Fall At The Cottage
Hello my sweet Foxes! This Fall home tour is long overdue… and as I begin, all I want to do is apologize. With all that crazy Facebook business, and hosting out of state company, and apparently my camera and myself feeling like we are falling apart, it’s just going to be what it is this year. I‘m thinking I may have worn my poor camera out, as my images are suddenly less than sharp and I have no idea why!? Unless it’s my eyes… which would be about right with the way things have been going. As much as the less than crisp images are just killing me… I have to offer myself grace this go around. So I’m choosing to laugh, and I hope you’ll squint a little and laugh along with me
THE KITCHEN ISLAND & BRICK WALL
THE ISLAND TOP:
I tend to go extra simple on the island, as I prefer the decor to be easy to move when we want to utilize it! This Fall, I used an old vintage chalkboard and layered a white metal tray, orange berry wreath and my willow pumpkin on top.
TIP: You might notice the coloring goes; dark, light, bright, than neutral. Layering this way ensures all the layers contrast with each other and really shine on their own. Making for a visually balanced & weighted vignette.
Some new art flew in and landed over on the brick wall, and I just adore him! Try as I might… I’m always pulled towards animal decor and art.
Tucked under the console table are two new ottomans I added for quick & easy extra seating, as well as lounging with the feet up!
They are soft and squishy for both uses. And fit like they were made for this spot!
MY CONSOLE TABLE DECOR:
I started by flanking the table with matching lamps, and using an old vintage silver-plate tray as my vignette base. I added faux florals (from Walmart!) to a basket I inherited from my mother in law, and kept the overall styling minimal yet full, with only 2 faux pumpkins. A yummy candle is always a must.
SECRETS: Then, I decided it needed a little more warmth and texture, took everything off and added a runner. It’s all trail and error, and fiddling until it feels right. The faint putty-gray fabric and the fringe on the runner were that little extra something that made it feel complete, and well balanced.
TRICK: There is also a full size brown grocery sack crumpled in the bottom of the flower basket. This keeps the flowers from sinking down into the basket, and looking fluffy and full!
SHAKING THINGS UP:
I flipped my living room furniture around for a fresh feel. I’ve always loved to do this, but it’s the biggest challenge in this, our smallest home. I started on the wall with the door, and removed my chunky wood shelf and flipped the sofa and the shuttered cabinet to opposite walls.
I originally had an ivory tasseled pillow in this chair, but I accidentally bought this stinking cute embroidered truck pillow, and it got booted.
SECRET: I’ve tried to cultivate a more grown-up, refined and slightly more elegant aesthetic over the years. I’m working on balance in all things. My recent purge of my home decor storage room [click here] was a step in the direction I want to go, but I can see I’m still going to be pulled in a direction that isn’t my ultimate goal. And that’s okay. I’m leaving a lot more things in the store, by trying to stay focused on how I want my home to feel, and evolve. My problem has always been that I like and appreciate so many different home decor style!
THE LIVING ROOM
You can see I moved our scissor lights, and they are now flanking either side of the window on the new sofa wall. I’m still absolutely mad for them. I always make sure to share them when they pop up as available on Decor Steals! My sister and I both have them and love them.
MY OTHER CONSOLE TABLE:
I’ve touted my love for the console table for years! They are an incredibly versatile piece of furniture. You just can’t go wrong with them. I own seven between our house and The Little Cottage. I know! And this one works perfectly slipped in sideways, in this skinny spot!
Anchoring the table decor to my wall mirror, with the old shutters connecting the mirror to the table. It’s a bit of a lopsided triangle, with some height in the back, spilling towards the lower pumpkins in the front. I kept the back from feeling too heavy, by using a basket with a very open weave. I repeat a bit of black throughout the living room to tie my scissor lights in. The only new additions here are the faux leather pumpkins. I had everything else on-hand.
SECRET: Since moving my console here was a first for this location, I styled it three times. Deleting and adding as I went, until I landed on this look. With a visual weight balance and color combination that felt right to me. I don’t always get it right the first time.
TIP: The more you practice, the better you’ll get — Promise!
This is definitely the season to adorn your home with all things cozy! Richer colors, luxurious fabrics… chunky throws and tasseled everything!
THE DINING ROOM
The richer Autumn colors fade a bit to harvest gold, as I went softer in the dining area. I also used a lighter hand decorating both the farm table, as well as the mantel.
Dried Hydrangeas and a set of chippy candle sticks on a jute runner are all that grace the table. Making it easy to serve dinner here nightly while we’ve got company.
THE FIREPLACE:
I kept the mantel simple. Opting to let the shiplap fireplace wall pull it’s weight. I simply added a golden hued mirror, paired it with a similarly hued pumpkin, relocated my Pear Branches from earlier in the season, and lastly added my 4-pc set of black iron candle sticks.
SECRET: Whenever I can slip it in, which is often, I like to keep our families brass kaleidoscope out on the mantel. It was a special gift to my mother in law from my husband, and it’s entrusted to us now since her passing.
That’s as far as I’ve gotten this season. Life has been a bit hectic. Between the awful smoke we had (as recent as last week sadly), the demands on my time with the hacking situation, outdoor projects we are trying to wrap-up, trying to be a good hostess to my dad and the regular chores of running a household… I’m basically fired as a blogger. haha. Hope to make it all up to you soon with my Fall porch post and the DECK REVEAL!
I thank you for joining me today, and for your gracious friendship over the years. The support, messages & emails I’ve received after my 9 year old Facebook account with 145,000 followers was stolen, has meant so, so much! It’s also the reason I’ve had the oomph to try starting all over again, with a NEW business page and NEW group for all you foxes!!
Below you’ll find convenient clickable sources and shopping links. Some links may be affiliate. Click here for full disclosure.
Shopping Sources:
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My Kitchen Island [click here]
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Faux Orange Berry Wreath (look at HomeGoods) – similar [click here]
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Willow Pumpkin [click here]
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Console Table Sources [click here]
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Faux Flowers in Basket, from Walmart!
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Faux Leather Pumpkins, Joann’s
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All Other Pumpkins, collected over time
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My French Wire Chandelier [click here] Kitchen in Parisian White
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My French Wire Chandelier [click here] Dining Room in French Umber
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The New Chunky Cable Knit Pillow & Throw in Tobacco are The Bluma, from Pottery Barn. Prices vary, so keep an eye on them! I got my throw for $30 off and my pillow cover was on sale too. Both shipped free.
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My Black Scissor Lights and Gold Mantel Mirror are both from Decor Steals. I always share on my Facebook page when they pop back up.
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My Jute Rugs [click here] I’ve had them for years and still love them!
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Buffalo Check Embroidered Vintage Truck Pillow [click here] Only $11.87
I’m thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with Grandin Road and share some new Fall finds with you. Offering incredible quality, I’m proud to partner with such a wonderful company. And make sure to sign-up for their emails, they have amazing sales! Last year about this time, I scored my Ava slip covered chair for 50% off!
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Pear Branches (on sale now)
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Weston Ottoman in Flint
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Ozwald Owl Art
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Adeline Throw in Ivory – if you’ve shopped for these at all, you’ll know this is a good price for this size! It’s cloud soft too.
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The Ava Slipcover Collection – I’ve had mine since last year, and I’ve got the Stain Resistant Pearl. It comes in three other slipcover shades as well.
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Squirrel Bowl [different but super darling!]
— If I didn’t list something, it’s more than likely vintage or a junque find, a DIY or discontinued. Feel free to comment here or email me at foxhollowcottage@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you!
Wishing you a happy Fall season!! xo Shan
I love your styling. You never over decorate which I try to do as well. (Well I’m trying to!)
Thank you for your wonderful decorating
Debbie thank you SO much! I try to find the balance between pretty and realistic 😉
It’s so easy to start having your home look like a window display and I strive not to do that. hehe
Happy Autumn and almost Halloween!
Shan, it all looks so lovely and cosy. I’d love to tuck my feet under me and sink into your beautiful sofa and enjoy the peaceful ambiance. It’s simply perfect for the season ahead.
I’m so glad that you are allowing yourself some grace given the dramas of the past few weeks. You deserve it lovely. Thank you for the wander around your beautiful fall cottage,
Hugs,
Kerryanne
And you’d be most welcome! Thank you!
You are warming up there now, correct? It’s Springtime, with Summer soon to follow.
Hope it’s been beautiful.
Shannon
This is totally off the subject of Fall decorating but…. I have some canvas to cover the seats and back of my dining room chairs but I want to paint ticking stripes in the center, one wide with a narrower one on either side. Question is, what paint can I use?
Hi Ann,
My best suggestion would be actual fabric paint, to make sure it’s best suited for longevity on fabric.
Good luck 🙂
Oh, and you might try checking YouTube or googling it for tips and tricks when working with that medium.
You know, you are doing great! Your home decor is always, always beautiful! Keep on keeping ON!! I enjoy everything that you blog!
Awe thanks Betty!!
It’s all we can do right 🙂
I love your house and you always amaze me how you decorate it. It always beautiful. I get stuck decorating mine. I never seem satisfied with mine. Can you tell me where you got the hurricane candleholder with the brass?
Hello Betty!
That happens to me sometimes too. When I can’t get it to feel just right.
Sometimes I call it good, sometimes I fiddle a bit more 😉
I got that at HomeGoods a few seasons ago. I’ve looked online for a source to share but have had no luck finding one similar.
Walmart did have two un-curved versions in silver or brass that were reasonable. I’m not sure if they still have them, but they were BHG.
Shannon, I think you do a wonderful job and I adore your cozy cottage! I envy your decorative storage room as my accumulation is in storage units upstairs under the eaves so have to crawl around to find stuff!
My adult kids are not interested in the seasonal decorating that I do so really must make myself sort and get rid of more too. It refreshes me and puts a smile on myself to read your posts. I live in S.E. Washington so feel akin. We had the awful smoke too and now hot weather in October! I am enjoying the cooler mornings and nights though. Stay safe and keep doin’ what ya do!
Marie,
I know my son is 100% not interested in any of my home decor or seasonal decorations. LOL
Oh that does not sound fun, I know I am SO lucky to have rooms I can give up for decor, which partly feels so frivolous,
yet as odd as it sounds even to me, it is my work.
I’m so glad you are clear now. I didn’t want to complain since my home still stands, but it was terrible.
We did hit 94* here on the coast. What a scorcher that was!
Cooling now, and days of rain already.
I’m just thankful for the blue sky and fresh air!
Shannon,
I absolutely adore your Autumnal designs for your Cottage!
Subtle hues with PoPs of Orange. . .fabulous!
Truly, inspirational!
Pat
Thank you Pat!
I’m glad you enjoyed the tour and my choices 🙂
Wishing you a happy Autumn, Shannon
I love your posts and beautiful home. Thank you for all of your inspiration.
Thank YOU so much for visiting 🙂
Have a beautiful Autumn!
Well done Shannon. I love the simplicity yet elegant and relaxing. I have the ‘love everything’ problem! No simple decorating here! LOL Question tho – when you move your lights from wall to wall to you patch and paint every time? I hate making holes in my walls!
Hello Ruth! Thank you so very much 🙂
I did have to fill all the holes and apply touch up paint.
It was fairly quick and painless. The light switch was simple.
The chunky shelf needed more filler and paint though.
I’m sure I’ll keep things this way for some time.
Don’t sell yourself short. I’m your favorite Fox and always will be. 😉 Loved this story and all the pics to go with it. Stay strong my friend. You rock!
Hi CINDY!
Thank you so much for your support 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the tour, and hope to have more to share soon!
Your home is always so full of ideas and tips for each season. Love the new arrangement and all of your vignettes are so well done.
THANK YOU sweet Marty 🙂