Styling a Cozy Autumn Mantel

It’s certainly sweater weather out there! Brrrr! I’ve been meaning to share our living room and fall mantel for some time. Do you want to read more about styling a cozy autumn mantel?

I think people may have already started decorating for Christmas but it’s still firmly fall in our home. Read on for more styling ideas…

This time of year is pretty hectic with holiday markets for my stationery but its even more hectic with John’s college search and applying to colleges. We’ve spent the last few weekends / week days checking out colleges and going to National Portfolio Days.

This is probably my favorite room this time of year. I love lighting a candle and turning the fireplace on. The dogs always seem to follow me around and get cozy right here too.

You’ll see above our NEW Frame TV. Let me know if you guys want me to do a blog post about it. I’ve wanted one for 4 or 5 years and I LOVE it! We got it in the summer during the prime sale. Most of the decor in this post we already had but I bought this sweet little dried floral arrangement from my friend Cara, owner of Petal and Root. I loved the Poppy pod and thought it would complement our dark wood trim and leather couch.

The candle is by Minot Candle and they’re my favorite candles because of the beautiful fragrances but also because they burn for over 80+ hours and are 100% sustainable. You can read more about Minot Candle Inside the Studio here and a chat I had with Kerry here. Kerry is offering my readers a forever discount of 10% off when you use the code “DANIELLEFINDING” – shop here.

How to Style a Cozy Mantel?

For me, I think it comes down to adding textured elements and items that have a story. I enjoy mixing antiques in with new items I find.

The common thread in this mantel styling is warm browns and chocolates along with gilded bronze and gold.

The wooden fruit was from Target a few years ago and I love how playful it is, especially when paired with the vintage books (a roadside find I got for free) and the drawing model from Ikea. That was John’s and the kids always like to pose him.

I can never resist a nice brass candles stick and I’ve picked these up at various places – antique stores, thrift stores, yard sales. I always gravitate to them. There is a vintage brown bottle and a plastic brown bottle (from Amazon).

I’m also a big fan of vintage block print stamps. These are from India and you’ll remember that I found this one at Native in Scituate Harbor about two years ago. I actually used this to create my block print wallpaper. You can read more about creating the patterns here and the history of block printing. You can see more about my fabric and wallpaper patterns here.

The yellow branches I found at Crate and Barrel a few years ago and I love how they always add a happy punctuation wherever I place them.

When styling I always step back to see how things are looking. I usually try and create different level heights and always use odd numbers of things as its more pleasing to the eye.

Adding More Cozy Layers

Autumn and the colder months are all about comfort and pleasing your senses. I find that my home becomes my cocoon. I love sunshine and light so it is really hard when it’s dark at 4:30pm. I just want to put my PJs on and sip tea by the fire with the dogs.

On the couch you’ll see all different textures – linen and cotton pillows, a faux fur blanket, and a real lamb skin. Leather poufs that are wonderful and a textured tribal style coffee table.

Our roman shades and oriental rugs also add more texture. I want people to feel they can come in and sit down, rest their feet on the ottomans, and enjoy our home. I love sitting here and reading with Luke, that’s how we spent Sunday afternoon. Then had roast dinner with the boys.

Artwork and antique pieces add more texture and warmth.

Sources

I know you guys like me to give you the sources in the post. Some items are no loner offered or are antique / vintage. I’ll do my best to share similar things.

• Wall Color – Marscapone by Benjamin Moore in Matte
• Fireplace – surround, fossilized ocean floor, read makeover here
• Gas Insert – Read more about why we chose a ventless gas fireplace
• Coffee table – World Market
• Mirror
• Bar Cart
• Vase
• Flameless Candles – Balsam Hill
• Couch – from Raymour and Flanagan, similar here
• Poufs
• Frame TV with Teak Bezel
• Linen Curtains – Ikea
• Curtain Rods – Home Depot
• Blinds – by Levelor Bamboo Essence in Origami, Home Depot
• Ship Photograph – Crate and Barrel, no longer available
• Root Vase
• Fish Print (above Bar Cart) – Pressingham Farm and Frame by the Frame Center
• Wooden Fruit – Target, no longer available
• Indian Block Print Stamps – Vintage from Native
• Bell – from Native, made in India
• Candle – Minot Candle
• Dried Floral – Petal and Root
• Floor Cloth, in front entry
• Yellow Stems – Crate & Barrel
• Marble Link – HomeGoods
• Marble Tray (on coffee table) – Target
• Linen Pillow, similar
• Portrait of Us, by John Driscoll

I think I covered everything, but if I missed anything send me an email or ask in the comments. Be sure to pin this for later!

Let’s Stay In Touch

Did you enjoy this post? If so, let me know. Do you find the transition to the colder months hard too?

Let’s stay in touch! Join our newsletter for excess to exclusive content, our favorite projects, easy recipes, and fun tutorials. You’ll recieve the best design secrets delivered directly to your inbox! Sign Up Here!