Early Fall Decorating

Yes, I know it is early (especially in SoCal where we have high temps usually through October!), but not long ago I found these two guys:

My older son and I were walking by a store I had never seen the insides of....these were in the window and I had that "wow, those are really unique and if I don't buy them now I will regret it" feeling.  Anyone know what I mean?  They are definitely my style-a little glam but not overkill.  :D  So my son patiently waited (why do men hate shopping?) while I scooped them up!

Yesterday, I used them to decorate the fireplace mantle for fall.  I LIKE how they look!  I purchased some fabulous metallic fall ribbon which I used to adorn a very tired wreath.

The fireplace above is in my family room.  I have struggled to know quite what to do with this fireplace...on the one hand, I could completely redo it and make it more modern or even to paint the brick....yet on the other, I have difficulty covering up classic red brick.  Because I have struggled with the fireplace, I have done nothing to it except to have a very talented carpenter improve the mantle.  The wood and detail on the mantle is actually very beautiful and looks great with our entertainment armoire next to it.

Just a sidebar there.....where was I?  :)

Yes, here are some more photos of my fall mantle:

For the wreath, I simply used fishing line to hang it from the mirror, which is just resting against the brick.  I could not get it perfectly centered, but I am actually good with that.  It's more interesting this way.  :D

The art on the right is actually a drawing that was done by my younger son several years ago. I thought it tied things in nicely. I am always just looking around the house for items that will work-it's amazing if you think a bit outside the box what is available right in your own home to use in decorating, and this practice is much more frugal and less wasteful than the alternative. :D

Simple gourds and an orange kalanchoe...

Below are a few shots of a plant I adorned on the dining room table.  I used the same ribbon as for the wreath and some of my old Thanksgiving decor.  Easy and it looks like something from Rogers Gardens without the hefty price tag. 

The full view:

HAPPY FALL ALL!

Steph.

linking:

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Tray Love

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. -William Morris

Similar to my topiary issues I have tray love.  :)  Once I began corralling various treasures in trays, I quickly became enamored with the neat and organized look thus produced.  I use them for many purposes and thought I would share a peek at some of my collection.

Above, books sit atop a tray on an upholstered bench in the living room.

Silver trays polished up and ready for use.

A pretty white ceramic tray in the kitchen, often used for displaying various treats as well...

An olive green lacquered tray used in the family room on the old coffee table for books and magazines...

The coffee bar tray (my favorite area of the kitchen!)...

And below is a new tray purchased in Carmel, CA on a recent trip.  It was made in Thailand of reclaimed wood and I really love it...

Next up is one I just ordered from One Kings Lane (here is a tiny preview!):

So I have topiary issues and tray love.  Next may very well be urn love/issues.  :D

linking (please check out these great blogs!):

http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/

9-11-11

REMEMBERING.

Obsession du Jour

Hmmm.....I wonder if anyone can figure it out????

Lately I am reading a whole lot of this....

And wanting a whole lot of this...

And loving lavender like nobody's business...

(photo from our recent visit to Ojai) 

Sadly, I have never been to France.  I would love to visit one day.  I've got this amazing idea of playing tourist there, followed by a relaxing visit to Italy, in which my husband and I bicycle our way through the country to avoid gaining weight from all of the pizza and pasta and wine we will likely inhale!  :D

But, alas, for now books will have to do.  Below is my short stack of living vicariously in my own backyard...

There are also many fabulous blogs if you are a confirmed (or not) Francophile:

http://atelierdecampagneantiques.blogspot.com/

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

http://frenchessence.blogspot.com/

(just to name a very few....)

My goal was to write a blog post each Monday and today I am barely making it in before I turn into a pumpkin!  (I'm also falling far short of my lofty laundry goal!).  And that reminds me that I will do a post soon on fall decorations-I picked up some beautiful metalic pumpkins this weekend.

Happy week to everyone!

Steph.

linking:

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/