topic Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles in Home

Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

AspenQn — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:05:04 GMT

I have ALL of my fall décor pulled out this morning and I'm trying to decide whether or not to use fall garland on my oversized (double mantle). My mantle has a birchbark face and is very attractive on its own, but I wondered if I used the more is less principle (maybe a garland with fall leaves only) to compliment my assortment of beaded pumpkins, birchbark flameless candles, and my lanterns, wouldn't be the better solution here.

I also have the MG sets of gourds in orange and chocolate which I had planned to use on my dining room table, but could easily be substituted. I just don't want to add too much.

What is everyone else doing with their mantles?

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

terrier3 — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:14:25 GMT

I have a white wood mantle with a large print of Niagara Falls over it (from a Hudson Valley school painter...an old print).

This year the ONLY thing I am using is a fall maple leaf garland. I use an ivy garland in the spring and summer, the fall garland and a pine garland with natural pinecones for winter.

I think that garlands tie other pieces together, especially if you have a large mantle.

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

Witchy Woman — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:15:53 GMT

I have an antique, dark mantle with an attached mirror that runs the length of it. The fireplace is dark red brick.

I find that a backdrop of just autumn leaves works for almost any type of Fall décor and doesn't take away from the decorations. It adds enough color to call attention, but it does not overwhelm the mantel or individual items. Just my thoughts.

Although I've yet to start my decoration, I'm planning on doing a bit of Halloween first, then going for the purely autumn items after October. I have some lovely pheasants I got from Cracker Barrel I think and I add those to a variety of pumpkins.

Sometimes, I wonder why I do all this "nest feathering" when it is just me and my husband, but I find it makes me happy to look at it so each year, out it comes and I'm never sorry I took the time to decorate!

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

Marsha2003 — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:25:15 GMT

Sometimes, if I can't decide whether something looks right or not, I will take a picture of it and then look at the picture. For some reason, seeing the two-dimensional image gives me a better perspective than when I'm in the room with the decor.

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

AspenQn — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:26:29 GMT

Witchy Woman, It's just hubby and me too (with our dogs), but I love nesting....and the fall is the perfect time to nest.

My problem is that our mantle is not only oversized, but has windows over it as well, so I don't have an option to have a mirror or something large to anchor the center of it. I bought a large frosted twiggy tealight holder with 5-6 tealight arms a long time ago at Kirklands, and found that it works well in the center of the mantle year round, and is very versatile for every season simply by changing out a few articles around it.

I love the look of fall garland until I start working with it...just this morning I finally opened the box with VPH's pumpkin and pinecone garland only to find over 1/2 the Styrofoam berries were either damaged or had come off and were loose, so back it goes and I'm not reordering that one. I liked the simplicity of the one she presented with Mary Beth which was only the maple glittered leaves but don't want to wait for it, so thought maybe I could find something similar locally.

I like the idea of mixing the rustic appeal of the birchbark, with the sparkle of beaded pumpkins and the mercury glass, but I agree that it needs something to pull both together, so garland it shall be!!!

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

Hooty — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 22:25:25 GMT

My small LR mantel:

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

terrier3 — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 22:34:28 GMT

Hooty - I LOVE your idea of a wreath leaning on a mirror!

Very nice!!!!

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

Hooty — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 22:36:42 GMT

On 9/13/2014 terrier3 said:
Hooty - I LOVE your idea of a wreath leaning on a mirror!

Very nice!!!!

Thanks terrier!

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

GCR18 — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 01:49:53 GMT

I use a leaf garland on the mantel. I will likely add a strand of lights. Fall is the only season I use a garland.

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

AspenQn — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 03:51:16 GMT

Hooty, your mantle is lovely. Just enough without being too much.

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

voyager1980 — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 03:56:09 GMT

WOW Hooty!!! Beautiful mantle (:

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

Mominohio — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 04:18:19 GMT

Sadly, I no longer have a mantel, but I had a beautiful one in my last home.

My opinion is that most people way overdo a mantel. I was guilty of it at times too. I am becoming one of the "less is more" people in home decor, and a garland has to be really top notch for me to like it.

There are as many styles of mantels as there are decorating styles, so I guess the decor should match the style of the mantel (Victorian, rustic cabin etc.). In my mind, it is less about the actual decor, and more about not overdoing it with too much.

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

KellKats — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 07:18:11 GMT

I was considering the glitter maple garland as well, but if you don't want to wait, check out pier 1, they have one called faux mixed leaves garland and it is kind of similar. Very pretty.

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

shesallthat — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 16:26:21 GMT

i use a garland on my mantle,too. i don't put anything else with it because it is nice and heavy. it is grapevine with fall leaves and then it has the small gourds,berries and nuts that fill it in. that is why i chose it - i don't need to add anything else to it to make it work! my mantle is filled with wrought iron and glass so i wanted something that would be simple and work with that and not compete with it!

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

Hooty — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 16:48:04 GMT

Actually my fireplace/mantel is faux, I bought it at an Antique store several years ago, and I love it! I have a shabby chic theme in my LR and love decorating it!

Thanks to those of you with the sweet replies!

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

Witchy Woman — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 16:48:26 GMT

StElmoQn said: "I liked the simplicity of the one she presented with Mary Beth which was only the maple glittered leaves but don't want to wait for it, so thought maybe I could find something similar locally."

Try Walmart.

Ours has a lot of autumn items out already and I know I saw a box of very plain and inexpensive maple leave garlands.

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

AspenQn — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:08:34 GMT

Found some great garland yesterday at Michaels...maple leaves with a small amount of glitter with an occasional full glitter leaf which is almost the identical color of VPH's orange mercury glass gourds! 50% off to boot!!!

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

mallemo — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 18:37:14 GMT

Your mantel is lovely Hooty! Thanks for sharing.

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

Hooty — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 18:41:43 GMT

On 9/14/2014 mallemo said:
Your mantel is lovely Hooty! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you, Mallemo!

Re: Using Garlands on Fall Mantles

AspenQn — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 19:53:54 GMT

Still tweaking