Hello friends! I’m so excited to be headed into my favorite season, although I wish time would slow down just a bit so it doesn’t go by so fast!
Today is day three of Marty’s Fall Home Tour series, and I’m so happy to be following Cristina, at Remodelando la Casa today. She can literally build anything, and she’s super nice so be sure to click on her link and visit. You’ll find tons of great ideas and DIYs.
I’m starting my fall decor in the living room, which is our only living space, so it has to function and be comfortable, and I won’t compromise style – I don’t think one has to. I think the best compliment ever is for my husband to say how much he looks forward to relaxing and enjoying this room after a hard week at work.
I also love color – this time of year, especially! Fall is a riot of color here, and as usual, I want the inside of my home to reflect what is outside my doors, so let’s jump right in!
After using only lace sheers all summer, fall is always the time I bring back the paisley curtains and red velvet lambrequins. It’s the first step for me to cozy up this room. I also brought back great grandmother’s Victorian chaise, and love it so much under the windows.
I always bring in leaves, hydrangeas and goldenrod for arrangements to place around and love the fall look and feel they give my rooms.
Candles, especially in vintage glass containers are my favorite, and I love having them around the room as well. My friend Sherri makes these, so be sure to check out her page as she has some beautiful fall candles.
This is my favorite, cozy spot, and I have combined red chenille and orange velvet to create an inviting place to sit.
This painted photo of my great grandmother from 1921 is dark and moody perfection and something I truly treasure.
Old family books, great grandmother’s 1940’s radio, granddaddy’s school bell and his book of Shakespeare from his college days at Duke (then Trinity College) in the 1920s, are right at home with inherited Chinese ancestor prints hung on windows from the old house and great grandmother’s opera glasses. My daddy remembers playing under great granddaddy’s drop leaf table when he was a child here.
I have continued the red and orange velvet pillows on the Duncan Phyfe sofa and added a Turkish kilim pillow as well for texture and an unexpected pattern.
In this corner, I placed a vase of hydrangeas from my garden on an inherited table with one of great grandmother’s pin cushions. I think these are so wonderful for decor as well.
The rug is an overdyed vintage Persian that I found at ecarpetgallery.com a few years ago. It is a favorite, and the large size is perfect so none of the furniture is “floating” but anchored on the rug.
In the corner, an inherited table holds a Victorian-era lamp on loan from my mother. Old family photos hang on the walls.
I built the mantel from trim restored from the old house several years ago, and made the red velvet mantel scarf last year. The Perfection Kerosene heater has been here since the 1920s, and the clock is from 1921.
I clipped some dogwood branches for the mantel as that’s one of the only trees that have color this early.
I found the mirror, also from the old house, earlier this summer when I cleaned out some of my wood in the shop. I stripped wallpaper and paint off the frame, but the paint had gone too deep into the grain of the wood, so I had to paint it and went with gold for a classic, traditional look.
As you can probably tell at this point, I didn’t bring out bins with decor or hit the big box stores for plastic pumpkins and faux leaves. I walked the property picking things here and there, moved a few things around and interchanged some others. I am thankful to have so much that has been passed down, mostly because it all means something to me, but also because others would have thrown it in the trash or donated most of it. I see value in things that were made when quality mattered, and things that bear the mark of craftsmen and artisans who really cared about their work. I am thankful to be the caretaker of these things for now that will hopefully be passed down to the next generation to love and cherish.
I do love this season and really look forward to resting and enjoying this room after garden and canning season! I already told my husband I was ready for a long winter’s nap right there on great grandmother’s chaise;-)
You can see last year’s fall living room HERE.
Here is a video for you to show some of my “free decorating” process and a cozy nighttime tour! Be sure to subscribe to my channel for all things fall and home!
Now, be sure to go check out Kathy’s beautiful tour at Up To Date Interiors next, then click on the links below for each day. There are 30 beautiful and unique fall tours that you’ll gather lots of inspiration from so don’t miss any!
Monday Sept 13 – – –
A Stroll Thru Life – Inspiration for Moms – Worthing Court
Pink Peppermint Style – Clean and Scentisible – LeCultivateur
Tuesday Sept 14 – – –
Southern State of Mind – This is Our Bliss – Cuckoo4Design
11 Magnolia Lane – Decor to Adore – Noting Grace
Wednesday Sept 15 – – –
Grace In My Space – Remodelando la Casa – Whispering Pines Homestead
Up To Date Interiors – The Stonybrook House – Thrifty and Chic
Thursday Sept 16 – – –
CitrineLiving – Our Southern Home – Southern Hospitality
Hymns and Verses – A Pretty Life in the Suburbs – DIY Beauty
Friday Sept 17
Golden Boys and Me – StoneGable – Quarters One
The Woodgrain Cottage – White Arrows Home – Chalking Up Success
Your choice of colors is great!! I love color too and your room is so cozy, warm and very elegant at the same time. If I were you I might have to keep your mom’s lamp. Wow, that red! A very stunning piece. Love your grandmother’s pin cushion too. Love all the treasures to remind us of our most treasured people. Enjoy the nap!
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Thank you so much Linda!! Yes the lamp is just breathtaking, and I try to be soooooo very careful with it🙏🤞 I’m definitely looking forward to cozy fall and wintery afternoons right there on that chaise😂😂
I meant to thank you for your video showing that you soak your hydrangeas. Such a common sense thing to do and one I never thought of. I rarely bring them in bc of the friends that travel with them. However, I went a little nuts today after watching your video, and soaked a whole bunch. When they dry out I’ll put them around the house. Thanks for the tip!! Do you soak peonies to in the spring (since the aunts are busy opening them)? Enjoy the beautiful chaise and that.lamp. with a good a book!! Happy Fall!!
Author
Yes funny enough, I went back to that very bunch to find a huge wolf spider sitting on top😳😳😳 So I’m glad I did that😂😂 I also soak the peonies, I don’t know if you’re supposed to, but I don’t want to bring the ants in, and it does help☺️☺️☺️
Oh my goodness. You have inspired me!!!!! SO very pretty and I can see how your husband can’t wait to be in this room after a long day. Thank you for posting and giving us another glimpse into your home. : )
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Oh thank you so much for that Mary Ann!! I think sometimes people feel like a room can’t be pretty and fancy and comfortable all at the same time, but it really can so I hope other people see that’s well☺️☺️☺️
Anita your tours always blow me away. So lovely! And my jaw dropped when I saw your YouTube video. It’s such a beautifully filmed video. I really suck at making YoutUbe videos LOL. Wish I had those skills.
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Thank you so much Julia☺️☺️ It’s been fun working on videos – my husband is also a videographer so we love doing it but it takes sooooo much time😂😂
Oh I so love it all. You have so many fabulous antiques and treasures passed down from your family and you display them all so beautifully. Your home is full of love and history and that makes it very special. Thanks so much for joining the tour again this season, I always love visiting your home.
Author
Thank you so very much Marty!! Thanks for all your work putting these tours together as well❤️❤️
Anita, your living room exudes warmth and comfort, it’s lovely! I always go back and forth throughout all of your pictures to take in all the details. ❤️❤️
I can picture you resting there on your great-grandma’s chaise after a long day in the garden. Btw I read that previous gardening post and girl, that’s a big task. Love the drone pictures, although they make it look so small.
Author
Thank you Cristina!! Ha ha you are right about the resting☺️ I should have put myself in that drone photo for perspective because I thought – wow it’s not that small when you’re working in it😂😂
Truly beautiful as always. Enough to inspire all who view the beautiful rooms you always show
Author
Thank you Mother, and thanks for letting me borrow things❤️❤️
I always enjoy your tours, and the family treasures that you highlight.
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Thank you so much Gail☺️☺️
Hi Anita! I’m so happy to be home touring with this wonderful group of bloggers. What a home! Your home is one that speaks of time and texture and warmth. It’s so unique! I love all the rich colors and textures.
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Thank you so much Lori!
Aw, Anita, this was lovely and refreshing. Shopping your own home for seasons—is what I have been doing. Occasionally I may pick up a bit of ribbon, but I have so many bits and pieces from the last 30 years, I can certainly come up with something. Your room is elegant, comfortable and vibrant. I love the period and yet still so liveable. Hugs, Sandi
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Thank you so much Sandra☺️☺️ I know what you mean – I definitely pick up things like that as well and others if I run out☺️
every corner is beautiful…but I must say I always love your kitchen the best. You really have a designer touch in such a cozy inviting way. gorgeous!
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Thank you so much Alda☺️☺️
Hi Anita! You living space is so beautiful and I could spend hours relaxing in this room. i especially love the red and orange color combination, gorgeous! I hope we have a nice long autumn, it’s my favorite time of year. Take care!
Author
Thank you Sally☺️☺️ Orange and red are many favorites currently☺️☺️
Anita–I always love reading the story behind all of your beautiful family heirlooms. That room is designed for Fall–so welcoming and cozy! Love the new blog name, by the way. Happy Fall!
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Thank you so much Christy!!
Such cozy beauty to be found in your inspiring images. A true joy to be on tour with you.
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Thank you so much Laura☺️☺️
Magnificently refreshing! In a world of grey, white, Target, Ikea, pressed wood, painted white( once beautiful )wood furniture, and overall bland sameness your home stands out and draws you in. I wish more Bloggers would step away from the boring almost required style that no longer inspires a feeling of beauty, comfort, hominess, or imagination. I and I’m sure many others skip over the redundant and jump into your Blog wishing for others to step out of the box and join you. So THANK YOU very much for a feast in a world of diets!!
Author
Thank you so much for those kind words☺️☺️ I hope to inspire people to try something different for sure☺️☺️
It’s always such a treat to see your gorgeous home Anita! Love the fireplace mantel styling and your grandmother’s portrait. Everything is beautiful.
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Thank you so much Kathryn!!
All so beautiful! I love the colors, the amber glassware and all your Fall touches!
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Thank you so much Kristin!!