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Friday, August 30, 2013

Is It Too Early for Fall Decorating? Autumn House Tour





by Heather

Growing up in Minnesota, Labor Day weekend marked the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of fall with the start of school, football games, leaves changing color, and the scent of bonfires. Usually the weather cooperated with cool, crisp days and nights. Nowadays, living in Arizona, I know that we have at least six more weeks of warm temperatures ahead of us. If I waited until it felt like autumn outside to do some fall decorating, I'd be getting out the golds, oranges, and browns at the beginning of the Christmas season. I know that I'm rushing things just a bit, but I figure that if I want to give autumn decor its due, I better start now so I can enjoy it for the next three months. Here are a few pictures of the living room and small front dining room of our home. Next Monday I'll continue with the Fall House Tour.
The baker's rack sits in the living room and is usually my starting point for seasonal changes in decor. I love lit vine pumpkins and anything mercury glass along with dried and faux fall leaves. It's still a little early to find the real thing so I'll have to make do with the "faux" for a while.
A soft warm  orange throw gets placed beneath the seat cushion to add a pop of color (remember, this is Arizona so we don't have a lot of use for throws until mid-winter).
I like to add seasonal potpourri to give an autumn scent to the house. It has to be subtle, though.   I don't like anything that is overwhelming or too sweet.
A chevron patterned throw from Z Gallerie  gets added to the sofa along with an orange and cream pillow from Target. I bought a lot of these pillows to use outside but some of them have found their way indoors.
There's a battery-operated candle inside the mercury glass bowl tucked into an autumn wreath. Mmmm...need to put the antique pewter spoons and silver salt cellars back under the glass topped table  I had shells and netting in here over the summer so I'm still getting things switched over.
The mirror-topped table is laden with gold mercury glass  gourds and candlesticks.
The small dining room in the front of the house gets outfitted for the season with silver mercury glass pumpkins and candlesticks along with a few faux pumpkins.
I like to bring out my pewter pieces for the fall season. I found the pewter tea service at a secondhand shop in Scottsdale. Battery-operated gold mercury glass bulbs are wrapped around the tea set and the large white pitcher filled with stems of fall leaves and berries.
And here is Liberty Bell, waiting patiently for her evening walk.
Hope we didn't confuse anybody by me switching with Ann for the Friday post. If you're looking for a great recipe, check out Ann's post from Monday where she's sharing a fabulous meal idea. Also, stop by the Wednesday post to read Sheila's take on lighting for the home. She always has creative ideas for renovating interiors and lighting is just one of the techniques she uses to update homes.

Check back in with me on Monday when I resume the fall house tour. Until then, have a safe, relaxing, and fun Labor Day weekend!

Love,
Heather

18 comments:

  1. Heather: Your decorating is absolutely gorgeous. I truly cannot say enough. Fall is my favorite season so I already have my decor out, too (Louisville, KY). But all of your decorating - the Christmas/winter, the spring/summer - just divine. You have such a talent for arranging beautiful pieces. You could easily have a shop! Love it! Belynda

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  2. Belynda, you are just too kind (but your words did bring a smile to my face so thank you). My nephew and niece-in-law recently moved here from Louisville so I know your lovely town. My other nephew lives in Lexington (and, just so they don't feel left out, I have additional nephews in Mpls and Iowa). It's so beautiful in Kentucky! Glad to hear that I'm not the only one already decorating for fall.
    Heather

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  3. Wow! Wow! I'm sure you inspired all of us. Fall in Michigan should come in on schedule, so I plan to let the inspiration flow to decorate in a week or so. You have given me great new ideas. Thank you!

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  4. Thank you, Lorna. I'm going to be very envious of your fall weather!
    Heather

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  5. I'm thrilled to see Fall decor going up around Blogland! I'm also a Zonie and would decorate just after the 4th of July if I didn't think my hubby would send me to the "Funny Farm!" I've started.....meaning I've done a bit here and a bit there, but nothing is finished to be able to share just yet. Hopefully next week. This is my favorite season, even though we don't get Fall here. Having my Fall decor surrounding me, and my air turned way down, keeps me happier during these last weeks of HOT weather! Your decorations are just beautiful -- love all the mercury glass!

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  6. Hi Carol -- I think it's just in our blood to want to decorate for cooler weather when it's so hot outside. I'm like you, wanting to get started in July but I hold off until the end of August. Or at least I did this year :) Maybe we can start decorating for Christmas next week?
    Heather

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  7. Living in a warm climate, I agree. You have to go by the calendar, not the weather to decorate for the seasons. Everything looks lovely though .. can hardly wait to see what you do for Xmas.

    Monica, www.pear-shaped-gal.com

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    1. Thanks, Monica. Christmas is my favorite season for home decor but I'm going to change things up this year. I finally got rid of my 10' tall Christmas tree and I'm going to do smaller ones instead. I've also cleaned out a lot of other Christmas "stuff" -- my goal is to simplify...we'll see how this goes :)
      Heather

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  8. this just makes me so happy seeing all these pumpkins! love the mercury glass ones and the lantern/books vignette. I wish it felt like fall around here, but it's just waaaay toooo humid!

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    1. It's waaaay too humid here today, too. We always brag about the "dry heat" in AZ, but the last couple of days have been rainy and wet -- feels almost like a tropical rain forest! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I certainly appreciate that.
      Heather

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  9. Beautiful color themes you have worked for your autumn décor, it has always been my favourite season it feels like nesting to me

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  10. Thank you, Mandy. I looked up your blog "Pearl Maple" and it's wonderful! Thanks for stopping by.
    Heather

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  11. This is so beautiful. I love all of your Fall decor. Thanks for linking up to Tickled Pink Times Two! I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeves :)
    Make it a great day gals!

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    1. Thank you, Meegan. Check in at Monday's (9/2) post to see Part II of the Autumn Home Tour.
      Heather

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  12. It looks really nice! Your inspiring me. Thanks for joining HSH!
    Sherry

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  13. Just so beautiful!!! You have a real knack for putting together vignettes and you have given me a lot of inspiration with your creative spirit! Love it all! Blessings! Ana

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