2016 Fall Home Tour

 

I’ve been doing some fall decorating in our home the last while, just whenever I have a minute. I like to use naturals when decorating. There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to bring the outdoors inside and seeing mother nature’s glory displayed. Oh, and it costs less too. :)

For our table I wanted greenery displayed with apples and candles. I knew this creeping sedum would last awhile before wilting so I washed it and removed any brown leaves and stems..

I used old weathered wood boards to set everything on. The little orange berries are from my sister’s rose bush. She was kind enough to let me clip some off. Everything else was collected outside. I dug the candles out of storage where they were stored from past years. I love the idea that I hardly spent anything for this display. I can’t wait to light the candles!

On to the buffet in the dining area…

In the mirror above you notice the reflection of this..

Any of the orangeish/yellow gourds you see in photos come from the vine growing in our fire pit area that I never planted. A seed washed down into a crevice in the rocks and sprouted, growing a big vine. For awhile I didn’t know what it would produce. I was tickled when these cute gourds started to show up.

I made the fall sign above, using a cabinet door last year.

I had a hard time finding colored leaves so early in the season, but managed to find a few. I will replace them with new ones throughout the season, I’m sure.

I dug out these canvases of the boys in storage. The vibrant fall colored backgrounds are only suitable for this time of the year.

A few years ago I made these burlap pumpkins that you can read about here.

 

The mantle..

For the garland I used wild honeysuckle. I know the leaves will wilt but I thought I’d give it a shot anyhow. Hopefully the berries will stay on and still give it a fall appeal. I also added a few of the rose bush berries.

I wanted to add a splash of blue so I snipped these off a blooming perennial from my garden. I’m not a  hundred percent sure what it is so I won’t try to name it. :) In the picture they look lavender but in reality they are more blueish.

Now..on to a display on the porch..

If I get the chance, I want to add a sign that says “FALL” or some sort of letters with this display. I feel like it needs something yet.

Now, if only this weather would stay for a good long time.. preferably a few months, then maybe a month of winter (snow and all), and then spring again?  :) I don’t ask for much. :)

Happy fall, you all!

-Mary

Chest Makeover

 

Here’s a quick makeover I want to share with you. A few years ago someone gave this chest to me since they had no more use for it..

I stored it in my furniture pound, as I like to call it and just the other day I dug it out and eyed it, trying to decide what I want to do with it. I turned it on it’s end. Could it be a little cupboard/locker piece?

No, it was too short for a cabinet. It needed to stay on it’s bottom.

I tore off all the trim, since some of it was broken off anyway. I applied a coat of satin, water based white paint.

As it dried, I tried to envision it being anything other than a coffin. It was tough. I knew I would need to add some major details to get it to look like a pleasant piece of furniture.

I casually asked my ten year old, who was in the shop at the time what he thinks this piece will be once I’m done with it. “I’m sure it will be nice once your finished, mom, but right now it kinda looks like a coffin”

I applied another coat of paint and sanded it to distress it.

I added gray stripes, using electrical tape since the dollar store was out of masking tape..

I also put caster wheels on the bottom, a handle on the lid, and a French design on the front.

I think that took care of the coffin look. What do you think?

 

I think this piece would make a great coffee table, bench seat or blanket chest in the bedroom..

I have intentions of selling the piece, but it would also look great in our bedroom. :) If it wasn’t so crowded already I’d probably keep it for a blanket chest.

So again, here is the before and after. It never ceases to amaze me what paint and a few added details can do!

Easy DIY Plank Door

 

I can hardly believe we are in the month of September already! Seriously, where has the summer gone? I think I am still trying to get back into a routine after being on vacation a few weeks ago. Our chalkboard wall reminds us daily that vacation is over. This was how we found it upon coming home (thanks to a creative niece who needed to rub reality in) :/

Before getting into the plank door I made, I need to share with you about the mysterious vine we have growing in our fire pit area. A few months ago I had it in my hand already to pull it, thinking it was a weed, but then noticed it looked different. I let it be and it kept on growing..

Finally, the vine produced it’s fruit..

The cutest little pumpkin/gourds! I probably tossed some back in the woods last fall and a seed managed to wash down to the fire pit area and sprout. How neat is that. :)

______________________________________________________________________________________

I always envisioned how much fun it would be to live in a farmhouse filled with character that farmhouses tend to have.. Old doors, high ceilings, and wide molding. But, I guess I’ll have to settle for the next best thing and add farmhouse touches to the home we have the best I can.

For a few years now I removed a closet door in our entryway area and placed a shelf/bench in it, along with a few hooks and totes. This is what it looked like:

Since this is a catch all space, I began to grow weary of trying to keep it straightened up all the time, so I dug out the original door..

I bought a sheet of quarter inch plywood for around $12, the kind that people use as an under layment on floors. I didn’t take a picture of the one I had gotten, but this image from online is similar..

I cut the plywood in 3 1/4” strips, using the table saw.

Starting in the middle of the door, I glued the strips down, pinning into place, using my air nailer.

I used a nickel to create a space between the strips.

After filling the nail holes with putty and sanding, the door was ready for paint.

I applied three coats of white Do It Best paint/primer in one, using a roller.

I scoured the local antique malls for an antique glass door knob, and finally, after a few weeks a friend of mine found one for around $20.

I had an old knob plate around here from a former door that I used. I didn’t refinish anything on the plate and I’m really impressed with how it blends in with the rest of the colors in our home. I painted the steel part of the knob a color that matched somewhat with the plate and distressed it. The knob is only for looks. I installed a magnetic latch inside the door for closing.

Again the before, and then the after..

 

I love the door, but of course, being the critic that I am, my eye is always drawn to the ugly thermostat on the wall beside the door. :/

I hope you are inspired to add touches to your home, making it to your taste and spending very little to do it!

Happy end of summer everyone! These days I am posting a lot of summer pictures on my Instagram if you are interested in seeing a last touch of summer.

Thanks for visiting!