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Since we revealed the dining room, we have loved our space and had a ball looking at it. I’ll be honest, we haven’t officially eaten at the table yet. I’m too nervous. I know it’s fine…I sealed it FOUR times, but you know, it’s going to be this heirloom in our family. I do know that I have to get over it. We sure didn’t build it to stare at it…although, I could do so for quite a long time.
Last week, after picking up an inspiration piece, I decided it was time to add a little fall decorating to the dining room. Here’s what it looks like today…
It was begging for a little color, and a fun piece of peacock striped fabric (as a table runner) does the trick for me. Love it! At $2.47 a yard, it only set me back $6 plus tax. I left it unhemmed and simply folded it to create a new runner. If you follow me on Facebook, though, you know my mom is teaching me to sew, so striped peacock fabric of the world, beware.
I’m comin’ for ya.
After I laid our “runner” on the table, I knew I wanted to incorporate some gala or pink lady apples into the mix. Not only are they our favorite (especially if they’re organic), it’s time to make some fall homemade applesauce…and that color contrast is fab. I found the pewter tumblers at Troy Antiques for $1 each.
I got the hand painted Gail Pittman dishes back when I was a Willow House consultant several years ago, and it made me happy to pull them out again. The place mats are from French Laundry Home via One Kings Lane, the same ones you saw in the dining room reveal.
The leaf-shaped salad plates are Better Homes & Garden via Walmart…yep, that’s right. I LOVED them, so I snagged six when they ran a sale.
We won’t actually be hosting any fall parties, so I left off the flatware and chargers. Plus, I really wanted those hand painted babies to pop off of the oatmeal colored place mat. Check, check.
The feathers, sticks, and seed pods are all from a faux arrangement I previously had in our home. That’s a tip for you….find a big, gaudy faux floral arrangement at the thrift store, and deconstruct it to use the bits you love.
Those adorable (free!) Thankful Cards are by the fabulous Jones Design Company. The kids and I are really enjoying recording what we’re thankful for this year. Love that girl…love her work! Go check out her printables and her home…beautiful!!
I used old jelly molds to hold corks fashioned to hold my place cards. A little sprig of greenery finishes off each place setting.
Let’s get to the rest of the table decor, shall we?
I filled two footed hurricanes with a little brown rice and sticks. I originally sketched some dried split peas (because I’ve been loving split peas for years!), but I had brown rice on hand, and loved the way it looked next to the gorgeous handmade pottery mugs I found at a flea market.
They’re definitely handmade, and the signature on the bottom appears written in…and I’m having quite a hard time reading it. I hope to find out more about them soon. If you have any info, don’t hesitate to pass it along.
I sat a vintage caddy on top of a scrap piece of the reclaimed wood we used to build the table from. Holiday time is a time to sit down and stay…so keep your centerpieces low enough to encourage lots of conversation.
This beautiful caddy came from–you guessed it–Troy Antiques. I think it was $12…that place is truly a treasure trove!
The two vines came from Hobby Lobby, and I was able to grab those at 50% off.
I couldn’t totally stop with the table. The bookcases got a little updating and shifting around.
Here’s what they looked like when we finished the dining room.
Here they are now…
They’re not that different, but I just get the urge to move things around and highlight certain “sit-abouts.”
Yes, that’s soap. Soap in my bookcases.
Hand milled soap is beautiful, fragrant, and really graphic. I love how they form little structural moments in a bathroom, so why not?
Oh, the plate that started it all. I found it, again, here in town. It’s Vintage D & C France China….I’m quite the lucky gal. I scored it for $3, and they appraised around $50 per plate most of the time.
I LOVE colors and graphic nature of the pattern…it’s sooo eye catching!
I kept my wooden book holder in place, and simply added in some of the books I found a couple of weeks ago. The gold frame is a little small for our built ins, but I don’t mind. I just wanted that pattern/color right there next to those two shelves, and didn’t mind that it did not cover up too much shelf space.
Plus, I love my honey.
I added this Ikea pillow cover into the mix of linens to tie a little red in. I love it…and have been going back and forth on buying one for at least a year.
What do ya think? Fresh enough fall decorating for you?
It’s got me quite happy and dreaming of homemade applesauce.
I think that’s a pretty good place to be in.
*linking this to Tips & Tutes from HomeStoriesA2Z, TipJunkie, & Wow Us Wednesday’s at Savvy Southern Style
So pretty and festive! Love the plates and the corks for place holder is such a great idea.
so lovely! i think the apples are my favorite touch!
Beautiful, I love all the little touches! I am especially loving that you popped a little red in there. I’ve been on the hunt for some red to add to our blue/aqua/tan/white space for the fall and winter.
Umm, I’m kinda ticked that I don’t live close to Troy Antiques. That place sounds amazing! I love your light, fresh take on fall. I’ve been using lots of red and orange, which really don’t go with the rest of my house. I think I’ll try to add in more nice neutrals like you have. A great fall atmosphere without screaming “LOOK! PUMPKINS!” in your face
Your dining room is gorgeous! I love all of the Fall touches. I had to go back and look at your reveal post to see more. I couldn’t find a post on the how to of the window seat. Do you have one up yet? I have low windows as well and I wondered how you worked around that.
Very pretty! Love it all.
This is my favorite holiday tablescape that I’ve seen all season! It’s elegant and not cliche. Your room is LOVELY!
Bookshelves…wow! I am retired and having fun repurposing my favorite things so love your blog and following you on Pinterest. Had to pin that bookshelf. You must have had such fun putting that together.
Beautiful. I especially love the small homage to the whole peacock trend. It’s so hard the first time using something like your table. It’s like a brandnew, stainless steel appliance. You know that a scratch is going to happen and will add to the piece but the first one is painful.
Love the table setting with those bold pops of color. What a great deal on the bottle carrier. They are quite price around here. Everything looks wonderful. Thanks so much in advance for joining my party.
Beautiful! Love that you did the fall decor in a nontraditional “fall” color palette.
Wow, the whole thing looks amazing! Nice job
Beautiful. Love the pops of color with the runner and the apples. Also, great idea with the rice. Very fun. Hope your family has a truly Happy Thanksgiving!
Shaunna,
I think we are all a little alike in the way we tend to protect our handcrafted pieces from our children. I have two boys but like said in a previous post, once you get past the first scratch, it gets easier to deal with. Live life and enjoy your spaces
Thanks for the invite! Your dining room is set PERFECT for Fall! I LOVE it!!! I’m your newest follower!!!
Aimee @ ItsOverflowing.com
Wow…I’m so in love with the after!
It’s gorgeous, Mama!! I love every last little thing you did.
ps – Wish we could hone our sewing skillz together.
Love it! It looks great!
Debbie
I love your dining room!!! I want one!
Love seeing all the old SLAH products and the wonderful textures you used. Very inviting!! Enjoy!
It’s a gorgeous table, and I never tire of seeing your lovely dining room!!! I posted my thanksgiving table today, and went a more natural route too. Happy Thanksgiving!