Personally Andrea: Neutral Fall Mantel with Symmetry & Texture

How to create a neutral fall mantel using symmetry for simplicity and texture for interest.

Hello friends! Last week marked the official beginning of fall according to the calendar. Thanksgiving is just around the corner in Canada. It’s time to get our fall decor on! If you’re here as part of our week long #FallFestival blog hop then welcome! Did you see the gorgeous mantel Jamie created over at Anderson & Grant? I hope you’ve been as inspired as I’ve been by the beautiful ideas and recipes all week so far.

Today is Mantel Day. I love to switch up the mantel decor a little bit each season. See how it looked this past summer? With an easy backdrop plus a few seasonal elements, it doesn't have to be a big job to change up the look. Read on to find out how I tackled the project this season.

My two guiding ideas were symmetry and texture. Symmetry just makes life easier. Set up one side of the mantel and then literally copy it on the other side. Texture adds interest, and is so easy to find in the fall. Dried grasses, weathered wood, stone, luxurious fabrics, wicker, melting beeswax.

1. Neutral Textured Backdrop

Here's the very beginning. You can see from this photo that from here, the mantel could actually be decorated for any season. Starting with a few basics in neutral tones gives you multiple options. In this case, a vintage set of window frames, two tall candlesticks and some beautiful books. Along with the stone wall and wrought iron light fixtures, theres already a variety of textures on display.

2. Focal Point

A wreath is a classic and simple way to change the seasonal look of your mantel. For Fall I have this gorgeous dried wheat wreath. Greenery or grapevine wreaths are lovely for spring or summer. Evergreen, real or faux, would be easy in the winter.

3. Symmetrical Decor Pieces

Here is your opportunity to add personal elements that are season appropriate. You saw these little Rustic Glam Pumpkins in my last post. Shop your home, or make something yourself, or dig out some vintage treasures. Here’s your chance to have some special things shine.

Be creative with ways to group or vary the height of your elements. Here's where books always are useful as well as beautiful. These pieces of birch are actually tea light holders, but they were the right size and texture to add a bit of height and interest. And symmetry is your friend. When you find one way to stack things up, or group them, do the same on both sides.

Following the rules is great, but it can be boring if you never switch it up at all. I added one more set of candlesticks off centre to break up the symmetry a bit. And that's it! You can see the similarity to the summer mantel but with just a few different elements it looks more appropriate for fall.

I hope you'll head over to Bees 'N Burlap to see the gorgeous florals on Holli's mantel. And if you're sitting cozied up with a drink in hand then make your way through the whole Blog Hop below and be inspired by all things Fall.

Thanks so much for reading!