Decorator David Jimenez uses a simple black and white color palette to unify all the objects on a bedside tabletop, Some are organic, some are reflective, and there's always some kind of tray to gather up the little things.

I used my DIY autumn-themed tray to anchor a group of props suggesting a small beverage center. To be safe, I stage with empty liquor bottles or bottles filled with water.

What I started with: the tray and the fabric.  I 'm sure that as a young thing, my toleware tray was quite a sight -- strong  and stylish with a black base coat decorated with hand-painted flowers.

These are the images I liked best in the fabric I was re-purposing. I thought they looked like traditional fruits of autumn.

This is how the tray looked after I gave it a good sanding to remove corrosion and old paint. Many of you would like it to stay this way. But I think it's a bit too shabby for home staging.

After a coat or two of  spray paint, things started to look better. The hole  didn't bother me. I knew it could be covered with a fabric scrap.

As in decoupage work, sharp scissors will give you good results. I fiddled with the arrangement until I liked it, overlapping some of the fabric pieces.

The cut metal edge gives this tray a little extra flair. It's the perfect size for staging a dry bar or small beverage station in a living or dining room, or on a porch.

It's that time of year when a fireplace mantel needs an autumnal dress-up. What's yours wearing? Make it easy to do by following my rules.

I am going to call them rules, even though we hear so much about follow your heart and break the rules when it comes to decorating.

Unlike home decorating, home staging goes by a set of rules.

Some people struggle with arranging vignettes like seasonal mantel displays and table vignettes. If that's you, this post's for you.

Rule 1. Start Big

Just like the Christmas mantel I blogged about last year, having one large item gets you off to a great start.

My favorite big starter is a piece of art, or even an empty frame or two.

Center the big thing or else place it off-center. Once you get more accessories on the mantel, you'll probably be re-arranging it to experiment and fine tune.

Other initial decor pieces that work well when staging a mantel are a good-sized mirror, a large platter, or a jumbo wreath. I've also used a sculpture, wall hangings, ships models, and floral arrangements. Use what you have.

Rule 2. Find a Wreath 

Wreaths are home stagers' and decorators' go-to prop. They come in all sizes, styles and shapes. They are easy to DIY and can always be counted on to designate the season.

When a home is on the market, a little seasonal decor goes a long way to let buyers know the home is loved and well-managed. Just make sure your Christmas wreath isn't still hanging around in April.

The wreath might be your one large item, like the one I used to stage another autumn mantel. The chimney breast is a natural for the wreath, but anywhere on or even under the mantel works as well. The burlap and rafia wreath I made would need to be removed if there were a fire in the fireplace.

Would you believe I made this wreath from two new feed sacks I spotted at my local Tractor Supply Company? And the best part was the price -- one dollar each! I just wrapped them around a  foam wreath and tied it all with rafia.

Rule 3. Count on Books

Although they aren't essential to mantel staging, what could be more accessible and economical than books? Find a stack that fits on the mantel and lay them vertical or horizontal. I like older books for the character they add to a grouping.

When you're staging your home, you can use books in your favor, as supporting members of your cast of props. Books telegraph a message to people viewing your home. Think about what you want the message to be. Vintage children's books are safe, and so are botanical, travel and wildlife books. How about books that emphasize what's unique about your locale?

Of course, people shopping for a home won't read your books, but many people read spines, out of habit or curiosity. Peak their interest. But avoid anything racy, political, religious or controversial. People like to do business with people who think and look like them, only better. Because, you know, they are buying your lifestyle when they buy your home.

My autumn mantel revolved around a green color scheme. Frankly, I tire of the orange and black routine, and this arrangement can stay put past Halloween. A little stack of green books to the rescue! Notice how I've propped up the framed art on a glass box to give it height.

Rule 4. Shop Mother Nature

I liked the way the white urn, the green crockery, and the faux gourds all repeat the motif of vertical ridges. They share a pattern, but they aren't identical.

Looking for a crowd-pleasing color combo that looks clean and contemporary to make your home attractive to buyers? I vote for grey and yellow.

I'll admit that when -- just a couple years ago -- I started seeing greys in photo spreads and hearing greys talked about as the new neutral, I was all, no way!

Now, I see what a workhorse greys can be. I thought greys would be depressing, dark and dinghy. Not so. They are chic and soothing. They have many variations, from cool and clear, to muddy and warm, and everything in between. They're easy to combine with all kinds of other colors, but do well on their own.

Grey is the up-to-the-moment decorating darling color now, and bound to hold that position for a years to come. Yellow is the current companion that makes it look new. Yellow is always in style.

In other words, you can't go wrong with this twosome as long as --

• You keep the colors on the lighter side. 
• The colors in one room flow with the colors in adjoining rooms.
• There are no jarring accent colors.
• The greys you choose are all in the same color family. The same for the yellows. 

If you have some existing fixtures that are grey, whether it's tiles, carpeting, appliances, or upholstered pieces, finding the right shade of yellow will update them. Photo: hgtv.

A soft grey like this is an ideal color choice for home staging. The  yellow accents here add texture and warmth. Photo: Luckypinkelephants.

If you don't have new grey and yellow upholstered pieces like these, you do know that you can slipcover or paint upholstered pieces, right? Photo: Plummers Furniture.

Black and white are perfect foils for a grey and yellow room. They add a certain crispness to the space. This photo and top two photos: bhg.