Decorating the Fall Mantel with Rustic Nostalgia
Harvest decor can begin by decorating your fall Mantel with rustic nostalgia. Here are tips for creating a beautiful seasonal mantelscape with vintage finds.
What better place to start your Harvest decor than with an inspiring Fall mantel? Today I’m going to share how our Autumn mantelscape started with a nostalgic painting. Using the color scheme from the art, vintage and rustic elements were added for textural Fall beauty. Hopefully this Decorating the Fall Mantel with Rustic Nostalgia will inspire you to decorate, too!
I’m thrilled to be joining 30 talented bloggers, as we bring you the best of all things harvest-inspired home! Thanks to Kristi from French Creek Farmhouse for hosting this amazing tour! I’ll have all the rest of the beautiful inspiration down below.
Decorating the Fall Mantel with Rustic Nostalgia
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Begin Decorating your Fall Mantel with Nostalgic Framed Art
Starting your decor with a nostalgic piece of art gives you a framework to build your Fall Mantle. My Harvest mantel began with an original painting of a church I’d gotten from my mom’s things. It reminds me of how blessed I am for the heritage of faith I was raised with. My mom recently passed away, so looking at her painting will be a great remembrance of her.
The colors in the painting guided my decorating choices, beginning with the burgundy door. Rather than centering the picture on my favorite green vintage bedspring backdrop, I paired it with a wreath containing pretty rusty red leaves.
Add Vintage Decor Accessories for Good Bones
Once you’ve got your themed art, choose the medium-sized accessories you’ll use as the framework of your styling. Rustic, vintage pieces in all different textures work great. I grabbed an old metal tool caddy, a green galvanized cooler, a shabby orange stool and some bushel baskets; perfect combo of colors to coordinate with the art.
My mantel decor always spills over on either side of our brick hearth. I used a fun, plaid umbrella on one side for a graphic punch. On the other side, my ever-growing collection of vintage suitcases got displayed as art.
Vintage Textiles Add Softness to the Harvest Mantel
Yarn afghans add soft texture to all the hard materials. A colorful crocheted throw made by my Grandma pairs with a couple of small, Fall-colored pieces. Use them on the sofa, drape them, or place them under accessories.
My DIY Sunflower Button Pillows are always fun to pull out each Fall. Combined with black and white ticking ruffled pillows and a needlepoint pumpkin pillow, they create a welcoming seat.
Combine Real and Faux Foliage on your Harvest Mantel
Fall Harvest beauty is all about bounty. I love to layer on plenty of natural, organic textures. Fresh kale and mum plants get a plastic bag around them so I can tuck them in here and there. Farm stand gourds and pumpkins add to the scene, along with faux leaves and grasses. Spanish moss tucks in around the edges for added texture.
Once my mantel is decorated, it gets me in the mood to decorate the rest of the house for Fall! Some of our leaves have already fallen, but the beautiful Minnesota autumn colors haven’t even begun yet outside; Fall is our favorite time of year because our yard is filled with Maple trees!
I hope this Decorating the Fall Mantel with Rustic Nostalgia gave you some new ideas! I can’t wait to see the rest of these talented blogger’s homes, all decorated for Harvest!
Please pin, share, and enjoy the rest of the inspiration!
Harvest Home Blog Tour
Sharing at these lovely parties:
Lora,
I have always loved your decorating! I love how you incorporate vintage style and actual color! Even though I do have neutrals in my home, I add color too. Color is a happy vitamin! Any time of the year! And I have a soft heart for anything vintage. Everything in your photos reassures me that this kind of look is totally achievable for most anyone. Even on a budget! Thank you, Lora.
Thanks for your kind words, Laura:) Yes, beauty can definitely be achieved on a budget with creativity and a little diy!
Never in a million years would I think to incorporate an umbrella in a fall vignette. Nor would I think to stack a bunch of vintage suitcases either. I always enjoy your seasonal vignettes, Lora, and take my time looking at every single vintage element you’ve used. Your fall mantle scape is so cozy and makes you want to grab a pumpkin spice latte and a good book and snuggle right in.
Love the little touches of fall to start the season!
Lora,
Your mantel looks beautiful. You have a great collection of suitcases.
Love all your pumpkins. Trying to be patient waiting for fall temperatures here in NJ.
You must gave amazing falls.
I love your eclectic fall mantel Lora, all the vintage pieces add charm, and what a sweet memory of your mom, to have her church painting as the focal piece!
Thanks, Cindy:) It will be a great reminder of her these next months.
Hello Lovely! I am loving your fall mantel, it’s perfectly decorated for fall! I adore your church art and the sentimental meaning behind it. Hugs to you, so glad you have wonderful memories as comfort.
Thank you, friend!
Lora, love everything you do and all your vintage vibes!!
Right back at you, lady!
What a beautiful way to remember your mom, this is so lovely and makes me want to curl up and read all day 🙂
Fall is all about bringing on the cozy! Thank you:)
Lora, I love all of your cozy, rustic, vintage decor on your mantel. You have such a great collection! And those afghans are a great addition.
I do have quite a few old things to choose from;)
Okay. But can we talk about how incredible that nook of suitcases is right now?? Love, love, love!!!!
And the scary thing is…I have more (faceplant emogee;)
Love the sweet painting Lora. The one over my mantel belonged to my mom. I’m a sentimental soul and think of her every time I look at it. Love the fun touches you have with the luggage and the plaid umbrella is simply awesome. Pinning!
Thanks for pinning, Michelle! Can’t wait for the outside colors to match:)
I love your picture and all the other things you used to compliment it. A joyful display!
Thanks, Marlene! Getting in the Fall spirit:)
I’ve gone through to every single blog that posted in each fall category and I have to say I love yours the most! I love that you have so many different ways to look and see so many different things. And as much as I love vintage suitcases and have stacks of my own, that’s the only part where I feel it’s a little overboard, otherwise, it’s gorgeous and sooo very fall!
Thanks so much for your sweet compliment, Shirley! Honestly, that suitcase corner is my way of trying to justify my hoard, while not taking up precious square feet in my very tight home right now;) When the plan to move to a bigger house didn’t happen and the adult kids all come home, you do what you gotta do to keep your vintage;) Hope you stick around and enjoy more!
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom, Lora. That painting is a beautiful remembrance! I love the way you decorate, and those vintage suitcases totally stole my heart–gorgeous! xo, Kristi
Thanks, Kristi. I love vintage and love decorating with a sentimental touch, too; it makes decor more special to me somehow:)
Such a cozy, layered look! Love those trunks stacked in the back corner and the creative use of the springs on the wall behind the painting.
Thanks, Kathleen! Old bed springs are my favorite way to decorate; I can swap things up easily without having to put holes in my walls:)
Very cozy! Happy Fall!
Thanks, Amber!
So many gorgeous fall elements and textures, Lora! Loving the granny square afghans, too…those are always my favorites. So happy to be on the tour with you. Happy Harvest Season! xoxo, Kristi
Yes, fun to be touring together, Kristi! My granny square afghan collection is growing, I think;)
Beautiful Fall styling! I love that painting and how you designed your decor around it. What a wonderful idea! Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you, Meeghan! Now I’m inspired to do the rest of the house:)
I love that your mantel is based around that picture that honors your Mom! What a special gift to have. It’s lovely.
It was a special piece to her, and I love it too; the colors were perfect for the Harvest season!
That umbrella is such a fun and unexpected choice! Very pretty! I’m glad we are on the tour together!
That was a recent find, and I just had to work it in somehow:)
So sorry to hear that your Mom recently passed away after her long journey with ALS. Blessings to you as you navigate this new stage of your life without her. It’s nice to have you back doing your design magic!
Thanks for your kind words, Pat:)
Love this Lora. So many great things to sit and look at. And the added umbrella is adorable. You are so creative!
Thanks, Cindy! Now I need to move my laptop into the living room, so I can enjoy the view:)
Lora,
I loved your mantel! That painting is so sweet and I love that it’s a reminder of your mother.
You are so talented and I’m honored to be on this tour with you.
Thanks for your sweet compliments, Rachel:) I always love touring with you!