I loved all the colorful purple velvet and elegant Christmas decor in my last post, but I have not re-decorated in purple yet! Truth be told, my admiring eye has landed on late fall and holiday inspiration from friends in blogland who share my passion for quiet colors, timeworn finishes, and a love for vintage. While fall and the festive season conjure up images of bright red apples, golden leaves, and tartan blankets, most of these familiar and popular-in-America touchstones feel out of place in my own home.
White remains my favorite color to use at home for its tranquil and timeless essence and since I find it not at all impractical or difficult to live with. Naturally, you’ll see white as a mainstay in my fall decor and even for the holidays. (Our halls at home have not yet been decked BTW as I am still in the desert finishing a few projects, but soon I hope to be adding subtle touches for Christmas.)
I snapped these next few photos in my studio to demonstrate what inspires me more than anything: AUTUMN SUNLIGHT.
The light in fall just has a softer, gentler glow.
Nothing is safe from my paintbrush dripping with white…not even an old armchair! I collected these French-inspired, vintage-look bags years ago and still love using them.
The vintage Christening gown above is not just any silky white dress…it’s the one my mama dressed me in for my dedication as an infant.
The white armoire is a freshly painted family piece.
I haven’t yet decided whether it will stay white (it may wish to become a quiet grey-blue) so it hasn’t yet received its finishing wax…and I’m much too lazy for much hand-distressing. In time, it will become naturally distressed from use.
Even in autumn, I am drawn to muted, faded, hushed and whispery colors and finishes which invite me to slow down and breathe. I very much appreciate fall color away from my own home, but I never tire of returning to a soothing, neutral palette at home in fall or any season.
Here are more quiet moments of tone on tone inspiring me this fall and holiday around the web…beginning with my fabulous friend Loi’s home and shop, which for me feels like heaven on earth.
My talented artist friend Dore (Burlap Luxe) is always creating something brand new which refuses to feel new! Her art imparts a vintage, imperfect, timeworn, gentle nostalgia that is soothing to the senses. How magical are her hand-sculpted sheep?
I hope this quiet collection brings you peace during this holy season.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I just love these images -have you done a post on the painted arm chair? I would love to see how it’s done ….. it’s just so simply lovely.
Author
Thanks! Like so much of my DIY, it was a crazy experiment, Marilyn. I paid $10 for the peach velvet chair, stuffed it in my car and began experimenting in my lab. Even with moistening the fabric, it still soaked up the white paint like a sponge and was time consuming work. The texture is no longer soft so the chair has been functioning as a prop for styling only. I could do a post on ‘really silly ideas that missed the mark!’ 🙂
I do enjoy rich colors for the fall/winter months, but this year I’m beginning my December “switch over” by blending or merging winter elements into the autumn decor. For example, I’ll snip a bit of mugo pine (short needled shrubbery) to insert into a blue & white bowl already filled with faux pears and ivy, two feathered quail nestled in the top; then I’ll repeat this treatment with other arrangements, including a blue tin basket on the front door. I’m setting up white electric candles on all the window sills to have ready for the First Sunday of Advent (this Sunday). Next is the Advent Wreath set up with mugo pine, small cones, and four purple candles on a silver tray for the dining table.
Author
Oh I can picture it with your beautiful descriptions. Email pics if you snap any – would be a pleasure to share, Jo. 🙂