Happy Saturday, my friends! I hope you have enjoyed the past two posts on the two mantels my dear friends created when they visited here a few weeks ago. Today I want to present the last two holiday mantels. With 7 fireplaces, I will have three to decorate on my own. I can honestly say my friends have set the bar high and I only hope I can decorate the remaining ones with the same ingenuity and creativity as these.

If you missed the previous posts, here is the one on the romantic mantel in my art studio. And the link to the stunning, abundant one in the living room is here.

The Library

This cozy, small room is well used during the winter months. With the fireplace going, it is a popular spot with the pets. It is also a good place to stop and warm up as you are passing through to the family room. With only two chairs, it is also the perfect place for conversation or a glass of wine or cup of coffee.

The mastermind behind this mantel design is Chas from Chas Crazy Creations. Chas is such a sweet person and I think she should have her own crafting show. Find an unusual object? Chas will quickly come up with 100 uses for it. Seriously, she can turn a pumpkin into a carriage. Not only is she creative, but I may have mentioned her Mindful Minutes~60 seconds a day to stop, breathe and do some relaxing exercises. Mindful Minutes can be found on Chas instagram account here.

Starting with a string or two of white lights, Chas patiently tucks coffee filters, yes, coffee filters in between each of the lights. Aided by the very talented Andrea from Design Morsels, they create an ethereal, angelic look in the library.

Since this is only the dark colored fireplace we have, the coffee filters look like a string of petticoats. How beautiful would this be in a girl’s room? I’m not sure you can dye coffee filters but I’m imagining pink ones like a ballerina’s tutu.

Even Sox loves this room and he approves of the garland! Often we find him sleeping in front of the fire. I love that the feminine look of the garland goes with the delicate inlaid design in the fireplace surround.

This garland also reminds me of a feather boa~with all its simplicity but impact. To see more about our library, click here.

The Outdoor Back Terrace Fireplace

Just when the talented team thought they were done with decorating fireplaces, my husband asked them to tackle the one on the back terrace.

If you read the post about the antler centerpiece on the table setting in the orchard, then you know my friend Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate loves these antlers.

Since the fireplace is already rustic, Chloe uses the other antler as the base to the decorations. Chas and Andrea lend their expertise to the design.

Greens and sprigs are layered in between the antlers.

Red berries, crystal branches, pinecones and a red plaid ribbon really spruce up the look.

Over the summer, I purchased these lovely lanterns from Home Depot (see that bargain blog post here). Chloe made the fluffy bows and we use 4 lanterns to decorate the fireplace. These narrow pine trees are my favorite especially when they are clustered like a mini forest. Plaid bow from Home Depot. You can find similar at Amazon here.

So now the pressure is on for me to complete the last 3 mantels. My house looks confused~fall in one corner and Christmas/winter in another. But for some reason I’m in no hurry. With holiday music playing, I am taking my time. The goal is to truly enjoy this holiday without all the stress and rushing around.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! It was actually 32 degrees here the other morning and I’m afraid to see if any frost damage occurred in the garden. Chilly starts and ends of the day, but nice and pleasant in between. Love the weather this time of year. Be well, everyone!

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Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of hosting 4 other bloggers here at Bella Terra. Being the recipient of their collective creativity, they tackled 3 fireplace mantels and decorated them for the holidays. What a fun experience watching these talented gals in action. Today I want to share the mantel over the fireplace in my art room. To see more about this fireplace and room, click here for a previous post.

Barbara from Mantel and Table is the innovative person behind this. If you love fine china, silver, teacups and flowers, her blog is one to follow. Barbara actually participates in table setting competitions (who even knew those existed!) and is an elegant, poised lovely individual.

She went right to work finding items to use~including artificial garland, faux silk peonies, candles, ribbon and ornaments.

First of all, I wouldn’t have thought to use clusters of peonies. Nor would I add the ornaments. What is so wonderful is how much I am learning from these talented women!

Adding the gold sprig brings a bit of brightness to the theme. I love how Barbara weaves the ribbon throughout. This is such a soft and feminine look, perfect for my art studio!

Lastly the candles are added at different heights to create interest and ambiance.

I love the fullness of the garland. Typically I just run the garland straight across the mantel, however, this abundant look is more appealing. The asymmetrical use of the pinecone ornaments and garland works too!

Barbara states that her inspiration is a painting that I haven’t completed, but is sitting on the easel nearby. It is also a bit hard to stand back and take a picture as this is a very small room, filled with my art supplies. I love how romantic this mantel looks in my work space!

To read more about the fireplaces at our home (we have 7), click here. There are two more decorated fireplace mantels to show you and I will post about those tomorrow. To read more about these 4 fabulous women and their visit to Bella Terra, click here.

Have a wonderful Tuesday. I am just now starting all the other Christmas decorating slowly but surely!

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Source for similar items used in mantel:

Artificial Garland at Amazon here

Pinecone Ornaments here

Gold Berry Stems here

Ribbon 2″ wide here

Silk peonies here

Straight taper candles here

Candle holders from West Elm here

At a recent small gathering of friends on our back porch, one of our guests admiring the fresh cut flower display on the table asked, “Where did you get those gorgeous hydrangeas?” I paused. Do I tell her that they are artificial? I did confess that I failed to have enough flowers for the numerous vases so I filled in with fake flowers.

It’s actually a really good trick because today, some of the faux flowers look so realistic.

However, I prefer the real deal to those things that are artificial or substitutes~~ crystal and china to paper plates and napkins; real butter and sugar vs. butter substitutes or artificial sweeteners.  Even friends~~I cherish those who are rich in experience, intellect, humor and sincerity and steer clear of those who are deeply shallow.

Orchids

But every now and again, you find something that is artificial, but looks so realistic.

On my kitchen windowsill, I have several orchid plants.  Yes, the real ones.  They are mostly the Phalaenopsis Orchid, the ones you can pick up for a few dollars at Trader Joe’s or the local grocery store.  They occupy the corner of my kitchen that overlooks the yard and even though I see them daily, they suffer from my lack of attention.

I forget to water them and rarely fertilize them, yet they continue to produce the most beautiful blooms.  Yesterday, it dawned on me that I hadn’t watered them in how long? And as I went to give them the care they deserved, I noticed two plants were beginning to bloom.  I experienced a pang of guilt as they are so forgiving and generous in sharing their delicate flowers year after year, in spite of my neglect.

Though I love real orchids, the centerpiece on my dining room table is a grouping of artificial orchids~~white ones that strongly contrast the dark wood table. They certainly aren’t as detailed as the real orchids, but they look authentic from a distance.

And I don’t forget to tend to these orchids, as they look great every day!

Hydrangeas

As much as I prefer real flowers and plants to artificial ones, the really, really good quality artificial ones are worth the money you will spend.  On my hall entry table, I have faux white hydrangeas in a crystal vase.  I purchased these from The Enchanted Home. But in recently checking their website, these hydrangeas are no longer available.

They measure 16″ tall and have life-like stems.  They used to be available in a variety of colors ~~white, deep purple and lilac.  

If you are looking for faux hydrangeas, Amazon has an extensive collection here.

You see them in various places around my house~like my office that I recently cleaned and organized. See that post here.

During the year, depending on the holiday or season, I move the flowers around~~for example, red berries, greens and hydrangeas are added for the holiday garland.  Since I cannot seem to keep fresh hydrangeas alive for more than a few days, these beautiful artificial ones always look stunning.

Peonies

Another acquisition of artificial flowers is also from The Enchanted Home.   I LOVE peonies but we cannot grow them in Phoenix,  so I again relied on the great taste and quality from Tina at The Enchanted Home. The stems are short, however, so they will display well in smaller containers or a larger one that is opaque.

Unfortunately, these too are no longer available, however, Amazon has a GORGEOUS selection of faux peonies in various colors here.

In writing this post, I realized that most of the artificial flowers are located in rooms that aren’t heavily used~~the living room, dining room, bedroom closet.  The more lived-in parts of the house (kitchen, family room) are where the fresh flowers are displayed and enjoyed.

Do you remember the movie with Diane Keaton in that fabulous beach house, Something’s Gotta Give? Well, in each scene, there are fresh flowers in every room.

Right after that movie I determined that in a perfect world, I’d have flowers in every room.  So whether you like artificial or real flowers, or a combination of both, we are fortunate to have great options at our fingertips.

Happy Wednesday!

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Both the dining room and living room have ideal mantels in which to decorate for the holidays and seasons. Typically in October, the dining room mantel is filled with Halloween themed items. But this year is so different than all others. Between the pandemic and the fact that we no longer have small children that get excited over Halloween, my heart just isn’t in to pulling out all the spooky items. It is just a strange year overall. So instead, I am adding a bit of Autumn to the dining room mantel.

Here is the Before of the mantel. To see more of my dining room, click here.

Start with a Blank Slate

I remove all the items and leave the painting, as I hope it will work.

Add Layers

On the mantel, faux fall leaves and cotton branches create a base of fall color and texture. Amazon has a great selection of fall leaves here.

And Height

To add some height, I add two wheat sheaths. I found these lighter colored sheaths of wheat on Amazon and I actually think I like them better. Click here to see them.

Books are always a good tool to use to provide some anchoring or to use as a pedestal for another item. This “set” of books is really a French faux book form cordial set. However, you can use something like this, faux books or real tomes.

Unique Pieces

One of my cherished pieces is this antique carved Virgin Mary and Jesus on an oval pedestal with a glass dome. Adding some faux orange berries really enhances her blue and white gown. This statue is placed on top of the old books.

Seasonal Artwork

I remove the existing painting and bring out an original by California plein air artist, Lynn Winans (1897-1982). With the colors of autumn and known for his landscapes, this painting reminds me of the rolling hills in California. What it needs is a proper frame, but in the interim, I set it on a pedestal.

And then fill in

Using some of my fabric pumpkins, I fill in the empty spaces with their plump shapes and colors. To see how to make these, click here.

A set of brass candlesticks on the left side adds a bit of brightness and height.

The nail that holds the larger previous painting is noticeable. I try to disguise the nail with faux leaves. Do you think the “falling leaves” are goofy looking? Not sure how I will mask that~maybe just some touch up paint and it will disappear. Maybe a mirror layered behind it? Please share your suggestions!

Slowly, ever so slowly, I am decorating the house. It is cool enough here in the mornings to turn off the air-conditioning and open the windows. I am baking more too, but it still feels like summer during the day. Strange weather, strange year.

Enjoy your Wednesday and let me know what you are doing to add fall to your home.

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This post shared with Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday #611

Since the lifestyle at our mountain cabin is mostly part-time and casual, I do not have an extensive supply of table setting items. It is a bit of a challenge to come up with an elaborate table, with limited supplies. So it’s time to become resourceful!

I am excited to participate in a Welcome Fall Tablescape Blog Hop, hosted by Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate. You will find table inspiration from 20 bloggers at the bottom of this post.

Feeling a bit conflicted because I am here at our cabin without a lot of “things”, I am determined to create a lovely table for this blog hop. And since we aren’t here very often, I really don’t even recall what I have or don’t have. And the scavenger hunt begins!

Start with Linens

So I begin the search for linens, dishes, glasses and natural items for the centerpiece. Fortunately, in the kitchen armoire, I discover this unopened Hemstitched linen tablecloth from Willams Sonoma. An obvious bargain purchase, the gold colored tablecloth is the inspiration for this post. You can find similar tablecloths here on Amazon.

Select Your Dishes

Using our every day dishes from Pier 1 imports, the gold tablecloth picks up the yellow in the plate. This when things start to come together!

Centerpiece Ideas?

Fall to me means all the colors of nature~the earth tones of red, yellow, browns and greens. Luckily, I located some artificial autumn leaves in the garage. But after being stored they are wrinkled and curled. With an iron on VERY low heat, I press the leaves that are in the worst condition.

At this point, the gold table cloth seems a little boring to me. What to do? I find a bolt of fabric leftover from a previous project stored in a closet.

The warm tones of the cotton are perfect and I have enough to cut a runner. And the cotton is nice and soft to be made into napkins.

Being here in the mountains, I have access to natural elements like pinecones. I collect a big bowl of them, intent on using them somehow on the table.

Utilizing What You Have

And here is how the table looks! I am pleased that I am able to use what I found around the cabin and didn’t go to any additional expense to put it together. The centerpiece is two sheaths of wheat, the faux fall leaves, pinecones, brass pumpkins, brass candlesticks and numerous votives. If you are looking for brass candlesticks, Amazon has a great selection.

Adding brass elements give it a bit of brightness yet complements the theme. The pinecones become easy place card holders.

I don’t have chargers here, but the burgundy dinner plate anchors the place setting. The fabric runner provides a nice base for all the fall decor.

Night Time Table

At night, the candles create an autumn warmth which gives it a magical feel.

The only stemmed wine glasses we have are numbered, and it’s a good way for people to keep track of their own glass.

For me, the key lesson here is that you can create a pretty table setting with items you already have around the house or in the yard. That bolt of fabric? I hadn’t used it in over 10 years. Now it will become part of my linen collection!

I hope you enjoy this post and thank you so much for visiting today. If you are new to my blog, welcome! For those who have followed me for a long time, I am so grateful for your support. Please let others know if you enjoyed this and share on Pinterest.

Welcome to the Fall Tablescape Blog Hop!

Now onto other Fall Tablescapes! Please check out these other talented bloggers and as always, we love your comments!

Celebrate & Decorate |  Design Morsels | Mantel and Table |Corner of Plaid and Paisley | Home is Where the Boat Is | Belle Blue Interiors|Calypso in the Country | Our Crafty Mom | My Thrift Store Addiction | The Painted Apron|The Little Yellow Corner Store | Sweet Sensations | Living With Thanksgiving | Panoply|Life and Linda | Everyday Living | Bluesky at Home  |Life at Bella Terra | Red Cottage Chronicles | Cozinest 

This post shared with Tuesday Turn About #65

Charming Homes & Gardens #23

Centerpiece Wednesday Karin’s Kottage

To Gramma’s House We Go Link Party #208

Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday #625

Thursday Favorite Things #456~An Artful Mom

I can honestly say I felt a slight drop in temperature this weekend. Well, even though it remains hot here, it is a perfect time to think about styling for fall!

What a grueling summer we are having. For the next several weeks, fall weather will tease us. But every year, we get our Indian summer and the temperatures will go way up again. But a girl can dream about crisp, cooler mornings and wearing long sleeves again, right? It’s only a matter of time Fall will be here, so why not think about styling for fall now?

Despite the lingering summer heat, it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t get into the mood. Today’s blog post is pulling out the best of fall decorating from previous years.

It’s hard to believe it was two years ago that I made these life size autumn trees. To see this DIY, click here.

This year I am thinking about making several smaller fall trees, ones I can put on mantels or use as centerpieces.

Or maybe large branches with fall leaves on them? Each year we go to the mountains and I will cut branches from real trees that have autumn leaves. I feel a bit guilty doing this so it might be time to create faux ones that I can use year after year.

I am a big fan of Rosy Rings candles as each one looks like a work of art and smells heavenly. The candles are in investment, but they last from year to year. Plus they make terrific gifts. Click here for the link.

I cannot wait to pull this out again soon and fill the rooms with a seasonal fragrance. There’s a bit of a story around this Spicy Apple Candle. Click here for the post.

Each year I decorate one of my prized antiques, a Hepplewhite secretary, dating from 1790 to 1800. I bought this at a time when I had little disposable cash and every penny counted. But I am so glad I made the investment because it gives me such joy.

With 4 glass shelves, I get to do some creative fall magic with it. Too bad it is tucked into a corner of the living room, but I am always pleased to doll it up for this season. To see how I decorated it in the past, click here.

An easy, quick way to add seasonal decor is to switch up pieces of art. I don’t recall where I purchased the art above (I think an auction house), but it screams autumn. In addition, I have a few pieces I have personally painted, but now I am inspired to create a new one.

It doesn’t take much to add color and texture to your fall seasonal decor to your kitchen. A coffee cups, pumpkins, and hand towels are affordable ways to change things up a bit. Here are some cute towels on Amazon.

This spring I acquired a few great yard sale finds. This particular piece, especially with the artwork above, gives an autumn vibe in our family room. I cannot wait to play with the decor and see how I can change it up.

So are you ready for fall? Is it getting cooler where you live? If so, send some lower temperatures our way. Since we are without children, the fall decorating this year will be just for us. I have a new front door color that is more spring/summer-ish so that will be an interesting challenge to decorate. To see the new front door color, click here.

My fall focus is going to be on natural and already owned items. For the natural items I am dreaming about acorns, pinecones, branches, succulents and wood. My collection of baskets, scarves, throws, pottery and lots of velvet pumpkins will be incorporated.

Do you have any decorating plans for the fall? Please share your thoughts and ideas as you always inspire me! Have a terrific Tuesday. Happy September!

This post shared with Tuesday Turn About #64

Charming Homes and Gardens #64

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