An Autumn Mantel

I'm fairly certain I was enjoying myself so much yesterday, that I was humming as I selected and arranged pumpkins on our mantel.

I just love our fireplace.

I knew I would love the look of it and relaxing by it, but I didn't realize that I would love it quite as much as I do. I spend as much time in this room as possible. In the morning light with a coffee and my study, cozied up with a boy on either side and a book before bed (currently we're enjoying The Indian in the Cupboard immensely!) and stretched out in front of the fire with a throw and the lights off while Ryan is working late and the house is quiet.

You can see in the photo above that we have temporarily put out a rug. It's much too small for the space, but we're waiting for a rug we've ordered from Pottery Barn that will fill the entire space. We just needed something to keep the couch in place,

I went back to the pumpkin stand just outside of town and spend longer than I should have picking through pumpkins and gourds, trying to find just the right shades and sizes and varieties.

I will endure a lot of comments over Thanksgiving for my lack of colour, but it looks just right. I often forget that for most of you, Thanksgiving is still weeks away. We're lucky to enjoy it this weekend!

The seeded Eucalyptus is something I always put in our arrangements at the store as it's whimsical and last forever.

And this nest was from my Oma's patio. She spent a season watching the Robin's putter about it. It was actually my sisters, but it sat around for weeks at the store, so I finally just brought it home. I wouldn't be surprised if I came down one morning and it migrated over to her apartment, which is next door.

Ryan laughed when I told him even the stems of the pumpkins have to be considered; ones with a slight curve, and good length are ideal. They must also be turned in a variety of ways.

He just laughed... But I secretly knew his inner design-background agreed whole-heartedly.

I just love when they have the little bits of stem still on them. It makes them even more charming.

It's so cozy.

Once the rest of the room is set up, I have a couple more things to put out.

Fall Decorating and The Dining Room Revealed

I spent yesterday, the first day of Fall, arranging things around the dining room, getting it ready for the cooler months ahead.

Fall is such a cozy time of year and I feel like my decor reflects that change. In the summer, I find I enjoy things more airy and paired down - clean decluttered shelves, simple bouquets, light linens. Just open and fresh and light. But this changes in the Fall; cozy throws are scattered among the rooms, and candles are set out to invite us to cozy up. Colour and more natural elements are included; colouring leaves from changing trees, whimsical grapevine draped over the mantel, the rich colours of pumpkins, gourds and fresh picked apples. nuts and pine cones tucked here and there.

They all add so much warmth to the room.

As you can see, the room is no longer blue.

Everything has been brightened up with Simple White by Benjamin Moore.

  

Nests are displayed under glass cloches.

I loved the colour of these Maple leaves. It's such a rich green, with the golden brown keys.

Just easy cuttings tucked into a hanging basket - simple and yet beautiful.

And really, that was what I was going for. While I do enjoy a home that transforms with the seasons, I don't have boxes of stored seasonal decor. I prefer hints here and there.

Like this vine tucked on the mantel.

As you can see, I'm still hunting for a forth chair!

And you know that else, the off-centered mantel and mirror doesn't bother me in the slightest anymore! I just added a little weight on the other side and it visually balances it out.

I can't stand having to remove a million things from the table at meals. so I didn't go too crazy. The glass hurricanes can be seen through, And using the antique linen towel as a short runner means it doesn't get dirty. Ideally, I would love to have a full-length runner, but aside from having one made, I haven't found one long enough for the table. This was $20 at Christie's the other weekend.

I just picked a few gourds in muted tones.

I also kept the buffet simple.

Here I displayed a few of my favourite ironstone pieces.

This is a floor to ceiling built-in at the bottom of the staircase. It has six narrow shelves. I decided to group my brown transferware here.

And while it's not the dining room, here are just a few shots of the kitchen shelves. Again, just a few touches here and there.

 

Found Nests and Blown Quail Eggs

 

A couple weeks ago Ryan phoned from my Aunt's farm, asking if I wanted any quail eggs.

 

"Quail eggs?" I said, "Where on earth did you find Quail eggs?"

 

A friend of my Uncle had sent them home for them to enjoy. But, having hens of their own, they already had more eggs than they knew what to do with. So, in walked Ryan empty handed, and out he walked with a small carton of a dozen and a half fresh Quail eggs.

 

Having never used a Quail egg before, I wasn't quite sure what to do with them. But then thoughts of Easter and my table setting came to mind and I thought I would try and preserve these delicate little eggs by blowing them.

 

It wasn't as hard as I had heard. I simply poked a small hole in the top, and a slightly larger hole in the bottom. I then blew the contents of the egg into a glass, held the empty shell under water to rinse out the inside and set them out to dry.

 

After I use them for my place settings this Easter, I think I might frame them in a shadow box and set them on a shelf in the nursery beside my small collection of found nests.

 

Each egg is speckled in it's own unique pattern.

 

This is a nest I've had for years. It was found in our back ravine, abandoned through Winter and found in early Spring when the trees are bare and spotting it was easy.

 

I thought it was so cozy that little bits of cotton string were lovingly woven amongst the grass.

 

This is another nest that Ryan found with Willen on a hike. It's a little more sturdy.

 

Once dry, I lined an old wooden tray with a cloth and gently tucked them inside to keep them safe until Easter.

Christmas Decor - A Natural Christmas

via 4inspireddesign.com

I  love this room with it's dark wood, white walls and gold details (Similar shades are found in my living room). The topiaries and pots of moss add the perfect natural touch without feeling too "Christmassy".

In hopes of finding some inspiration for the quickly approaching holiday season, I have begun looking through photos to decide on this year's theme.

I prefer to keep my decorating fairly simple. I don't like have the space for a huge tree, and ornate decorations just don't work well with a two year old. Also, who needs the extra dusting?

On the other side, I do like trimming a tree, decking the halls and adding some festive cheer to our home.

So, what kind of Christmas would I like this year?

A rustic Christmas with woven baskets full of scented pine cones, sap bucks full of fresh cut greenery, and simple seedlings with twinkle lights?

Or maybe, a pretty white Christmas with glittering glass ornaments, frosted mantel boughs and pretty packages with plump white bows?

Or, how about a natural Christmas with ironstone full of blooming paper whites, fresh fruit tucked amongst the greenery and bouquets of fresh flowers?

To start, here are some pretty inspirations for a perfectly Natural Christmas. Next week I will be sharing some inspirations for a Rustic Christmas, and a White Christmas.

How do you plan to decorate for the holiday?

via heirloomphilosphy.blogspot.com

I love gold frames and I think that fresh greenery compliments it so beautifully. I love the assortments of clippings used here - and it looks a little more structured and full than typical white pine or cedar boughs. It's almost more of an arrangement. The pears are a nice addition and add perfect pops of a brighter green.

via amandacarolathome.com

Simple is always stylish and beautiful. The simple swag on the mantel, and the simple boxwood wreath are just enough to make this space feel festive. The potted white Poinsettia is also a nice touch, as are the fresh tulips which add a bit of freshness to the room.

Country Living

Here is an example of natural Christmas decor with a bit of a primitive touch. Again, the fruit tucked amongst the mantel and simple pine boughs.They work well with the gray walls and make the room even more cozy.

Mid West Living

And finally, more mantels. This time, with a few pine cones and some Granny Smith apples for pops of vibrant green. Sweet and simple.