One Mantle Two Ways

If you follow us on Instagram or Facebook, you saw a teaser for this post on last Friday. We didn't want to keep you waiting...too long...so here we go.

We went a little Target crazy. Remember Supermarket Sweep? Contestants charging through grocery store aisles and slamming cans of tuna in their cars? Or, really it was the huge hams because they were worth the most. Anyway, we were those contestants, but in Target instead of a grocery store and (gently) slamming glittery ceramic trees into our carriage instead of hams. 

We thought it would be fun to show you a couple different, low cost ways to style your mantle this holiday season. You don't have to head to Pottery Barn and drop $500 to bring the season into your home. Both stylings cost a fraction of that...especially when you take advantage of upcoming Black Friday sales...

First up is a whimsical styling.

We brought in a pop of literally every color in felt pompom garlands, festive pillows and a bright ceramic tree. The color is balanced by some modern, white ceramic trees and the coolest white and gold reindeer.

If you wanted to layer more (and spend a bit more), we would recommend more of these fabulous pompom garlands strung across the mantle and even one draped around the mini tree. They're so fun.

Next up is a rustic styling.

We left out the color in this version, with the exception of green - which doesn't really feel like a color. It's nature! Even as a bottle brush tree...

Keeping the decor to wood, gray and white is so soothing and so beautiful. 

So different, but equally festive.

And now, where to find all this fun stuff! Most of what we used is from Target, some is from the old holiday decor stash, and some is from around the around house (like the handled basket). We pulled together exact or similar sources for you. 

1. Tree lumbar pillow  2. White ceramic tree  3. Colorful ceramic tree  4. Felt pom pom garland  5. Ceramic deer with gold antlers  6. Teal snowflake pillow

1. Wood deer  2. Felt leaf garland  3. Faux mohair throw blanket  4. White ceramic tree  5. Wood nesting houses  6. Snowflake garland  7. Ivory cable blanket  8. Bottle brush tree  9. Mini tree

Thanks for reading. If you'd like to get these blog posts in your email box, don't forget to subscribe! 

- Leah

Getting Cozy for Fall

Fall is here!!! Officially, last Friday marked the first day of fall. Unofficially, fall showed up around the same time. Here in Massachusetts, the nights are suddenly chilly and a cool breeze has begun to knock yellowing leaves from the trees. And, of course, Starbucks began serving pumpkin lattes. Although in Massachusetts we love our Dunkin Donuts...which also began serving pumpkin lattes. It seems that calendars, mother nature and coffee shops are aligned this year.

Beyond leaf raking and latte sipping, we're getting in the fall mood with some home decor. No real shocker there. We have a bit of a formula to share on this front: texture + festivity + nature = celebrating the fall season. Any one of these elements will instantly ready your home for fall.

Texture

The texture element encompasses all things furry, fuzzy, knit and crocheted. All those fabrics and materials that make you want to snuggle up as the weather begins to to chill.

 Chair  / Ottoman / Throw Blanket 

Throw blankets are the epitome of fall. It's not quite sit-around-the-fire-weather, but you definitely want a blanket over your feet while you're watching TV on the couch. Throws are functional and cozy taboot. They're also a quick and inexpensive addition to your home to get in the fall mood.

Pillows and rugs are equally great for the fuzzy texture that makes you want to snuggle in and sip hot apple cider. We're not suggesting you need to run out and buy a brand new, chunky, braided wool, area rug for your bedroom...though they are super textural and cozy. A small, faux sheepskin rug layered over your current rug works just as well (IKEA has one for $14.99). 

Here are a few more fantastic textural finds (say that 3 times fast) to help you cozy up this fall.

Mug sleeve / Pillow / Slippers

Festivity

The festivity element encompasses all the seasonal items that are inherent to this time of year when apple picking, trick or treating, and turkey eating are welcomed traditions.

Pumpkins are as festive as fall gets, hence the prevalence of pumpkin spice overdosing. Keep your lattes to one a day, people! You don't have to go traditional orange to show your fall spirit. We found mini white pumpkins at a local farmstand and piled them into a wire basket. The white is a little untraditional, a little less obvious and really beautiful.

We love the subtle wink to fall these little guys bring. But don't get us wrong, we fully support going whimsical and obvious. Hang a vintage broomstick on your front door. Put a cool, chrome skeleton head on your desk. Fill a wood bowl with shiny red apples for your entryway table. There are plenty of ways to be obvious without crossing the line to hokey. 

Below are some festive finds for your home. We especially love the soy candles - we use them and gift them frequently. Aria Botanicals (who makes them) has a bunch of scents. Macintosh Apple and New England Spiced Apple are spot on for the season.

Pumpkin place card holder / Skull decanter / Apple soy candle

Nature

The nature element is sort of self explanatory. Like all seasons, fall brings noteworthy changes in nature. The goal is to take the most stunning and bring them into your home. Nature makes us more content...it's science...according to a book about Hygge I recently read...

This sweet, simple leaf garland (above) was an awesome pick up from the Target dollar section. Just one strand along a fireplace brings texture and nature. That's some bang for your buck. We also love using clippings from our yard to bring the seasonal outdoors in. And I do mean clippings - a small branch from a bush or tree are free and surprisingly beautiful in a simple vase. 

Fill a basket or metal bin with wood, even if you don't have a fireplace. Put it under your entryway table. Birch logs (like the ones above) are beautiful. Head to your favorite craft store and grab some bunches of dried wheat. You can use them on your mantle, like we did above, or you could (gently) throw them in a vase on a console table. A wreath of leaves in those classic autumn colors is a gorgeous option for your front door, of course, or to hang on top of a mirror inside your house (just consider proportion and don't go too big with the wreath). Use a removable command hook or a thick burlap ribbon for the hanging part. How about a big planter of mums on your front stoop -  classic and beautiful. 

We're all about simple and inexpensive. You don't need to break the bank to get in the spirit. Hence, all the finds below are under $20 (the wreath is on super sale...quick!).

Dried wheat / Acorn garland / Wreath

We hope you're enjoying the cooling weather and found some inspiration here to really get you in the spirit. Happy fall everyone!

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Yes, It's Possible for Us to Love Target More

This fall Target is giving us two new reasons to be obsessed. I know, you're thinking - NOT possible, I couldn't possibly love Target more or spend more of my time or money there. We love Target too, just the way it is. We often use Target home decor in our kid's room designs (like here and here) and we personally use Target for just about everything (best diapers ever). But, hold onto your hats because in one week and then again at the beginning of November, Target is going to get even better!!! 

On September 19, Target is launching Project 62, a new home line of contemporary furniture and decor inspired by the classic midcentury modern vibes of 1962. 

SO pretty. SO cool. Head over to the Target website (click here) for a sneak preview.

Don't you want it all and feel the sudden urge to redecorate your entire home a la midcentury modern? Or at least your bedroom, right? 

So much to love. And only a week until the wait is over! 

Then, just when you're getting over the excitement of Project 62 and the joy of all your purchases, on November 5th Target launches Hearth & Hand. What per se is Hearth & Hand? A little pop-up shop within Target designed with Magnolia Home's queen bee: Joanna Gaines. It's a collection of home decor...unclear whether furniture will be included...in the "modern farmhouse" vibe. I can't give you any visuals because none have been released as of yet, but I think we can all close our eyes and conjure up a pretty solid image of what the collection will look like: gray scale with hints of blue, classic farmhouse designs with modern spins, looks fabulous on a reclaimed wood table...altogether fantastic.

Someone cut up our credit cards.

- The Gray Oak Team

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