Fall Faux-Mantle Decorations

I am so excited to show you my fall faux-mantel this year!

I don’t have a mantle, but that didn’t stop me from decorating the top of my bookshelf! And – those doors are actually hiding fuseboxes! I used lots of things I already had in my house, and only bought a few things from the Dollar Store.

I bought these cheap-o frames at the Dollar store:

I spray-painted the frames Oil-rubbed bronze. Then I mod-podged some ripped up bookpages directly onto the back of the glass of the frames.

Next, I made some letters on the computer, and formatted them so they would fit in a 5×7 frame. I printed them out, and then cut them out (I only made one “l”, because I could re-use it for the other “l” in “fall”)

I then traced those letters on brown scrapbook paper, and then mod-podged them directly onto the front of the glass frames.

On the left of the display, I used 2 Dollar Store vases (one elevated by a candlestick) filled with some glass marbles and some Dollar Store reeds/sticks I cut down.

I then used the same copper planter I used in my winter vignette, and the BD knock-off book bundle I posted a tutorial on here. I added some burlap for some texture!

I also used my thrift store bird cage on the right, which I filled with a brown candle and some “berry” fillers I had around. Now, don’t lecture me…I only lit the candle for the pictures, and if when I light it again, it will only be for small time periods. I’m not trying to start any house fires

And…here’s the finished product!

I also love that the whole thing cost me $7 ($4 for the frames, $2 for the vases, $1 for the reeds)

What’s your favorite part of fall?!

Linking to:

The Lettered Cottage, Shabby Nest, Remodelaholic, Under the Table and Dreaming, Today’s Creative Blog, Finding Fabulous, The DIY Show-Off, Tatertots and Jello, Polly Want a Crafter?, Shabby Chic Cottage, Stories of A-Z, House of Hepworths, The CSI Project, CRAFT, House of Grace, Domestically Speaking, Creations by Kara, Lolly Jane, Somewhat Simple, Making the world Cuter, Young and Crafty, Dittle Dattle, A Glimpse Inside, At Home with K, Beyond the Picket Fence, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Someday Crafts, Serenity Now, My Girlish Whims. Southern Hospitality

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17 comments on “Fall Faux-Mantle Decorations”

Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims on September 26, 2011 at 9:22 am said:

Looks great! and for a great price too!

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Christina on September 26, 2011 at 10:25 am said:

Thanks so much, Rebecca!! Hey- last week was one of my worst weeks ever (for real) and I only saw yesterday that it was your birthday. I’m soooo sorry, I feel like such a bad “blog friend”…but I hope your birthday was WONDERFUL!!!!

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Jessica @ Decor Adventures on September 26, 2011 at 11:08 pm said:

Really amazing collection of items. I love how they all work together so well. Not too cluttered, but so very seasonal. Love it!

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Christina on September 26, 2011 at 11:18 pm said:

Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Jessica!!

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Mindy @ Heart Maine Home on September 27, 2011 at 12:59 pm said:

LOVE the letters with the book-page background, and that adorable birdcage! I can’t believe you found so much stuff at the Dollar Store. I must be bad at shopping there…I never find anything cute! (or maybe I lack enough imagination… )

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Parents of a Dozen on September 28, 2011 at 12:13 am said:

Very nice!!! It is perfect!!

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Amanda on September 28, 2011 at 2:06 am said:

Oh, how I love this. How do I follow your new page?

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Kelly @ Corner of Main on September 28, 2011 at 10:05 am said:

Looks cute! I love the birdcage =) My favorite part of fall is the all beautiful colors!
I am visiting from The Lettered Cottage,
~Kelly @ Corner of Main

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Francine on September 28, 2011 at 4:19 pm said:

Love the frames with the letters!

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Pop Art Minis - Joni on September 29, 2011 at 8:48 am said:

Very cute…great idea!

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Iuliana on September 29, 2011 at 10:52 am said:

I love this project. I don’t have a mantle either, so I might have to do this too. Love how you used the dollar store to make a display that doesn’t look dollar store-ish at all.

Cute blog too. Visiting from Catch a Glimpse party over at A Glimpse Inside.

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Maria on September 29, 2011 at 10:22 pm said:

This is really cute! And I LOVE that birdcage!!! I’ve been looking for one like that but can’t seem to find it anywhere!

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Deb on October 1, 2011 at 10:14 am said:

You could use a battery operated candle instead of a real one. It is very lovely!

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mary on October 2, 2011 at 12:24 am said:

you don’t have to worry about lighting candles anymore….lots of places sell battery operated candles…they look real..some are actually wax..and some are scented…but instead of having a real flame…you flip a switch and a little light bulb comes on! They look great. Check out any place that sells candles or home decor stuff.

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