Autumn Mantels + Link Party

By Kate Riley September 25, 2012

When it comes to fall decorating, I have a predictable annual ritual.  I clip colorful stems of viburnum leaves from the backyard, pull out the amber glass collection from storage, and pose mini pumpkins all around the house.  As a result, the mantel tends to reflect my fall favorites. 

amber bottles on mantel centsational girl

amber bottles and mirror on mantel

That was the mantel yesterday morning when I photographed it.  Then I had two cups of coffee.  And as I sat there in the cozy space, amped up on caffeine, I got a hankering to mix it up again.   

As I’ve mentioned, I am fixated on marbled paper this year, so I decided after lunch to  take down the mirror and replace it with some framed golden marbled papers I ordered earlier this year. (Those are IKEA Ribba frames if you’re curious.)

Aaaaaand here’s the afternoon version of the mantel. 

framed marbled paper on mantel

marbled paper and amber bottles on mantel

autumn mantel and framed marbled paper

autumn living room mantel centsational girl

Here are the seasonal changes: I temporarily swapped my living room rug for the Surya rug that used to sit in the kid’s playroom and was hiding in a closet.  I brought down the slipcovered settee from our master bedroom for a few months to create a cozy seating area around the fireplace.  And I added a deep orange throw blanket and some embroidered DL Rhein pillows, both purchased from Joss & Main as autumn accents.

 

Not one hour had gone by and I discovered little Miss Coco had made herself a new nap zone in the space. 

coco on orange blanket

And if you’re wondering about this cute critter, I’ve been experimenting with textile design and Foxy is one of my projects, more to come on that topic soon.

fox pillow centsational girl

 

Are y’all excited that fall has arrived?  I am!  For me, fall decorating is all about filling the home with scents of the season and the simple pleasure of getting cozy by the fire.

candles and pumpkins in tray centsational girl

 

Time to link up YOUR seasonal mantels and vignettes, show your stuff!

 

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110 comments

  1. Kate, I want to come curl up in front of your fire! Your mantel looks beautiful, and your room looks so warm and inviting. I like the way the room is generally cool in tone and the warm pops of orange and gold really show up! Gorgeous.

    Thanks so much for hosting the party!

  2. So pretty! I love the touches of amber… it definitely brings in the warmth of the season. And my eyes kept straying to the fox pillow… love it. Thanks for hosting!

  3. Beautiful as always Kate! I love how simple yet elegant the small touches of fall work in that room. I’m loving those marble papers too! What an inexpensive and pretty way to make your own art! Thank you for hosting!

  4. Stunning as always, Kate! That looks like such a cozy spot to spend the season with your family.

    Thank you so much for hosting! This was a huge inspiration to my fall decorating last year and I am so happy to have a blog this year which allows me to participate!

    Happy Fall!

  5. Your mantle is classy and beautiful and that room is drop dead gorgeous. Thanks so much for hosting, I look forward to seeing all of the beautiful inspiration.

  6. Oh man, I love hankerings! Especially when jacked up on coffee….that’s when I get the most done! You get better every year…your fall mantels are the best around. And I’m crazy for the foxy pillow…can’t wait to hear what you’ve got brewing! thanks for the party party!

  7. Love the ‘roaring’ fire!!! The fox pillow is really adorable.

    Also, I’m giggling over here because it was 11:06 EST when I linked up (6 minutes after your post went live) and I’m already #64!!!

    xo,
    Shannon

  8. Your mantel looks wonderful! I love the touches of amber! The marbled papers are amazing and look beautiful on your mantel. You’ve given me a great idea how to change my mirror too! Thanks for hosting!

  9. Smart cat! I’d cozy up near that fireplace, too. I am so envious of those beautiful autumn leaves! It still feels like summer here.

  10. Thanks for hosting. I love fall and all the warm colors and tones. That fox pillow is ADORABLE! Can’t wait to hear more. BTW, it looks like my link duplicated (90 & 91) I can’t seem to delete it, so big apologies if you are seeing double.

  11. This post makes me wish I had a mantel…oh well! I do love the marble paper and I am going to order some but I haven’t nailed a choice down as of yet. Thanks for the inspiration!

  12. What a modern, elegant and yet cozy space you’ve created! Love the fox pillow, the marbled paper artwork and the simple touches of fall colors without being overwhelming. Your cat is adorable! :)

  13. As always Kate, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Love the marbled paper. Love the gorgeous cuttings from nature. Love the simplicity. Thanks so much for hosting;) xo

  14. Thanks so much for the fab party! I’m exciting to be linking up!

    Your display is AMAZING. I have a slight obsession with gold these days, so this is all kinds of wonderful for me. Every room needs a touch of whimsy – that fox pillow is AMAZING!

    • Thanks so much Michael and everyone!!!
      Hope you all enjoy the party and the creative inspiration everyone brings!
      xo
      Kate

    • Hi Melissa, I scored those club chairs on Joss & Main last year, they are the Lenox Club Chair – if you do a search for them you’ll find several suppliers carry them!
      Kate

  15. I’m laughing because I had a Saturday and Sunday version of our mantel. I went with option #2. I love both of yours but I am especially fond of your latest version. You do a great job of having enough without too much!! I always struggle with that.

    Thanks for hosting and I LOVE the whimsy that the fox pillow adds. :)

  16. Looks really good. Foxy is cute (amazed that you painted that; your talent is limitless!), but he might be a little too cute for the rest of the elements. It’s still in the 90’s here; I just can’t do fall until October first; hopefully it will be a little bit cooler then.

  17. I do believe I would happily lounge in that room with either mantel display. Looks beautiful and cozy. Foxy the Pillow, however, is your scene-stealer. Love it. A little Egyptian touch, and she could be Foxy Cleopatra.

  18. Thanks for letting us link up. I can already see there is a lot of decorating talent here, so I’ll enjoy looking around to get ideas for my mantel for next year. I love the mirror and how pretty your mantel is without being overdone.

  19. what a wonderful autumn get together!! thank you so very much for hosting…I know it’s a lot of work! this has given me such a wonderful boost to help welcome fall to this cottage! happy happy fall to ya darlin!

    NORTHERN COTTAGE {http://www.NorthernCottage.net}

  20. I love how you can change a few pieces and colors in your living room and it looks like a whole new space. You have a talent! Love it.

  21. Beautiful work you do! Man, everytime I see your decor I’m like, how does she get it looking so good! Very simple and elegant. I think the little critter is my favorite. I love the colors and the throw looks great with it. Your little kitty critter is pretty cute to :) I just linked up our sofa table mantel. Thank you for hosting the party!

  22. Thanks bunches for hosting. I think everyone was looking forward to this party! I know I was :)
    Your mantel looks beautiful but I’ll tell you, I am in love with that Foxy little pillow. I definitely need one to come live at Fox Hollow with me!! Shannon

  23. Your mantel is beautiful both ways! The Foxy pillow really caught my eye!

    There are so many entries, and each one looks fabulous! I have a feeling I’ll be here for hours looking at all the pretty Autumn mantels :)

  24. Your mantel looks amazing both ways … love the amber touches! And, thank you so much for hosting such a fun, inspiring gathering! *Becca*

  25. Slightly unrelated question. I’m curious what you think about those two nailhead chairs you have in the living room? Are you happy with them? I always contemplate purchasing them when I see them on Joss and Main but was worried about the quality. Thanks.

    • Hi Kelley, those chairs were a Joss & Main purchase, they are the Lenox Club Chairs. They’re very firm and I removed the back cushion, but the scale and formality is perfect for our space.
      kate

  26. Your mantel is gorgeous! I love the roaring fire you have going on in your fireplace, too. Nice touch! I’m super jealous that it’s cool enough where you live to have a fire! The marble prints look great up there, too! :)

  27. Amazing how beautiful everyone’s mantels are, and yet, so many different variations and interruptations of Fall. I didn’t see a link button to put on my page. Am I just blind?

  28. Your room is the perfect mix of fall. I just love the bright airy feeling. If I were to choose…I think I still prefer the first rendition. Seriously, that mirror steals the show every time. :D Thanks for hosting today’s party!!!
    Happy Fall!

  29. Looks beautiful as always, Kate. Love the framed prints, they also look like trees.

    Foxy’s cute, and I love his colour, too! The whole vignette has a warm, airy feel.

    Keep up the great work, I’m a big fan.

  30. It’s really gorgeous Kate. I’d love to curl up with a good book and a hot cup of tea in front of that fire. There is something so cozy and sweet about a cat napping in a chair. Miss Coco is a doll. I love your fox pillow!! A touch of whimsy is wonderful in your lovely elegant living room. Beautiful job.

  31. Gorgeous colour scheme, love the grey walls with the white accents and then all the autumn colour.

    How often do you have to replace the viburnum stems?

    Nat

    • Hey Natalie, those viburnum stems last for weeks! I’ve got them all around the house right now…
      Kate

  32. The mantel looks great both ways. I do love pops of Amber.

    Quick question…where did you buy the mirror. I looove it.

  33. Hi Kate – what a lovely, inviting mantle you’ve made!

    Can you please tell me where you got the mirror that you took down? I always seem to notice it and am deeeeeeply in love with it.

    • Hi Jenny, thanks!
      The mirror is the Casbah from Lamps Plus that I spray painted white, sadly they don’t carry it anymore :(
      Kate

  34. Kate I love the mantel. I adore your mirror very much, but I would have to say I can’t decide which way I love your mantel more. Gorgeous both ways. I love Foxy. Can’t wait to hear all about it. :) I love Fall. We have been having gorgeous 70 degree weather here in NY and now today it’s going to be like 77 degrees. What the heck? But over night it’s nice and cool. Love that. Wish I had a mantel and a fireplace to decorate, but we don’t. I’ll just have to drool over everyone else’s. :)

  35. Oh my- what a grand collection of fireplace mantels from the party! I just saw the link at BNOTP….I totally missed out on this one!
    I love your new look on the fireplace- and I liked the other look too! That’s a great idea with the framed marble papers!

  36. Beautiful photos of your beautiful fall mantle. Thank you for hosting a beautiful party…gotta go catch up!

  37. I came over from Between Naps on the Porch. Your mantel looks so pretty, and I love “Foxy”. I’m going to link up my Fall mantel. Thanks for hosting. laurie

  38. Beautiful Kate. Would you mind letting me know where you got your coffee table from? I love it! Thanks!

  39. Hi Kate, I’m now following you on FB page and with my personal page. Love mantles/mantels and this is such a great party. WooHoo, I’m number 378. Thanks for hosting all of us, Helen

    • Hi Natasha, I found it at World Market over the summer, they may still have them!
      Kate

  40. Your home is so beautiful and so are the mantles and vignettes in your linky party. Have to run and get something put together so I can participate!

  41. I love this party for a completely different reason – I am not looking at how the mantels are decorated, I am looking at how the mantels are made! We are in the finishing stage of our new home and figuring out what the finished fireplace is going to look like is still in the back of my mind. This provides oodles of inspiration! Perfect timing – thanks! :)

  42. I am in love with your foxy pillow. Please tell us you are going to be selling the fabric on spoonflower or something!

    • Susan, the mirror was purchased from Lamps Plus years ago, but sadly it’s not available anymore.

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