Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Fall Mantel Makeover


Early last week, I dug out the fall/Halloween boxes. I've never really purchased a bunch of fall decorations at once. I've gradually accumulated enough that I feel I can finally do a decent job of decorating for autumn. I artfully arranged my pumpkins and put out all my spicy scented candles, but the wall above the mantle was vacant. The painting that usually resides there is mostly yellow and spring green and totally doesn't feel like fall. It feels like spring and summer, and I needed a better focal point for the living room.

My solution? Plywood, spray paint, acrylic craft paint, and one very abused paintbrush. My original idea was to use actual leaves and stamp them all over the painted wood, but the trouble with that idea is that all the leaves large enough to look neat are still living very high in the treetops. The ones that have fallen are already dead and a bit too fragile for painting and stamping. I have a couple of thick felt placemats cut in the shape of large leaves, so I traced one of them onto each piece of wood and dabbed paint inside the leaf shape. It looks kind of spongey, and I like it. And the very best part is that I only spent about $11 - $4 for each piece of wood and $3 for the can of brown spray paint. I know. I was out. Can you believe it?

I think finishing up my fall decorating is the best way to celebrate the first day of autumn.

18 comments:

  1. Super cute, Dra! Looks awesome :)

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  2. Doing my fall decorating today...so excited!

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  3. accumulating them over time is the best way. Spray paint is fabulous isn't it!

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  4. Oh girl! I love your idea!!! Those wall hangings are stunning and will last for years. The whole mantle is simply beautiful.

    Are you craving pumpkin pie, yet? :)

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  5. Believe it or not, I actually made (and ate) one last week!

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  6. You got that right! Just getting it done is a relief. I love your idea!
    Brenda

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  7. I love your mantel. It all looks so pulled together.

    :)

    Stop by and see me over at Free 2 Be Frugal.

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  8. I LOVE your fall mantel! Now I need you to come redo mine too. ;> God's blessings, Sarah :D

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  9. Your mantel looks great! Just the the nudge I needed to get mine done! I have been slowly putting Autumnal things out, but it's hard to do when the temps are still hitting the high 90's:(
    Thanks for sharing!

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  10. It looks great. I love fall.

    Ruth

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  11. Very sweet mantel! I need to get on the ball and do something with mine now!

    blessigns
    mary

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  12. Very cute. I like all of the pumpkins, and I love that plaid picture frame. Great job!

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  13. Very creative making your own beautiful artwork and I love all the pumpkins on your mantel.

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  14. The pictures are GORGEOUS! I wish you would post a close up so I could really see how to do them!!!! I LOOOOVE them!!!! Pinky

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  15. Turned out so cute! Congrats on having hubby back, too.....bet the little ones missed him (and you too :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  16. looks so cute it could be in a magazine!!

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