Layering Decor in the Hearth Room

We are getting furniture in place and unpacking "decor" throughout the new place, so I've been trying out ideas and moving pieces around. One of the house projects that made a big difference in looks and functionality in the Hearth Room was a beef-up of the concrete mantel. Not sure why it would have been made of concrete, but the big problem was that it was a very narrow ledge and wasn't proportionate to the size of the fireplace. You can read about that project here. The update is a huge improvement.

Antique Sideboard Buffet Makes a Comeback

Hi Friends! Well, we're in the stage right now where we have most of the furniture at the new house, but also a lot of boxes starting to mount up. It's exciting being this close, especially when we see rooms coming together with our favorite pieces.

Here it is with a fresh new look.

Styling My Buffet for Fall

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I've been trying to spread out my Fall decorating over the last few weeks. It's given me a chance to try out a few different ideas, and also taken the pressure off to get it all done in a couple of days. I used to make myself and my husband crazy by going into a marathon decor frenzy. Now I'm taking my time and looking for inspiration from Pinterest and Fall Magazines from my many year stash.

Christmas Cloches au Natural

Hi Friends...

I thought I'd do a quick post 

and share my two Christmas Cloches

from the Dining Room.

Late Summer Look-back

I've been hunting for some inspiration for this transition time into Fall.

 The fading flowers are showing the wear and tear of the sun,

 the temps are still hot, the yards have started turning brown around the edges, 

and this time of year, I often find myself in a little decorating funk. 

Just a little seasonal tweaking

Monogram

Last year I bought these wonderful wooden monogrammed letters for my sis and the girls for Christmas. They turned out so pretty; all scrolly and interesting. They loved them, but I didn't order one for myself because our initials are sort of boring... D-O-D (could be worse, it could be DUD). But after seeing so many people use these in different ways last year, I decided I'd have to go ahead.

I haven't been able to decorate or change things up after putting away the Christmas decor since everything is on it's way into a box. But I did have a sunny day because of all the blinding white stuff that's outside...that made for a great photo shoot day. I had to take a picture of something...

So I put together a little New Year vignette on the Hallway Sideboard. I don't know if I'll have room for this piece at the new "little house". My "vignette" days may be severely hampered.

But one thing I know for sure is all my sheep and lambies will be grazing around 

and that my scrolly chalkboard will be leaning against a wall somewhere.

We're supposed to get the keys on Friday. We've had so much crumby weather that we're hoping that the cleanup and painting has been done over there; if not we'll have to wait. But we're praying for better weather, so we're hoping it all goes as scheduled.

Just thought I'd throw in a few pics from last year this time...

I've decided that I have way too much stuff stored in my office. I've had to go through and decide what is necessary and what is not. It's ridiculous. It's a good thing this move will be in stages, since I'm not making much headway. I told my husband that if I didn't finish this up soon that he had my permission to turn me in to Hoarders Anonymous. OK, back to work...

I'll be joining in on these fabulouso parties this week:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Inspiration Gallery at City Farmhouse
Blissful Whites at Timewashed
DIY By Design
House Party at No Minimalist Here
Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
Fab Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo
Shabby Art Boutique

xoxo,

Today's Sponsor
Eleanor Brown Boutique

Just a Little Christmas on the Sideboard

Since I'm not hosting Thanksgiving Dinner this year, I caved to the pressure of starting my Christmas decorating early. (and I'm so glad I did) I think most of us have realized that to get to enjoy the Christmas Holiday Season it was going to require us to start before Thanksgiving. There...I admitted it. I just cannot get everything done that I want to do when it's only going to last a few weeks. I still have out my Turkey Platters and a few velvet pumpkins, but they are having to share the limelight with a more Christmas-y vibe.

Here are a few pics from the Hallway Sideboard. I'm not finished, but this is how I'm starting. Some Red Striped Grain Sack Ribbon on my Holly Topiaries with a little blinged out silver for good measure.

Now, since I hadn't had a chance to share Thanksgiving Sideboard with you, Here it is...these are for those photo archives I've been talking about. Each year I look back to see what I've done the year before.

I really love my big vintage window and Pier 1 Scrolly Chalkboard 

as a backdrop for my seasonal displays. It always makes things "pop".

Here's my preserved Boxwood Wreath, simply decorated for Thanksgiving.

I'm working now on changing it out for Christmas.

Say "Hello Handsome" to My Big Boy Tom Turkey 

that I painted white several years ago.

He's Large and in Charge!

I've enjoyed using this black wagon for the last few months of Fall,

but on to something new for the Christmas Season.

I know we're all super busy, but I'll still be doing the Be Inspired Party, just starting on Wednesday instead of Thursday morning. I'm not sure when I'll get the party linky up, but come by if you have a minute and join in, We're gearing up for Christmas! Christmas and Thanksgiving posts both are welcome!!

And for some Shopping fun,

 check out The Marketplace HERE.

The link party is up all week.

Enjoy your week with Family and Friends,

Love you all,

I have so much to be Thankful for,

xoxo

Joining in on these great parties:

DIY It's a Party

From My Front Porch to Yours

The Scoop

Rooted in Thyme

French Country Cottage

Daily Cup at Mrs. Olson's

Shabby Art Boutique

Today's Sponsor

Love Squared Designs

Looking back, toward Thanksgiving

Boy, am I thankful for that extra hour today...I've been trying to play catch-up since getting back from St. Louis, and I'm behind on almost everything. So today I thought I'd just share a few pics from year's past Thanksgivings. It's such a short season, that sometimes I don't get a lot of photos of how things transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving, and then on into Christmas.

Planting Paperwhites, which is a tradition I've had for the last 8 years or so.

(remember, you can click on the image for it to become much bigger)

Setting up a small tree in the Dining Room right after Halloween, which then became known as my Autumn Tree. Filled with woodland creatures, owls and berries, I think I love it as much as a Christmas Tree.

 My urn on the Living Room table went from Pumpkin

 to multicolored dried Hydrangeas and preserved leaves.

A shot of my Hall Sideboard for Thanksgiving

and a few of the Entry and another small tree in the Living Room.

And last year's Dining Room table with some paperwhites

 in an ironstone tureen on simple white burlap.

I've mentioned before how this blog has really been a virtual diary of my seasonal decor.  I'm working on a vintage Thanksgiving tablescape that has been really fun putting together. I love the colors of this Thanksgiving Season... bringing in the jeweled tones of Autumn, with just a hint of Christmas to come.

Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday.

I'll see you tomorrow for 

If you have an Etsy Shop or Online Boutique

please come link up some of your items currently For Sale

then stay to have some shopping fun!

joining in on these great parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

A Stroll Thru Life

Coastal Charm

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farm

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Savvy Southern Style

xoxo,

Spooky Sideboard and a Give Away Winner

I have my hallway sideboard done up with a touch of "Spookification". Just enough to be an itsy bit "weenish". I always have to apologize in advance for the photos because this is an inner hallway with no natural lighting. Sometimes I get ambitious and "clone" out the 80's monster doorbell, air vent, and the thermostat, but today what you see is what you get.

I'm still totally in love with my Pier 1 chalkboard that's all curvy and scrolly. It's sitting in front of my large paned window that's been here for a couple of years. They make a good backdrop for any Holiday or Season. My sis made the Boo Banner for me a couple of years ago, and gives just the right "fright factor". I know you're scared, huh?

I finally found a preserved boxwood wreath this Spring. I had wanted one last Christmas, but I refused to pay the big bucks prices they were asking for them. If there were deals, they were always sold out super fast. So when I found one for a good price I was thrilled. I just added some fun polka dot satin wired ribbon, then I'll just change out the ribbon and use it through the first of the year.

Since this is a sideboard and a sideboard is supposed to hold dishes, I always like to have some dishes and serving pieces sitting around appropriately. I'm using a little black wagon to hold the tureen, plates, silverware and napkins. And look who flew in...my baby snow owls and the owl collage I made earlier this Fall.

Hoooooo doesn't just love a baby snow owl?

...especially with glitter!

 Here are my creepy little friends from the old Bird Book.

dead mouse and all.

I always love having something fun here to look at.

The turkeys are up next!

I promise I didn't forget about the Give Away winner.

 Lisa has a wonderful bracelet or custom piece for 

Di from Cottage Wishes

congrats Di, just get in touch with me by email

 and we'll get your piece created!

Be sure and run by Lisa's wonderful Etsy Shop,

Love Squared Designs

and remember she has a discount code for 10%

 off the rest of the month of October.

COMMONGROUND at Etsy Checkout.

thank you so much, Lisa!!

I'll be joining in with these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

DIY by Design

Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

From My Front Porch to Yours

Open House at No Minimalist Here

TTT at Stone Gable

Rooted in Thyme

French Country Cottage

The Charm of Home

Shabby Art Boutique

The Party Bunch at Whipperberry

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Coastal Charm

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Mod Vintage Life

xoxo,