Autumn Decorating Idea–Fall Leaf Branches

September 26, 2016

Fall Decorating Idea: Fall Leaf Branches

Last week the hubby and I headed off on a road trip to visit my mom in Oklahoma. Our travels took us through three states and lots of countryside where I really started to notice the coming of fall. Trees are starting to turn, leaves are beginning to trickle to the ground and the warm, rich colors of fall are starting come alive.

One of the things that struck me on our drive was the simplicity and beauty of fall foliage. Since I don’t do a ton of decorating for fall, I’m loving the idea of a few fall leaf branches placed in a jar or vase. The leaves add color and texture, the branches create visual dimension and a natural touch like leaves makes any space feel more inviting.

Decorating for fall doesn’t get any easier than that!

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Clip and gather branches of brightly colored leaves and arrange them like flowers in a decorative vase. Clear containers let the beauty of the leaves stand out while colorful glassware creates a more modern look and feel.

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With so many varieties of leaves just outside your door, it should be easy to find a color that works with your décor.

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For a dramatic centerpiece, gather several large branches into a large vase or pot. Let the branches extend up and out to create a more organic arrangement.

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Large groupings of leaves can create a visual backdrop over a mantel just as a mirror or piece of artwork would do.

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If you like the idea of decorating with fall leaf branches, here are a few tips that will help your arrangements last:

Choose bright-colored branches that have not peaked in color
Clip branches with a sharp garden clippers
Remove 2 to 3 inches of bark from the end of the branch and then pound the end of the branch flat. This will help the branch absorb water better.
Place branches in a container with a mixture of 1/3 glycerin and 2/3 warm water. Branches should last for a couple of weeks.

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When it comes to fall décor, do you go all out or do you like simple touches?

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I’ll be back tomorrow to share some high-end designer looks you can hack on a budget.

Let’s Get Cozy–Fall Throws and Storage Baskets

September 23, 2016

I came across the image the other day and all I could think about was cooler temperatures and getting cozy under a plush throw blanket. Cooler temps are on the way and now it the time to shop for that perfect fall throw blanket.

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When I’m shopping for a cozy throw blanket, there are a few things I look for and avoid…

I avoid synthetic fibers like acrylic which won’t provide much warmth and typically has a rougher feel.
I look for natural fibers like cotton, wool or cashmere all of which are soft to the touch and will keep you warm. And now you can even find washable wools which provide warmth and allow for easy care.
I look for oversized throw blankets that will cover you from head to toe. A great size is 60″ x 80″.
I prefer blankets with a straight edge and no fringe. I’ve found that over time, fringed edges tend to pull apart or tangle. note: I would buy all of the fringed blankets I’ve shown in this post because they are well made and the fringe is individually knotted.
You can never go wrong with classic styles like herringbone or cable knit. And solid colors are naturally more versatile than patterns although I love the African Shibori throw below.

These Natural Hyacinth Braided Cameron Tote Baskets are perfect for flat weave throws because they won’t snag on the basket. And the handles make it easy to move around the house or wherever movie night is happening. Grab these now because they are on sales–$20.99-$23.99!

For chunky throws you want a basket with a smooth interior like these Kiel Rope Weave Baskets or this Mamba Basket. I love the subtle texture and pattern on both of these baskets and the robust size means you can stash lots of blankets away.

Kiel Rope Weave $59-$99

Mamba Basket $64.95

And if you like to keep your throw blankets under wraps, theses lidded Collin Mocha Wicker Storage Baskets are two of my favorite. $79.95-$99.95

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The season is almost here!

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Shop these throws:

Herringbone Throw $39 available in 4 colors // Interlochen Throw $98 available in 2 colors

Landyn Chunky Knit Throw–$69.95 available in 3 colors // Moroccan Wedding Banded Throw–$399 available in 2 colors

Handcrafted African Indigo Shibori Throw–$349 // Cashmere Cable Knit Throw–$199-$299 available in 8 colors

Inspiration Notebook: September 2016 (in pictures & words)

September 1, 2016

September is one of my favorite times of the year! FALL is near, leaves will be changing and football season is here.

As I started pulling together my Inspiration Notebook for September, I realized that the things that are inspiring me this month are best explained through pictures and words. Enjoy!

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♦ SEPTEMBER INSPIRATION ♦

I want to take a moment to say Thank You to all of you that read the blog and support this passion journey that I’m on. I’ve got fun projects planned this month and as always I strive to be your style guide for decorating, entertaining, gifting & more.

Entertaining Inspiration: Fall Tablescape

August 30, 2016

Fall Entertaining Inspiration

I love conceptualizing beautiful tablescapes and finding the unique elements that bring my vision to life.

For my fall table this year, I’m dreaming of blue and white decor with pops of orange and accents of wood. I want the table to have a rustic but elegant feel with a vintage vibe. Here’s how I see the table coming together…

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Read the Post

Favorite Posts, Pins and Products of the Week!

August 27, 2016

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FAVORITE POSTS

This is a great example of eclectic style. I love all the color in this home.

I loved checking out this bloggers top interior design pins from Pinterest. So much eye candy.

p.s. tile from ceiling to floor is a good thing!

This was such a cute video and now I’m even more excited about the book.

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FAVORITE PINS

I’m not a gin drinker but this peach and gin tonic have me rethinking that.

This beautifully styled cheese board and the how-to tutorial are great.

I love the organic look of this fall floral arrangement and the oranges are a fun touch.

This beautiful image from House Beautiful kinda makes me want to go out and buy a red sofa.

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FAVORITE PRODUCTS

This is a great time of year to shop all of the end of summer clearance sales and snag some really good buys. p.s. H and M Home has some great items worth checking out.

If you have an extra $5.00 lying around, you might want to pick up this black and white pillow cushion. #chiconashoestring

Eating a bowl of cereal every morning out of this gold stoneware bowl would make me feel like royalty. Or you could use this bowl to hold flowers or succulents.

And how about sipping tea out of this leopard print cup! There are also salad plates to match.

If you’re looking to UpStyle your organizing game, this black and gold storage box will do that in a flash. #iwant

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Enjoy your weekend friends. I’m going to be housebound all weekend getting a ton of work done and starting to pull things together for our upcoming cruise. I’m so excited with the thought that in just seven days my view will look a little like this.

What I’m Loving About The Fall 2016 Color Trends (and some product picks)

August 24, 2016

Even though temps are still in the 90’s and the air is sticky, I can feel the coming of fall. There is something in the air and I can definitely feel my mood changing. I’m looking forward to the season officially arriving.

In anticipation of the first day of fall I did a little web search to check out Pantone’s fall color picks. I’m excited about the colors that were selected because ~~all~~ most of them are great colors when it comes to decor. Of the 10 colors that made the list, there are a few that I’m particularly drawn to. Today I’m sharing what I’m loving most about the fall 2016 color trends plus I’ve rounded up some product picks to get you started on your fall decor.

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AURORA RED

Red is my favorite color and even though Aurora Red is a bit more russet in tone, I’m still a big fan. It’s a color that will mixes easily with neutrals and grey and it works both as a statement color and as an accent. A mirror or accent pillows is an easy way to add this color into your mix for fall.

Aurora Red Product Picks:

The Suzani Appliqué Pillow Cover would make a great accent pillow for a sofa, chair or bed. And with the popularity of blue and white, I could see this being a great fall update in a blue and white bedroom.

The Malone Campaign Desk is a great piece for a small foyer, hallway or guest bedroom. The brass accents really jazz it up and I love the clean lines and simple details.

LUSH MEADOW

Yes I love emerald green and yes I’m excited it made the cut for fall. The Pantone version, Lush Meadow is a bit softer than a traditional emerald but it still has the life and energy that has made this shade of green so popular.

Lush Meadow Product Picks:

Garden stools continue to be a popular decor piece and this Safavieh Chinese Dragon Stool is a stylish way to add chinoiserie and emerald green into your decor for fall. #ineed

Here’s a green table lamp I know you’re going to love. The green glass (a hot style trend for fall) and the faux wood grain lampshade make this Jade Table Lamp a stunner. And you won’t believe the $139 price. #iwant

SPICY MUSTARD

If you’ve followed color trends for the last two years, you’ve seen the surge in the popularity of the color yellow. Spicy Mustard is the color Pantone has identified as a trend for fall and I love the rich and luxurious look that this color adds to decor. And If given the opportunity, I’d would definitely own a yellow sofa.

Spicy Mustard Product Picks:

I recently spotted this Bradberry Downs collection rug and think it would be an awesome rug to spice up a living room or dining room. And I love that it can work with black or wood stained furniture and both silver and gold finishes.

If you haven’t jumped on the x-bench trend, the Safavieh Palmer X Bench is a great way to do that. I love the pattern and nailhead trim and would nestle a pair under a console table or at the foot of a bed.

This Large Glass Vase caught my attention on the H and M Home site not only because of the beautiful mustard color, but also because of the $12.99 price point. #greatbuy

SHARKSKIN

Grey continues to be a hot, hot trend in decor and the focus for fall is a rich, classic shade of grey with an enticing name…Sharkskin. p.s. you’ll continue to see the popularity of grey for kitchen cabinets too!

Sharkskin Product Picks:

Grey is one of my favorite colors to decorate with in a bedroom. It’s a soothing and relaxing color with a sophisticated edge. The Asher Organic Duvet is a favorite for fall especially mixed with black and crisp white.

This classic chevron patterned throw is the perfect accessory to drape over a chair or sofa. And it would make a great gift too.

RIVERSIDE

Unlike Serenity which is a Pantone 2016 colors of the year, I am a fan of the blue they picked for fall called Riverside. I love the steely grey undertones of this color and how well it mixes with the richer colors you always see during fall.

Riverside Product Picks:

I can already envision this Unlimited Beads Blue Dinnerware set as part of a fall table setting mixed with orange and white pumpkins and lush greens. #yesplease

I’d love to get new lamps for our bedroom, and this Blue Ceramic Table Lamp would definitely be on my list of options. The matte blue base and the lattice design lampshade really make it stand out.

So friends, even though we’ve got a few more weeks to enjoy summer, I’ve got fall on my mind and ideas in my head.

How about you? Are you dreaming of fall and which of Pantone’s fall colors are your favorite. Do tell!

FIVE Easy & Stylish Ways To Add Fall Decor To Your Home

September 28, 2015

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I’ve run across quite a few people who don’t want to decorate for fall because they feel with the Christmas season fast approaching it’s too much work to decorate for a just a month or so. Decorating for fall doesn’t have to be time-consuming, costly or involve lots of work and the ideas I’m sharing with you today are proof of that.

Just a few fall elements can give your home that warm, fuzzy feel that comes with fall.

PUMPKIN ADDRESS TOPIARY

Decorating outdoors can sometimes be easier than indoors, especially if you want to use real pumpkins to decorate with. I love the idea of creating an address maker with your fall decor. All it takes is vinyl number and a real or faux pumpkin. If you’re using a real pumpkin, seal the numbers to the pumpkin with a coat of mod podge. If a faux pumpkin is your choice, mod podge or a coat of spray varnish with make your pumpkin stand up against the weather.

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For a three-dimensional look, screw metal address number directly to the outside of the pumpkin

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PUMPKIN FLOWER VASE

Here’s another easy decor item that can be done with a real or faux pumpkin. Simply create an opening in your pumpkin big enough to fit a glass vase. File the vase with grocery store flowers and stems from the yard and you’ve got a beautiful centerpiece that can sit on the dining room table, foyer table or coffee table.

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I love the look of succulents in pumpkins too!

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ADD PLAID

A simple change in the patterns that accent your decor can give your home the feeling of fall. Plaids instantly create a cozy feeling and visual interest. And with some many beautiful versions of plaids to choose from, you can easily find colors that fit perfectly with your decor.

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FALL FILLERS

Like me, I know many of you own glass vases, cloches and jars and decorating with them for fall is as easy as filling them with seasonal items like pinecones, pumpkins, acorns or leaves.

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FRAME FALL ART

Take a look around your home and pick a few spots where you can change out your everyday art for fall inspired pieces. And if won’t cost you a thing if you download a few piece of free art. Check out two great sources for free download art below.

the tomkatstudio

eleganceandenchantment

Happy decorating!

Country Living Fair 2014–What I Saw, What Inspired & What I Bought!

October 27, 2014

Last Friday I took some time away from my desk and headed to the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain Park with my gal pal Tina. This is the 4th year that I’ve attended the fair and as usual, the fair was packed with people, fall inspiration and lots of vintage and vintage inspired items. Here’s a look at what I saw, what inspired me and what I bought.

The weather was absolutely perfect on friday which made strolling around the fair even more enjoyable.

The signature tower of pumpkins and gourds is always my first stop once I pass through the entrance gates. I don’t know where they find all of these pumpkins but it never fails to amaze me.

One of the reasons I go to the CL Fair is for the ideas. There are usually a handful of displays that catch my attention and this cute silverware caddy was one. The container is a vintage metal drawer from some type of storage cabinet and I just love the idea of using it to hold a napkin and silverware. I will never look at small vintage drawers the same again.

I was also inspired by this cute petite pumpkin nest. Tiny pumpkins get me every time.

There were beautiful fall floral displays all throughout the CL Fair space and these caught my attention.

One of my favorite booths to check out each year is the French Laundry Home. They have some of the most beautiful linens and their collection of Christmas pillows got me inspired to DIY a couple of holiday pillows this year.

Here’s a fun item I spotted made from reclaimed wood. Pretty cool, right?

This hydrangea and pinecone arrangement was really simple but yet so pretty. And the best part, the hydrangeas were made from burlap.

I’ve been collecting vintage shoe last recently and here was a big pile of them for on $10 each. I was tempted but didn’t buy.

Most of the vendors at the fair take the time to decorate their booths and this is one of the booth displays that caught my attention. The display was over the entrance to the book and I think it was the mix of different greenery and white pumpkins that made it so fun. This look could easily be adopted for a mantle display.

This JOY sign inspired a project idea that I’ve added to my to-do list.

Here’s another fun fall DIY project. Real acorn tops and decorative fabric bottoms. The fabric was filled with rice to give it shape and form and then hot glued into the acorn top.

There were tons of vintage and DIY typography letters at the fair but these, made from reclaimed wood, were by far my favorite.

Every year at the fair Country Living creates new displays throughout the area. This year as you walked around the fair there were huge canvas images of old magazine covers displayed between the trees.

I stopped Cari Cucksey’s RePurpose booth to check out her new paint line. Her paint line is called Chroma•Color and is a water based Paint & Primer in one. The paint line includes some really beautiful colors and based on the furniture pieces I saw in her booth the paint has a beautiful finish when applied.

So now on to the good stuff….what I bought.

I didn’t buy much this year and the only things that came home with me were a set of small ironstone plates, a woven basket (I’ll be creating a holiday arrangement in this for my front door), some vintage jewelry pieces and found objects (for jewelry) and a few small metal letters I’m planning to use in a holiday project.

I had a great time at the fair this year and as always there are a few things I passed up but now wish I had bought. Oh well, there’s always next year!