Autumn, past and present.

I didn't go overboard decorating our house for autumn this year,

as I've been known to do in the past.  In fact, I hardly did a thing!

I kept the dining room mantel very neutral.

A new wreath from HomeGoods replaced my sheet music wreath.

Of course I brought out my old pumpkin lamp, which, believe it

or not, I rewired!  Pam (House of Hawthornes) inspired me with her

 easy to follow tutorial.  Thanks Pam! 

Photo from last year on the left and proof that it works on the right!

The lamp is now home to the one and only compact fluorescent light bulb at 911.

Hmpf!  Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?!

I found a new spot for one of the hats I bought at the thrift store. 

My tool caddy centerpiece is filled with brown bottles, candles, and scented pine cones.

I love the spicy smell of cinnamon in the fall.

This little farm girl comes out to play every autumn.

I found the orange heart vase for just a few dollars at an antique shop

and the colors are perfect for our dining room!  I've had the figurine so long

I can't even remember where I got it.

Now, prepare yourself for a frightening sight of autumn past.......

Before & After

Eeek!  The photo on the left was taken...oh, about 6 years ago

when I was still trying to make our old furniture work in this house.

Truth be told, that dining room table and chairs we purchased way back in 1980
 never worked for us, so we gifted it to a needy young couple.

The furniture is still going strong, but unfortunately their marriage isn't.

That's it for the dining room.

I cut the last of my black-eyed Susans to fill canning jars on the
living room mantel.  After trying every mirror I own (and that's quite a few!)
 I settled on the oval mirror to offset the straight lines of the fireplace.

I replaced the old wicker rocking chair with this chippy
 turquoise chair to lighten up the dark brick.

A basket of old quilts covers up the black gas insert

when the fireplace is not in use.

My Limelight hydrangeas really took off this year and provided

plenty of blossoms to fill baskets around the house.

There are a few updates in this corner, like our new clock that actually keeps time.

Imagine that!  I love the color, but it's one more dark element in the room, so

I'm going to paint it a lighter color.  I also changed out our old

lampshades with new linen shades and what a difference it made!

Before & After

Yikes!
The photo on the left was taken 2 years ago, and I'm not missing that dark trim
one little bit!  Now I'm rethinking my decision to leave the fireplace as is.

Looking back, I realize I've made quite a bit of progress in lightening up the rooms
and also in practicing the Less is More design theory........sort of.
  :o)

Well, that's it for now.

Thanks for stopping by!

Vickie

*I'm joining the parties at:
Mod Vintage Life Mod Mix Monday
Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday
Ivy & Elephants What's it Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson Share your Cup Thursday