Simple & Pretty Fall Mantel

We got our first real taste of fall the last two days – perilously close to a taste of winter, actually! About forty degrees, windy, some cities even saw – gasp! – snow flurries.

Downside to the Chicagoland area is the potential to skip seasons like spring and fall and just barrel right into winter or summer. With the sudden drop from 70 to 40, I hit panic mode and decided I better get moving on my autumn decor for the brief period of time I might get to pretend to enjoy fall.

Simple & Pretty Fall Mantel

I love easy changes for the seasons, and a mantel is a really easy place to make small changes. I love that I have one now! One day soon I’ll post my mantel makeover from when we bought the house, but for now, you’ll get to see the “after” without a before; I’m far too eager to share my fall decor to wait!

I’ve had this vase for a few years, and I love it. A few fall flowers arranged just so really help bring out the feeling of autumn.

I really love the contrast of the orange against my blue walls.

Of course a fall mantel needs a few pumpkins! I’ve had these little ceramic guys for a few years, gifts from my mother as part of her annual tradition of adding to my seasonal decorations.