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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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October 2, 2015

Most Simple Fall Mantel Ever

Ok, so I don’t know for sure that this is THE most simple fall mantel ever.

But I do know for sure that it is MY most simple fall mantel ever.

simple fall mantel decor atthepicketfence.com

 

Anne Shirley once said, “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those where anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”

These days, those simple little pleasures seem to mean more to me than ever and I’m finding that this sentiment is flowing over into my decorating.

It’s a funny thing. Because of the whole writing a book thing and the whole being a busy wife and mom thing and all of the other ‘things’ going on right now, I simply do not have much time to give to decorating. And, don’t get me wrong, I still love it.

But, I’m discovering that something very interesting, and frankly very surprising to me, is happening.

faux pumpkin atthepicketfence.com

The less time I’m spending on it, the less stress and energy and thought I’m putting into it, the more I’m loving the results.

10 minutes was all it took to pop into one of my favorite consignment stores and discover this pastoral treasure.

pastoral painting on fall mantel atthepicketfence.com

And less than five minutes was all it took to swap out the dried lavender in this urn for a bunch of wheat. With the addition of a little pumpkin it is perfect in all of it’s understated beauty.

wheat in urn on fall mantel atthepicketfence.com

Simple wood candlesticks were moved from the family room mantel to this one.

wood candlesticks atthepicketfence.com

And I think it’s all just right. Just fall-ish enough.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the parallels between your heart and your decorating. I’ve noticed that the more comfortable I have become with who I am, the more comfortable I’m becoming with my how I decorate.

And I believe that my home is reflecting it.

Our hearts, our homes, our stories, our style. For better or worse, they’re all intertwined.

I’m starting to see those pearls slipping from the string more clearly. The simplicity, the subtle nuances, the way they catch the light.

french country living room with fall decor

And I want my heart to see the simple moments, those pearls in life, more clearly. I want to appreciate them and remember that they are the real ‘stuff’ of this life. The wonderful and exciting moments are all well and good. But, they cannot compare to the sweet, simple moments.

The times when you know for sure that you will not be able to remember every single detail of what happened in that moment, but you know that you will most definitely remember how you felt while you were experiencing it.

Anne with an ‘e’ considered her simple strand of pearls given to her by her beloved Matthew more precious than any of the sparkling jewels she saw on the wealthy ladies at the ball.

I think she knew that flash and glitter has it’s place, but that it cannot compare to the timeless beauty found in subtlety, in simplicity.

I’m not planning on trading in my diamond ring anytime soon 😉 but when it comes to my home and my heart, I’m going to take my cues from Anne Shirley and find beauty in “simple little pleasures”.

Thank you for meeting me (and Anne!) at the fence today,

Vanessa signature

13 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating Tagged With: fall, fall decor, fall Decorating, mantel

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Comments

  1. rosemary palmer says

    October 2, 2015 at 3:14 AM

    Love this – seems like I am getting into a less is more state of mind in most of my decorating, including my mantel. I think I have an old mirror I can dig out. I use a window frame a lot too as background.

    Reply
  2. Carol says

    October 2, 2015 at 4:38 AM

    Lovely! Thank you for the pearls today!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 2, 2015 at 7:11 AM

      Thank you so much Carol!

      Reply
  3. Pat says

    October 2, 2015 at 6:46 AM

    Pretty mantle. And I love the pearls…pleasures analogy.
    Pat

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 2, 2015 at 7:08 AM

      Thank you Pat!

      Reply
  4. Nikki says

    October 2, 2015 at 7:50 AM

    Great job! Simple is good. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Connie Callahan says

    October 2, 2015 at 1:30 PM

    Your mantle is pretty, but your words are beautiful. I could feel your heart beat in them. I love Ann Shirley, Green Gables and the whole bit. I loved how she looked at life. That’s one thing that is wrong with our country, we need to get back to the simple things in life. Thank you so much for this post.

    Reply
  6. laura@duke manor farm says

    October 2, 2015 at 2:35 PM

    you were right! have a great weekend.

    Reply
  7. Lisa Mothersead says

    October 2, 2015 at 3:37 PM

    The beauty of ordinary days…. Beautiful mantle, too.

    Reply
  8. Tamara H. says

    October 2, 2015 at 4:56 PM

    I loved this – so very beautifully and eloquently written. It really caused me to stop and reflect on what is truly important! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

    Reply
  9. Donnamae says

    October 3, 2015 at 6:45 AM

    Beautifully said…and so true. 😉

    Reply
  10. Becca says

    October 3, 2015 at 6:51 AM

    Beautiful mantel, Vanessa! Simple and fabulous … love that way of thinking and living; now, if only I didn’t love bling so much. 😉

    Reply
  11. Vanessa says

    October 5, 2015 at 11:27 AM

    Hi, Vanessa

    I love your mantel. It’s elegant and not over the top. Beautiful and great picture.

    Reply

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