|

Fall Mantel Decor with a Farmhouse Feel

Please support this site by sharing!

Is the scent of autumn starting to fill your home yet? I’m getting in the autumn mood with some early fall mantel decor, and I’m joining a talented group of blogging friends for a fun challenge, too!

Fall mantel decorations with faux aspen branches, pumpkins, and a fall farmhouse sign with text overlay reading "Fall Mantel Decor".

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. For more information, please see my disclosures.

How to Style Fall Mantel Decor

It’s that time again…Pinterest Challenge time! Each month my pal Cindy from County Road 407 hosts this fun event for bloggers to get our creative juices flowing.

Cindy chooses one photo as inspiration, and we each put our own spin on it.

Pinterest Challenge graphic for monthly challenge to recreate an inspiration photo.

This month, we’re tackling a fall mantel, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s just the kick I needed to bring the pumpkins out of storage! Because didn’t I just put them in storage?

If you’re visiting my site from Christy at Our Southern Home, welcome! She always has such magazine-worthy seasonal decor. You’ll love what all my friends have to share at the end, too.

Now, c’mon friends…let’s get decorating!

Fall Mantel Decor with a Farmhouse Feel

Our inspiration photo this month comes from Janelle Trinette. Doesn’t her farmhouse fall decor give you all the cozy feels?

Fall mantel decor by Janelle Trinette.

Since this challenge is mostly about using what you have, I went on a scavenger hunt around the house to recreate a similar vibe with slightly different elements.

DIY Farmhouse Sign: The Main Element

When I saw Janelle’s fall mantel, I knew exactly what I’d use for the main focal point. A few years ago, my hubby and I made a DIY farmhouse sign that I’ve been repurposing ever since.

Fall farmhouse sign with phrase "I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet smell of pumpkins and crisp sunburnt leaves.".
DIY fall farmhouse sign

As I said when I made it, I reserve the right to change my mind (and the sign) based on my mood. You can see some of its many lives below.

I have a YouTube tutorial on how to make a reversible and reusable farmhouse sign if you’re interested.

I’d love to make the sign more rustic by painting and sanding the letters, but I also like having the option to swap out phrases as desired.

Measuring letter spacing to apply vinyl to farmhouse sign.
Measuring spacing for farmhouse sign

What do you think? Should I try painting it and making it chippy and rustic?

If you’d like to try your hand at a Cricut or Silhouette Cameo project, be sure to see what’s new and on sale in my Shop down below.

Fall Graphics Bundle

If you’re looking for more designs for your fall crafting, check out these digital downloads in my new store. These are compatible with Cricut, Cameo, and xTool machines.

Fall Foliage and Glass Jars

Let me confess, I bought these aspen branches on clearance last year, and I’ve been waiting ALL YEAR to use them. I love how they catch the light and add a wispy texture to the mantel.

Faux aspen stems in glass hurricane jar next to pumpkin on candlestick and small glass with fall stem.

Since I didn’t have a large demijohn vase like Janelle, I repurposed a candleholder similar to this one to create a vase for my stems.

Then, I borrowed a trick from Yvonne at Stonegable by putting white pumpkins in the vase as filler. They not only look pretty, but also add some stability to the branches.

I threw in a smaller glass jar with a tinge of aqua for a little more color and texture as well.

Did you notice I flip-flopped the placement of faux stems compared to Janelle’s photo? Sometimes you have to adapt a concept to strike the right balance in your room.

Lanterns and Candlesticks

In Janelle’s vignette, I love the use of candlesticks as pedestals for pumpkins. You’ll also notice she displays black taper candle holders at the base of her fireplace.

Fall farmhouse mantel decor with faux florals and DIY farmhouse sign in center.

Luckily, I already had white farmhouse pumpkins I painted last year for another fall centerpiece used in a Pinterest Challenge.

I also had nearly identical black taper candle holders, but I moved them up to the mantel to complement the faux florals on the right side. Then, I added some yellow beeswax taper candles for another pop of yellow (similar ones here).

The lantern helps add a little more height to the left side, and the splash of golden foliage breaks up the monotony of brown. (I’d say those are “crisp sunburnt leaves,” right?)

Fall table decor with hurricane candle, dough bowl, and place settings with dried orange slices.

More Fall Decor Ideas

For a peek at more of my fall decor, head over to my fall dining room tour!

You’ll see how one simple DIY decor element helped tie everything together.


I had a blast pulling this fall mantel together, and I hope you’ll be motivated to start decorating yours too!

First Day of Home signature

Pin it for later!

Fall mantel decor with faux aspen stems, glass vases, candlestick holders, a lantern, and a farmhouse sign.

Shop the Post

Continue Your Tour

Be sure to visit my friends to continue your tour! Next on the list is Laura from Decor to Adore who is using found objects for her fall mantel decor.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


You Might Also Like…


Please support this site by sharing!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

36 Comments

    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Jennifer! I had fun making the sign and appreciate the sweet comment. I hope you have a great start to fall! -Crissy

  1. Crissy, your mantel is lovely with the black taper candlesticks and all the soft wood tones throughout! I really like your lantern!! I see lanterns when I go to Hobby Lobby but never one that I want to bring home. Yours is simple and elegant… Love the burnished copper look!

    Happy decorating and I have a feeling all of us on the tour this month are now inspired to decorate for fall, as much as our readers!
    Hugs,
    Barb 🙂

    1. Thanks for the sweet comment, Barb! I feel like it’s really hard to find a lantern you can fall in love with. I found my lantern at Home Goods, but I was still shopping around because I wasn’t sure I was totally sold on it. It’s definitely growing on me, though!

      Yes, I think this was a great hop to start getting into the fall spirit. It was great to hop again with you, sweet friend! Hugs back, Crissy

  2. Love your mantel, Crissy. Beautifully balanced. Your sign is always a great focal point. The aspen floeals are so pretty. I love the white background (probably because my mantel is also white). It makes everything pop.

    1. Thank you, Carol. Yes, I always love seeing how everyone with white mantels decorates. It helps me get ideas for future decorating projects! I enjoyed your post as well, my friend!

  3. Perfect, in so many ways! Love the yellow on both sides… love the sparse berry branches in the aqua vase… and the pumpkins are a perfect subtle touch! Great work… and great way to share how to create this in your own house, too! (Love the sign!)

    1. Thanks so much, Julie! What kind words! I love adding a little blue-green glass to this space (whatever that glass is called). We missed you joining this time, but I hope you can hop again on the next one! Hugs!

    1. Aww, thanks, Jen! I appreciate you stopping by and pinning too. I’m looking forward to checking out all your fall inspiration too, my friend!

  4. It’s a, it’s a, woohoo people, it’s a home run! What a great job on the challenge Crissy. Love that you are so crafty and make your own signs too. I have a silhouette machine and barely (a.k.a. never) do anything with it. I need to get off the tush and buy some vinyl. Thanks so much for joining in. Pinned!

    1. LOL! You always crack me up, Cindy! Once you start doing more Silhouette projects, you’ll get hooked. This was a perfect challenge. Thank you for putting it together and motivating me to start decorating for fall!

  5. Love your mantel, so pretty and I love that you added the pumpkins to the vase of branches, great idea. Your sign is perfect, I like it just like it is.

  6. HI Crissy, I love your mantel. It’s bright and fresh and that sign is perfect!
    I need to go back and watch your video! Love it Crissy! laura in Colorado

  7. Your fall mantel is so pretty, Crissy! I love that you repurpose your sign for the season and Ann’s quote is perfect for fall. I look forward to seeing more of your fall decor over the next few weeks.

    1. Thank you, Paula! I’m excited about decorating for fall and look forward to seeing your fall decor too, my friend. It’s hard to believe it’s already that time of year.