I am all about simple and sweet for autumn…
and sprinkle a little bit of a romance and I am there.
This year, I am keeping autumn decor on the soft and simple side.
No fuss and busy – and in just a few places in the house.
Partly because we are in the middle of making a mess and moving things around.
We are changing a few things and in the process – thinning some of what I have had on hand for styling for the book and various projects.
And partly because I am not a big huge cover every surface kind of autumn girl.
Now Christmas?
A different story.
That is definitely All.Through.The.House.
But this mantel? Simple was key.
It was one that I went back and forth with.
Did I want more.
Did I want less.
Did I want anything other than pumpkins.
I settled somewhere in between after playing for a bit.
And you know, it is much less autumn than some of my previous mantel decor-
but it worked.
It literally consists of 3 things.
Pumpkins. Candles. Dried florals.(Manzanita and peonies)
That is it.
3 ingredient decorating doesn’t get much more simple than that.
Seriously.
I started with a base of dried eucalyptus, manzanita and peonies.
We picked up the manzanita while out on a walk- there were tons of it cut down to clear pathways
and so- loaded up before they hauled it to the dump.
Manzanita is great because it dries really well and is fairly sturdy.
The leaves will drop when moving it- so you will have a mess to clean up when tinkering – but to me it isn’t much different than cleaning up those flower petals.
The eucalyptus is something I almost always have in the house and the peonies were dried saved from spring and summer stylings.
After the greens were in were in place- I just lined up a few white pumpkins of various sizes.
I went with a couple big ones and a couple baby boos for a varied look.
A couple on each side of the big pumpkins is all you need.
Then add your candles.
I have a collection of old brass candlesticks- and so- I pulled a bunch of them out to use for this styling.
A few mixed in among the pumpkins and a couple more on each side.
Simple and easy.
These candlesticks can often be found at thrift stores.
Simple, sweet and so easy with just a few elements.
I am off to Round Top Texas tomorrow- hope to see some of you at the book signings
at Blue Hills – 2-4 and Old Glory- 5-7pm.
Happy Monday everyone.
So beautiful Courtney! I'm a more-is-more type decorator, but I'm certainly going to try to copycat your lovely, simple elegant look.
A very soft and pretty Autumnal mantel. I love how you style with flowers and outdoor elements, very natural.
Kathleen in Az
How do you dry peonies?
Oh so nice, I do like