Transitioning from Summer to Fall

Hello Friends!

It’s me, Susan.  I’m still here! Ha!

I haven’t posted on the blog in awhile, but lots of projects have been going on behind the scenes.  And well, it’s been summer, which means the kids are home and I’m doing the full on mom thing.  We have had a wonderful summer, and I am sad to see it coming to an end.  How are all of you doing? I have missed sharing my projects with you!

Now that the official last weekend of summer is upon us, I’m starting to transition from summer to fall, both in life and my home decor.  The kids will be going back to school next week, and I always have mixed feelings about that.  I love having them home with me and the much more relaxed schedule that summer brings.  But it’s also nice to get back to a routine and to be able to tackle more projects once they are in school. So it goes.

Today I’m sharing some changes I made to our den to ease the summer to fall transition.  I brought in natural elements, something I always do, and some happy tones of the changing season, something I’m experimenting with.  I would love to know what you think.

Do you recognize the coffee table?  I initially gave it a makeover last January using General Finishes Coastal Blue.  You can read the whole blog post here, and see what it  used to look like.

I liked the blue, but me being me, and always looking to change things up, I decided to give it another makeover.  I kept staring at it, thinking hmmm, maybe this would look good in natural raw wood.  I also wanted to warm up the room a bit by using the soft wood tones I have been loving lately.

Soooo, I changed it up.  I will be posting all the details on how I got the reclaimed oak look on this piece.  For now, here’s a little close up of the wood.

Back to the rest of the room.

I added some colorful pops of orange.  When I was editing these photos, I thought Whoa Nelly that’s bright.  And, it is, but not quite as bright in person.

I usually stick with neutrals, blues, and more muted tones, but, I was in IKEA and spotted these pretty orange pillow covers.  I always plan to make a quick stop at IKEA for a just a couple of things then leave needing a home equity loan.  You, too?

Actually, these covers were really affordable, so I grabbed a couple and decided to experiment with adding a bit of orange to the room for fall. I like the energy it adds to the room, and I can easily switch it out when I want a softer look.

The throw blanket ties in the orange with the neutral tones already in the room.

I changed up the crown molding ledge with florals and few pumpkins from my garden.  Yes, we grew these sweet little white pumpkins and they are so fun.

They are called “Casperita” and I grew them up a trellis.  They are easy to grow and perfect for a small garden like mine.  Love, love, love those green tendrils everywhere.

I brought in a couple of late summer blooming roses from the garden.  The rusty horseshoe is a souvenir from my Southern Utah road trip last summer with my son.  It’s the least expensive, but most valuable piece in the room.

I switched up the artwork on the wall using inexpensive thrifted and vintage finds.

A cozy vignette with a vintage crock of apples and wood candle holders warms up the room.  Just ask that sleeping cat how cozy this room in now. ; )

Total aside, Louie (the cat) has been on a diet all summer, and he is not happy about it.  Who would be, right?

By the way, one of those “apples” is actually a nectarine.   Did you notice?  As they say, “In a bowl full of apples, be the nectarine.”  Or something like that.

And can we talk about my tomatoes?!   So many beautiful tomatoes from my garden this year.  It’s hard to tell from the photo, but the wood bowl is huge and full of tomatoes right now. Salsa is definitely in my future.

I hope you are all enjoying the last days of summer and embracing the new season that is upon us.

Thanks so much for stopping in.

Sources

• Ektorp Sectional Couch, orange pillows, rattan chair – IKEA
• Gray and white buffalo check pillows, round white mirror – Homegoods
• Vintage blue striped crock, brown knit throw, vintage wood dough bowl – Seattle Goodwill
• Geometric Rug – Pottery Barn
• Jute rug – Rugs USA
• Orange plaid throw – TJ Maxx
• Milk bottles – vintage
• Turned wood pillar holders, blue and white stoneware jug – Antique Farmhouse
• Cat – Hell