Fox Hollow Cottage

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My Fall Fireplace Mantle {thrifty, junky and free}

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My Fall Fireplace Mantle {thrifty, junky and free}

When you want a moody Fall fireplace mantel, just add paint! I did a mini makeover on the fireplace wall by painting it a fresh new color. I didn’t just use any black, I used chalkboard paint to make it extra versatile! The deep black, with the chalk seasoning adds a layer of drama without the pure starkness of a solid black. For the rest, I raided my stash and added a splash of nature. For an almost free decorated Autumn fireplace mantel! 

Fall Mantel Natural Elements Decorating

Come on, let’s check out my mantel full of freebie clipped stuff from my yard & rusty junque!

I’m so proud of myself for not spending any money! 

Fall Mantel Chalkboard Fireplace Natural Elements

Oh, and yes… my mantle is channeling AC/DC baby!

I’m Back In Black.

I ditched the aqua wall color [here]… and went with the Chalkboard paint look.

I looooove it.

Fall Mantel Budget Decorating with Burlap

Sometime last year, I was browsing Habitat For Humanity and I saw a cache of old, vintage wood handle hand tools. I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. Growing up, both my grandfathers had workshops in their garages. Work shops full of wonderful power tools, drill presses, band saws, tables saws, belt sanders.. hand tools and about every washer, nut and bolt known to man! And I got to grow up in them.

Fall Mantel Habitiat For Humanity Vintage Hand Tools

Well, I had to bring a few home. While I don’t have their old hand tools.. these make me think of them. Both of my grandfathers worked at Northrop. My dad’s dad worked on The Spruce Goose. He even got to meet the elusive Howard Hughes. While we lived in McMinnville Oregon, they moved to Spruce Goose to a museum there. What are the odds?

Fall Mantel Budget Decorating

My dad said his dad definitely had a hand drill just like this one. It works too. I checked it out when I got home. I even have some of the drill bits that came with it!

Fall Mantel Decorating with Free Natural Elements

Anyhow. The rest of the mantel consists of Fern fronds that screamed Fall to me while I was out hunting around, and some clippings of something I never noticed when it was in bloom. I don’t know what they heck they are? Great Fall color though, and free. I’ll make sure to pay attention next Spring. I was a little distracted this year with the floor project.

You guys, don’t be intimidated by a chalkboard wall! I love ours and you don’t have to do fancy hand lettering or intricate designs (unless you want too!). It offers such a great moody feel, even when un-chalked. And here, I simply added swirls and gave them a little smudge with my fingers. So if you’ve been thinking about it, go for it!

Fall Mantel Chalkboard Fireplace Natural Elements

Just a quick peek at another chalkboard paint project [click here] … gold metallic painted polka-dots are of course optional.

DIY Gold Metallic Polka Dot Open Back Cabinet - Kitchen Fun with Polka Dots

And I don’t know why, but I never put candle sticks in those chippy candle holders? I always want them out though! The only time they have been put up since we moved here, was while we were working on the floors. I couldn’t wait to get them back out. I missed them. They are just one of my favorite things.

Fall Fireplace Mantel Chalkboard Wall

So there ya have it. I hope ya like my super-simple frugal Fall mantel.

With the exception of the chalkboard paint, I had everything you saw on the mantel!

 

Easy #Burlap Craft - #Fall #Leaf Tree #Leaves

You can find a really easy tutorial on 

How to make a burlap & paper sack Fall leaves here.

DIY Craft - Burlap Tin Can Garland with Fall Mums

As well as how to make a tin can and burlap garland here.

 

Well, that’s it for me!

As always.. THANK YOU for taking the time to stop by the hollow, xo Shannon 

 

Comments

  3. Janis@All Things Beautiful says

    Oh how I love this mantle! I adore chalkboards and I love the way you have your scrollwork faintly drawn. The branch with the burlap leaves is such a lovely touch, plus your other decorative items. Nicely done!!

  5. Mary Nell says

    Oh, how sweet! I have my Daddy’s old tools like these that I got out of his old toolbox when he passed away in 1994 – his birthday would have been August 1912, so they are old. I have the drill like is on the shutter, and all the drill bits, too! Also have some of the wooden handled screwdrivers. Thanks for giving me the inspiration to do this with mine!!!!

    • Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says

      Thank you so much for sharing your story!! My dad has his fathers tools and I imagine my sister and I will share them later. Much later I hope. I’m sorry you are missing your dad, but glad to give you a reminder of him. I feel like they are visiting when that happens!!

  10. Becca says

    What a great post, Shannon, full of nostalgia! I love that you incorporated those pieces into your “Back in Black” Fall mantel! The hanging leaves … the chippy candle holders … the tin full of Fall goodness in your fireplace. Oh, and of course that awesomely creative garland!

My Fall Fireplace Mantle {thrifty, junky and free}

My Fall Fireplace Mantle - Chalkboard Paint Makeover - ncludes tutorials for Burlap Paper Sack Leaves, and Tin Can Burlap Flower Mum Garland, etc...
 
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