Fall Decorating

This weekend has been rainy and windy so I decided it would be a good time to add a little fall color around the house. 

This is what I came up with for my new shelf over my dining room built ins.  I've been wanting to change out the black shelf that has been hanging there for quite awhile and finally found something to replace it.  It's actually a fireplace mantel.  You can find unfinished pine ones at Home Depot for about $100.  Or you could build one yourself for much cheaper.  I lucked out and found it at a Restore for $5.  Serious.  I couldn't believe it.  I had no idea what I was going to do with it when I bought it but I couldn't pass it up.  I painted it with milk paint and had some fun chipping. 

I used some faux pumpkins, leaves, pine cones, moss and a sunflower to bring in some much needed color.

This vignette on my hutch has been this way for awhile now.   I just added the little pumpkin.  Now that I look at this picture I think a little burlap or grainsack runner would look so cute on here.  I need to strip and refinish this family heirloom someday soon.  It's seen a lot of love in it's day. 

I shared my Junk mantel decor a few weeks ago but I made a few changes so I will show it again.  First I changed out the glass ball jar for a rusty iron urn. 

Here's the before.  You can see it is a little unbalanced with that jar.  I knew it wasn't quite right when I did it but I was in a hurry and so I went with it.

Last thing I added was a little bright green moss I picked up at Joann Fabrics.  I love the pop of green.  It takes a very neutral display and gives it a little life.  

I had everything staged and photographed in a couple hours which is not usual for me. I must have been in the right mood.  I'm one of those people who needs a little time to create a display. I have a couple friends who are very good at it and it always amazes me how fast they can put a beautiful display together.  I need time to tweak things.  I don't like a lot of stuff everywhere so staged displays often look too busy to me at first, but I get there eventually.