Monday, October 3, 2011

the fall mantel



I love Fall.
I love that Fall is the celebration of nature;  no bunnies, Santa, or cupids in sight... just the bounty of the earth-  leaves turning colors, pumpkins, apples, and the changing light to illuminate it all. 
My very simple mantel filled with natural treasures is, for me, what the season is about.



My favorite Jarrahdale blue pumpkins with antique mercury glass candlesticks.  The piece of wood on the far left is a portion of a "root" from a huge, old maple stump that we excavated in early Spring.  As we were picking up the debris from the stump I found this piece and loved how sculptural it was.  I worked to slowly clean out and dry the piece all summer. 




One of the largest of my tree fungus brackets (22 inches wide) takes center stage leaning against the antique French mirror.  A wasp nest and a small horn rests on a branch found in the forest that is covered with moss and lichens. 




Antique Chinese blue and white double happiness vase shares a side with another blue Jarrahdale, a miniature white pumpkin, and silvered candle holders.
























Hope you are having a wonderful Fall!



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62 comments:

  1. ℳartina @ Northern NestingOctober 3, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Happy Fall Joan, your mantel looks gorgeous!! Fall is my favorite time of year too! Martina

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  2. amyOctober 3, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Beautiful! I love the muted color pallet and the mixing of all the different textures!

    ~Amy
    http://thevintagevisionary.blogspot.com/

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  3. Heidi @ Decor & MoreOctober 3, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Lovely, Joan! Amazing that Mother Nature gives us everything we need to decorate for Fall, doesn't she?
    Enjoy your day. :)
    Heidi @ Show some Decor

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  4. niartistOctober 3, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    This comes at a wonderful time, Joan. Right in the middle of my big inspiration search for mantel ideas.

    I'm pulling my hair out over here (quite literally) trying to make my house look "spring" without trying to hard.

    Oh if you were here to help ... I'd take you to lunch! :) Doesn't that entice you?

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  5. The enchanted homeOctober 3, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Your mantle is totally envy provoking! So beautiful and elegant. Very timeless, the blue and white is the crowning touch!

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  6. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeOctober 3, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Your mantel is amazing. I love the touch of blue and the seafan is stunning. Totally gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

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  7. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeOctober 3, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Your mantle is so pretty decorated with such creative things from nature! The tree fungus bracket is beautiful and such a statement piece...so creative and beautiful!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  8. LizabethOctober 3, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Beautifully done! Love all the details. I just got some mercury glass pieces too! I thought of you while we went through a wooded area the other day. I told my Dan about your bottle finds. Fall is here and it's beautiful!

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  9. Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and AcornsOctober 3, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Oh my goodness, that tree fungus is beautiful. I love your Fall mantle and love Fall for many of the same reasons that you do. The harvest and natures bounty...there is beaurty in nature and simplicity.

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  10. To The Moon and BackOctober 3, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Joan, as with everything in your amazing home...STUNNING! I love all the texture and natural elements mixed with the mercury glass. Love it!

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  11. KarenOctober 3, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Joan,
    I love the use of the natural items, pumpkins and moss covered wood. Always inspirational.
    Karen

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  12. MaryOctober 3, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    lovely! i was having a rather tough day work-wise so I took a break and read your blog...

    That beautiful Fall mantel brightened my world a bit...thank you...

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  13. Pinky at Designs by PinkyOctober 3, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Oh, I think I have mantle envy!!! This is stunning! Love the blue pumpkins, never knew what they were called before so thank you! The happiness jar is fabulous, you know I adore blue and white jars! I love that you collect fallen pieces and keep them! Happy Fall!!!!! XO, Pinky PS, I did post MY mantle if you want to see:):)

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  14. Jane@Cottage at the CrossroadsOctober 3, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Joan,
    I love your nature-inspired fall mantel. You are truly an inspiration. I would never have thought to put tree fungus on my mantel. I wonder if I could grow those blue pumpkins in South Carolina because I've already decided that I want my own pumpkin patch next year!

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  15. laneyOctober 3, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    ...as much as i love the beautiful mantel...another perfect metaphor for the house and land of this so special home...my eyes kept going to the fire...and...those andirons...oh my...they quite simply take my breath away...

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  16. SHERRY HARTOctober 3, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Love. You definitely have the "styling" gene.....everything you do is so right on!

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  17. Atelier de CampagneOctober 3, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Very beautiful vignette! I love that mirror too!

    Trinidad

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  18. {hooked on hickory}October 3, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    joan, love your mantel! i'm obsessed with that color pumpkin! need to find some myself! so, beautiful! as always!

    ashley over @
    {hookedonhickory}

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  19. KellyOctober 3, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Just beautiful! I expect nothing less from you. Your home is one of my favorites. I love how unique your mantel decor is. You have special things that were found not bought.

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  20. CindyOctober 3, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Joan, Dan, and Ella: Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I love how you mix nature with your other belongings and everything fits nicely. I keep looking at the fireplace bricks; I may have to paint ours! Cindy

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  21. VictoriaOctober 3, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Your mantel, dressed for fall, looks fabulous, Joan. It makes me miss my past life in upstate NY at his time of year.

    Best...Victoria

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  22. Haus and HomeOctober 3, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Love all the earthen elements (and so brave of you to move a hornets nest). I love how all these elements look great with your Chinese vase.

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  23. Sécia MischkeOctober 3, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    I like to add a couple of gravestones, ghosts and spiderwebs. ;) Lovely mantel.

    ♥ sécia
    www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com

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  24. CarolynOctober 3, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Wow, love that giant tree fungus. I don't think I've ever seen one so big. I'm going to be on the lookout for one next weekend when I go to my cabin in the woods in the NC mountains. Love fall! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  25. Hill Country House GirlOctober 3, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    I.WANT.THAT.TREE.FUNGUS. One day I will get to see it in person! Oh Joan I love it and your grouping on your mantel is just beautiful! All of my favorite things - love it!

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  26. Julie JOctober 3, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Love your style - it's effortless and comfortable. Keep it coming! JJ

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  27. Pamela BatesOctober 3, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    that fungus is incredible!! what a find

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  28. Amy KinserOctober 3, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Gorgeous mantel. Love the tree stump piece...so creative.

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  29. KarenBOctober 3, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    So beautiful! I LOVE the big fungus bracket. That is amazing. I truly believe that God is in the details and this proves it! Happy Fall nesting!

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  30. Velvet and LinenOctober 3, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    I love fall too!
    I never knew the name of those pumpkins. We just call them "fairy tale pumpkins". They look lovely on your mantel.
    A local store here in Los Angeles has started selling tree fungus. No one knew what they were, except for me (thanks to you!).
    Thank you for the inspiration.

    xo
    Brooke

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  31. jessicaOctober 3, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Oh Joan! You're description of fall is so true isn't it? I think that is why it's my favorite season, and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Your take on decorating the mantle is one of the best arrangements! I love your natural elements and how they are simple in themselves, yet placed together, they create something so stunning! I hope you are having a wonderful fall. Someday I wish to be able to visit your end of the world this time of year!!

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  32. A Perfect GrayOctober 3, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    beautiful, joan and as always, inspiring....donna

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  33. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereOctober 3, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    Joan, Your mantle is gorgeous as always! Love the natural elements you added.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  34. Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home}October 3, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Where have I been all this time? My mother never told me about tree fungus brackets! Seriously, it's beautiful, understated, with wonderful color and texture. What more could you ask for? Simply lovely, like the rest of your home!

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  35. the gardener's cottageOctober 3, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    oh joan, so beautiful. so natural and stunning at the same time. perfecto.

    xo

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  36. AT HOME BLOGOctober 4, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    Beautiful!! :-)

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  37. Becca BertottiOctober 4, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Gorgeous mantel, Joan !!

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  38. Tara G.October 4, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    If I were to put out the elements you used, it would look like a science project gone very wrong- you have made this so beautiful! It reflects so much of you!

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  39. KarenOctober 4, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    Hi Joan
    You"ve real have made me look at using nature to decorate . I have an empty wasp nest hanging on the fence near my studio.
    Kind Regards
    Karen

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  40. KirstenOctober 4, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Stunning! I love all the natural colors and textures that you used.

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  41. AndreaOctober 4, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    It is just gorgeous! I am on the hunt for those heirloom pumpkins (no luck here yet), and I'm kicking myself for not collecting more forest treasures while I lived in the Pac Northwest. I may just need to send my mom out for a hunt for some wonderful lichen covered wood =)

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  42. pam KelleyOctober 4, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Thank you Joan, for the beautiful post! You inspired me to get busy with my mantle last night and the dining table as well. Only one problem, still to hot for a fire! all the best and happy fall Pam

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  43. Britt @ Dreamy SpacesOctober 4, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Gorgeous fall mantel! I love the use of the natural elements. It’s not too much, not to little, but juuuust right! The natural elements are very unique to the home and it also makes the space super cozy!

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  44. RobinOctober 4, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    That tree fungus is the bomb! I absolutely love these now and have really never noticed them before. What an education and a great design piece too. I really always enjoy my visit here. Thank you.

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  45. Melissa at HOUSEographyOctober 4, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    so pretty!!! great job!

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  46. LisaOctober 4, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    I always love seeing what you do next! So elegant!

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  47. Sunflowers With SmilesOctober 4, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    I just love your mantel with all of the natural accents. Also I am one of your newest followers.

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  48. KarenOctober 4, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    What a stunning mantel! I love the paradox of using "free" decorations provided by mother nature to provide such a rich look...of using such humble items to achieve elegance! I, too, love to decorate for fall with pheasant feathers, acorns, pressed leaves, dried grasses, and grapevines. How I envy your bracket fungi that don't grow in our climate. It's fun to see how everyone uses what they find in their own settings. Thanks for sharing.

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  49. Future NomadOctober 5, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    I'm always fascinated by your organic arrangements. Nature in the home makes it ten times more intriguing. Thank you for sharing your amazing decorating skills with everyone.

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  50. Amber@Munchkin LandOctober 5, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Joan,

    Did you spray anything on the fungus or the root to help preserve it? And is that a gas fireplace mocked to look like a wood burning one?

    Everything is just lovely!

    Hugs from Kansas,
    Amber

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  51. for the love of a houseOctober 5, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    hi Amber! No, I didn't use anything on either piece. The fireplace is original to the house; we added a gas-line and the gas-logs.

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  52. BabsOctober 5, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    The natural elements on your mantel are PERFECTION! I adore your bracket fungi and the branch with lichens. Happy Fall!

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  53. karen - Simply InspiredOctober 5, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    have my tea in hand and just pulled up a chair to enjoy your beautiful mantel and get warm by your fire...
    thank you, kindly.
    -xok.

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  54. The Inspired NestOctober 6, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    You have a way of making organic, beautiful. I love the mixture of blue & white with the fall bounty!
    I so wish I had a fire burning right now, instead I am running the a/c! Happy Fall from Florida!
    Lacy

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  55. EmreenOctober 6, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    Love the mantel... The color of the pumpkin makes it unique and gorgeous...

    Hope to see you dropping by my blog and Please do participate in the blog party for festival and seasonal decor going on now... You can check the details here : http://liventhingsup.blogspot.com/2011/10/itz-festival-time-2011.html

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  56. Dear LillieOctober 6, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Joan, your mantle looks beautiful! Jarrahdale pumpkins are my favorite. Lillie is on my lap and said "where's Ella?"

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  57. Kellie CollisOctober 6, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Your mantle is gorgeous! Such beauty! Enjoy the lovely day, Kellie xx

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  58. DianneOctober 6, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    Oh fall in New England, it doesn't get much better than that!
    Your mantle is perfection like everything you do. :)
    Kisses dear Ella!

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  59. Renae MooreOctober 6, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Your mantel is stunning. I love the fungus you found and everything else. Beautiful styling!

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  60. Karen AnnOctober 10, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Your mantle is beautiful!! The sum of perfect parts....especially the fungus fan - I love it! Here in Tennessee ours are not quite as spectacular so I have a teeny bit of envy.

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  61. The Plush Pad/The Adorned LifeOctober 12, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    This is THE perfect mantel. Absolutely gorgeous, in every way possible. Picture perfect...bravo! :)

    -Jenelle @ The Plush Pad

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  62. He Who Loves an Old HouseJune 2, 2012 at 5:04 PM

    I'm taking the time to reread your posts, and this post brightened my day and renewed my excitement, that I will get to experience my first New England fall as a resident of New Hampsire this year. *blissful sigh*

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan