THE DINING ROOM TABLE DRESSED FOR FALL

I've been adding touches of fall here and there in my home lately since the weather finally decided to cooperate. It feels wonderful! I've even worn a sweater a few times already. I'm sure you guys are loving it, too.

You'll be shocked to find out I've created something in my home without using any blue and white. I know that's hard to believe, and it feels a bit strange, but it turned out to my liking anyway. :) It's the table in my dining room. It's all fancied up for fall. "Fancy" is probably too strong of a word--the table is actually pretty simple this year.

I was having trouble getting started because I loved last year's table so much. It had a lot going on, and this year I was going for less. But have no fear! Our Home Goods store is now here, and it helped me get the project rolling. I had to return something to TJ Maxx which means I also had to run next door and breeze through Home Goods, too. That's where I found my starting point: a gingham, fall-colored table cloth.

The only size they had left was bigger than I needed, but I bought it anyway and improvised. I tied up the corners all cute and hoped no one would talk about me for doing it.

Here are the napkins I bought to coordinate with the table cloth.

Then I found a cool basket. I knew it would be perfect for holding all sorts of pumpkins, pine cones, and candles. It has a gorgeous weave and high sides, and I love the handles.

At this point, I had the color scheme in my head. It was all starting to come together. I would use my white Strawberry and Vine dishes from Wedgewood, and white pumpkins like I have in the past.

On my next trip out and about, I picked up four of the cutest velvet-wrapped pumpkins. I also ran in Michael's and grabbed a few faux hydrangeas in an orange, light brown color.

Publix provided a few tiny real pumpkins, and I shopped my house for the final details. I put the basket in the middle of the table and began arranging everything, starting with a silver-plated champagne chiller I found last month thrifting for $10. It's not in perfect condition, but that's fine by me. I also added silver lanterns with white candles used in my last fall table.

For the centerpiece I mixed the fall-colored hydrangeas with the light green ones I already had. At the ends of the table I sprinkled a few leaves I had left over from last year.

And here is the basket and the table working hard to set the mood for Fall.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope it's a great week!
Kathryn

WHY I LOVE THIS ROOM: TEN TAKEAWAYS (#4)

Hey, friends! I've come across another room that captivated me, and even though there are no babies in my near future, I keep coming back to this precious baby boy's nursery created by This American House. The color scheme has to be one of my favorites--blue and white--and there are so many details to take in. Shall we?

I followed the account not too long ago on Instagram, and one day last week, This American House shared this room. I loved it so much, I shared it, too. I've lost count of how many times I've revisited their page just to stare at this pretty space, and I had to discuss the details with you.

ONE

That light fixture! Such a pretty and unlikely choice for nursery lighting. But you have to admit, it adds a bit of wow to the room and doesn't seem at all out of place. The room may not always be a nursery, and the chandelier will transition well into a study, home office, or library.

TWO

The simple window treatments add the right touch of pattern and color. Buffalo check and gingham is a fan favorite and a personal favorite. I also like repeating the fabric on other things in the room like the small bed pillow. See some fun ways to use gingham here.

THREE

Look at that natural light flooding in the window. So pretty!

FOUR

The similar framed prints on each side of the window bring a design element that I'm always drawn to: symmetry. It's pleasing to the eye. The color tone in the art and the white mats tie in perfectly with the rest of the room.

FIVE

And did you notice the lamp? It's blue and white. I'm telling you, that combination looks great in any room and with any decor. The size of the lamp is good for a nursery, and probably gives off just enough light when it's bed time.

SIX

Surprisingly, the antique chest looks like it was made for a baby boy's room. I love that the designer left it in the the original finish. So many people are painting vintage furniture these days. I do like it painted, but the dark wood is charming.

SEVEN

I wish I could see what's inside the little storage basket next to the rocking chair. I would use it for diapers, burping cloths, toys, books, and the list goes on. The dipped bottom is a sweet touch. Makes it look like it was made for the room.

EIGHT

The simplicity of the baby bed is next on my list. It's beautiful and handsome all at the same time. It doesn't need any other decoration. It speaks for itself.

NINE

The next detail to notice is the stuffed animal. His colors blend right in with the tones of the room.  You can't go wrong with a giraffe. He'll be so fun as the baby boy gets older.

TEN

The last styling element on my list of details to notice is the rug. Chosen correctly a rug is like the icing on a cake. I would say this one is perfect. The colors complement the room, the pattern is not overwhelming, and it ties the entire space together.

Did I miss anything? Did you love it as much as I do?

Here are the other posts with details to notice in case you missed them:

Why I Love This Room #1

Why I Love This Room #2

Why I Love This Room #3

Until next time!

Kathryn

FRIDAY'S FIVE

Enjoy clicking through this week's Friday's Five...

one: A great article filled with thoughts and information on gallery walls.

two: This article proves blue + white is always a good choice.

three: An interior decorator account you'll want to follow (if you don't already). 

four: An adorable make over. Would you believe this was once a garage??

five: I ordered this top for fall and love it. It's perfect for any 

 event and certainly for the holidays. In real life it's a shade darker than the picture.  

 (Fit tip: runs a little small; order up a size.)

Have a great weekend!

Kathryn

A FALL JEWELRY GIVEAWAY

The temperature has fallen about ten degrees, all the way down to 90! As crazy as it sounds, that makes southerners feel like it's officially fall. To celebrate, my friend Cindy Moore from Cindy Moore Designs and I are having a giveaway.

We grew up in the same church, but we haven't really seen each other much over the years. However, thanks to social media, we recently reconnected. She has a jewelry design business, and she mailed me two pairs of her handmade earrings wishing me a great school year. :-) How kind was that!

And now, we've teamed up to wish you a great fall, too!

One lucky person will win all three pairs of Cindy's earrings.

You can enter TWO ways:

ONE: Leave a comment on this blog post by clicking on the blue words "no comments" or there might be a number next to the word "comment." You'll see it at the end of this post.

TWO: Enter with Instagram. Look for the jewelry picture and follow the directions in the post.

Good luck!!

FURNITURE INSPIRATION: THE CLASSIC DROP-LEAF TABLE

Old is my favorite style.

And nothing says old, traditional, classic, or antique like a drop-leaf table. Mostly used in England during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, these tables were created to save space. Some of the drop-leaf tables have multiple legs to support the leaves when not folded down. They are also known as "gateleg" tables.

I didn't really realize just how many shapes and styles of these tables there are until I started getting ready to share this post. They can serve many purposes in a home, and today I'm sharing some inspirational ways to use them and a few ideas for how to decorate the table tops. A pretty vignette atop a drop-leaf table might just be my favorite.

A large table would be perfect for a foyer or to fill an odd wall. The blue and white used here stands out against the darker finish of the table and neutral colors, thus making it the perfect collection to display on this drop-leaf table.

Providence Design

House Beautiful

Used as a sofa table, the tables can be decorated a gazillion ways. Lamps, books, bowls, lanterns, baskets, plants--see what I mean?

CoachDecor.com

Oliveaux Interiors

They are perfect also for your coffee cup or your glass of tea when stationed between two chairs. 

Country Living

Thistlewood Farms

They just look good anywhere and add old-world charm to every space.

Stone Gable

Gracious Farmhouse

Nine + Sixteen

Savvy Southern Style

1stDibs via Pinterest

Blessed Momma to Baby Girls

Here are few gateleg tables with their leaves out, showing off their fancy legs.

Carlos Garcia Instagram

via Pinterest

Ballard Designs

The Painted Drawer

Aren't they so pretty? Enjoy your long weekend!