Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Not Yet Fall Mantel

I'm still not there with my Fall decorating, but I want to show you a fun look I did this morning on my mantel.


A few weeks ago, I found this handsome Staffordshire-style swashbuckler at a flea-tique shop.


I thought he'd be perfect as a bookend for my vintage books.


He's a bit too large for the shelf in the entertainment center, but I think he works nicely here.


Did you notice the paisley design on his pants and the feather in his hat?  So dashing! 



 Trying for a bit of Fall, I did add a few natural things in a silver bowl.


While I was photographing the mantel, Hubby said, "I have something that you can use." He ran out to his shed, and came back with a pirate pistol. 
 Of course! Doesn't every man have a pirate pistol in his shed? ( Don't answer that.)
 It isn't really a pistol. It's a letter opener. He found it somewhere many years ago.

Thanks Hubbs!
The perfect touch. ;)


Hope you enjoyed my not-yet-Fall mantel and check out all these great parties.

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Honey @ 2805 for Potpourri Friday
Sherry @ The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Laura @ Decor to Adore for Fall in Love with Your Home.
at

42 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 27, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Lol -- loving your mantel - Arrrr!! I am a lover of vintage books and Treasure Island AND SWF are both favorites.

    Blessings!
    Gail

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMESeptember 27, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    I think that is so sweet that your hubby entered into the decorating! What
    a wonderful mantle.

    ReplyDelete
  3. FABBY'S LIVINGSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    OMG!, the (fake) pirate pistol went perfect! I was looking at your pirate figurine and thinking that I liked it, so your mantel is beautiful now, so very fallish. I love it when hubbys also decorate, they have terrific ideas, mine always do, he's quite opinionated sometimes! Thanks for your lovely and sweet visit dear Babs, I love them so. Hugs, FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  4. A Few PenniesSeptember 27, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    I love your pirate theme! Looks autumn and rustic/romantic at the same time. Have a great week. Patty

    ReplyDelete
  5. KellySeptember 27, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Well I think that was a great idea for your hubby to offer up his very own pistol like that! You never know when you may need it. Ha! Actually, it looks great. I would never have known it was a letter opener! Very clever. Love all your Fall touches.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Blondie's JournalSeptember 27, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    Your mantel looks very stylish! I love the pirate and the fake pistol...they go well with the books and I'm sure, make a great conversation piece together!!

    XO,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sonny GSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    I really like what you did.. You and your hubs make a great decorating pair.. love what ya'll did.

    ReplyDelete
  8. MarigeneSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Love your vignette, Babs...I thought of a buccaneer or one of the Three Musketeers when I first saw your swashbuckler...and a dueling pistol to boot!
    I bought candle holders that look almost identical to yours at the thrift store today...

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    A beautiful mantel Babs! Love your "bookend".

    ReplyDelete
  10. Richard CottrellSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    I think the pistol goes well with the little man, and I am impressed that Hubby helped. Thanks for sharing, Richard from My Old Historic House.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Poppy @ With a Dash of ColorSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    I love your dashing figurine...he looks right at home in your vignette. Such an innovative theme for a vignette... and the pirate pistol-letter opener is just the perfect focal point! Thanks for your loving thoughts,Babs. Always a pleasure to have you over. Have a lovely evening!Hugs~Poppy

    http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Babs, The figurine is wonderful and I love that your added the perfect books. Hubby did good too!
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ann@A Sentimental LifeSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    great choice of books with your little man! Looks wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeSeptember 27, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    Oh I love it. The books are perfect and the pirate is such a great figurine. Such a wonderful vignette. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  15. SueSeptember 27, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    What a fantastic fancy schmancy pirate man on your mantel, Babs! Love the theme you have going, with the books and the 'pistol.' Such a fun idea for the vignette. :-) Sue

    ReplyDelete
  16. Elegant EconomiesSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM

    Babs, how wonderful to have a husband that notices and contributes to your decorating. My sweetheart does the same...so blessed! Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. Audrey

    ReplyDelete
  17. DebbieSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    I just love the combination of that pirate with those specific books. It all looks wonderful, but that's my favorite part.

    ReplyDelete
  18. ToniSeptember 28, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Love your fancy pirate with the books. And hubby adding the pirate gun made it just perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Decor To AdoreSeptember 28, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    I am squealing this is SO adorable. You must link this gem up on my linky party today.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Alycia NicholsSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    The vignette looked great without the pirate pistol, but even better with it! See...hubby is slowly being pulled into our fold! :-) The husbands just don't know it (shhhhh...don't tip them off!), but they will soon become one of "us." Slow & steady wins the race...we'll just let them fold in naturally! My husband actually came up with the idea for the pink ribbon on my centerpiece this past week. He called it a "sash", but he at least put the idea in my head. I tell you...they will be ours!!!!!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. LindyLouMacSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    I think it looks perfect as the books include Treasure Island the whole theme is brilliant, great inspiration from you and your husband :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. The Vintage ChateauSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    What a great mantle! The pirate is adorable and the books and "pistol" are just the right touches!

    ReplyDelete
  23. KatheSeptember 28, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Arg Matey! LOL! I love the swashbuckler and the books! Awesome that the hubs stepped in to help. Mr. B has that way about him too :) Thanks you for stopping by for a visit and leaving the sweet comment!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)September 28, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Oh My Gosh.. what a hubby you have. His pirate gun/ letter opener is the perfect touch. Your little guy is very dashing, I've never seen one like it, what a treasure... love your mantel.. hugs ~lynne~

    ReplyDelete
  25. KarenaSeptember 28, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    Babs I love your mantle. The swashbuckler is a great find. Bravo!

    I have just linked up with Laura's party!
    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  26. Decor To AdoreSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    Thank you so very much for linking up to Fall In Love Wednesdays.

    Have a blessed weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  27. KathleenSeptember 29, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Great! I could have used your pirate decor! I did a Pirate table for my little gsons bday.
    Thanks for your kind words, you are always so sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  28. xinexSeptember 29, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    Love your mantel decor! What a handsome figurine!..Christine

    ReplyDelete
  29. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleSeptember 29, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Love your mantel design. That looks like a pistol. Must be one big letter opener. Love your new swashbuckler.

    ReplyDelete
  30. The French HutchSeptember 29, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    hi Babs, Your new guy on the mantle is gorgeous. Perfect to add a new look. He serves you well as a book end to your vintage books. How cool that your husband had the pirate pistol! The perfect finishing touch.
    Babs, check out piece of cake, they are in Buckhead. You won't be sorry........

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

    ReplyDelete
  31. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresSeptember 29, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    Love the look of your matel and the contrast of your swashbuckler and books with the pretty silver tray and vase. Thanks so much for sharing:-)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wendy@~Chez~La~De~da~September 29, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Babs, What a great hubby huh? Got to love him!!
    Love your mantel...love it more that you came to visit my blog THANKS!! Hope to see ya again!!

    ~~Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  33. KimSeptember 30, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    Ha! Hilarious post Babs! I love it!!! I'm coveting Staffordshire right now and your little guy is just the cutest. I love how he fits right in with those amazing books! And those silver pieces are beautiful too. How sweet that hubby got in on the decorating process.
    xoxo,
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  34. ℳartina @ Northern NestingSeptember 30, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Babs your mantel looks beautiful! I see we have the same blue and white ginger jar too! You have such a talent for accessorizing! Martina

    ReplyDelete
  35. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)September 30, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Hi Babs, I'm so coveting your little statue!!! You asked about the trumpet vine. No darling I let it go, thank goodness when I planted it, it was in area I wouldn't have to cut it back. Mr. P told me I would be sorry if I planted it close to the house, it's very invasive.. lol. hugs ~lynne~

    ReplyDelete
  36. Honey at 2805September 30, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Your mantel is so pretty and your statue so intriging. Looks like he could steal you heart! He fits right in with the vintage books which I adore!

    Thank you for linking to Potpourri Friday. I appreciate your participation! Unfortunately your thumbnail picture didn't show up but the link is working and I can tell you have had quite a number of clicks from the Potpourri Party.

    ReplyDelete
  37. MarianneSeptember 30, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Hi Babs,
    I just love those Staffordshire statues, your man is very handsome! Your mantel looks simply gorgeous with the old books and hubbs pirate pistol...what a nice guy to let you use it!
    Marianne :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Pattie @ Olla-PodridaOctober 1, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Oh, Babs, I LOVE him! What a find. The selection of books and that pirate pistol make this such a special arrangement.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Savannah GrannyOctober 2, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    Love that with the swagger! He could sit on my mantel anyday. Love the natural elements I need to wander around the yard a while. You mantel looks great. That will take you til Christmas. Great job. Hugs, Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  40. Nancy's NotesOctober 2, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Oh my, your mantel is looking wonderful! I'm still chuckling about your husband adding to your decor, that is just too cute! Love the swashbuckler!

    ReplyDelete
  41. The Charm of HomeOctober 2, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Oh that is fantastic! I LOVE the paisley pants! How fun he is. you had the perfect books to accompany him! Very nice look for your mantel! Thank you for linking it up at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  42. On Crooked CreekOctober 4, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Babs,
    Hey mate...this is stunning! Hubby's simple addition set your vignette over the top!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete

Thanks y'all for visiting. I read and appreciate every comment.