My 11 Year Blog-aversary and a Vintage Fall Mantel
Is it wrong if you forget to celebrate your own anniversary?! I can’t believe it’s been 11 years since I started this blog (I published my first post on September 21, 2011). Tastes change and styles evolve over time so I thought it would be fun to not only create a brand new fall mantel using nothing but vintage but to also look back at the past 11 years of my fall mantels to see just how much my decorating style has changed and to give you some fall mantel decorating ideas.
What’s more fun than the change of seasons? Changing up the decor in our homes! I had fun coming up with a fresh and fun fall mantel this year using all vintage finds (no surprise there)!
It’s all started with a mirror that I found at the thrift store a couple of months ago. The shape reminds me of this Target mirror I’ve been seeing all over the place. I love that my old mirror is faded and mottled which gives it lots of character and texture plus the green frame color is gorgeous.
Once I propped my mirror, I scoured my house looking for things to complement it. It’s important to have varying heights in a display so my old fishing basket filled with dried eucalyptus was the perfect solution. I love the wild look of the eucalyptus and the way it twists and turns.
Now I needed to balance out the right side of the mantel so I added an old loving cup and filled it with feathers. It was still too short so I added one of my favorite things for adding height … an old wooden box (books would be great too).
Nice, but still missing something and I had just the piece in mind!
You know I have a thing for vintage landscape paintings and my collection is growing. I added one to the mantel for a bit of color and layered it over the mirror for an informal look.
Look at the mirror to catch a peek at my vintage landscape painting gallery wall!
See My Vintage Landscape Gallery Wall Here
I could have stopped there but I wanted to add a bit of quirkiness so I stacked two carved gourds I found while thrifting and think they add just the right amount of whimsy.
Don’t forget the hearth!
I propped two antique grates against the fireplace opening then put one of my favorite things to decorate with in front of them … a plant. This one is especially fun in this mustache man pot I found on FB Marketplace along with a few smaller ones that are in another room (I named him Rhett)!
Using all vintage finds ensures that this is a one-of-a-kind look!
Let’s channel the Great Pumpkin to bring us back in time to check out my mantels of falls past …
2021 – A trio of seascapes propped against my huge old chalkboard combined with a pair of vintage Tonola pottery birds are all it took to create this simple fall mantel. I gathered all of my old demijohns (wine jugs) to add interest to the hearth.
Take My Vintage Fall Living Room Tour Here
2020 – It doesn’t get easier than leaning vintage landscapes against the wall. The artists model is out for a run through the fall foliage! You know I hate the big black dark hole of a fireplace so when it’s not in use, I love covering it up and the terra cotta pots are the perfect fall color.
More Fall Decorating Ideas Here
2020 part 2 – This was the year of two fall mantels because of a really cool thrift store find that cried out to be put on the mantel! What goes better with bird art than a brass peacock and real feathers?
2019 – This mantel is a lesson in less is definitely more. I really enjoyed making my huge hydrangea wreath and love the natural look it brings to my living room. A trio of plants add color and texture to the hearth.
See How to Make A Dried Hydrangea Wreath Here
2018 – I am a color lover but sometimes a gal likes to embrace her neutral side and I did just that with last year’s mantel. The old chalkboard I got for free at a garage sale is the only thing on my mantel and it leads to a pumpkin patch in everything from driftwood to tree bark to twigs and more. I used an old blue chest to elevate some pumpkins to really help disguise the fireplace hole.
2017 – This is the first year I had the huge chalkboard so I was super excited to have this beautiful chalk art featuring my dog Sushi! I loved it so much, I hated to erase it so before I did, I made sure to turn it into a free printable! Dried hydrangeas in a vintage milk crate sit on top of an old Whitman’s chocolate crate that mimics the color of the chalkboard frame.
Free fall farmhouse chalk art printable here
2016 – From my demijohn (old wine jugs) collection to an old green croquet box to a worn and crackled landscape painting right down to the little brass quail, I love that every single thing on this mantel is a thrifted vintage find. This is where the basket of dried hydrangeas started and you can see I really love that little hedgehog!
Take my 2016 Fall Home VIDEO TOUR here
2015 – Let’s look past the bad photography (and the fact that my blog had a different name as you can see from the watermark) to this chalkboard printable I tacked onto an old tabletop. An old window covers the ugly fireplace hole but I wish I would have ditched the burlap under the pumpkins. I think it’s missing a pop of color too.
2014 – I love the fabric-less chair as a “fireplace screen” and the simplicity of an old window as a backdrop to a heavily textured wreath. I wish I had added a bit more color to the mantel. I like the color that comes from the hydrangeas and vintage bottles.
2013 – This is where things start to get embarrassing ! Obviously I have a thing for old chalkboards and I do love the green schoolhouse board but those fake leaves probably need to go and not sure how I’m feeling about that branch!
2012 – Let’s not discuss the bad photography of this mantel filled with real pears and jars filled with big brown branches. It’s not my finest work!
2011 – There are no words!
Do you have a favorite?
How has your style evolved over the years?
Share in the comments so we can all get a good chuckle!
Thanks to everyone who has been here from day one or since today! I appreciate every single one of you!
This years is my favorite! I do like the U-pick sign on the chalkboard. That is very clever! We all evolve and that’s the beauty of it, to see how much we grow. At least you have changed it every year. I think that itself is great and very motivating! Keep up the great work. You are inspiring!
It’s fun to change things up every year and even more fun to look back at all my decorating choices!
You rock! Thanks for this post, I cannot believe how creative you are and inspirational as well! What a wonderful concept for this fall post…I’m still not ready to let go of summer, sigh I collected and put away all the summer decorations today. So, I needed this inspiration and thank you for so many wonderful ideas. A fav? Probably five of them at least!
Thanks so much and I hope you were inspired to create your own fall masterpiece!
I love everything you do, so inspiring!!
You’re too kind Deanna! Happy Fall!
I loved looking back, and yes things have changed but some of it wasn’t that bad. My house looked like i had just moved in, after i retired, i had so much stuff and seemed to work or watch grandkids or something all the time so never even noticed. I cleaned it out after i retired, I had a chance to really see what a mess i had created and started following bloggers to see all my mistakes. Your house was so pretty and i loved it, so thanks and happy 8 yr. Blog-aversary.
I am impressed! Maybe when I retire I’ll finally clean out all my stuff! Thanks for being part of these 8 years Marlene!
I had to laugh at 2011 – because if I go back to 2011 on my own blog I’d be laughing too!!!! Oh how times to change. And if you think your old photos are lacking in photography skill – take a trip back on MY blog! Sheesh – what was I thinking??!!
I think last years mantel of your was my fav!!
We all have our shameful blog moments!
What a crazy walk down memory lane! How can it be easier for years? That means I’ve been at this for seven! Yikes!!! My favorite is 2016 with all the shades of green vintage goodness!!! Here’s to many more Fall mantels!
7 years in blog years is 49 years … or does it just feel that way sometimes! 🙂
My favorite is 2018 with the three pumpkins on the chalkboard. Wow! I have followed you a long time! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you Kathy! I hope you stick around for many more years to come!
Congratulations to 8 years of creativity. I loved them all but i really like those chalkboards, enjoyed the trip of memories, thanks.
Thank you Marlene and have a great weekend!
I honestly love all of them , but 2018 was my favorite! It’s great to see how we change and evolve over the years. I love everything you do and I love following along!
You’re too kind Lisa! I hope you get all the full size chocolate bars and no candy corn!!
I love/ hate looking back at my old blog posts! I always cringe. Yours are truly inspiring every year.
You and me both Amy! But we just have to embrace it and laugh out ourselves!
Kelly, Congrats on 10 years! It was fun seeing how different 10 years of your mantel decor have evolved.
I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for 10 years Pat!!! Thanks for always being here for me!
Those were fun to look at, congratulations on 10 yrs. So glad you have been here to help me with your ideas, you are a wonderful person and mother. Hope to see lots more!
Thanks for always being here for me Marlene! I appreciate each and every visit and comment you leave! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving
Happy blogiversary! Loved taking this journey back in time.
A better blogger would have announced this on the actual anniversary months ago!!!
Congratulations on 10 years! That’s something to be proud of! My favorite mantel was 2017! I love watching people evolve. It gives me new ideas. Over the years I’ve learned to declutter where I decorate and I try to be more intentional with what I purchase. Congratulations again! 🤍
Decluttering is so hard – keep it up!
I loved the the first one in the series, or maybe it should be the last one?2011! That touch of red, means the world to me.
Oh Wow Barb! You love my old stuff thanks so much and happy fall!
That was fun to see your creative mantels throughout the years. Congrats on your 11 years of blogging. My favorite is 2018.
Thanks so much Ann! 2018 and that pumpkin chalkboard is a favorite of mine too!
Your 2016 mantle speaks to me. I’m a lover of the color green and landscape paintings! Actually, your beautiful creativity shines in every one.
Thank you Jina! I love that collection of demijohns! Right now, they are in front of a window so the sun shines through them and looks gorgeous!
Hi Kelly, I get ideas from your blog. Decorating continues to be a learning experience. I got on board with displaying my plants at various levels and it looks much better, not to mention the fun of finding unique items to serve as pedestals. Enjoy this Fall and thank you!
That is great Kelly! Keep on trying new things and moving things around … it’s half the fun!
I really like following yr. site! although I can’t duplicate – you do start my mind considering my options. As a professional artist, I use my own paintings that I change w/ the seasons. Likewise my pillows & lampshades. As I don”t have a fireplace mantel I duplicate yr. ideas on a stand alone shelf behind my couch. ( I live in a really small townhouse)
Lovingly, your fan, [email protected]
I love that you use your own art Lyn!
I do love this years mantel and I do understand how you have evolved but, they were all pretty wonderful, whose baby shoes were those in that orange fall mantel? I think all your landscaping pictures are so wonderful, you have a great collection. Congratulations on 11 years, you’ve been very inspirational for me.
I can’t believe it’s been 11 years Marlene! Thanks for being one of my biggest supporters!
I love pretty much every mantel, but I am curious – do you not ever use your fireplace? It always has something in front of it.
Yes, we use it during the winter and chilly fall nights. I just move what’s there when I need to warm up!
That mirror is perfect there, I love the color!
Thanks Lisa … I was thrilled to find it buried at the thrift store!
Of course Sushi, the pumpkins and I LOVE the Santa flying over the trees, just beautiful!!
Sushi is the best accessory Debbie!!