Autumn Decorating Inspiration

One of my favorite clients just asked for some fall decorating ideas. Ask and Ye Shall Receive!
I've been thinking about fall decorating since early June. I know, that's nuts, but it's my favorite season to decorate and I look forward to it all summer. I looked forward to it so much this year that I planned the whole thing out, spent too long thinking about it, and already got sick of that design scheme. So it's off to new territory. This year for Autumn I'm craving muted colors- picture the color of a pumpkin spice latte from starbucks. Rich creams, soft oranges, hues of tan, camel, and buff, and little hints of green. Maybe some accents of black peppered in just to give the space edges and definition.
I think rustic wood elements and bits pulled from nature always give a home a warm welcoming feel in the Autumn months. Find little treasures when out hiking and display them as natural works of art!
Here are some pictures that I've found quite perfect for my Autumn decor inspiration.
What little changes will you be making in your home for Fall?

This picture captures the look perfectly. The wood trencher, picture frame, and chandelier are so rustic. The chairs and sideboard are shabby chic, and the painting is so cheeky and charming. The entire effect is elegant yet relaxed, so wonderful.

Proof that you can keep your pastels right on through Autumn. The softest shade of mint green plays so nicely with the saturated hues of the maple leaves

There's something very back to school-chic about a chalkboard hung on the wall. Also, you can change the artwork as frequently as you like!

A table set for a most elegant Autumn gathering. In my childhood I don't remember pumpkins coming in the kaleidoscope of colors you can find today. It's really great for decorating.

When I first glanced at this picture I thought those were little bats. They're actually butterflies, both unexpected and whimsical. 

Simple rustic elements feel fresh and pretty for fall. You can hit up tag sales and flea markets to find neat vintage accessories for very little $

My favorite part of this charming vignette is the branch casually laid across the top of the hutch. Everything else seems planned out and intentional, but the branch softens that effect.

This is actually my desktop background right now. How gorgeous is this picture. I feel like I can smell the Autumn leaves and apple cider from here!

A nice porch display from found objects and natural elements creates a large scale and artistic still life here.

This mantel is goooooorgeous and I'll be using it as my inspiration point for my mantel this Fall. Also, I love that chalky blue/gray color. So pretty.

A minimalist kitchen gets a little seasonal warmth from a line of pretty white pumpkins here. 

New Updates and Acquisitions

       The weather's been spectacular the last couple days, and on Sunday it was just perfect for the flea market. There was a huge turnout of vendors and lots of wonderful things to see and admire. I picked up a couple cool pieces of art for my fall decor, and a really terrific antique solid maple dining table. I have the perfect set of four chairs to go with the table. I also scored four, that's right FOUR vintage leather coach bags. They're all in beautiful condition and oh so cool. I'm keeping the two brown ones for myself and giving the red and green ones to my little sisters.
      I finally decided to paint the antique bench that lives on my front porch. It was red originally, a nice early red, so painting it black was probably pretty terrible, but I hate the color red, and just couldn't resist.

fabulous little oil painting still life. Just perfect for this time of year!

I love love it sitting on my antique hutch.

Beautiful antique oil painting of a pastural scene. I'll be hanging this in my upstairs hall.

There's a little paint loss, but it's still so wonderful.

Antique sign from the 1920s or 30s. I did a bit of research and found Frank on the 1940, 1930, 1920, and 1900 census. He lived his whole life in Willimantic, CT.
He was born in 1880 and died in 1963. You can find 33 Church St, Willimantic CT on google street view. It's an old Brick three story building. It probably looks about the same today as it did the day Frank made this sign.
Antiques are so amazing. 

I've given it a place of honor in my kitchen.

Four coach bags!

The two that I'm keeping for myself. So classic, perfect for autumn. 

Lovely antique solid maple table. 

Can't wait to re-finish this top. I love working on maple.

Look at that spectacular base!

Here's my bench freshly painted. I like it a million times better now!

Too Pretty to Paint- Sideboard

This is the matching sideboard to the cherry dining set I just posted about. The sideboard weighs roughly the same as an elephant, 100% solid cherry. I sanded and re-finished the top, but otherwise it was already in perfect condition. I love how the top drawers are lined with green. So elegant. The sideboard comes with a matching top, turning it into a very impressive china cabinet. I didn't photograph it with the top on because honestly it was just to heavy to lift just to snap some pictures.

Too Pretty to Paint- Dining Set

Every now and then I'll get a random email from a stranger bemoaning the fact that I painted a piece of wooden furniture. I usually just shrug them off. Everyone is welcome to their own opinions. I love painted furniture, but I understand that it's not for everyone. As soon as I laid eyes on this stunning cherry dining set, however, I knew it would be damn near criminal to paint it. The wood is absolutely outstanding, and aside from some superficial scratches and dings, the set needed very little work. I recovered the chairs in a nice cream upholstery cloth, polished the chairs, and sanded, re-stained, and sealed the table tops, just to make everything perfect. I didn't take before pictures, but I think from the after pictures you'll agree that I was right to leave the set unpainted.
The set includes the dining table, six chairs, two leaves, sideboard, and hutch top, but I'll do a separate post for the sideboard