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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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September 21, 2011

A Tale of Two Mantels…Part One

Yep. I have two Fireplace Mantels in my house.
Some of you do too and I wonder if you run into the same problem I do.
It may sound nice and all, but the reality is that means there is not one but TWO blank expanses of wood staring me in the face and just daring me to come up with something creative for them.
I wasn’t really thinking about that when we first toured the house.
Actually, the first thing I thought of when I saw that there were two gas fireplaces is that they could never be on at the same time or our gas bill would be enormous! I’m a dreamer like that!
Nonetheless, they are there and I must accept their challenge.
First up is our Family Room Mantel.
My goal this year was to decorate in keeping with the Harvest theme and strive for simplicity.
And I was absolutely determined to work this painting into my mantel decor.
I photocopied an oil painting which used to hang in my Great-Grandmothers home.
My Dad says he has vivid memories of seeing it on the walls of Mamaw’s house when he would visit there as a young boy. You can barely see her face, but the woman in this painting just draws me in and I love that she now has a place of honor in my home.
The only items I purchased new this year were the frame from Wal-Mart for the lovely blue lady and these bunches of wheat for my urns.
The urns were a….wait for it…TJ Maxx find from this summer.
I absolutely love their detailing and they were only $9.99 each!
The plate I have had forever and while it may be more “Spring-ish” than “Fall-ish”, the colors worked perfectly and it kept me from having to buy something new.
This little box was passed down to me from my Grandmother and my mom told me that it is actually a cheese box. The shape of the box would help to mold the cheese into a block and you can read some of the wording on it.
I love the rustic beauty of it.
Simple, sentimental and inexpensive.
Mantel number one is good to go!

Stay tuned for Part Two of A Tale of Two Mantels!
Thanks for joining me today at the Fence,
This post is partying here:
You’re Talking Too Much Linky Party
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party
2805: Potpourri Friday Party
Stuff and Nonsense: Friday’s Unfolded
The DIY Show Off
The Lettered Cottage

26 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays

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Previous Post: « Knockin off the OG…Olive Garden that is!
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Comments

  1. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    September 21, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Yes, that certainly is good to go. Two, I can hardly get one the way I like it let alone two! I love the little painting too. Very pretty Vanessa!

    Reply
  2. Katie says

    September 21, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Love your mantle display of items you’ve collected over time, and some with a very interesting story!

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    September 21, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    The “things” that have meaning that we surround ourselves with bring such comfort to our homes!
    Love it Vanessa.

    Reply
  4. Traci says

    September 21, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    I love it! The cheese box is awesome!

    Reply
  5. Anita says

    September 21, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Love it Vanessa! I’m jealous that you have two because I have none in this house and really miss it. Love the box especially and the Bobsy Twins book! I have one of those that belonged to my mom. Love old books!

    Reply
  6. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    September 21, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Your mantel looks wonderful all dressed for fall. I love the green urns. I also have two fireplaces and mantels, but since one is downstairs in the basement I let that one slide, except for Christmas. Can’t wait to see part two!

    Reply
  7. NanaDiana says

    September 21, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Vanessa- Your mantle looks lovely! You did a nice job and I think the plate is perfect for Fall! Can’t wait to see #2- xo Diana

    Reply
  8. Kelly says

    September 21, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    I really like the way you did that mantel. I like the dried grasses that you used on each end and the wooden crate full of Fall goodies.

    Reply
  9. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    September 21, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    I have two mantels in my current home, too, Vanessa! Your display is just lovely! Ours are wood burning fireplaces and while I love the fireplaces, I always had a hard time coming up with different displays for the mantels. Our new place has one gas fireplace and it’s not very big. Plus the tv will be going over it, so I’m sure that will make it easier on me as far as decorating them.

    Reply
  10. Debra @ Common Ground says

    September 21, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    I have a vintage print of that also, and I really love the baskets of flowers she’s carrying. Great little box with the fall goodies. I’m working on “simple” fall decor! xoxo Debra

    Reply
  11. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    September 21, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    It looks fab!

    Reply
  12. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    September 22, 2011 at 1:52 AM

    Looks great, Vanessa. Love that box.

    Reply
  13. Jennifer Hojnacki says

    September 22, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    I’m feeling you! My house is 115 years old and has 5 fireplaces and mantels. I am seriously challenged in this area, so thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  14. Emily@LovelyBeasts says

    September 22, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    I really like the framed photocopy of the painting. It’s so pretty and such a nice sentiment to display something your grandma had in her home! And I’m completely envious of the cheese box. I love when vintage/industrial meets food! 🙂

    And thanks for the kind note! I’m having a great time in Maine! And yes…the furniture seems to follow me (aka haunt me) everywhere!

    Reply
  15. Kim {Recipes To Run On} says

    September 21, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    I love finding posts on mantel decorating…. It’s something I’ve been working on in my own home. And I love to then tweak it to adjust for the seasons. Your mantel looks beautiful!!!

    Reply
  16. Cozy Home Scenes says

    September 22, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    Such a sweet picture and an even sweeter story behind it with your family history. I love using pieces like that in decorating. Your mantel is very nice, and I really like the 2 urns of wheat. Gotta love TJ Maxx.

    Reply
  17. Becca says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Beautiful, Vanessa !! I love the blue lady (and the memories behind it) … I have that very same frame, too !! And, the cheese box is an awesome and a fabulous “pedastal” for your beautiful Fall arrangement! And, the plate is perfect! Love the vase and arrangements, too … this is truly a gorgeous Fall mantel, friend !!

    Reply
  18. Carole @ Blue Chateau Interiors says

    September 22, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Love the history behind the framed print. The mantle looks beautiful. Looking forward to part 2.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a kind comment.

    Reply
  19. Christie says

    September 22, 2011 at 3:50 AM

    I love all the warmth in your displays..the stories and memories behind many of your things give so much meaning! It is beautiful sweet friend..as always! Christie

    Reply
  20. April says

    September 22, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    TWO! I would so love to have two mantels. Around here, it’s the only place that is usually free space to decorate since it’s a little too high and narrow for the kids to think of setting stuff down there!
    Your arrangement is beautiful–I love the pear plate and your “blue lady” especially. That’s such a sweet painting.
    Can’t wait for part two! 🙂

    Reply
  21. CAS says

    September 22, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Simplistic beauty at its best! Love the little box and the story. I’m really “sappy” about that kind of thing!
    🙂 CAS

    Reply
  22. Honey at 2805 says

    September 23, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    This is so pretty Vanessa! And the box…you know I love a good story!

    Thanks for linking to Potpourri Friday and helping to make it a success! I appreciate you, sweet friend!

    Reply
  23. FABBY'S LIVING says

    September 23, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Very beautiful! I love your vignette, and love the pictures in the wall, it’s my fav look! The little box is awesome! Have a fun weekend. FABBY

    Reply
  24. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    September 26, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    Vanessa mantel number 1 looks fabulous! Can’t wait to see what you do with mantel number 2! How lucky you are to have two fireplaces. Martina

    Reply
  25. Bonnie@Creative Decorating says

    September 27, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Love the picture! How nice to have something that reminds you of family! I understand how sometimes a piece just speaks to you. I have a framed print in our bedroom that moves me. The mantel looks great!

    Reply
  26. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    September 28, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    Vanessa, Your mantel is beautiful and I love the cheese box. Looking forward to seeing mantel #2. Thank you for linking to the Open House party.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply

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Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to sha Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to share all of the details of our family room shelving makeover but I’m super impatient and just had to give you all a sneak peek!! We are SO happy with how they turned out and it finally looks like I’ve always envisioned. Our quick fix years ago (scroll to see the before photo) never felt quite right but now? Soooo much better!! 🙌🏻 Big shoutout to our amazingly talented friend Matt @redemptive_woodworx for bringing our vision to life and doing such impeccable work.

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I hope your summer is off to a great start too dear friends! 🪴
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Happy first day of summer dear friends!! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted something new here but life has been crazy. I’ll have some new photos of house projects and life events to share with you soon but, got now, I’m just going to enjoy this gorgeous first day of summer after our ridiculously long, wet spring. ☀️
“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. Th “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace) 

Welcome June!
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Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
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Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

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