Only a True Friend will tell You

Fifty-three degrees.  Bliss. Pure Bliss!  (Every menopausal bone in my body is collectively sighing in relief.)

For today, with the coolness coming through the open window, thoughts are turning to Fall decorating.  And since I've been wanting to change my mantle for some time now, why not. 

I've heard it said that only a true friend will tell you when you have something on your face.  So following that line of thinking, I guess only a true friend would tell you that your decorating is well, boring. 

And she did.  She said my mantle was "lacking".  Boring actually. 

BEFORE

And she's right.  Especially if you count my classy fireplace screen.  Or lack there of.  Yep, it's plastic.  Hey, we've got two very creative cats here, we take no chances.  And we hope one day (it's only been ten years) to find the perfect fireplace screen.  

Anyway.  Mantles are hard to me.  Especially this one.  The space between the windows is very wide, the mantle is very narrow and the ceiling is high.  I feel like it needs bigness to fill that space.  Not having any other art that large, I compromised.

I tried this.  OK.  I like the frame (one of my favorite things).  But the plant seems a little lost.  And perhaps the plates need to be bolder?

Nope.  Liked the other plates betters.  And yep, the plant is too small.  Plus, I want "Fall".

Hey, that's better.  But now, I don't like the little tray of pumpkins and vines.  Seems redundant with everything in the basket.

 

Little tray of white flower pots and one white pumpkin?  Hmm.  I like the silver tray, but wish I had a bunch of white pumpkins that where a bit larger.  Thinking, thinking, thinking....

Not so bad.  Fills the space a little better and is fun.  I picked this up years ago, made by a local teacher.  It's paper mache.  And I've got my safety lights in it.  Cute!

And what's that odd white thing under the "Rooms" sign you say?  It's an electrical outlet.  Yes, I should cover it wit the sign.  But that would mean re-hanging it all.  I'll do it later. 

AFTER

So, what do you think?  I think I can live with this for awhile.  I can easily see changing the fall  leaves to Christmas greenery and the plates to red ones.  It seems to fill the space, OK...although now the front of the fireplace needs something.  Well, that's for another day.  For now, I hear a Pumpkin Latte (the first of the season) calling MY name! 

Happy Friday!

Comments

[Jodie (everything vintage)]

Hey girl! I think you should be on HGTV! It looks gorgeous...I love the clean lines and neatness. I'm not a fan of clutter so I really like this. I'm just jealous...I wish I had a fireplace. It would be for decoration only as it never gets cold enough here to light a fire!
(love your fire screen..haha)

[cara]

Love it... just re-did mine for fall too...

[elizabeth]

I like!

[Angela ~ Filigree Moon]

Very Autumnal! What a pretty room! Don't most people save the plastic for the furniture, not the firescreen? Just wondering ~ :} Heehee! ~ Angela

[Alison Gibbs]

Perfect for fall and halloween.
We all need true friends to 'help us' out
Alison

[Lori]

i can't believe how cool the temperature is there already...i think you would have a seizure if you saw my mantle...i have the opposite problem...that sucker is loaded to the gills...i have tried to delete some items so it isn't so busy...but then it just doesn't look right to me...i think you have achieved a perfect balance on yours...bravo:)

[JenR]

I like it! I wish I had a mantle!!! It's cold here too. We had our first frost last night!

[susan]

Looks great! i love the window, it's gorgeous! i'm afraid i don't change my decor enough. maybe someday....thanks for stopping!! ~S

[Alisa]

Ha! I had to put on a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt and a jacket to go outside yesterday. This is why I don't live up North.

Your mantle looks great!

[the wild raspberry]

like how you took us through the transformation....it turned out great...but i did really like the tray of flowerpots...maybe that can come out again sometime ;)
have a great weekend~
chasity

[Dee Dee]

Oooh I love it too. :) I would have gone white pumpkin, but you're right the orange is more fun. Hope that latte was yummy.

[Lisa]

Really pretty Cindy! Good job!

[kathy lowry]

Ok what could be better -- a bit o " decorating magic -- a nip in the air and a latte -- !!
Very beautiful -- kathy - ga

[Wendy McDonagh-Valentine]

I just love to read your blogs, Cindy!! Your words always make me laugh out loud!! I think I tell you that everytime I leave a comment!! : ) Your mantle looks wonderful. I hope to have a fireplace someday. Even a faux mantle would be good. I have seen them on eBay before and came THIS CLOSE to buying one. Since we've rearranged the living room, the couch is now on the wall where it would've gone. Oh well. All I have is all I need, right? :)

~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

[Martha Wanna Be]

Cute, but needs something else...I'm sure you'll find it :)

[Tina]

oh man...waaayyy better! Glad you did that, I was worried about that non inspirational area~

[Linda Harre]

FUNNY! I love the result....