MANTLES

I don't know about you, but decorating the mantle is a huge challenge for me.

I visit your wonderful blogs and see so much inspiration. You guys make it look so easy. :)

I always blame "my problems" on the mantle being too large. My husband built it shortly after we moved in the house. We have 9 foot ceilings, so the mantle had to be built big enough that it would look substantial. 

This is the way it looked when we moved in. Not much room for anything up there.

I have had several emails asking information about the clock. We bought it at Kirklands about four years ago and I have to say it was my best find ever! :) Love that clock and even after all this time we haven't got tired of looking at it. 
When I decorate the mantle, I always try to work around it.

Don't get me wrong, I love decorating it, but I have such a hard time figuring out what decor to use that most of the time I just keep it like this.

For the last year or so, I got brave :) and started changing the mantle decor for the different seasons.

It still takes me several days to get it done. :) 

This is how I decorated it for Summer and what it looks like right now. I tried to change it for Spring, but it was such a disaster that I gave up half way through. LOL

 This was Fall 2012

 

 And last Christmas.

Before then, I tried many times and you can see my pitiful attempts in the next pictures. LOL

And now, I have Fall in my thoughts.  

I figured if I start planning now, I may have my Fall mantle finished sometime in October. LOL  Have no clue what I will do and don't be surprised if it ends up looking like last year.

How about you? Are you already thinking and planning Fall and Holiday decor? Hurry up! I need some inspiration! :)

See you all soon!