Another year, another furniture arrangement!

It has been another year, almost, and I am once again posting photos, this time of my fall decorating.  It strikes me as humorous that from year to year, the furniture is in different rooms.  No wonder I drive my poor husband crazy.  This set of pictures comes after our last and FINAL remodel (I hope), but does not include photos from our addition.  I will do that eventually.  I included so "get real" photos of the current state of my kitchen, because if I have to wait to do the dishes, I may never get around to posting.  So here goes, my fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations.  Yes, its only September 11th, but I couldn't resist!

 This first photo is in honor of September 11th.  My children's middle school had an impressive array of flags lining the road into school.  My children weren't clear on what 9/11 referred to, and I made the connection that the slogan "Never Forget" does not apply to them, because they were born in a post 9 /11 world.  That event has become history, something we cannot fail to teach to younger generations.  A very striking realization for me, because I remember that day so vividly.

 This room is caught in the middle of my summer decorating (Americana) and fall (background shelves).  I clearly have not gotten around to organizing my shelves, but that's what they actually look like right now.

 The mantel, done up with metallic pumpkins and rustic lanterns and clock.  The clock is one of my favorite finds from the Sundance store.  The lanterns are from Pier One.

 These two photos are details from my disorganized dining room and kitchen.  The "Eat" sign was a Sundance outlet store find, the colorful rug is from Pier One.  The dishes are left over from this morning!!  I decided to use a multi-color scheme for my dishes this fall.  I also recently refinished my copper sink using metallic spray paint and I think it worked out well.

View of the family room.  I am currently working on a curtain project for this room and the kitchen nook, but have not yet completed them.

When you walk through the door, Halloween is the definite theme.  The bench and mirror are from Pottery Barn.  The coatrack has become my favorite wreath hanger--I switch it up every season.

 The mantel in the living room (two-sided fireplace with our study).  Yes, that's a record player to the left.  The kids broke the lid so it won't close correctly, but listening to vinyl while playing a game of Scrabble is one of my favorite simple pleasures.

A favorite resource for inexpensive holiday dishes, for any holiday is Home Goods.  The space to the right is empty, waiting for my steal of a deal $20 wing back chair to come back from the reupholster.  My sister gave me fabric about 15 years ago that I have contemplated using to recover chairs, but I finally found the right piece.  I hope it works out.  I was pleased when the upholsterer said the springs were the "cadillac's of springs."  I bought the chair 7 or 8 years ago when a shop was going out of business for $20.  The fabric was not cute, but I'm so glad I kept it.  I hope it turns out well.

I should have turned some lights on for the photo, but you can see the basic set-up.  The coffee table is from Ballard Design, rug from Pier One, striped chairs recovered from my husband's grandparent's, the red chairs are from Grandinroad, the black hutch from Dixboro General Store in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  I love this room--so cozy!  Makes me happy.

Another shot of the living room with the piano in the background.  The pumpkin soup tureens are from Pier One several years ago.

The Architecture platter is from Fish Eddy in NYC, one of my favorite gifts from my hubby.

This red hutch was from a going out of business sale at Wood We Ever.  Love the color and dentil molding.

My favorite hutch from Dixboro General store.

 



The two photos below, are details from my living room.  The rustic cubbyhole piece (what do you call that thing?) is from Pottery Barn, the hurricane lanterns are from Sundance (only one pictured), the table runner and funky turkey are from Pier One.  This room is where we have our piano, and then a round coffee table surrounded by four chairs.  It has become our favorite spot to play Scrabble or card games, or just sit and read.  I had my large black hutch in this room, until a week ago, when I got the crazy notion that I wanted to put that piece in my kitchen.  It's no wonder I have back and knee problems, hefting huge pieces of furniture around.  My favorite furniture moving trick is folded up towels under the legs and wood floors to slide the furniture on.

 I am by no means an interior decorator, but rearranging furniture and decorating for the holidays makes me happy.  Personally, that's what I think our homes should be . . . a comfortable, welcoming place where we can gather family and friends and do the things that bring us joy.  I think I drive my in-laws crazy with all of the changes I make in my home, but it works for me!!  I absolutely love fall and look forward to mild weather and cozy nights at home!