Unusually warm temperatures this month have prolonged summertime. I have enjoyed the gift of an extended season and the reduced heating and cooling costs. I don’t know if I’ve ever slept with my windows raised this late in the year, and my garden is a beautiful, wild paradise. However, in response to the second summer, I’ve been exceedingly slow to finish decorating for fall.
This afternoon I realized that if I didn’t complete my last couple of projects, I’d be decorating those areas for the holidays instead. I spent a lazy Sunday afternoon engaging in one of my favorite creative activities…creating vignettes.
I began with the vintage suitcase in the bedroom. Following my desires to mix it up and to incorporate items I brought home from the house of Greg’s parents, I started with an empty suitcase and without a preconceived idea of how this vignette was going to turn out.
The wooden tray that once hung in Leta Moore’s dining room came to mind, to serve as the focal point. When I popped the tray into the suitcase, it settled in so securely that I knew it was meant to be there. The beautiful shaw, in black and oranges and greens, forms the perfect foundation. I added metal accents. The candlesticks are heavy, and engraved with sheaves of wheat. And the unique metal and enamel footed bowl was a treasure I discovered tucked away in a cupboard in the Arkansas house.
The black candle topper with leaf punch outs balances the metal pieces on the right side. And the red porcelain birds add a bold splash of color and a touch of whimsy. I love the way this fall vignette came together in a fresh, new way.
I moved on to the front porch. I undecorated this space a couple of weeks ago. Today it only took a few minutes to bring autumn to the porch. I kept the décor simple…candles, a wreath, a favorite throw rug in warm colors and ceramic pumpkins. The freestanding word “Thanks” reminds me that we are headed into the holidays and a time for expressing deep gratitude.
The little side table next to the porch swing got a makeover as well. Another woven rug covers the top and forms the base for the candles and the empty birdcage and a pair of ceramic birds.
I normally change out Annie’s red box for fall. But the begonias and coleus are still thriving and the colors work well for this season. I pinched off straggly growth and allowed those plants to remain. The rust-colored mason jars add just the right look to complete that bench, and the porch.
The warm southern winds may continue to create balmy temperatures, but fall has arrived at last my house.
