Growing up on the farm, we had a huge walnut tree that dropped what seemed like thousands of walnuts each year! Over the years, I’ve used walnuts in my home decor. From gilded silver walnuts on my Christmas tree to using walnuts as a filler in the base of a lantern. But, today, I’m going to show you how I made a walnut garland for my fall mantel.
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This walnut garland is easy to make and could also be used decoratively like the popular wood bead garland. This fall mantel also features the mirror that I made to look antiqued, similar to ones they sell on Anthropologie.
They’re such a pretty color and I loved the shape of the larger one!
A great way to use faux fall branches to make them look more realistic, is to remove the leaves and glue them to a real branch. It’s a trick I used here with this arrangement of branches in a rustic urn. I also used some realistic, but faux bittersweet that I intermixed with some grapevine scattered across the top of the mantel. I absolutely love real bittersweet, but it’s really messy and is poisonous to cats. So, it’s a no-no at my house!
Now, let’s make the real statement piece on this mantel, the walnut garland!
You need three things for this walnut garland
a drill with a 3/32 drill bit
coated cord used for jewelry making
The first thing you need to do is drill holes in the walnuts. This is so easy to do and doesn’t take long at all! You’ll need about 30 walnuts to make a nice sized garland (the size of the lower row on the mantel). The photo below shows how I set up my drill to make this process easy!
What a great idea and it looks amazing!
Pretty!! I love the simplicity of it all and your garland is gorgeous. I hope you'll be doing a tutorial on it?? 😉
Your mantel is absolutely gorgeous! I love how simple it is and the pretty light colors. Pinning and going to try the walnut garland. I had attempted one last year and it was pretty much a disaster. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
Your mantel is simply elegant. I love it!
Very pretty! Love the simplicity and natural vibe!
I follow you on Pinterest and saw your pin. I love this. I would love to make something similar using walnuts with something else natural like pinecones or mix in something totally unnatural like some fabric cut leaves. Yours is beautiful!
So pretty! Love the walnut garland! What a cool idea. I love your wall color too. It's gray, right?
Oh I want, want, want this garland!! xo
Love the walnut garland…your mantel looks beautiful!!
Pretty fall mantel. Love the walnut garland.
Ellya
I love the simplicity of the walnut garland! Your entire mantel is beautiful. I too love the color and shape of the pumpkins. I would love if you linked this to my party, Share Your Cup Thursday. It's all about sharing what makes you happy.
hugs,
Jann
Love the walnut garland–I am sharing it on my facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/BeyondThePicketFenceEtsyShopAndBlog
Really pretty! I just love the way you decorate with natural elements!
Beautiful mantle – love all the natural elements – given me great ideas for my mantle!
Love the simplicity of the walnut wreath. The mirror is wonderful.
Oh how I love the walnut garland. It looks beautiful along with your autumnal vignette!
Gorgeous mantle and I do love your walnut garland, such a nice touch! So happy to know you and thrilled you've shared at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
I LOVE this! I've been searching for walnuts in the shell and can't find them anywhere! Great idea for a garland
Kelly
I just love this whole look! It captures Fall so elegantly! The walnut strings are just beautiful!
Love your Fall mantle! So pretty! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria
Your Fall mantel is simply lovely. I can see how this will last all season long and it has a lot of potential for Christmas, as well. Take away the pumpkins and fall leaves and the walnut garland and urn could be accompanied by some greenery and festive colors and be just about perfect for the yuletide season. Great decorating!
I totally love your walnut garland. Unfortunately, I don't have the patience to make one. I did, however, make a few hand cut oak leaves out of book pages. They look pretty nice, and much more my speed.
Thank you for sharing.
*Smiles*
Oh my, I love that walnut garland! Everything is just beautiful!
How pretty and restful! I adore the walnut garland!
so simple and so pretty!
Doreen, this is so elegant. I just cannot stop looking at it. I am so glad you shared this at my party last week.
Your mantel is decorated beautifully…I too love the walnut garland. Simply elegant!!
Beautiful. I love the walnuts!
Your mantel is stunning and is probably my favorite of all that I've seen so far. Definitely worthy of Apartment Therapy!!
The walnut garland is so creative! Your mantle looks lovely. I invite you to share at my Thursday blog hop. Hugs!
Thanks for sharing your old post because I hadn’t seen this one. I do have a question. Did the drill holder come with the drill or did you purchase that separately?
It’s part of the drill. Thanks for asking!