Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Fall Pumpkin Decor on My "Mantel"

I thought it might be fun to share a few shots of my Fall pumpkin decor on my "fantel" (fake mantel). This year was a little challenging because I am trying not to buy any new tchotchkes if I can help it. We don't have a mantel, so I use the top of my TV armoire to display seasonal pieces:


There's not much that's different from last year, but I did move things around a little bit.

My pumpkins are a mix of craft store and Dollar Tree faux pieces painted with black craft paint. The vintage metal Thermos lunchbox was a thrifty estate sale purchase (it's perfectly beat up-love it!) and the little metal stars are from Target's Dollar Spot last year. I'm leaning towards spray painting them both the same color...just not sure which shade.


I'm working in most of my Fall decorations this week, and I plan on adding some Halloween goodies here and there over the weekend. At first I was disappointed that I decided not to go out and buy new "stuff," but now I'm realizing that working with what I have makes me more creative! Some spots in my house might look similar to last year, but I'm enjoying moving things around.

As always, the Family Room is a work on progress...when my sofa slipcover comes in I'll be able to make some more concrete plans for the room. This area is a bit blah, but I know it will come together one of these days...half the fun is waiting until I find just the right pieces and/or inspiration!

Next on my agenda is to pick up a few inexpensive supplies and put a Halloween wreath together for the front door.

Are you using what you have this year, or have you added some new pieces?

Linking to the The Lettered Cottage and Hooked on Houses

at

35 comments:

  1. JennaSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    It's tough to use what you have sometimes, but I think it makes for even more creative creations! Love the pumpkins.

    2027

    ReplyDelete
  2. beccawSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Love your fantel! I need to learn to have fun while waiting... sometimes I just want everything to come together now. :) Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kelli WSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    I love, love, love the polka dot pumpkins! I think my house needs a few of them! I'm mostly using what I already have this year. I am making something new for my front door, but I'm using stuff from my craft stash:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kelli WSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Richella ParhamSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    I think your "fantel" looks great. I love that you state that part of the fun is the waiting. It's so easy to adopt a "I-want-it-all-now" attitude, which quickly leads to wastefulness or resentment. Joy in the waiting is a much better way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tasty CreativitySeptember 27, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    This is too cute! Very seasonal with a touch of whimsy. You're way ahead of me with decorating.

    ReplyDelete
  7. KSKSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    Very cute! I love the plaid box! (and of course the painted pumpkins!)
    I just stumbled across your blog and love it! I'm your newest follower! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. LeanneSeptember 27, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I love the polka dot pumpkins. I going simplier this year and those are on the top of my list. Your fantel looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lucia MetcalfSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. LeasaSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    I love what you did with the polka dots on the pumpkins and the painted initial. The whole set up is so cute.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Simply LKJSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Love the polka dot pumpkins! I am so behind, haven't even started decorating for fall.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Krystle @ Color Transformed FamilySeptember 27, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    I love the way your's turned out. Like you I also tried to use what I had. It does make for a challange but it's nice knowing you didn't spend a bunch of money.
    I am also linked up at Layla's today. You can check mine out www.colortransformedfamily.com to see what I used from around the house.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Indiri WoodSeptember 27, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    It's tough for me to decorate sometimes without something new to add in. I'm impressed with your will power. :)

    I love the polka dots on your pumpkins. It adds a nice fun touch.

    ReplyDelete
  14. StaceySeptember 27, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Ohhh Amanda!
    I love those painted pumpkins! Especially the polka dotted ones! REally cute and yes, you have to use what you have! I am queen of that as funds don't often allow for me to do as I wish. Creativity is always necessary!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cheree @ The Morning Latte September 27, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    I love your "non-mantel"! Pupmkins, books and great plaid lunchbox! A happy spot indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  16. TestingSeptember 27, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Hi Amanda,
    I ♥ your talent! Thanks for the inspiration. :) I tend to use what I already have but now and again I will switch out a few pieces. This year I got a crow in a dress for my porch scape. We didn't have a mantle either until I bought one at a antique store. I decided I wasn't going to live in another house without a mantle...HA! Well, I fixed that right away. I mean, really, who seals off fire places in a 160 year old house???...sheeesh!

    ReplyDelete
  17. the cape on the cornerSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    love that you mixed the white and the orange ones, and that tin just makes it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lois ChristensenSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Love the different colors you used! For years I would do the same thing. We didn't have a fire place and I would decorate the top of our TV unit. Great photos!

    ReplyDelete
  19. TysSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Hi there, thanks for stopping by via the linky party. I think the polka dot & monogram pumpkin are great! I hear ya about not buying anything... it's hard sometimes to NOT (cause you really want too!) but then I always feel even more proud of my restraint ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. GinaSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Your fantel looks wonderful! I give you alot of credit for working with what you have. I *try* so hard to do this myself & sometimes I'm successful (it does make you more creative) & sometimes I'm not.

    ReplyDelete
  21. ~FARM CHIC~September 27, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    I love your fake mantel, until last fall when I bought myself a real fake mantel at the flea market, I also used the top of my tv cabinet! Your pumpkins are super cute and so is your pom!

    ReplyDelete
  22. AmandaSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    Love the painted pumpkins! Very cute.

    I, too, am reusing most everything this year. I even dismantled a wreath and a few other things and used the leaves, etc. for other purposes. Felt good not spending a fortune and still getting a look I liked!

    Have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownSeptember 27, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    I guess a little of both for me... I really don't have much yet but not a whole lotta money to get anything new. Yours looks great though! Those polka dot pumpkins are so fun!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Catie @ Catie's CornerSeptember 27, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Hey Amanda! It looks great. I love the polka dot pumpkins. I saw some on Pinterest that were covered in circle stickers then spray painted black. Once the stickers were removed they were super cute black pumpkins with orange dots. LOVE!! I may have to paint a pumpkin or two this year. My youngest wants a pink pumpkin. lol

    This year for my fantel, I used what I had. But I bought a bag of gourds, some mini pumpkins and a bouquet of mums. It was probably $10 total. Not soo shabby. = )

    ReplyDelete
  25. Glendale BlindsSeptember 27, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    I give you alot of credit for working with what you have, i love what you did.

    ReplyDelete
  26. BethSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Love the polka dots! I did dots too for my pumpkin topiaries! I also shopped my house for my fall mantel. I now have a few bare spots in rooms, but I am in love with my new "mantel"! I don't have a real one either. :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Paula@SweetPeaSeptember 27, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Your fantel looks great. I love how you mixed vintage pieces with some new things. I'm like you, I'm not buying any new decorations with the exception of maybe some fresh gourds. I can't resist those!

    Let us know when your slipcover comes in. I've always wondered if they work or if they slip around.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Daune | Cottage in the OaksSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Amanda~
    Love your polka dots! :) Thanks for coming to the cottage.... :)
    Blessings & happy fall!

    ReplyDelete
  29. destinySeptember 27, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Love your polka dot pumpkins! Your fantle looks great! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. MollySeptember 28, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    you rocked the polka dots! So cute! I'm totally copying that for my house! So, so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  31. debbie~refreshrestyle.comSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    I love your painted pumpkins and I had that same lunch box when I was a kid! Everything looks beautiful, love the doggie!
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  32. The Mommy TherapySeptember 28, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Love your pumpkin compilation Amanda! I need to get on the fall decorating.

    Pinterest has been inspiring me left and right so I am going to try to make most of our decor this year. Now that I've banned myself from Target there is no chance of me just buying whatever I see there to cover my home in holiday cheer.

    Keep sharing! Love seeing what you create!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Kim @ NewlyWoodwardsSeptember 28, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    This looks so cute! I lvoe the stars. Those are a great find.

    I've also resisted the urge to buy anything this year. I don't think I'll get around to putting most of my "stuff" out, but I do want to add a little fall to the house even though we're still getting settled.

    ReplyDelete
  34. KarenaOctober 1, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Amanda your vignette looks great, very fun!!

    I am using mostly pieces I already had and anything added is inexpensive!! It does add to creativity!

    I have hooked up with Julia's Party as well!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  35. Jen @ tatertotsandjello.comOctober 6, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Amanda --- it is all so pretty!! I love those stars.

    I love that you used what you had. And it all looks so pretty!

    xoxo
    Jen

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear your feedback! Please feel free to leave comments...just don't send me spam asking me to buy stuff off your website! I've got three kids and no money to purchase your magic weight-loss pill or bust enhancement, or whatever else you might be selling. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you! :)

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.