Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Nature Inspired Fall Decor

Happy Friday, everyone!
As always, I can not believe how quickly this week has flown by! Still trying to get caught up from being on vacation, yesterday was spent doing "chores", so today I thought I would take a little time for some fun blogging!

I have been so inspired by all of  you ladies who have shared your fantastic fall decor, so I re-did my antique hutch in our living room, in a naturalistic theme.  On our camping trip to the U.P., we picked up lots of pretty pinecones, moss, acorns (I am sure that the squirrels are mad at me!), and moss covered twigs in the woods.  I could hardly wait to add them to my autumnal decor.
Best of all, I used accessories that I already had on hand, I didn't have to buy anything new!  I added my mercury glass votives from last Christmas to a little silver tray, tossed in some of the U.P. moss and pinecones and nuts.  Love this look!
I've shown you this hutch before, not sure if you've seen it or not.  My great grandparents made it out of a door and a table, I believe, well over 100 years ago.  While I normally gravitate towards the white painted shabby chic look, this is one of my favorite pieces of furniture!
Hubby & I gathered up a bunch of bittersweet vine from the woods near our house, and I fashioned some of it into this wreath.  It really made a mess shedding its' "husks"!
Mouth blown glass bottle.  Love the green color!
I just plopped in some of the moss into this vintage planter my Mom gave me years ago.  I love the texture of this planter, reminds me of bark.
More bittersweet.  Note to self:  vacuum house after bringing in fresh bittersweet vine!
Sweet vintage bronzed baby shoes, and a postcard in a vintage flower frog.  The postcard is a copy of a painting called "The Nut gatherers".  I remember having to write a paper about it in college in my art appreciation class, after I saw the painting in person at the Detroit Institute of Art.
This bronze lion bank belonged to my Dad when he was little. It means so much to me, so I always incorporate it into whatever my decorating theme is, even Christmas decor!
More moss, which I added to an old ironstone mug that I've had forever.  The wooden box came from my grandparents basement many years ago, it originally held canned cod fish (eeew! I love fish, but canned cod fish just doesn't sound very appealing to me!).
Vintage books and a little lantern.  I love picking up these old books at our libraries used book sale for next to nothing!
Sorry for all of the glare!  I had a heck of a time trying to take a photo of my cloche!  Tucked inside is a sweet little bunny that my oldest sister gave me years ago.  He has made a nest for himself on fresh moss and pinecones.  If any of you ladies have tips on how to avoid glare on glass, I sure would appreciate it!!
Wallace Nutting print from the 1930's.  This is going in my Etsy shop shortly, but I thought I would enjoy it for the time being!  It is a hand tinted photo of a gorgeous fall scene in Pennsylvania.
One last look at my hutch.  Thanks so much for stopping by today, I just love getting visitors!  Now I am off to see what you all have been up to!
I have linked today's post with:
Funky Junk Interiors SNS Party
Cottage Instincts Make it for Monday 
My Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday 
Cottage Instincts Make it for Monday

15 comments:

Wendy said...

Thanks!! I'm loving your fall decorating too!!!! :) :)

Figuring out where to start a treasury was kinda confusing for me at first, but I finally figured it out! Open a treasury and then look on the right hand side and see something like "make a treasury" in TINY print

Karen said...

Donna, everything looks wonderful! You did a great job of using what you had. Hope your bittersweet doesn't shed any more...that could be a real mess.

Hugs, Karen

Anonymous said...

beautiful photos!!!

Kisses and nice weekend.

Erin said...

Donna, before I read your story about your hutch, I fell in love with it! Then I read the story and fell even more in love with it:) Your fall decor looks terrific and I love all of the items that you have on display, great stories:)

Tete said...

Love what you got going on there, girl! Come do mine! I am far behind. Bittersweet is hard to come by here. All the crazy farmers have killed it out! I had some and tried planting it but nothing. You have to have a male and female. I can't tell the difference in it! There are no hangy down parts!
Enjoy your bittersweet and I will swoon over it. All I have is dead plants, but they look cool, too.
Hope you are having a beautiful fall day there! It's wonderful here!
Hugs- Tete

Chris Arlington said...

Love your posts, beautiful decor. I love your taste. Hope your vacation was fun and relaxing.

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

I love all your natural vignettes, especially with the moss. I need to get cracking on some fall decor!

Debbie said...

Hi Donna.....your hutch looks wonderful all dressed for Autumn. LOVE all the natural pieces you've added...especially the moss.
Enjoy your weekend.
Debbie@houseatthelake

Leo said...

Hi there Donna - your hutch looks great. Love the vintage books...and your cloche. I am a cloche fanatic. The bunny looks so cute in there! Hope you are having a great Friday....take care and enjoy your weekend.

Donna said...

You certainly have a knack for putting things together for just the right look!! I was going to say "but I love most of all...your HUTCH"! However I see that it has been mentioned several times before. It is really grand though and just the perfect place for treasures!!!

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi Donna,
Cindy sent me by she is doing the add with etsy, she is out test girl! seeing how it works out :)

Love the inspiration over here, and the step back hutch is fabulous...I am in love with it, and oh so euro chic looking in your home. Funny what a mix of designs can do for our space's, inspiring new looks and inspiration to others :)

see you soon!
Blessings
Dore

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

What a great hutch Donna. I think some great warm wood tones is great among all the white. I think that old planter that you filled with moss is my favorite. Did you just fill it with dirt and lay the moss on top? I will have to see if I can find some!

mizdarlin said...

As you know, I'm all about wood-not white painted wood, just beautiful wood, preferably with that patination of age..and your hutch is a great example..
What a wonderful heirloom, and the idea that you are following in their footsteps, through your proclivity for recycling and rendering beautiful that which is often taken for granted..You did a wonderful job on that votive tray..so simple, yet so evocative of Autumn..!

Anonymous said...

Great fall decor, Donna! I love how it all has a natural woodsy feel to it... beautiful!
~ Jo :)

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

I really like your natural fall decor! Very pretty and soothing to look at!