Tuesday, September 7, 2010

~ That Fresh Feeling of Fall ~


FiNaLly . . .  a hint of FaLL has come to North Carolina.  The temperatures have dropped ever so slightly and the humidity has let up too. 
It was such a nice feeling to be able to open the windows for a while this morning and re-acquaint myself with the smell of crisp fresh air.


Apparently this bit of cooler weather was all I needed to get the urge to do a bit of FaLL NeStInG.  Well, that and a recent stop at HomeGoods. 
For quite awhile now I have been looking for a fall themed picture to hang above the fireplace.  Normally there is a print with blue hydrangeas and a yellow bird up there.  It works well most of the year, but when all the oranges, golds, russets and greens of Fall come into the room, it looks a bit too springy/summery. 
The trip to HomeGoods last week yielded this fall themed painting.  At first I wasn't sure I liked it.  But, since it did have some blue and yellow in it and the size seemed good, I decided to bring it home and give it a try.


A bit of shopping from the attic, a few snips of my limelight hydrangeas and a few minutes spent gathering books in just the right colors . . .


I get a lot of books from the thrift shops.  Sometimes I buy them to read and other times I buy them for their colors.  This time I went to the bookcase and searched for books in some of the colors in the painting.  They are a good way to spread the color to other areas of the room.


They also come in handy for elevating small knick knacks.

~ A simple pumpkin adorned with autumn leaves ~


~ A squirrel gathering acorns ~

This little squirrel planter was a recent find at the antique store.  There is a 
 tree in my neighborhood that grows tiny acorns.  As soon as they start falling I will be gathering some up to put in the planter.


When decorating a room for fall, it's nice to add candles.



As the days grow shorter, they cast such a warm and cozy glow in the evening.


Sometimes they even make pretty patterns on the wall :).


  At times I wonder whether it is worth the time and effort to decorate for the seasons now that our nest is empty.  I think I got my answer last night.  After a walk in the slightly cooler night air, we came home to watch a movie.  I opened a few windows, lit the candles and made some popcorn.  After a long, hot summer this change was just what was needed to give us a sense of renewal.  And although I think my husband wouldn't care one way or the other if the house was decorated for the season . . .


He was the one who climbed up the ladder and arranged the display way up on top of the cabinet on the left.  He even seemed to enjoy doing it (but don't tell him I told you that ;-).


Edited to add:  I'm linking this post to Melissa's Fall Nesting Party.  Thank you Melissa for hosting this fun event.

34 comments:

  1. Oh it looks wonderful and I REALLY love the painting! I think that it "blends" in very well with the rest of your decorations! :o) I am so thankful for the cooler days and less humidity here in TN :o) Blessings my dear! Hope your week is going well!

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  2. Kim I ask myself that same question. It is so much work to do all the decoating and my husband doesn't care. The kids don't really care either....but, I do. So I do it every year...but I admit, I am simplifying it! Your room looks lovely!!

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  3. Lovely display!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  4. Kim,
    The display is lovely. Autumn and also so clean and beautiful looking.
    Now that we are empty nesters too, I am still going to decorate for the seasons. Still holding out a bit for summer here....
    I think empty nesting is going to be nice.

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  5. A lovely autumn display...thank you for sharing! :)

    Blessings!
    ~Nadine

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  6. I love your choice in paintings. It looks wonderful there amongst your other fall pretties. Your house has such a warmth to it.
    Brenda

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  7. That is a beautiful painting!! Your fall decor is so pretty. I've put out a few puny things...I think I may have to go shopping...oh, shucks!! he-he!

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  8. Your room is lovely, and I also really like that painting!!!!! It is the perfect finishing touch to your room!

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  9. Wow Kim, you've inspired me to drag out my fall decorations.
    Your new painting is beautiful, and it is the perfect fit for your room.

    The two pumpkins with the designs on them, are so pretty and unusual. I may need to go shopping for some new decorations.

    We don't have HomeGoods.

    Your room looks beautiful!!!

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  10. You did a beautiful job of decorating your home for Fall. I think it was well worth the time.

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  11. It all looks so nice..I am getting in the mood for Fall too with our temps dropping. I just went in and put on a sweatshirt.. it does feel good! :D

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  12. Kim, I've been an empty nester for almost 3 yrs. now and I still decorate for the seasons. I might not put out all the "children" kind of decorations but more adult ones are great!! I love Fall and I too have started to decorate for Fall! Enjoy!

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  13. So pretty...I love those lumina pumpkins. Though there were some on sale for $5, I thought I'd make do with a small one. Seems as if everyone is getting into the fall decorating spirit! I love it... And you've used your dishes to such good effect...must go see if I have any more "fallish" dishes about.

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  14. You just seem to know exactly where to put everything and it ends up looking so beautiful. Your taste in decorating continually inspires me. This is one of those posts. So cozy and inviting.

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  15. Kim your fall home decor is lovely. Wow! The photos are crisp and so pretty to view. Thank you for the lovely fall inspiration.

    Warmly, ~Melissa :)

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  16. It felt a bit like Fall here too, Kim. It rained as well! Your home looks absolutely lovely!

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  17. The painting is fantastic! Looks like I am going to have to turn my air conditioner way down to cool things off and get busy decorating for Fall.

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  18. Looks great. Now if we could get a little frost to kill all the allergy stuff. Help I can't breath. LOL!!!!

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  19. Love the candle in the crock and the white pumpkin with the autumn leaves really made a statement. Very inspirational!
    Sherry

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  20. HomeGoods is my FAVORITE store and a definite for holidays! Love that art!

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  21. Your decorations are lovely, Kim. This bit of cooler weather has been so enjoyable.

    Hugs,
    Donna

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  22. I'm loving the cooler weather here in TN too. Everything looks beautiful in your home. Thanks for stopping by!

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  23. Hey Kim, everything looks great...LOVE that picture. And how sweet that the hubby helped you put that display up high! I think we do it for US and I know I love it, even though the empty nest is well,empty. It just helps me get excited about fall and cooler weather! I am probably simplifying what I do, but I sure will do a few things, like you!
    Looks so pretty and clean, too!

    Suzanne

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  24. Love the white pumpkin! Stopping by from the Inspired Room.

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  25. Love all your vintage pieces! Your deocrating is so fun! Thanks for sharing thepictures.
    Paula from Idaho

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  26. Beautiful fall decorations!! I love the fall and once it's over I can't wait for spring. So many colors during the fall and you seem to have captured them all.

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  27. Beautiful! And the painting is gorgeous... perfect with your other things. I thought I would get my stuff out this weekend, but I think it best to wait until after the wedding next weekend.My house is already overflowing with wedding decorations!

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  28. Love your comment about shopping from the attic! Everything looks great!

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  29. What a beautiful cozy home you have! Love all your fall decorations!

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  30. I'm always sad to see summer go...but yourfall decor has me thinking of switching gears over here. Most lovely!

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  31. Your home is so lovely...you have that touch that makes your home so charming...thank you for sharing!
    ♥ Teri

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  32. I so enjoyed your fall decorating Kim, everything is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.I don't think my dh would care either, but for some reason he always compliments what i do. lol
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  33. You always manage to decorate your house with lots of pretty things...without becoming cluttered! How do you do that? I love the colors of Fall! ♥ We are supposed to be 49 degrees tomorrow morning! BRRRR! ♥

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