Tag: seasonal decorating

Anticipating Autumn’s Arrival

Anticipating autumn’s arrival finds me caught up in the splendor of the third season in the best of ways.

Country Diary: Autumn Puzzle

Country Diary: Autumn Puzzle

As the days grow closer to the official first day of fall lovely reminders of its visual and tactile beauty build the excitement.

For some of you the look and feel of fall may be in the air in your neck of the woods, you lucky ducks.

Louisiana will not feel or see signs of fall for a while yet, but until then seasonal glory is found in photos like this.

Anticipating Autumn's Arrival

Although in full anticipating autumn’s arrival mode, I’m opting to purposely slow walk my seasonal decorating in order to get the most out of the last of summer.

Now, ordering seasonal accents and accessories sooner than later to avoid the dreaded I wanted that but it’s sold out, that task, my friends, is in steady progress.

fall-autumn-yellow-green-cinnamon-pumpkin

Updating with colors of the season include but are not exclusive to traditional choices with a few not so on the nose contenders.

Among the mounds of fall is fast approaching social media posts making the rounds I found the following a funny little nugget of truth:

Fall fans bout to mustard yellow, olive green, pumpkin orange
and cinnamon spice us to death.

For every season there is a palette and a presence association that is instantly recognizable thanks to traditional aspects blended with new traditional tones and trends.

tapered-denim-jacket

Tapered Puff-Sleeve Non-Stretch Jean Jacket for Women

Fall fashions lend a stylish dose of inspiration to the overall color canvas of each season.

denim-blues

nantucket-New-England-Home

New England Home

Blue is often associated with a spring into summer palette, however, the fall into winter color palette of late embraces this timeless tone-on-tone classic.

blue-white-porcelain-jars-vases-on-mantel

House Beautiful 

Blue and white shines as a perfectly complementary autumn accent.

seasonal-fresh-mushrooms

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Earth tones-rich in depth, warmth, and the ever important cozy factor-  qualify as seasonal neutrals.

lamp-on-kitchen-countertop-fall (1)

Mushroom Ceramic Plate

Sent this pumpkin woods candle to a friend as a fall is in the house gift and the scent of the season review is in and it’s scentsational.

pumpkin-woods-candle

Glass Pumpkin Woods Candle Brown – Threshold™

Opting to slow walk my fall on parade as not to over saturate is proving difficult, however, ordering seasonal accents and accessories sooner than later to avoid selling out not to mention the super Labor Day sales is warranted.

fall-wreath-materials-20222

Visually overwhelmed best describes the dilemma I run into when shopping sites with a gazillion offerings, so my solution is to mock-up a visual board to narrow the scope.

wreath-fall-autumn-2022-inventory (1)

Up first in my let’s decorate for the season plan is a wreath.

Where it’s going to ultimately land will be decided once its complete. I find what works best in my seasonal decorating book of tricks is to let your eye guide your placement.

sign-it-with-style

It ain’t rocket science, folks; what appeals to you is what works.

Every time.

pheasant-planter-new-fall-accent1

Antique pieces give heart and soul to a space.

Hunt and gather treasures discovered on resale sites are peppered throughout the house with most purchases arriving exactly as described, but every now and then one will arrive clearly not as described.

Decorating with accents in Pheasant theme is my thing at fall, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the newest addition to the ring-necked Pheasant accents family.

Exactly as described, this vintage Ruebens Originals Pheasant planter is a beauty.

vintage-napkins-gold-amber-ribbon

Back in our antiques auctions days I bid on and won a collection of small decorative plates including this Pheasants in flight showstopper.

negative-orange-oil-copy

Negative Oranges Framed Art Print from Kirkland’s Home

Disappointment over the pear print at Target I’ve had my eye on selling out turned into oh, this might work when finding this Negative Oranges Framed Art Print on kirklands.com.

I’m not 100% sure this will be just what I’ve been looking for to complete a gallery, but the Labor Day weekend sale price complete with free ship to home convinced me to hit the place order button.

Pheasant-art-canvas-painting

You never know what treasures you’ll find on an afternoon scroll. When this original oil on canvas arrives I’ll share a photo and the backstory that goes with it.

Carter Shields Cabin

Cozy is wonderfully achieved through deep rich colors, layers of texture and pattern, and the creature comforts of house and home.

“Ah, September!
You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul…
but I must confess that I love you only because
you are a prelude to my beloved October.”

― Peggy Toney Horton

Always anticipating.

love signature

Now That Spring Is In Sight

Our local weatherman just made my spring is in sight day with the forecast that pays- sunny with an expected high of 76 degrees.

“The first blooms of spring
always make my heart sing.”

—S. Brown

orange-lemonade

Foodiesfeed

The first day of spring didn’t necessarily bring spring like weather to some, but let’s look at the glass of lemonade half full.

tommy chair dusty rose pink

Since the weatherman and the calendar have established spring has sprung, one’s thoughts naturally turn to spring activities, colors on parade, how does your garden grow planning, curb appeal and outdoor living ideas.

spring-open-windows-ALEXANDRE BAILHACHE (1)

Veranda

Now that spring is in sight, what colors do you see in your spring into summer color palette future?

Let’s look at a few ideas in the all things that make a home spring color mix.

spring-white-green-colors

Bedding in spring and summer appropriate colors, textures, and patterns is about as let’s spring and summer update inspiring as it gorgeously gets.

Jardin Toile Bedding

Jardin Toile Bedding

Graceful additions in the season’s color palette replete with pattern reminiscent of ocean waves tops the spring is in sight must have list.

butter-lettuce

This season’s color crush is brought to you by Mother Nature and the spring into summer salad season.

garden-salad-spring-fork

salad-paint-colors

Set a seasonal farm to table scene with vegetable shaped serveware.

vegetable-shaped-dishes

fresh-spring-asparagus-lemon

spring-tablescape-green-white

Victoria Magazine

Dishes and dishes of the spring season.

lilypad-side-plates-set-of-4

Spring is the season for freshening up exteriors through eye-catching curb appeal updates.

dog-ears-shutters-white-brick-exterior

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

curb-appeal-ideas-spring-updates

Isn’t this spring color rich Outdoor Essentials 12 in. x 12 in. Leaf Decorative Garden Stone lovely?

12 in. x 12 in. Leaf Decorative Garden Stone

12 in. x 12 in. Leaf Decorative Garden Stone

Accents and accessories in fresh, lively, and warm colors of spring renews our interiors and exteriors, elevates our moods, and brushes away the heaviness of winter.

Do you know the main reason interior decorating choices begin and end with color?

Color is a design and decorating tour de force in the way that it makes a visually powerful statement in a beautifully unpretentious manner.

Darleen-signature-love

Decorating With Fall Colors

Decorating with fall colors is a natural part of the seasonal updating process.

“Autumn paints in colors that summer has never seen.”

Today’s fall colors on parade gallery features inspired examples of interiors and exteriors adorned in traditional, historic, curated and new-traditional colors characteristic of autumn – fall.

Rich.

Brilliant.

Elegant.

Colors of the autumn-fall season gift the eye a visual glory that naturally inspires our decorating with fall color choices.

decorating with fall colors

Matthew Patrick Smyth Interior Design as featured in Traditional Home

Do you believe it possible for an accent color to become the focal point of a space?

Matthew Patrick Smyth proves a neutral color foundation is amplified by the chocolate brown silk table skirt with Greek Key trim.

Stone gray metals, ebony painted bricks, and engravings of Paris, circa 1730 warm the look and serve to anchor the statement.

His color choices are timeless, and will nicely transition from season to season.

Manhattan-apartment

Bruce Bierman Design

Rich in color and texture, the deep brown color of the hardwood flooring plays well to the color block, dramatic accent wall, and decorative accessories in shades of cinnabar, crimson and pumpkin.

decorating-for-fall-with-blueBetter Homes & Gardens

Accents and accessories in seasonal colors beautifully render a color rich montage.

neptune-eva-sofa-in-foxNeptune

Texture, color, and pattern add a sense of season to interiors and home decor accessories.

Velvet home decor furnishings rich in seasonal color brings a welcoming warmth and inviting scheme perfect for crisp days and cool nights.

Salem-in-fallSalem in Fall

Fall seasons the historic exteriors and centuries-old homes of Salem, Massachusetts with the perfect blend of rich in tone and tradition colors customary to the classic fall palette.

gold-and-taupe-and-white-living-room.jpg

Hawkins New York

Paul Denoly and Nick Blaine otherwise known as the founders of Hawkins New York  exhibit the talent of the keen eye in mastering the curated look  in their 18th-century farm house.

These stylish gents brilliantly rock the pink, beige, brown and metallic palette.  

Recently I discovered this example of a new-traditional color scheme in the feature Setting the Tone: At Home With the Founders of Hawkins New York on Domino, and the design and decor showcased in their farm house revival results in a chic aesthetic, comfortable welcome to our home feel, and new-traditional fall color scheme.

fall-color-bedroomBetter Homes & Gardens

Orange accents make a vibrant color splash.

velvet-fabric-accents-living-roomTraditional Home

Juxtaposition of styles, periods, grains, textures, patterns and crisp color details stand out as accents of distinction.

Darryl-Carter-kitchenDarryl Carter, Inc. 

Owner and designer Darryl Carter of Darryl Carter, Inc. selects for his country home crisp white walls and barn wall floors that reflect soft light from the fire and evening sunsets, and best define the feel of fall for the owner/designer.

Doesn’t man’s best friend looks cozy and comfortable?

Tailor the spaces and places of your home to reflect your sense and style of season while gorgeously decorating with fall colors.

Darleen-signature-love

 

 

 

 

 

A Most Fetching Friday First Day of Fall Autumn Home Tour

Today’s A Most Fetching Friday greets the first day of fall by welcoming you all into my home for a fall autumn home tour.
fetching-definiton

accent-chair-1

I try not to complicate the art of seasonal decorating.

Decorating is meant to be an enjoyable experience, after all.

Natural elements, seasonal fruits, vintage china, antique porcelain figurines and regional items familiar to the landscape of our small Southern town never disappoint the eye or occasion.

dining-room-buffet-fall-decor

Simple, neutral, and inspired by nature hit the high notes of this less is more fall autumn home tour.

fall-spice-cake

Working with what you have extends to lawn, garden and pantry.

Fall is nowhere in sight in Louisiana, presenting a canvas devoid of traditional fall colors and foliage.

ginkgo

Dried hydrangeas (dead hydrangeas as my Mother so eloquently puts it) and ginkgo leaf holdovers from fall autumn home tours of past accentuate the crimson and gold Anjou and Bosc pears found in the produce section of the local Kroger, lending a simple yet elegant touch of fall to the dining room buffet.

fall-cake

This so simple it’s delicious spice cake with maple syrup flavored frosting follows through with the less is more for fall theme.

I’ll share the recipe with you next week.

I’ve also got a fantastic serving suggestion for the pears to share with you.

porcelain-fruit-centerpiece

fall-throw

If you would have told me a week ago a wasp nest would factor into my fall autumn home tour decor I would not have believed it, but…

natural-centerpiece

My brother sent this wasp nest to me with the express intention of it being incorporated into my fall decorating plans.

It is oddly beautiful and quite unique- a step away from the expected.

French-figurine

A pair of vintage porcelain figurines seem to fall frolic among Loropetalum branches and magnolia leaves.

French-lady-figurine

dried-hydrangea-pears-copper-coal-kettle

Fall Autumn Home Tour

Welcome home, fall!

Hope you all have a most fetching Friday and a lovely first weekend of fall.

love your style

 

Fall Decorating Inspiration: Decorating House and Home for Fall

It is said the early fall decorating inspiration bird gets the worm.

Far be it for me to question the validity of this wise and proven proverb, but (there is always a but) I apply the advice on a case by case basis.

Earlier is better when it comes to client appointments, home decor sales and auction previews.

Decorating house and home for fall anytime before mid September is traditionally a tad too early for this bird.

Although, tomorrow’s forecast high/low for our little corner of the world is 79/50.

I do believe that qualifies as all the fall decorating inspiration needed to begin a new tradition.

fall decorating inspirationHGTV

You can’t talk fall without the subject of pumpkin coming up.

pumpkin-paint-colors

I myself seize every opportunity to dish the pumpkin through color and good tastes.

pumpkin-bread-muffins

Williams Sonoma

Lest we forget the seasonal deliciousness of the apple- the official unofficial fruit of fall.

red-apple

Baked apples.

Candied apples from fairs and festivals.

My famous Fresh Apple Nut Cake which is the most requested recipe from readers and followers.

apple-pecan-walnut-cake

Looking forward to what’s cooking in the fall kitchen comes with the fall baking and cooking territory.

Comfort plates a sweet and savory delight for the taste buds.

Seasonal soups, spicy chili, hearty stews and gumbos of chicken and sausage will be cooking in the French blue pot.

creamy-mushroom-rice-soup

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup 

Crisp deep colors complement core foundation pieces.

Rather it’s a been in the family for generations accent chair or the I’ve had my eye on it and there’s no better time than fall to buy it area rug, the addition of seasonal color, texture and pattern enhances the decorating pomp and palette.

fall-colors-farrow-ball

M-M-Interior-Design

M and M Interior Design

Personal decorating style and taste preferences determine what design element or decor piece immediately draws the eye.

The rug and the table lamps in the above image speak gorgeous to me.

Area rugs and table lamps lend an instant chic factor to the ambiance of a space.

fall-area-rugRizzy Home Bellevue Collection Rug

Bless the powers that be at Dillard’s and the take an additional 40% off sale that brings forth the Southern Living Ash Feather Statue for a song- a sweet sale serenade.

I have big fall decorating inspiration plans for the newest addition to the decorative accents and accessories inventory.




Southern-Living-decorative-feather-accent

Winter white, a lovely color reminiscent of New Orleans style Cafe Au Lait, is a smashing color to complement a fall color palette.

white-chair

The Christopher Knight Home Toddman Fabric High Back Club Chair is currently catching my fall decorating eye.

The wingback side detail evokes thoughts of fireside evenings in New England.

Neutral foundation pieces in colors such as winter white or light beige command decorative accents and accessories rich in seasonal colors to stand at vibrant attention.

fall-fabrics-new

Inside Fabric

You never know what the catalyst for your fall decorating inspiration will be.

A throw pillow here, an accent piece there- updating your home decor to reflect the fall season warms up home and hearth and invites the current season’s best in color, texture and pattern show into your places in the home.

love your style

Summer Style Splash Decorating Suggestions

Summer is that middle of the year jubilee where the focus is on the casual, the comfortable, and the chic.

Interior and exterior updates with summer colors, patterns and textures put summer into motion through decor.

What home decor pieces to add to your decor to accent the season and make a summer style splash crosses the minds of many decoristas.

Let’s look at a selection of summer style splash decorating suggestions ready to deliver maximum seasonal decorating impact.

Seagrass Rugs

seagrass rug

A seagrass rug adds texture and depth to a space while the neutral color and warm tones provide a natural summer style splash.

Seagrass rugs are durable and affordable.

I like to suggest home decor accessories that carry over season to season.

Ideal alone for summer decorating, a seagrass rug will remain a style staple when decorating for fall/winter by layering a rug in seasonal color, pattern and texture over the seagrass rug.

Table Lamps

Seahorse table lampsUrbanest Seahorse Lamp Set – 27″

Table lamps remain an excellent accessory choice when updating your home to reflect the look of the season.

This dynamite duo of seahorse table lamps in classic black and gold brings to mind the casual elegance of coastal design while standing the test of time and trend.

Chic year round reminder of summer.

Emphasize the Sights and the Sounds of the Season

It’s hard not to associate summer with sights and sounds of the beach, coast, shore and sea.

High tide style can easily be introduced into your summer decor in several low cost, high impact ways with items discovered on a summer outing to the beach, lake, coast, shore or dollar store.

Seashells.

Beach rocks.

Decorative coral.

Driftwood.

Cypress.

You get the idea.

Here are a few summer style splash suggestions for using sea shells:

Summer themed vignette.

jewelry in shell

Jewelry holder.

shell-lightsMood Lighting with Shells

Decorative accent lighting.

summer-tablescape Hampton Designer Showhouse ~ Porch by Ken Gemes

Seaside tablescape set for coastal casual elegance with a relaxing summer soundtrack to sea and sand to.

Fresh Flowers

summer style splash decorating suggestions

When I see a colorful aromatic bouquet display in the grocery store floral department, I’m immediately on summer vacation.

The arrival and check in process is a summer breeze when the sight and scent of tropical floral arrangements greet you.

I believe I’ll pick up a bouquet on my next trip to the grocery store and file the purchase under treat the eye and the senses to a splash of summer style.

By the Pool Ambiance

leaf-wallpaperMeg Braff Designs ~ Coastal Living

A cool summer splash revives the mind and refreshes the body on a hot summer afternoon.  

No Pool?

No Pool House?

No Problem!  

Create a by the pool ambiance with these summer style splash decorating suggestions.

citrus

Luc Viator ~ Commons

Display a decorative arrangement of citrus on an accent table, coffee table, kitchen island or dining table.

Andrew Howard Interior Design Andrew Howard Interior Design

decorative-lemon-arrangementFlickr

lemon-in-bowl-Mark-D-Sikes

Mark D. Sikes – One Kings Lane

What the apple is to fall, citrus is to summer.

beach style kitchen design

Pastiche of Cape Code, Inc.

Discover or develop a refreshing beverage for summer sipping.

Summer citrus is ripe for admiring, slicing and garnishing a refreshing summer beverage or delicious dish.

pink Cadillac margaritasPink Cadillac Margaritas ~ Southern Living

The may I serve you serving tray is a summer entertaining essential.

Banana Leaf on pink Serving Tray by Mydream

Banana Leaf on pink Serving Tray by Mydream 

Stack towels (beach or bath) steeped in summer approved colors, textures and patterns.

Sigsbee Bamboo Print Bath Towel

Sigsbee Bamboo Print Bath Towel

I hope these summer style splash decorating suggestions offer inspiration for decorating your summer house.

love your style

Seasonal Updating With Fall Decorating Favorites

I am ready to get the seasonal updating with fall decorating favorites ball rolling.

Home pumpkin

Postings of home decor and fall decorating ideas from several hundred of my blogging and social media friends confirm fall fever is going around.

zebra-wallpaper

Let the brisk mornings-cinnamon flavored-pumpkin decorating-colors on parade-sitting on the front porch-spice tea sipping-football tailgating afternoons-sweater wearing-sock feet snuggling with the one you love-crisp evenings spent in front of a fire pit season commence.

foyer-wallpaper-sconce1

While we’re on the subject, let me ask you this.

Fall?

Autumn?

What say you?

foyer-fixture1

Now to the seasonal updating with fall decorating favorites portion of our show…

I’ve been looking “foyer” to this seasonal update for quite some time.

The wallpaper I selected for my Mother’s Day gift (Mother’s Day 2015) is finally up where it belongs.

Getting this wallpaper project to completion and fall coming to Louisiana have something in common.

It seems to take forever.

I learned a long time ago that patience is a virtue in the pretty on a penny process.

Count the looking “foyer” to fall wallpaper project and estate sale chandelier makeover as the first seasonal updates of the fall 2016 season.

ginkgo-leaves-in-bowl

We are ginkgo a gogo for fall decorating.

Inexpensive is good, but free is better.

Using natural elements in your seasonal decorating plan gifts the eye with the beauty of the season.

Simple.

Elegant.

Fall.

Cotton_boll_nearly_ready_for_harvestCotton Boll

Seasonal updating with fall decorating favorites is _________.

A.  Fun.

B.  Easy.

C.  Affordable when you use natural elements found in nature’s arts and crafts store and decorate with items that you already have, collect, love, and reflect your personal style.

D.  All of the above.

Multiple choices factor into the decorating scheme of things.

shells-on-buffet

Cotton bolls placed in and around collected sea shells is a match made in memories from my childhood heaven.

Cotton fields remain an integral part of the fall harvest scenery in our area.

cotton-in-tall-vase

A farmer friend with acres and acres of cotton fields generously supplies me with several bundles of cotton stalks for my fall decorating needs.

Another good friend supplies me with the dried hydrangeas and eucalyptus bunches perfect for fall arrangements in another fall decor essential, the dough bowl.

Good friends bearing gifts are rewarded with the house special, a fresh apple nut cake.

Fall Decorating

An accidental placement of this antique chair in the foyer and the light of a late afternoon produce an effect worth keeping.

foyer-chair-2

Maybe it’s the lighting, the off-center placement, the new wallpaper or the combination of all three, but I love how it all works together.

Ambiance plays a significant role in interior design and decorating, and light is at the control.

white-fur-throw-pillow-in-chair

I’ve noticed the change in the color of the afternoon sun.

It is white bright- full of nuance as it streams through the windowpanes and French doors to shadow dance with colors, patterns and textures.

sun-on-rug

Simple.

Elegant.

Hello, fall.

Love your style!

 

Placing the Seasonal Decorating Accent Mark on Fall

Welcome to the Places In The Home first day of fall home is where the fall is feature.  My for the fall of it all decorating is not what I would categorize as a traditional fall home tour, per se however, I do love placing the seasonal decorating accent mark on fall with set spot arrangements and seasonal accessories here, there and about.

home-bar-on-sideboard

sideboard-bar-2

greyhound-1

Fall flower arrangement inspiration came in the form of neutral colors and natural elements.

elephant-figurine

I pulled decorative things together from spaces, bookshelf displays, Hopefully Classic Antiques and Interiors inventory, tabletop favorites, ghosts of preserved floral stems past and nature’s arts and crafts store.

fall-flower-arrangement

A late summer experiment with drying hydrangeas proved successful enough to fulfill my fall and holiday decorating needs.

sideboard-arrangement

I bought this framed print at auction.  This particular antiques auction was held off the beaten path in the piney woods of North Louisiana.  The smalls at this hit the jackpot auction ranged from spectacular to premier, and the prices were equally fantastic.

picture

I chalked it up to coincidence, but it seemed the auctions held in the fall brought forth the best finds.  I was like a kid in a big old country barn candy store with a cup of hot chocolate in one hand (it gets cold in the piney woods) and a bid card in the other.

maybe

Good deals.

Good times.

Great memories.

chair-fringe

Fall weekends offer up a snapshot, a glimpse from the past of those Saturday nights spent at the auction.  The framed print reminds me of a not quite, but almost fall stroll through those piney woods.

natural-fall-display

fall-display1

candy-corn

Apples, walnuts and cinnamon.

bow-1

It’s how I roll.

rolling-pin

Hotel china demitasse cups are both a passion and a weakness of mine.

rolling-pin-apples-cinnamon

The price wasn’t exactly right for the set, but the I have to have these part of my brain convinced the a better deal is out there part of my brain that this was the last set of hotel china demitasse cups on the planet, and if I did not immediately buy them right then and there the treasure hunting gods would forever rain down it’s full price for you wrath on all future treasure hunts and finds.  Retail logic was alive and well.

cups

Layering the look with gold tones and warm textures seems naturally autumn appropriate.

dried-hydrangea

“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”   

Jim Bishop

bull

Welcome home, fall.

Love your style!