Can anyone believe Halloween...aka the end of October...is just one week away?
Work has been busy, busy, but I luckily have a bit of breathing time before the last push of the calendar year.
I have a long list of new, fresh blog ideas I've been adding to regularly and am going to try really hard to knock them out, amidst the craze of year-end fundraising and the holidays.
First up, today I bring you a fall home tour. I'm excited to partner with Serena & Lily on this post.
The last few years when it comes to all holiday decor I have majorly simplified.
I used to pull out Halloween decorations, but made the switch to just pumpkins a few years ago and haven't looked back! I usually get a big pumpkin haul in late September and it lasts through Thanksgiving. Chic and simple!
I also pretty much only decorate the front of our home, living, and dining room these days. Our little cape cod is chock full of enough things, so I don't feel the need to add additional clutter to the other rooms.
We'll start first with fall curb appeal!
I can't get enough of our new-ish blue front door! It is Sherwin Williams Jetstream in high gloss. The corn stalks have become a tradition, but the hurricanes this fall have put a beating on them (it just makes them more rustic, right?).
The candy corn sign is the only Halloween decoration I still put out. It's just so cute and was a Home Goods find years ago (similar)! I also always have fun putting together a pumpkin topiary.
Inside the mantle takes center stage. You may remember from this post that I restyled it a couple years ago to incorporate the collection of pewter cups. It's evolved over time, but what I still love about it is that I'm able to change it with the seasons. Hydrangeas in summer, pumpkins in the fall, ornaments at Christmastime, etc.
Serena & Lily was kind enough to send me this Ojai Mirror and it was just the finishing touch the mantle needed! I love that it's neutral, but also bold, and seems to make everything else on the mantle pop. It can be hung horizontally as shown here, or vertically, and is truly versatile.
(Side note: Does anyone else struggle as much as me to get good photos straight on like this? No matter how hard I try, mine always wind up looking crooked as shown here...)
The Staffordshire dogs (similar) were an anniversary present from Bryce and they make me happy every time I see them. We jokingly named them Charlotte and George after the princess and prince.
This picture gives you a close up of the detail on the mirror. I love its contemporary bamboo look. I also love, love, love these striped bright orange and yellow pumpkins and thought they were much prettier displayed upright as shown. Finally, these trumpet vases were another mantle addition since my original post and bring the symmetry I crave. They're currently on sale and a great price point for an authentic look.
These velvet pumpkins were a Marshall's find a couple years ago and solved my dead orchid dilemma. While they're not as luxurious as the real deal made with true pumpkin stems, I'll take the plastic stems for the savings! Since I posted these years ago, I know many of you have also had luck finding them at Marshall's/Home Goods/T.J. Maxx, so if you want the look for less, keep your eyes peeled! I also love this affordable option, where you choose your own Set of 3!
To me, decorating for fall is also about creating a cozy feel. This Linnea's Lights Reserve candle in "Earl Gray" has been adding just the right amount of cozy! It has a subtle, clean scent that I love. The pom pom throw has been a comfy cozy favorite for years now, as well. It's no longer available, but I've found similar ones here and here.
And now for the pièce de reistance: the dining room! Serena & Lily was also sweet enough to gift me these napkins. I mean, hello! Pom poms AND gingham! A match made in heaven! They inspired me to put together fun new fall tablescape on Saturday. In fact, the table is still set, because it's too pretty to clear! Who wants to come have dinner?
Those who follow along on Instagram, know that we gave the dining room a face lift this summer. I thought the new lighter and brighter look called for all white pumpkins and gourds, so it was fun using the napkins and other elements to bring some color onto the table.
Staffordshire dogs make an appearance here, too! These little guys are so fun and were a steal from my all-time favorite home design shop, Dwelling. I've used them in quite a few tablescapes and think they added to the neutral vibe I was aiming for. The candlesticks are an Ikea steal and I zhushed them up with these napkin rings that were a bridal shower gift.
I mixed and matched everyday and fine dinnerware here, as well. Originally, I set the table with my Tobbacco Leaf dinner plates, but instead of complementing the gingham, the patterns competed. A quick swap with my everyday Emma dinner plates did the trick! The white added a clean feel and the border complemented the pom poms on the napkins perfectly. I also found that the Tobbaco Leaf bread plates added just the right pop of color and pattern play, while still keeping with the neutral theme. The chargers are from Target (similar here), and I actually bought them in college for this dinner with girlfriends in 2010(!) that made an appearance in the very early stages of the blog. I only wish I'd had the foresight then to buy a set of 12 instead of 4. The napkins rings were a gift from our wedding registry, and I selected them because the gold pairs well with the gold edge on the Tobacco Leaf.
The table runner was a Home Goods find (similar here), and the bowl (similar) is one Bryce actually uses to make bread, though I borrow it every year for pumpkins. Finally, can we talk about the rose tinted wine glasses!? I am obsessed and bought 4 at Crate & Barrel on clearance years ago. Well, one broke while I was washing it, so I'm down to 3. Talk again about wishing I'd had the foresight to buy 12. Since I'm down to 3, I often will set the table with two pink and two clear, his and hers, if you will! I did track down two that are nearly identical here (with gold trim!) and here (love the shape!).
And last, but not least the bar area got a little attention with the addition of a single white pumpkin!
As part of our dining room refresh, we had this table painted high gloss in the same color as the front door, Sherwin Williams Jetstream. The tray is Home Goods (similar) and bamboo wine rack is from a favorite local boutique Van der Wolks (similar and like this one, too). The ALLIEgator bottle opener was a stocking stuffer from my parents, and I ordered the monogrammed napkins for Bryce's 30th through Gracious Bridal.
Garden stool is from an amazing Norfolk shop with great authentic blue & white deals called Three Swallows. Millie is not for sale.
Big thanks again to Serena & Lily for partnering on this post. If you're in the market for bedding, be sure to check out their sale!
Shew, now I'm exhausted! I forgot how much work this blogging thing was...
How do you decorate your home for the seasons?
Have a great day!
