Cottage ReView: Botanical Calendar Art on the Fall Buffet

Hello my friends, today on the Cottage Review I'm sharing a post from our previous home's dining room, styling my buffet for fall. At our current house our buffet is under a lovely English Country paned window, and although it's a pretty setting it's not practical for photo taking. Our last house had the "Frenchy mantel mirror" above it, and it was the perfect spot for decorating.

French Cottage Kitchen Niche for Fall

I have this little cabinet niche here in the kitchen that I think was originally created for a TV/sound system by the former owners of our house. But I prefer a smaller TV on the counter, so we were left with either using it as display shelving or try to match existing cabinetry. I could use it as open shelving by adding another set of shelves, but I chose to leave it as "was" and just make a spot for seasonal kitchen display.

Mid-Summer Entry with Blue and White Transferware Tureen

Hi Friends, I know many of you are "Blue and White" collectors with gorgeous dishware, ginger jars, and amazing decorative Chinoiserie pieces. I admire it and love that elegant and traditional design "look", but I've just never started a collection of it. I think it's gorgeous in the summer when I love using Blue and White accessories. I've stuck to the Browns, Reds and Green patterns in transferware, but I do have one piece that I totally stumbled upon years ago at a flea market for just a few dollars. 

French Country Thanksgiving in the Dining Room

Hi Friends, I hope you're having a lovely weekend, wherever you may be. 

I'm still sharing Thanksgiving Decor here,

because well, it's still the first week of November

and we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet.

So... I'm still enjoying all the vintage goodness

that late Fall brings.

Flea Market Finds in the Dining Room

I've not been out to the fleas or antique malls for quite a while. Between the back problems and Covid and my autoimmune issues, I've had to put a lot of shopping on hold. I've really missed having the chance to get out and enjoy the fun of vintage and antique shopping. Let's just say it's always been a highlight of my week/month/year to get out and browse around. The added perk is that I always came home with not only fun finds, but also filled up with new creative ideas.

French Farmhouse Table in the Dining Room

My last post I was telling you all about my after Christmas need for a more neutral palette. I always love a lot of color at the Holidays and I sort of overdid it this year here at the new place. I'm kinda over red/green for now. I'll be ready for some red again next month for Valentine's Day, but for now, my eyeballs need a break.

The Fall Dining Room and Needlepoint Pumpkins

It's now October, but since the weather hasn't been very Fall-like, I'm still feeling the need for the "lighter version" of Fall Decor. When I was first adding Fall to the Dining Room I was going for Fall colors, but not anything dark and heavy. I don't want a bunch of that when it's 90 degrees outside. I started thinking about maybe using a vintage print on the buffet that had all the Fall feels, but still added some lighter color and a little "white".

Fall Sideboard and a few "Technical" Difficulties

This is one of those posts when I feel like starting out with a big "So..." which is always a telltale sign of frustration. This has been a few weeks of computer/blogging frustrations for me. We all use different computers and different software etc. I happen to like a desktop computer that has a big capability to house tons of photos and programs etc. But my tech skills are not particularly whippy. I freely admit it. I depend on my husband for his technical and computer expertise, so it's a PC not a Mac which I would be on my own with.

French Country Styling on the Baker's Rack

As we head towards August the color scheme sees some subtle changes around here. I like to bring in the deeper colors of golds and greens; more neutral tones. Sort of "harvest-y" colors. In the Spring and Summer the kitchen sitting area is all about bright fresh color and a garden feel; now I'm ready for something different.

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.

French Wagon Vignette

Earlier in the Spring you might remember that I decided to paint my little black Frenchy wagon a light gray. Since then it's become my favorite tabletop decor piece for the Dining Room. I had put off painting it for years, even though I knew I would like it much better. Now it sort of "disappears" on the tabletop, which helps it blend in with all the other elements I love to use.

Decor Philosophy for Cupboards, and Life

It's been said, more than once, that I can't leave a flat surface alone. Meaning that I have to "decorate" every square inch, and it wasn't often said with an affirmative attitude. I think I may be a little better than I used to be. When you have goodies you love, they just cry out to be used and appreciated!

Summertime Seashell Vignette

Since it's still Summer, I wanted to try to use my antique Blue Willow Transferware Tureen here on the Entry Hall Console. I've had it out with some other "blues" for my Patriotic decor so, I hunted down some of my shells to replace the summertime potpourri.

An October Entry

My house tends to look a bit overdone if I'm not careful;

especially this time of year.

OK...most of the time it's a little too cluttered.

Blame it on blogging and enjoying sharing it all with you.

Blue Willow Transferware Tureen

So, let me ask you a question...

Do you do "Blue and White"?

Do you have an obsession with 

Blue and White Urns, Ginger Jars, Tureens, Transferware,

and all things Blue?

Me?...not so much.

On top of the Cupboard...

We've been working hard lately to get more boxes opened and unpacked, so we'll have space to bring more over from storage. It's a domino effect, with storage shelving going into the basement storage room first, then organizing the garage and getting Holiday tubs and decor stacked up and out of the way. I'm finding things that honestly I didn't remember I had... and probably don't need. But that's beside the point, because I'm now having to go through box after box of "stuff".

I am finding some of my favorite little things, though.

A "New" French Mirror for the Dining Room

As I was taking pics for the upcoming

  Christmas Open House Blog Hop

that will be starting on Wednesday, I realized that I haven't shown much of my Dining Room, and hadn't shared my buffet and "new" antique mirror at all. what's wrong with me? My big boy white turkey had been here on the buffet at Thanksgiving, but I never got around to letting him strut his stuff. So now it's Christmas and I finally finished the upstairs decorating, so here goes...

I'm just going to give you a little tease, 

since I'll be showing much more at the Blog Hop on Thursday.

I tried to keep things a little more subdued in here, 

so I thought I'd just use one of my ironstone tureens 

with some vintage Shiney Brites.

I'd been looking for a new antique mirror for the buffet for quite awhile.

When I saw the French plume design on top, I knew this was the one.

I'll be sharing a few more snippets this week,

so hope you'll come back.

All my birdies say "come see us Thursday"!

Joining in with these wonderful Christmas Parties:

The Scoop at Stonegable

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

xoxo,

Carrier filled for Spring

I mentioned last week, that each time I'm at the other house packing the endless number of "things", that a few of them inevitably end up in my tote bag to come over here and join the other decor tidbits. I'm careful not to be too blatant, otherwise hubbs will look at me like, "we're supposed to be packing this stuff, not playing with it." sorry, I have to play...

The pink vintage bunny planter, majolica rabbit plate, and Fitz and Floyd Berry Platter were my spoils from last weekend.

This platter has some cracks and chips,

 but I fell in love with the raised basket weave design.

so Springy.

This little guy has no markings, but I did a Google search and it appears that he's Shawnee Pottery from the 50's...old bunny, real old bunny. He's all cotton candyish sweet pink with lots of little crazing.

Last year none of my daffodils bloomed. I don't know why, but there weren't even any bloom pods, just greens... what a disappointment. And this year only a few, so I wanted to enjoy them while I could. Last year I planted a few hyacinth bulbs in the same area, that did come up. When I went to cut them, some bees were eagerly working on them, so I left a few behind for them. They make a petite bouquet in one of my small Staffordshire white Ironstone pitchers.

I've always loved the unique shape of this hexagonal soup tureen. I can't decide if it's ironstone or ceramic, but it's different. And it's small enough to decorate with. I've changed out this carrier several times since I've been at this house. I only  have a few places to "decorate", so this is doing double duty to help with my decorating addiction.

And if course, I've never met a white carrier that I didn't love.

This is a strawberry carrier, with slats in the bottom,

sitting on the small bench in front of the wicker settee. 

I didn't have enough room for my coffee table here,

 but this old tool caddy bench fit perfectly.

The weather is confused here; it thinks we're still in March. It's been so windy today and chilly. Hopefully it will be in the 70's again by the weekend; the Iris are starting to come up. Hope you're having a wonderful week!

joining in on these parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
It's a Party at DIY by Design
Blissful Whites at Timewashed

Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours
Creative Friday at Jen Rizzo
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique
Simple and Sweet Friday at Rooted in Thyme

xoxo,

Today's Sponsor

French Bleu Vintage

Be sure and check out the 50% off sale going on now!

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,

Dressed for Autumn in the Dining Room

Today I wanted to share the rest of my Autumn Dining Room with you. I always think the house is the happiest in the Fall. The warm Fall hues are my favorite, and when the house is decked out in all it's Autumnal Glory, it's like slipping in to a new comfy sweater.

The one thing I wanted to do new this Fall 

was to wrap my heavy chandelier in vines and twigs.

(I also just need to straighten up those little lampshades!)

I fell in love with Kimberly's rustic burlap and vine wrapped chandy from last year at Serendipity Refined. And while mine isn't nearly as involved with the burlap and moss, I DID want it to have that same "feel" of "rustic and woodsy".

Kimberly's wonderful dining room transformation.

I just started out with 3 of these preserved twig garlands. These happen to have small red berries, so I can leave them for Christmas and winter.

Then to add some "Fall",

 I added in just a few preserved leaves for some color.

My chippy white window box centerpiece didn't change much from last year, I just used a mix of real and faux hydrangeas, and white faux pumpkins. I found a stash of faux hydrangea bushes at Michael's in the clearance bin so I went crazy. I think I bought about 10 bushes, at about 6 dollars each. They were a little off color being a greeny-brown, so I just took them outside and lightly spray painted them in antique white. It gave a softer, more "dried" look to them. Then I added some orange-y berries for some more Fall color.

I've found that if I crumple up brown paper bags and put them in the window box first, then add the flowers and pumpkins my pumpkins don't "disappear". This is a super big windowbox and needs a lot of "stuff" to look full and lush.

You can see the paint and wallpaper have a creamy "glow" to them;

that's one reason this room is perfect for Fall.

This is the wonderful ironstone tureen

 I found at Leola's Fall Open House a couple of weeks ago.

I just can't pass up a beautiful tureen, especially at a great price.

My cupcake pedestals made from vintage transferware plates

from last month's sideboard are in here for now.
(I put together a fun Halloween Sideboard that I'll show you soon.)

I'm thinking the deeper it gets into Fall

that more leaves, vines, berries and pumpkins will be added.

Click Here to see part 1 of my Dressed for Autumn Dining Room.

So what new things are you trying this Fall?

Be sure and come join in the Fall Fun, 

here each Thursday and Friday.

I'll be joining these great weekly parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

It's a Party at DIY by Design

Inspiration Gallery at Ella Claire

Homework at the Everyday Home

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours

TTT at Stone Gable

Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's

House Party at No Minimalist Here

Fall Nesting at The Inspired Room

The Charm of Home

French Country Cottage

Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

Jennifer Rizzo

Shabby Art Boutique

Fall Home Tour at White Lace Cottage

xoxo,