During the five and a half years we lived in our mid-century cottage, we didn't have a mantle to decorate, so the built-in bookcase in our living room filled that role. We didn't mind at the time, but now that we have a fireplace and mantle, we are thoroughly enjoying it. The fireplace is the focal point of our living room, but even if it wasn't, I think it would still feel like the heart of our home. For that reason, we have filled the mantle with objects of meaning -- my favorite painting that belonged to Joan, vintage books (some found, some inherited), Elsie's vintage glass trinkets, Lucy's candlesticks, a Bauer carafe we found at a Santa Monica flea market and a bird that my dad gave us a few Christmases ago. The leaf garland was handmade by me in 2009, and the ghosts were store bought and assembled by Jonathan and I back in 2006.

What is on your mantle this fall?