HOME TOUR

With the days getting shorter, nights crisper and colors starting to deepen, I wanted to add some whimsy to our mantel. The ceiling in the family room is done but I’m waiting on a kitchen ceiling project so I can get the downstairs painted. I’m also wanting to paint the recessed lighting to blend better. Stay tuned for a detailed review coming in the next few months. But for now, a whimsical fall mantel.

THE MAKINGS OF WHIMSY

These curled grape vine ropes were my favorite addition to our winter garland last Christmas season. I went up into the attic, dug through some Christmas boxes and found them. This is one section of the grapevine rope which I’ll link here. I wired it to the top of the mirror, draped it around a vase filled with hydrangeas. I also used the wire that keeps the grapevine roped together to wrap around a small nail I keep in our mantel year round. That kept it securely in place and created the framework for adding some fresh bittersweet vine.

BITTERSWEET VINE AND AN ALTERNATIVE

Bittersweet vine is mildly poisonous so you should take care around small kids and animals that may eat them. My dog won’t touch anything on the floor that isn’t bacon or peanut butter. The kiddos are all old enough to not put berries in their mouth. I love the whimsical fall berries and had some in my yard. You could use crab apples as a safer option. As the colors deepen outside, I’ll bring some maple leaf branches indoors and add them to the arrangement of hydrangeas.

With the addition of a Potterybarn Glazed ceramic pumpkin and the ‘Black Futsu’ squash I grew in our garden, the mantel is done and ready for cozy days ahead! It doesn’t take a deep pocketbook to add some fall whimsy to your home and I hope this whimsical fall mantel inspires you! For those of you wanting to know about the striped baseball hat here is the link!

A Whimsical Fall Mantel for all the cozy days ahead!