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

Love your mantel, Fall Decor & all... can't wait to see what you do with the Room ~ How Exciting!

Tammy said...

Cindy- I love all the pumpkins under glass! Best of luck with the re-do ...look forward to seeing after pics! I foound you through Debra's VIF...now a follower!
Have a great weekend!
Tammy :-)

Dee@FrenchBleuVintage said...

Your mantel looks great ~ and I bet you had a blast doing it. I haven't attacked mine yet - maybe this weekend ~ thanks for the inspiration.

Tardevil said...

What a beautiful mantel. I wouldn't change a thing. Ok, except for the popcorn ceiling...LOL!

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Your mantel is fabulous! I love all the pumpkins, I'm sure your hubby loves it :) I remember as a teen having to remove all the popcorn in my parents house, it was horrible! I think I was blowing out popcorn for a month (so bad for you) Thanks for linking up!
XO

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

Cindy, you absolutely crack me up! Don't know why. I love your spirited way with words! Don't know why. And like you, I love "twiggy wreaths and burlap." But, I don't know why. Actually, I think I know the why to that last one. I'm a very tactile person. ;)

Thanks for linking to my party. I would love to have you join me each week.

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

I've missed your mantel! Thrilled to see it again! And look forward to seeing it in white? next mantel party :). Thanks for linking up girl.

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