The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Softer Side of Autumn. . .

Two favorite Seasons of mine On Crooked Creek are Spring and Fall! This year with the anticipation of Thanksgiving On Crooked Creek. . .we're decorating with a Softer Side of Autumn!



When asked the question of where I find inspiration for my home decor, I usually respond with blogs I follow, home decor books, favorite designers ideas,  frequent decor shops and businesses, magazines, sometimes Seasonal catalogs! But this year, I have combined all of these and decided on a softer side for Autumn!



I'm a lady who loves color!!! My own home has reds, golds, and greens throughout the main living areas of our home. I adore these warm hues that continually make our home a comfortable habitat. So~o~o. . . you can imagine my own shock that I was drawn to the lack of color in this article, Let Spirits Soar by Fifi O'Neill, in the Fall 2011 edition of Romantic Country.







Upon further examination of this article, and the gorgeous photography and styling by Lulu Tapp, I realized it wasn't the white palette that had excited me. Instead it was the muted softer hues of the sage greens, the caramelized rusts, the amber oranges, and the creamy whites. I was smitten!!!



I can do this! We don't do Halloween On Crooked Creek, but we do Fall and Thanksgiving and this year we'll do it with the softer side of the Season.  This, ladies, I can do!



As a matter of fact, I've already started with the Fall wreath that hangs on the front porch On Crooked Creek! I've used this same wreath ever since I can remember. Each year I pull out the leaves to replace, or a flower to replace, or the cattails to replace. . . I think you get the picture! This year I took the entire wreath apart except for the dried mushroom and re~furbished the whole thing!



Beginning with the faded taupe grey of the dried mushroom was the basis of the color palette. I added leaves of the same hue as the dried mushroom, caramelized rusts, sage greens and amber oranges. Then, aided by "Mr. Ed", we hung it against the grey stone facade atop a creamy white painless window.



Although the palette hues are some of the same, by changing the backdrop for the wreath, I was able to achieve that softer side of Autumn I was desiring. I adore the subtle change for the front porch On Crooked Creek!



Over the next few weeks, that softer side will begin to evolve indoors On Crooked Creek. As we make the change from sweltering Summer heat to the first hints of chill in the air, let us all embrace the softer side of Autumn!

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creek is linky to Modern Country Style as our hostess, Sarah invites us to her Fall in Love Linky Party.  I'm sure you'll be inspired to begin some Fall decorating after visiting with Sarah and her guests! A simple thanks to our hostess is greatly appreciated!
http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/2011/10/fall-in-love-link-party.html

11 comments:

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Such beautiful fall ideas, my very fav time of year, I'm an Oct. girl! I love the wreath, I need one for my door and another for my dining room and I need to be a kopy-kat!!
Thanks for sharing! Hugs, FABBY

labbie1 said...

That is lovely. I always long for autumn and the colors associated with it. It makes me want to nest and get ready for winter's bondage indoors. I have to admit that I have never thought about a softer pallet--I look forward to watching yours evolve.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Pat, I have to thank you once again for the beautiful comments you always leave me on my blog. You are the sweetest person! I don't know that I deserve your praise but I sure APPRECIATE it! YOU are a dear!!!! Now, I love your "softer side of Autumn'!!!! The wreath looks wonderful. I have been thinking I wouldn't decorate for Fall til next week cause we are planning a dinner party for our daughter and SIL's FIRST anniversary BUT tonight I found out that several people may not come. It could end up to be just the 4 of us!!!! If that is true I am going to DECORATE!!!!!! I have been itching to do it and today with the high of 61 and rain all day REALLY got me in the mood!!!!! Thank you again, my friend! XO, Pinky

Babs said...

Pat, Thanks for sharing your inspiration pages, and I love your wreath. Where did you find dried mushrooms? I love using natural materials but have trouble finding things in the last few years.Maybe I need to shop online. :(
Have a great evening.
Babs

Martha said...

I like it -- sometimes I think one just needs a change!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Pat...

I just read your sweet note and came right over! I have sooo enjoyed all of your visits lately and do apologize for being so slow to get over to your place. It's just been a busy summer...I'm hoping things will slow down a bit.

Well dear friend, I just giggled when I read this post! I feel exactly the same way as you! Of course you know my home is done in the same color palette at yours and I always look forward to autumn and bringing out all the deep, rich colors. But...this year has been different. I, too, have been drawn to the "softer side" of autumn. I was just playing around with the autumn decor in my dining room and I'm using the same color palette that you are! I do love the neutrals...creamy whites, grays, and browns. I'm using the caramels and rusts along with olive green. So far...I'm happy! Hehe!

I just love how you redid your autumn wreath, dear friend! The large dried mushroom is sooo beautiful and textural! Ohhh...and I love how you used your redecorated wreath with your old window...against the gorgeous stone of your home! It's FABULOUS, Pat!!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your autumn decor at Crooked Creek!

Warmest wishes, dear friend!
Chari

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Oops...just lil' ol' me again!

I also wanted to add...

"Great minds think alike"! Hehe!

Love ya,
Chari

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Gorgeous images, Pat. I love the softer hues of Fall.

bj said...

I've never been one for all the orange for fall..nor the classic colors of Thanksgiving.
Now, with my love of white and with it being shown all over the place, I, too, will use softer. White and glass pumkins, maybe a white with black polka dots..:)), much of my white ironstone collection with tiny boquets of flowers or ivies...
I don't do a LOT of seasonal decorating. I AM wanting to do a mantel display soon....
Today, I am washing, cooking beans and have a bread pudding in the oven. Can you smell it??
xoxo bj

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat! Oh, I love all of these beautiful inspiration snaps! Your wreath is so pretty that you put together. Well, I guess I do go with the bold oranges in the Fall! I have so much. But I do love the look of the softer side as you're calling it. I wouldn't mind doing this but I'd have to go out and buy new things and Mr. Precious is retired now...on and on! :)
Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Hi lovely,

Thanks so much for sharing those pictures - I LOVE seeing magazines from other countries.

Your wreath is just adorable. I love the colours so much!

Thank you for linking up to Modern Country Style's Fall In Love link party!

Sarahx