Junkaholics Unanimous: fall decorating

Showing posts with label fall decorating. Show all posts

Friday, October 2, 2015

Fall Porch!

Hello on this October 9th? Time flies! And it's actually fall now so time to get this blog rolling with more fall posts. Today I'm showing you around the porch. This is the first time I have shown our porch of our new home!

I'll start with my favorite corner by the front door.

As I started thinking about fall decorating in late summer I was certain all these urns would be topped with pumpkins, but I loved the classic look of the boxwood and mossy spheres too much to part with them. I just kept them and added some of my faux chalk painted pumpkins around on the ground.

This was so much less work and looks great!

I like to evoke a magical, Celtic feeling for fall and the greens, greys, and stone urns work together like, well, magic!

You can't really make it out clearly here, but the little stone that the bird is holding says "healing." It's
one of my favorite reminders that every day I am healing through Jesus' miraculous intervention.

I have shown my small salvaged crown molding planter a few years ago in a previous post. It's one of my favorite pieces but I couldn't find a spot for it inside our new house so I put it on the porch to display my vintage Tom Clark gnomes.

They add such a whimsical touch! I call them my fall garden helpers.

In keeping with magical fall gardens, I also created a cloche on our porch bistro table.

I already had this display with the faux succulents, garden finials, and fairy in a mossy nest. I simply added some small faux pumpkins and that's it. Fall magic!

I love how the green pumpkin mirrors the colors and patina of the finials, and the darker orange one just pops.

A few of my favorite things!

For my gothic planter I simply added a few floral picks of the same greenish-blue pumpkin and gourds and stuck some white pumpkins on there for pops of color and to compliment the other white pumpkins around my porch and yard. I keep it filled with boxwood year round so it's easy to just add
some little touches for holidays.

Love, love, love our new copper mailbox! We had looked for almost a year with no luck and when we finally gave up we found this one at Home Goods. The pumpkins sign was a cheap yard sale find and the color of the lettering just matches the tones of the copper mailbox and fall picks. I love how these things come together and I only spent about $10 on the fall picks so that's even better!

Here's an updated tweak since started this post.

I added this cute vintage style sign...

It's already October 9th and I'm not finished with my Halloween decorating? Scary!

If the rain ever stops we are going to the pumpkin farm to hopefully find the last few pumpkins for my porch to be "finished." I'll be adding some Hallowwen decor too. I'm hoping to be able to take you on an outdoor tour next week.

Thanks for stopping by. See you soon!

Amber
Inspire Me Tuesday
The Scoop
Show And Share
Amaze Me Monday
Feathered Nest Friday
What's It Wednesday
Sweet and Simple Fridays
Vintage Inspiration Party
Share Your Style

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Honeycrisp Apples!

Happy September and fall decorating! Its that time of year when we revel in the bountiful harvests of apples. We decorate with them, burn apple scented candles, make apple butter, pies, or just eat 'em raw! I am posting today simply to share the glorious tastiness that I discovered in a Honeycrisp apple! Have you ever tried one? I can tell you no other apple will ever compare for me. I don't eat sugar or baked goods due to dietary restrictions but these apples taste as perfect plain as any apple dessert I have had. Just shake on some cinnamon and it's like eating a cookie! I thought I was flipping over these because I eat no sugar (only some occasional fruit) but even my mom (sugar addict, dessert connoisseur ) was blown away when I gave her one and went straight to the market to buy some too!

Of course they are as delicious to look at as they are to munch, adding a perfect little touch of fall in a farmhouse (or any style) kitchen.

Every 1st weekend of Septemer since my 10 year old was a toddler, we go to the farmer's market and buy one of each variety of apple available and come home and have an apple tasting and rating activity. The whole family fell in love with Honeycrisps hands down. We even had my son's friend try them and both boys rated the Honeycrisp a 100 on a scale of 1-10! The larger chain stores don't carry them often but more can be ordered here: www.honeycrisp.com (I am not affiliated with this company and I won't receive any compensation, just wanted to share).

Just a couple of days after discovering Honeycrisps, I found this little bucket at Michaels. One day I will give it to my son so he can remember our September apple tastings.

Previously Macintosh was my favorite variety and I still love them but it's a completely different experience with the Honeycrisp. I use apples in lots of Thanksgiving recipes and my cooking
preference is Gala, but I will definitely be using the Honeycrisp in my traditional Apple -Sausage-Walnut Cornbread (gluten free) stuffing. Yum! Can't wait!

If you are looking for the perfect "healthy" dessert that really satisfies the craving for something "fallish," I encourage you to give a Honeycrisp a try.

I just was reading over this before I posted and it sort of unintentionally became a commercial, so I think I'll send a link to the Honeycrisp website and maybe they'll hook me up with some free ones! They are non-GMO so all the better.

I'm off to slice one up to enjoy while checking out all of the beautiful fall home tours. I'll be posting my fall tour next weekend so come on over!

Amber
Saturday Sparks
Amaze Me Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Vintage Inspiration Party
Thriving on Thursdays

Monday, October 7, 2013

Scarecrow Nouveau: Decorating Dress Forms For Fall and Halloween

Happy October morning to you all!

Today's post is about creating chic "new" interior scarecrows using vintage dress froms. I will be showing you my favorite dress forms and how I have decorated them for fall. I had posted this earlier today under another title, but I got to thinking that dress forms can be employed as the new scarecrows used in interior fall decorating, so I changed the title to "Scarecrow Nouveau." Kinda catchy! I have seen some other really beautiful examples of dress from witches on pinterest that I love too. It's so easy to make them look spooky, but I wanted to do something a little different this year for my favorite dress from, so I went with more of a scarecrow look.

As I was "dressing" her the other day and it hit me that maybe one of the reasons we are all so dress form crazy is because it's like playing dolls for us, or playing dress-up. At least it gives us an excuse to play with beautiful vintage clothes, jewelry, accessories and baubles and to use our creativity. I see no signs of the dress form craze dying down yet but since I don't really worry about trends, I know my gal will with be with me for a long time cause she is just so much fun!

A couple of years ago, I did a post about how I scored this particular dress form from a fellow antiques dealer at my booth as she was putting her in the TRASH!!!! I felt guilty and even offered her money for it but she wouldn't take any so I really did get this beauty for FREE! Absolutely love the bronze! Here she is decked out in vintage lace collars and junky jewelry. I recently made her a belt using antique lace, some cute skeleton key ribbon from Hobby Lobby that I had in my craft stash, a broken picture frame for the buckle and a blingy vintage button for the center. It's fun changing her jewelry from time to time and trying out hats from estate sales.

Here she is, ready for fall 2013. I named her "Miss Autumn." This year I chose to give her a look that would last through Thanksgiving. She is dressed with my favorite fall scarf and cute cowboy hat embellished with some fall floral picks. I already had the jack-o-lantern and I just drew some eye lashes on with eyeliner. I did try a jean jacket on her but it really didn't stay on the shoulders and covered too much of that gorgeous bronze.

This beautiful owl necklace is just perfect for fall and Halloween, handmade by Amanda of Ruby's Pocket. I buy Amanda's jewelry just as much for decorating as for wearing!

http://www.Etsy.com/shop/rubyeellens

Here she is last year, a.k.a. Miss "Jaqueline O' Lantern," Looking very chic in her vintage black velvet hat, crow feather boa and very vintage owl necklace. Miss Jaqueline will be appearing again in an upcoming Halloween post, or at least her head will!

Check out that awesome $1 estate sale clutch purse in orange and black, perfect for Halloween parties! You can see more of my shabby Halloween from 2012 here:

http://junkaholicsunanimous.blogspot.com/2012/11/halloween-favorites.html

I also want to show you my pumpkin gal in my booth at the Catlettsburg Antique Mall, located in Catlettsburg, KY. I have dressed her in layers of old petticoats and skirts, a vintage apron, jean jacket, oodles of pearls, and an adorable burlap and straw hat. She is definitely a junker! See her pockets full of little treasures?

It's so much fun and so easy to dress up your dress form, and if you don't have one you can always make a traditional scarecrow look sassy and use her inside. Use trash bags to stuff a long dress (stuff sweat pants or pj's under the skirt and tuck the legs into some boots, making sure the skirt is long enough to cover the tops of the boots) and place a cheap fake pumpkin on the top with your hat of choice. Use long gloves for the hands or tuck her hands behind a large handbag. Sit your gal down in a corner chair and there you go!

Miss Autumn is ready for a fun-filled October and so am I!

Hope you have fun playing dress up this month, whether it's yourself, your kids, or your dress form. It's Halloween time. Embrace it!!!!

Parties:

Monday

http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2013/10/inspiration-monday-today-were-inspired.html

http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/

http://getyourcraptogether.blogspot.com/2013/10/halloween-party.html

Amaze Me Monday

Tuesday:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/10/185th-inspire-me-tuesday.html

http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/10/knick-of-time-tuesday-107.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/2013/10/the-scoop-87.html#more

http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/monday-funday-link-party-38/

Wednesday:

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/10/sunday-showcase-party-215.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2013/10/wildly-original-link-party-73.html

http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/cast-party-wednesday-112/

Thursday:

http://www.elizabethandco.blogspot.com/

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Friday:

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/10/feathered-nest-friday_10.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: blogspot/QoLtm (FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE)

http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/10/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party-3.html

http://www.commonground-do.com/

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/halloween-table-setting-with-mercury-glass-pumpkins-and-crow-

centerpiece/

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/home-sweet-home-140.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: TheCharmOfHome (The Charm of Home)

http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/2013/10/frugal-friday_10.html

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/10/open-house-blog-party_9.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: NoMinimalistHere (No Minimalist Here)

Saturday:

http://www.shakentogetherlife.com/2013/10/whats-shakin-link-party-80.html

http://staceyembracingchange.com/2013/10/10/creative-inspirations-linky-party-56/

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/10/strut-your-stuff-saturday-link-party-week-118.html

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/10/party-junk-208-funky-fall-decorating-2013.html

http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/2013/10/a-bouquet-of-talent-party-favorites-top.html

http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/10/show-tell-saturday-101213.html

Sunday

Three Mango Seeds

DIY Sunday Showcase

The Sunday Showcase Party

Monday Funday Link Party

Friday, September 27, 2013

$10 Find: Antique Farm Table and Fall Tablescape

*This had been my most popular post on all forms of social media so I decided to share again for all the fun fall parties of 2015. We moved last year so I have a new dining room to show this upcoming weekend as well. I hope you'll check it out too!

Hello again all you fellow fall-loving friends! Today I am so excited to show you our fabulous yard find, an authentic antique farm table! We only paid $10 for it! The top was covered with a cheap veneer and I was just going to get the table to use in our basement because it seemed like a solid table, but my husband looked underneath and noticed it had the big wooden planks. We tried not to do the happy dance right there in the stranger's yard and offered the seller ten bucks (she was asking $15). Sold! We brought it home and he immediately ripped off the veneer, sanded, and stained. When it was completely dry we used a paste wax to give it a nice smooth finish. The bottom part was ugly flat brown so he just chalk painted it and distressed it to match our buffet. At some point someone had chopped the legs just a bit to make it an odd height, but never fear, this junker keeps a stash of junk in the basement with several sets of vintage casters "just in case." We already had the paint, stain, wax and casters so it actually did only cost $10. Similar tables sell anywhere from $200-$1500. And this people, is why I am a proud junkaholic!

Here it is right after it was finished. It turned out stunning! Love the morning light coming through and resting on the table. We are really getting that blend of a farmhouse-cottage feel now and it's so
cozy. I hadn't really set a tablescape yet in this picture, but even unadorned it is beautiful. I had some
faux pumpkins so I stuck them on top with some leaves until I could get to the market for some real
pumpkins and gourds. So pretty for early autumn.

In my "Saying Goodbye To Summer" post I showed pictures of our white table for the last time. I was
a little worried that the farm table would be too primitive but actually it ties in all of the romantic
farmhouse style elements that I have working into the cottage, so it's pretty much perfect for our décor. And yes, we use it. It's sturdy and wonderful!

You can't help but wonder what meals and stories were shared around this well-worn table. I love the gorgeous depth and age of the wood.

I love coming down stairs and seeing the table first thing in the morning, especially now that it's adorned with autumn goodness!

I have been trying out some some different color combinations of pumpkins and gourds for the centerpiece and they all have looked wonderful. I have so much fun playing with pumpkins it will probably continue to change and evolve through Thanksgiving.

While we are touring the dining room a bit I'll go ahead and show you my chalkboard. You can see it in the background of some of the photos but it's always a bit blurred.

I just came up with a quick free hand design for early autumn. My younger sister is a very talented artist who just graduated with a degree in graphic design and she loves hand lettering. She's coming to visit this weekend so I'm going to have her create something unique and spooky for Halloween. I'm so excited for her visit!

I digress easily. I get excited, it's fall! It's almost October! Okay, back to the table. For the center I used a very old antique linen runner topped by a few faux gourds mixed in with real gourds and
pumpkins, deer antlers and fall leaves.

I found the awesome jute place mats at Home Goods for $2.99 each and they matched the Pottery Barn rug ($20 yard sale STEAL!) perfectly. Then I simply set out my cream plates and saucers with tiger striped pumpkins on top. I will add gold flatware, napkins, vintage amber glass saucers and goblets in November.

I have been playing around with different candles for the table. First I used one single pillar and it was nice. Then I used two primitive battery operated flicker candles and they were nice. Finally I

settled on dollar store pillars that I embellished a little with twine, antique lace, fall leaves and old skeleton keys. Love them!