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! 

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! 

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.

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.

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?

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!

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!

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

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.

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!

You can find a really easy tutorial on 

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

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 

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