Our house doesn’t have a fireplace. Which means, as you may have figured out, there’s no mantel. So where’s a blogger to put her holiday decor? I’ve decided to adopt a little console table/shoe cabinet in our entryway as my new “mantel” for holiday decor purposes.
I could have gone another direction. The area of my house that is most mantel-like is a weird built in arch thing that looks like it should have a fireplace but doesn’t. But this mantel-ish thing needs a little love (or dusting in the least). See?
That’s a real life photo for you, folks. I didn’t even hide the toys or anything. I must really like you guys.
Anyway. Here is my official, finished black and white Halloween “mantel” full of DIY projects and dollar store finds.
I think the skull cameos are probably my favorite project of the lot. (Get the free printables and how-to here!)
I got a black and white pumpkin at the craft store, and fancied up the black pumpkin with some gems I cut off of a weird shirt I bought for 5 dollars at H&M one time but never wore. (Do you guys get sucked into those sales sometimes? Like the cheap-o price makes it less ugly somehow?)
I gave my pumpkin some height by pulling the spookiest black and white books from my bookshelf. (The middle one is Legend of Sleepy Hollow… It’s a little tough to see.)
Get the tutorial for the black and white enameled vase over at Oh My! Creative, and download the free Harry Potter printable here. The glitter skull was a dollar store pick. It used to even light up until my son dropped it. 😉
 The boo sign was made from a dollar store tray.
My bejeweled skull was inspired by a really awesome and beautiful pin that I could never find the original source for. I got a 5 dollar skull from Target and glued rhinestones, pearls, and gold buttons all over it.
Mr. Fancy Skull is sitting on top of a candlestick I had sitting around. And he does fall off occasionally, if I’m being honest. Oh well.
Then I added a bunch of black and white ruffled crepe paper streamers that I have been wanting to make forever.
Love the ruffled crepe paper streamers! I will definitely be making them again. (Get the tutorial from Dana Made It here.)
And there you have it. The black and white and gold Halloween “mantel.” Yay! I’m pretty happy with it.
Linking up at my favorite parties.
Comments + Project Love
Amy @ Homey Oh My! says
Haha I don't have a mantel either and I get major mantel envy. You know black, white, and gold is my favorite right?<br />I love Mr. Fancy Skull! Keep on keepin it real.
Alexis Middleton says
I know… I would love an old fancy mantel. Oh well. One day maybe, right?
Amy @ Homey Oh My! says
Alright, you know the deal. I love this and couldn't not include it in my round-up today 🙂 Just wanted to let you know!
Julia Konya says
You should be pretty happy with it because it's fun and gorgeous.<br />Thanks for coming over to my blog today 🙂
Alexis Middleton says
Thanks so much for coming by mine, Julia! And I will definitely be visiting you again! Love your stuff!
Kylie Helm says
This is so dang adorable, Alexis! Is it weird that I want to put those skulls in my room year round?! Thanks for sharing! New follower over here, I love what you're doing with your blog!<br /><br />xo Kylie
Alexis Middleton says
Thanks so much, Kylie! And, I think you could totally pull off the year round skulls… 😉
Emma Peake says
Love all the skulls!
Alexis Middleton says
Thanks, Emma! I love them too. Sometimes I think they may be a bit too creepy for my littlies, but I love em anyway.
HEATHER GRAHAM says
Cute, cute, cute! I don't have a mantel, either… I think you've used your space in a fabulous way! Love it! I'd love for you to come over & link it up at the mantel party that two other bloggers and I are hosting this week… I love how you created a "mantel" in your own way! TOO CUTE! Hope to see you there! http://stringtownhome.net/?p=632
Alexis Middleton says
Thanks, Heather! I will definitely come check it out! Thanks for the invite 🙂
Jessica Anderson says
I am SO loving the black and white! Very classy!
Alexis Middleton says
Thanks, Jessica!
Jamie-So Much Better With Age says
Just stunning! You've been featured from Give Me The Goods and will be on my FB page this afternoon ;)<br />Hugs,<br />Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Kayla Janachovsky says
Just wanted you to know, I loved this so much it’s been featured on The DIY’ers this week! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-diyers-34.html