Time to transition into fall using natural elements to create a simple fall mantel with gourds and greenery. I discovered my love of gourds last year while making garlands. Mini gourds are just so cute and unique, that I couldn’t resist sharing them with you again.
Fall Ideas Tour
Today I’m joining the Fall Ideas Tour, hosted by Angie of Postcards From The Ridge and we’re kicking off the tour with fall mantels. If you visiting from Patti over at Hearth and Vine, welcome I’m so happy to have you. Our tour is also featuring fall tablescapes, tiered trays, porches and crafts. Something for everyone!
Simple Fall Mantel With Gourds And Greenery
This years fall mantel is a combination of neutral colors with a splash of greenery. The watercolor print over the mantel is predominately greens and blues, so I like to keep that in mind when adding seasonal decorations.
The cute little gourds taking center stage on the mantel are dried spinner and bottle gourds. Want to hear an interesting fact about these? Gourds grow on vines during the summer months, but are not harvested until the following spring. This allows the gourds to dry out during the winter months.
The soft neutral colors of gourds, and their curious shapes create a fun display on a wood baguette dough tray. This tray was a happy find at a flea market several years ago. It’s handy for serving bread or crackers along side a charcuterie board, or for displaying mini pumpkins and candles. Here’s a similar tray to check out.
For more ideas using gourds see my posts, Transitioning Summer To Fall Kitchen Ideas and Summer To Fall Mantel And A Gourd Garland.
I’m not sure if this is truly a vintage dough tray or not, but I love the aged wood patina. It’s always a challenge decorating a shallow mantel, but the narrow baguette tray is a great option.
Natural Greenery
One each side of the mantel I’m using stacks of neutral colored books, which are always a staple around here. The books make a good platform for vases holding small branches.
No bush or tree is safe in the neighborhood when I need to decorate. Well I should clarify, that I only collect small snippets along the walking trail that runs through the neighborhood and not my neighbors yards. 😉
Simple cylinder glass vases to hold small Sweetgum branches, which have the most incredible looking bark. Since the trees in our area will not be turning for a couple more months, we’ll be enjoying green leaves a little longer. The look is clean and simple which fits in with the style of our home.
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with seasonal inspiration you’re going to love!
Continue the Fall Ideas Tour by visiting Shelley of Calypso In The Country to see her black and white buffalo check mantel. All the tour links are in the list below, so please enjoy at your leisure.
Cheers!
Fall Mantel Decor Ideas
Fall Tablescape Decor Ideas
Fall Porch and Deck Decor Ideas
Fall Tiered Tray Decor Ideas
Fall DIY Crafts
Michelle, I love your fall mantel! The colors you chose are so soothing – you know I just love blues and greens. My favorite feature is that adorable tray of gourds, though! I love the texture and fall feel it adds to your mantel! Great hopping with you again, friend!
Shelley
Thank you Shelley, those little gourds make me smile every time I look at them. So happy to be on the tour with you my friend!
Michelle, I love the color of any fresh greenery and your use of simple leaves looks really pretty on the mantel. And, what a nice find in the tray you have. Perfect for displaying those sweet little gourds. Happy Fall!
Thank you so much Patti! I love bring the outdoors in this time of year and hope to replenish as the leaves turn. Happy Fall!
Look at that tray of cute little gourds. I love them. And how come I never thought of sticking a green branch into water?
Thank you! This is the kind of decorating that is easy on the budget. Just let nature do all the work. 😉
Oh I just love the little gourds! They are so cute. And I think that tray was a super cool find! Such a pretty mantel.
Thank you Wendy, I need to find more ways to use these cute gourds. They are so hard to resist.
Oh, I just love your mantel, Michelle! I love its nod to Fall with the bowl of gourds, and the overall neutral look. It’s beautiful!
Thank you Rita, it’s so hard to think about fall decorating when it is over 100 degrees outdoors. I’m looking forward to switching to fall colored leaves and the cooler temps.
Those little gourds are adorable! They’re like little toys! Love your entire mantel. Very striking! Pinned.
Thank you Cindy for pinning! Gourds would make cute little ghost if painted white.
I love the soft colors in your mantel and how you used green leaves to keep it realistic. It’s perfectly early fall 🙂
Thank you Leen, it’s so hot here I think the green leaves will be hanging around for a little while longer. I’m looking forward to transitioning to more fall colors.
I love your simple fall mantel and your gourd collection is gorgeous!
Thank you Maryann, we’ll see what I can come up with next year. May need more gourds LOL!
You know how much I love your simple and elegant style! And I’m so glad to see your gourds return this season! Lovely, Michelle!
Thank you Julie! I missed having you on the tour with us and always love your crafts! Hugs!
Michelle – your fall mantel is lovely. We too love natural gourds. Paired with the soft hues of green and blue is perfection! So happy to hop with you!
Thank you so much. I’m keeping our fall decorating on the lighter side this year due to our extremely hot temperatures. Looking forward to real fall weather!
Your mantel is just simple enough and perfect! I’m not sure I’ve ever used real groups but I’d love to now!
Thank you Marty, I stumbled across these gourds last year and just love their natural soft colors.
Your mantel is so natural and gorgeous! Those gourds are just the coolest ever!
Thank you Susan, these gourds are fun to decorate with for fall.
Your mantel looks gorgeous decorated for fall with green leaves and the natural color of dried gourds. I’ve never seen a wood baguette dough tray and love it. What a great piece to use for decor in any season! Like you, I like to gather items from nature to use for decorating when I’m on walks. Using green leaves this time of year is a great idea. I’m doing some fall decorating this afternoon in my family room and I’m going copy your idea!
Thank you so much Paula. No two leaves are exactly the same so technically you’re not really copying me. 😉 Have fun on your walk and decorating!
Michelle,
This is so simple and elegant. I love the little gourds and the wooden tray. And the leaves are a nice touch too. So happy you’re touring with us!
Thank you Angie! This is a beautiful fall tour and I’m delighted to part of it!
Your mantel is so pretty! I love the simplicity of it and those mini gourds are too cute!
Thank you Suzy! I love the green leaves but would gladly trade them for some real fall weather. Come on October!
Michelle, I love your mantel display! Once I grew gourds on a fence, but I cut them down at the end of the season. I had no idea that I was supposed to leave them hanging all winter to dry! I’m so glad I learned that tip from you!
I though about growing them, but not sure the husband would go for that LOL. Buying one bag at a time is easier. Happy Fall Jane!
I love your fall mantel, I adore every detail! It’s lovely to “meet” you, happy to be touring with you.
Thank you and I’m happy to on the tour with you too!
I absolutely love the fresh leaves in green!! It’s early so this is perfect for those of us who are anticipating the changes. We sometimes forget to cherish the green leaves!!
You are so right Julie. It takes a while to completely transition into fall in the south. So we get to enjoy that green foliage a little longer.
Those little gourds are adorable! And cut greenery adds such a fresh and pretty finish – such a simple thing, but with huge impact!
Thank you Janet! This is my version of fall, since we won’t be feeling the cooler temperatures for a while.
Your fall mantel is beautiful Michelle! Simple styling is my all-time favorite!
Thank you Kim for your sweet comments. Hugs!
Every time I see a gourd I think of you Michelle! This Fall mantel is so gorgeous it’s perfection. I love all the details and layers you added while keeping it simple, sophisticated and neutral. It’s all fabulous! Hugs, CoCo
Thank you CoCo for your witty comments! You made me laugh and made my day too. Hugs!!
Everything looks very harmonious. Such cute little gourds. Super!
Thank you Margarita, I’m keeping the decorating very simple for early fall.
Michelle, I just love your gorgeous fall mantel. The gourds are so pretty. I love all the natural elements. 🙂
Thank you Michelle! This is the time of year, when I enjoy bring the outdoors in the most.
I’m not quite ready to let summer go yet, but I still love your adorable gourds and the pretty dough bowl that holds them – perfection!
Thank you Janet! It’s so hard to think about fall when it is almost 100 outside. LOL!
I love those gourds, have not seen them in yonks. Need to try and find some in my area. They are so gorgeous for displays as you made.
I visited you via Acorns and the TFT Blog Hop
I linked up this week with = 66+67. This is a friendly reminder and invitation to come and join us at SeniorSalonPitStop. You will find the linkup information under BLOGGING.
Thank you Esme for visiting and the invite! 😊
Hope to see you going forward at SSPS as we have a weekly linkup Monday through Saturday.