Whoooo Loves A Crowded Mantle?

First things first: I realize that everyone else has already shown their mantels that are all decked out for fall.  I'm a little slow. I also realize that one of the big ideas in blogland is that less is more. The simple look is quite the rave. Well, I am slow AND a little different!

I've always had that "other" drummer 

beating in my head.

Keep that in mind when critiquing my fall mantel!!

The mantel at our new (old) house is in the formal living room. The problem with that is that we are not formal people. So, it is just the liveable living room. We do not spend much time in there yet, but I think we will eventually. It is still a work in progress. In fact, we are having a Painting Party to paint the room this Saturday.  Fell free to drop by!!

Yes, I am fully aware that there is a LOT on that mantel. But this is how I looked at it: It is an autumn mantel.  One thing we celebrate in autumn is our bounty.  I decorated in the "Life is bountiful" style!!

This little tile (about 5x5) is from our old fireplace in Kansas. The 'flowers' on it are slightly raised. It is heavy, thick and wonderful. I saved about six of them. I pull them out in the fall.

I got the new little owl at TJ Maxx. It is actually a night light. I bought both owls that I used on this mantel for an owl-themed party that I am throwing at the end of the month.

I used a mixture of textures on the 'mantelscape'. 

I used a mixture of colors.

I hoped that there would be so much of both

that it would 

confuse people

into believing it 

could all go together!!!

Here is the other deal about this mantel: It is 7 feet long. Really. It is huge. And the mirror behind it is huge. A few sparse items on this mantel did just not look right.

 

The books are my great-great-grandparents, from Ireland.

I was lucky enough to be designated the "keeper of the books" for our family.

I have ended up with wonderful old books from 

all four of my grandparents.....that once belonged to THEIR parents!  

The colors of these books could not be more perfect.

I had to turn around the top book to show the 

really great pattern.

It is almost a chevron type pattern.

The books dates from the very early 1800's.

Isn't it something that they had such 

great things back then?

The candles I used throughout my fall decorating are ones I decorated last year for my son's wedding. On the ones that were decorated specifically for the bride and groom I just simply changed it this year to be generic. I got these candles at Hobby Lobby for 90% off. Under the decor are black initials, X, Z or Q.

They look like they are a flickering candle, but really they are running on batteries. Perfect.

I decided to take a few pictures with the wall scones lit up. I still need to get candle sleeves for my chandelier and scones. I would also like to get flickering bulbs for the scones. I think that would be a lovely reflection from the mirror. 

In the meantime, I plan on enjoying my

Autumn Bounty on The Mantle!
I have linked with Wow Us Wednesday and Open House Party!
And Funky Junk Interiors.