October Fun in the Cookbook Cupboard

Can you even believe it's the end of October, friends?...

 It's finally feeling like Fall around here.

I'm fortunate to have several fun spots to decorate seasonally throughout this house. The hearth room, which is right next to the kitchen in this open concept area, gives me enough space to have a dedicated spot to display my cookbooks and some fun vintage kitchen related decor. 

Late October Mantel with the Snow Owls

It's mid-October and my mantel tends to change up a bit when the weather starts getting cooler. I have a few vintage critters that come out to play in late fall and this year I decided I wanted to give my vintage concrete owl a little refresh before he swooped in and took up residence on the mantel.

Dough Bowl Pumpkin Centerpiece On the Antique Sideboard Buffet

Hi Friends, this post is a bit overdue as I had wanted to get this out at the beginning of "Pumpkin Season", but I had to be out of town for a bit. I think most of us try to refresh our faux pumpkins every few years to keep them updated and looking crisp and new. I had a few in my fall squash stash that really needed a mini makeover.

Cozy Up to Fall in the Hearth Room

Welcome to my mish mash of early fall pics here in the Hearth Room. I shared my Mantel with Transferware and Ironstone earlier this week, so today I'm sharing the rest of the room. Things change pretty quick in September so I need to stay current week by week!

September Mantel with Ironstone and Transferware

Does decorating for Fall sound better once it becomes September? I think there is a subtle shift in my brain's ability to bring out some pumpkins and leaves once we're officially past Labor Day. I've had my Fall tubs out for several weeks, but I just couldn't get excited until this last week. Plus the weather has cooled down a bit and the light seems to be making those longer shadows that don't happen till Autumn is on our doorstep.

Late Summer in the Cookbook Cupboard

It seems like August brings all the chickens out to gather in the kitchen and Garden Room. I think of them "down on the farm" hunting and pecking in the barnyard; waiting around for a sprinkle of feed then heading to cooler shady spots for a siesta. So here we are on the Cookbook Cupboard now in late Summer with a few of my vintage flock...

July 4th Patriotic Hearth Room

Hello Friends, welcome to the Patriotic Celebrations Hop today, where we're gathering to share some fun vintage ideas and inspiration for July 4th and summer. Our good friend Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home is hosting this Hop, so be sure and run by to visit. And if you're coming from Laura's blog, Decor to Adore and her vintage inspired flag made of scraps, then I'm so glad you're here and following along with the Hop! 

Mini Patriotic Makeovers on the Mantel

Hey there friends. I know we all like a good project and DIY, but today I'm going to share with you what happens when things don't turn out quite like we might plan. I'm going to share a behind the scenes pair of mini makeovers that I decided on for the patriotic mantel here in the hearth room. Many of us don't like to share those blah frustrating moments when you have a plan that gets off track. (me included). Personally, I think sharing setbacks and makeovers #1,#2, and #3 help all of us and save some time. Even if we have to cringe a bit and admit it was my best shot. 

Spring Themed Prints in the Hearth Room

I gave my hearth room a mini refresh for spring this last week with a couple of spring themed prints, and moved a few pieces around on the mantel. I usually keep one of my lamb canvas prints on the mantel but thought I'd try out this framed bird poster as something a bit different.

Spring Vignette on the Cupboard Top

Once a holiday is over and all the obvious "holiday decor" has been packed away, it always seems bare and bland. I gathered up the bunnies and Easter related pieces and they are now safely tucked away till next year. A "Spring" refresh is always easier for me than other seasons, because vintage garden goodies can easily fill whatever holes might have been created when the Easter eggs and bunnies said "bye-bye".

Vintage Cottage Weekend: Spring Shopping at The Vintage Peddler

Hi Friends, glad you stopped by Vintage Cottage Weekend where Amber (Follow the Yellow Brick Home) and I are sharing some fun posts and inspiration with all things "Vintage Cottage Style". Back in January I mentioned that I was on the lookout for a small table or cabinet to use in the Hearth Room. It's naturally dark in that space since it's in the middle of the house with no direct windows, and because of that it can be a bit dim and dreary cozy. The little table I was using was not very stable and really too small, but I was desperate for a table lamp to brighten up that corner.

Keeping it Cozy in My Winter Hearth Room

This is the perfect time of year to look for the "Cozy" elements for our homes and personal life. Whether we're crazy about winter or not, we all want to make our homes warm and comfortable for our family. It's been cold and windy here this month so I'm sharing a few ways I keep it a place where we can snuggle up and enjoy our surroundings. 

A Mantle in Transition and A Rustic Centerpiece

Are you ready for Thanksgiving, friends?

We're on our own, the two of us, so I've been using this last week to do the transition from Fall / Thanksgiving to Christmas decor. I won't say it's been a quick process, but I did have one area that was relatively easy because I had a few of the elements already in place... The mantel in the Hearth Room.

It's A Plaid Christmas in the Cookbook Cupboard

Hi Friends, I've been getting started decorating for Christmas this last week, so my house has been a total mixup. You too?  Boxes and tubs filled with fun, once a year items to unwrap and enjoy. I like to change things up a bit each year, but some things are just "traditional". I use red Tartan plaid only once a year, so at Christmas I welcome all my collection and let it saturate my house.

Late Fall Mantel with Woodland Friends

I did a little tweaking in the Hearth Room for late Fall by bringing out my two Fall Friends to hang out on the mantel. My chippy concrete owl and the old squirrel bank took their spot of honor. Our weather has finally changed to the cooler temps that should come with the last week of October, so some darker and heavier textiles will be feeling at home in here.

Fall Leaf Wreath on the Mantel

We finally made it to Fall and I'm so excited! I've been looking forward to this season for a while now. I love each season, but decorating for Fall is just my favorite time of year!

Orange Buffalo Check Pillows and a Ticking Quilt for Fall

Sometimes all it takes to start the transition to another season can be as quick and easy as changing up a few well placed pillows, and pillows are usually the first thing I change up for the season. Late last month I posted 10 Tips to Transition to Fall where I share how I have an easy plan to move into the upcoming season. I know I just shared the Hearth Room in August, but these new pillows and quilt brought a different look and feel to the space.

Sunflowers in the Late Summer Hearth Room

August is all about Sunflowers around here...

 Late Summer into Fall is their time to show their happy faces,

mingle with some hydrangeas, and wait for some fall leaves to show up.

Sunflower Botanical on the Mantel

When August rolls around I'm starting to think about Fall decor, and sunflowers always signal that it's about time to make that transition. The flowers are changing color and growth, a few dry leaves are starting to fall off the trees, and the light is showing that soon the days will start to get shorter.

Summertime Snippets from the Cookbook Cupboard

Hello my friends, now that we're past the July 4th holiday I think we can safely say we're in to mid-summer. That's when I bring out a few tried and true vintage pieces that I just associate with "summer". One of my fun spots to decorate with seasonal vintage pieces is on top of the "Cookbook Cupboard" that's here in the hearth room. It's easy to reach and even though my large scroll-y blackboard and monogram is a fixture here, it gives a fun background to show off some larger vintage elements.

I've had this little twiggy summertime wreath for quite a few years, and usually end up tweaking it each year. It's loaded with summertime florals in bright color. Lillies, roses, raniculus, and zinnias all work together with some faux Creeping Charlie to make it a summertime favorite. It's a little fragile, so it's not something I want to use outdoors. Plus, the birds love to break off the twigs and fly off with nest fodder.