My mantle is my big experiment area. I never decorate it the same way twice. I guess it is my substitute for a storefront window…
I change it seasonally, almost monthly, I never repeat an exact arrangement…Sometimes I have a plan, sometimes it just evolves.
So far (and this could change of course between now and then) my fall/Halloween mantle has a very academic feel about it.
I am calling it my Poor Professor Higgins Mantle…
Needing height I grabbed this heavy cake-stand, and books in orange, brown, green and black to elevate my white pumpkins at different levels…
Seeing how “professor-y” the mantle was looking with the books and pumpkins, I grabbed these apothecary jars and filled them with old wine corks and plastic orange and black spiders for that extra spooky look..
I also spread corks around the mantle in various piles, switched the taper candles out for green ones (until I can get my hands on a pair of these) and added a Happy Halloween banner from last year (if you look closely you can see that Miles added his handiwork to the second letter “L” .) If you like orange take a good look because this is the only time you will see these colors in my house all year.
I think it turned out pretty cute, and completely unplanned. Now I just need some tweed pillows and slippers lying about to make it truly a Professor Higgins display…
Oooooh! Those striped candles are awesome! They will totally MAKE the look complete!~Stacy
You could make those candles easy peasy, as long as you don’t burn them. Just use masking tape on white candles and paint black stripes with cheap acrylic paints. It will probably take 2 or 3 coats, but I am pretty sure it will work out just fine. (And if it doesnt you are only out less than a dollar!)
I adore your mantlescape. The candles would be the icing on the cake.
I think it looks awesome…and I love those striped candles! Great decorating!Hugz,Michele
LOVE this! Does this mean I can go ahead and decorate for Halloween now? I’ve been saving my banner (from you) patiently all year long! 🙂
It looks fantastic, your ideas are so inspiring!! x
love it!
You change your mantle almost monthly!! I haven’t changed mine since April 🙂 I better get on it. I love your Halloween banner and the spiders in the cork jars. I love the different levels – it looks really good! Now you’ve got me thinking about mine!Manuela
I love your mantle! The apothecary jars with wine corks and spiders are CUTE! I had hoped to start thinking about fall decorating this weekend! INSTEAD I get to think about boarding up, packing up and evacuating courtesy of IKE!Blessings,Lorilee
Halloween is my favorite holiday. I really have been wanting to drag out the decorations, but figured that my husband wouldn’t be too excited for Halloween already in early September. I love your mantle…simple, yet neat ideas. I too never have anything orange in my home except for during Halloween.
Bee-U-T-Ful!!! Love it!! I’m holding off on my Halloween mantle until the end of September, but I’ll be sure a post a pic over at the Hamlet when it’s done!!!
Love your gorgeous mantle! I have that pedestal and now I know I will have to use it with my holiday mantle. Thanks for the inspiration! As always!
Love it! It looks so planned & together. I could try all day and mine wouldn't look like this. 🙂
love those white pumpkins!SarahVintage Lilyhttp://vintagelily.typepad.com/
Wonderful! You know what I like best? The jars full of spiders! LOL Perfect!
OOooh! That looks so wonderful ~ inspires me to decorate mine! Love the Look! Happy Fall Blessings, kt
I always love your mantle. I have that same cake stand and I adore it!
Oh thanks so much everyone for the mantle love! I say once Labor Day is past you can whip out all the fall and Halloween goodies you want and go to town! I think I am going to have to try and make some painted candles…stay tuned!
I love those small covered glass jars! I have been buying BIG ones but now I am loving your little ones even more 🙂I think I have those same white pumpkins, love them 🙂Your mantel looks beautiful!Bella
This is gorgeous Jerusalem!
Love this post and found your blog because of a image search for apothecary jars… This mantel is just to die for… I love it!
I'd love to feature your mantel this week. Would that be okay?
LOVE IT!
Layla