Autumn Archives

Autumn Mantel

November 14, 2019

Quick question: do you say fall or autumn? In a conversation I say fall, but when I write I prefer to use the word autumn because it sounds fancier; autumn mantel sounds more sophisticated. The irony is how I build seasonal mantels, like our autumn mantel is anything but fancy.

I feel like I have not settled into the Thanksgiving season. Why? because I continue to buy pumpkins everytime I run into the store for milk or creamer. It’s ironic my kids’ favorite book was Too Many Pumpkins, written by Linda White. In my little world, there is no such thing as too many pumpkins.

Oh, coincidentally the author, Linda White, lives in Colorado.

Too Many Pumpkins was my youngest son’s favorite book during fall… I mean Autumn.

I justify the costs of pumpkins because they are in season from September -Thanksgiving. Pumpkins get way more attention than the Easter Bunny who is precariously squeezed between St. Patrick’s Day and Memorial Weekend.

But with manic pumpkin purchase frenzy, there is one space that is the same year after year. The mantel in our family room. It is the seasonal anchor and sets the tone for the rest of the house.

The family room mantel always offers a proper welcome. It’s the feature wall for the main level of our home. The mantel during Autumn is the one constant, year after year. It is familiar and a tradition.

The Welcome Home sign is the year-round staple. It’s on the mantel for every season and holiday. I ordered it online last year and it was love at first sight.

And the rest of the autumn mantel goes like this…

Lights, garland, faux pumpkins, wreath, lantern. Repeat. The last step is crucial because it bulks up the mantel with layers of pumpkins and lanterns and garland and more pumpkins.

May you all find that moment to capture the spirit of Thanksgiving. So before you carve up the turkey, try and carve out a little time for thanks.

Fall Dining Room Tour

October 3, 2019

The dining room table is the center of attention in our house so the Pinterest pressure was on to create something pin worthy. I am a little late to the fall dining room tour, but I blame it on tennis balls. I just finished USTA tennis and my son is in the middle of his senior year and co-captain of his Varsity tennis team.

You may see a few tennis balls during the tour.

FALL DINING ROOM TOUR

A week ago, the dining room looked more like the tableware aisles at Homegoods at the end of the weekend. But, today the table is ready to mingle. Please take a peek at my fall dining room tour (before tennis racquets and sweaty uniforms take over the dining room chairs.

Thankfully, the fall season comforts me with its familiarity and cozy spirit. And, apple and pumpkin-scented candles help too.

Our dining room table is a member of our family. I shared the table’s history here.

The table carries the load when some of us don’t have the energy to drop our keys or lunch bags on the kitchen counter- four feet away.

The dining room is the one room that feels complete. Well, unless I look at the rug or the lack of lighting next to the reclaimed wood buffet hutch.

When I found this hutch last fall I felt like the room matured overnight.

I found it at Pottery Barn and shared the funny story here.

I purchased these identical mirrors this past spring and placed them side by side. Instead of buying them a the same time I staggered the purchases over the course of a few weeks.

Tip: Free shipping and cash flow

Cash flow was one reason, but I also wanted to make sure I liked them before I ordered a 2nd.

I love these mirrors. Homegoods has a great selection of mirrors too. But, if you see one, it’s best to snag it.

After spending a few weeks pinning fall tablescapes and front porches I could no longer remember what I owned.

I love white pumpkins against the wood grain table. Oh and concrete.

And, is it just me or did Homegoods have a ton of fun pumpkins this season?

Just when I didn’t think I needed (wanted) more pumpkins, Homegoods brings in shades of large green pumpkins and raffia pumpkins?

You all know what pumpkins I am talking about, right?

It’s scary that I remember the price of the large, solid shades of green pumpkins ($24.99), but I can’t remember the book title I am reading.

When in doubt; add a candle. Candles make everything look better when the lights are dimmed.

And simple fall stems mixed with branches are a great way to add a little vertical next to the large windows that overlook the backyard.

I loved this look so much I duplicated this look a few times around the house.

When my accessories are all the same height this is a good way to take the eye up.

And, guess where I grabbed these dried grasses? Found them in the line to check out at Homegoods.

I wrapped a glass vase (from my own version of a Homegoods stock room) with twinkle lights.

Are they called twinkle or fairy lights?

Anyway, I wrapped a strand around the glass vase to add a little lighting to the dining room hutch.

Thanks for stopping by today.

5 Milk Can Makeover Ideas

October 2, 2019

It was love at first sight when I found this milk can at a garage sale. I loved it so much I stashed in the garage for a year. Questions like, “What color should I paint it?” Or, “Could I pull off a jumper with booties this fall?” kept me up at night? Sound familiar? So I turned to Pinterest to find milk can inspiration. I found 5 milk can makeover ideas and in the end created my own milk can.

Milk Can Inspiration #1

I loved the paint color on this one. You can snag the vinyl decal at this Etsy shop.

Milk Can Inspiration #2

This black milk can looks so much better than mine (see above). You can snag personalized vinyl at this Etsy shop.

Milk Can Inspiration #3

I am not sure what I love more- this dairy graphic on the milk can or the girl (chick) behind Artsy Chicks Rule. If you visit her, please scroll to bottom to see my milk can makeover.

5-milk-can-makeover-ideas-everyday-edits

Source: Artsy Chicks Rule via Pinterest

Milk Can Inspiration #4

Funny story with these vintage creamery cans. That was the description of these cans when I found this on Pinterest. I guess that is what Ma Ingalls would have called these can when she raised a family in the Little House on the Prairie. I loved these creamery cans and then when I clicked on the link via Pinterest I discovered this was a photograph of creamery cans. Maybe I should order the print and skip the milk can makeover. #wink

Milk Can Inspiration #5

Here is one more makeover idea. I love the greenery and the buffalo check ribbon.

Source: DIY Projects

With 5 milk can makeover ideas swirling in my head, I decided to go in a totally different direction.

I painted the milk can this creamy white paint that I used on this table. It is creamy like icing.

I am obsessed with this berry garland I found at Michaels. And, the pumpkin was the perfect way to top off the milk can (my version of a lid).

I used a little bit of a grapevine wreath to wrap around the neck of the milk can. Grapevine garland or wreaths are my go-to for planters and baskets that need a little more weight.

I am so excited about how this milk can makeover turned out. And, the best part…moving it inside gave me more space in the garage for my next garage sale find!

Looking for simple ideas to keep the kitchen sink pretty? Check out this list.

What do you look for at garage sales?

Garage Sale Wreath Makeover

September 6, 2019

Here’s a post before my rebrand. With redirects and pins, I have had to repost a few favorite projects. This garage sale wreath makeover is a seasonal favorite and cost me under $5.00.

Garage Sale Wreath Makeover Before

Because it was one of my original posts, I don’t have the before photos but imagine a really dusty, cobwebbed and feather filled wreath that I picked up for a $1.00 at a garage sale.

The wreath’s smell did not hit me until I had it in my car. I would have passed on this wreath if I had detected the damp, basement smell.

I am so happy I did not sniff the wreath and I am thrilled I had the windows down on the drive home!

But, I am telling you finding this tired, worn-out wreath was destiny. Dusty destiny, but destiny.

What I loved about this wreath, sitting on the driveway, was the size of the grapevine and its potential.

Makeover Details

removed the picks that were broken or beyond the makeover
placed the wreath outside to air out
sprayed the wreath with vinegar & water. repeat. repeat.

Because this was a garage sale find I stayed with the thrifty budget and used the miscellaneous leaves that fall off the garland. You know the leaves and pinecones and sticks that fall to the bottom of the box or storage tub? I just grabbed a few of those and fresh pinecones and either glued or tucked them into the wreath.

It was an instant makeover. I paid $3.00 for the wreath.

The size of the wreath takes up the width of the front door which I love. My motto: go big or go home.

With garage sale season in full gear, take a second look at those dingy wreaths, crafts and accessories.

Thanks for stopping by today! Please join this brand new private Facebook page with before and after finds from garage sales and Goodwill. Are you on Instagram? You can find me here and I’ll follow you back.