Friday, September 9, 2016

French Country: Simple Ideas for Fall!

Fall is all about adding warmth and comfort to your home.
As temperatures dive in the high country and snow dusts the mountaintops here in Colorado,
autumn is easing on down to the foot of the Rockies. 
It won't be long before the days are shorter, the nights cooler and the aspen leaves turn to gold.


Whether it's bringing the outdoors in or taking your decor outside, 
autumn is a wonderful time of year to give your home a little love.


The great thing about seasonal decorating is
you don't have to re-do the whole house (unless you want to). 
Just adding a few touches of the season here and there is all it takes to celebrate the change.

For instance, my dining room table gets a seasonal boost with a basket of green apples. 
Baskets or old galvanized buckets make great containers to hold fall accessories.


Incorporating various finishes such as silver, dried flowers and straw-wrapped wine bottles,
is the key to fall decorating, bringing nature's warmth and textures indoors. 


Natural materials like branches, pine cones or bleached antlers 
are easy ways to accessorize with the season. 


A mini-makeover in the living room takes the mantel from summer to fall with the addition 
of some vintage books, a few dried hydrangeas and an old clock in a cloche.


Add some natural materials and a change in color palette and autumn arrives in the guest room.


In my little kitchen's only window, I switch out my summery white lace curtain panels 
for a farmhouse valance. The autumnal golds and reds bring a bit of warmth to the kitchen 
and the roosters crow to come on outside and enjoy the cooler temperatures.


A valance also lets in a lot more natural light than panels, a good idea as the days get shorter. 


Keep it simple.
The foyer is toned down with a single candle on a tall wrought iron candlestick,
a basket of branches, a velvety riding helmet and some knee-high boots.


To me, fall and horses just go together, whether it's in Colorado or the French countryside.
One of my favorite autumn memories is one late September day when I was taking riding lessons.
The mountain air was cool but the sun felt warm on my shoulders.
I entered an old barn, rich with horsey smells, sweet hay, leather tack and soft nickering.
Heaven.

I bring that fond memory back in my sunroom with a jean's jacket and a pair of cowboy boots. 
Time to turn on the gas fireplace and settle in here at the foot of the Rockies.


The nighttime air blows through my bedroom window, cool and crisp,
and that extra blanket on the bed is starting to feel pretty good.

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Linking with:
DesignthusiasmRustic & RefinedDwellingsBetween Naps on the PorchRose Chintz Cottage,
Coastal CharmCedar Hill FarmhouseA Stroll Thru LifeSavvy Southern Style,
A Delightsome LifeHave a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonThe Vintage Nest,
Peonies and Orange BlossomsPoofing the PillowsAdirondack Girl at HeartRooted in Thyme,
Shabby Art BoutiqueFrench Country Cottage




32 comments:

  1. Such pretty photos! It's still so hot in the south of France, it seems that fall will never come. Your pictures make me actually long for a bit of chill!

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    1. Thank you so much! I wouldn't mind trading with you as parts of Colorado are calling for a freeze warning tonight. I love fall but am not looking forward to freezing weather. A bit of chill is a good way to say it. Happy weekend.

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  2. Just this morning we had a slight chill in the air, on the school run at 8am the outside temperature registered 12C (around mid 50's). For the first time in months I turned the a/c off in the car. It didn't last, by midday we were up to the mid 80's with 90's forecast all weekend. I can picture the barn, the smell of horses, the activity, having ridden my entire life. Autumn is always such a fun time for any sporting activity, the slightly cooler weather gives us so much more energy after the slight lethargy that comes with hot sun and soaring temperatures. Can't wait to see some snow photos, then I shall be totally jealous!!! Have a lovely weekend. Susan x

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    1. Thank you Susan! I remember reading that you were a rider and had hoped you'd enjoy this post. Yesterday we drove to the southern part of our state for some antiquing, hiking and shooting (or trying to) the bow and arrow. The best part of the day was seeing a big bull elk jump out near us and trot effortlessly across the valley and up a hill. What a thrill to see wildlife in their own setting. Enjoy your lovely weather this weekend.

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    1. Thanks Mel! So nice to see a comment from you. Hope you have a good weekend.

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  4. I love your writing style -- you have a wonderful way of bringing your pictures to life so that I can feel the warmth and coziness of your home and the slight chill in the air! Still hot and humid here in Tennessee! I envy your cool, mountain air!

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    1. Thank you so much! I love your comments. I've always loved to write and it means a lot that someone enjoys my writing. You'd love our cool air tonight...I had to put a comforter on the bed today and close the windows. Brrr. But a nice change, huh?

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  5. I love your writing style -- you have a wonderful way of bringing your pictures to life so that I can feel the warmth and coziness of your home and the slight chill in the air! Still hot and humid here in Tennessee! I envy your cool, mountain air!

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  6. I love your valence, it would go great in my kitchen too. I'll be looking for some fabric with roosters!

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    1. Thanks Carole. You can't go wrong with roosters! I actually found this valance in a yard sale and scooped it up. Good luck with your search.

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  7. Pat,
    You are making me miss the fall up north. Your fall decor is so lovely and drooling over your vintage books. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party.

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    1. Thanks so much Vanessa! Yes, I missed the fall when I lived in California for a few years. Glad to be back in a mountain state. I can't resist beautiful old books; I probably have too many of them or is that possible? Have a good week.

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  8. I love all your Fall touches, Pat. I don't really do too much Autumn decorating because we go from the heat to a very short cooler Fall season to a very long and cold winter season. So, come October when we celebrate Thanksgiving, I'm thinking about Christmas. I love your silver jug holding the hydrangeas. Cute touches in your kitchen too. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Hi Sandi and thanks! I probably wouldn't do fall either if it's that short. I keep my seasonal touches pretty minimal and natural. I didn't know you celebrated Thanksgiving in October. I can't think about Christmas yet or . . . snow!

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  9. You are right. Simple decorating changes can bring a new feeling to a space and to one's day.

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    1. Thank you Catherine! Yes, I put a toile tablecloth on the dining table today and it changed the whole feeling of the space. More warm and cozy. Hope you have a lovely week.

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  10. I just love French country decorating and your ideas are preactical and yet I feel like I can change a few things around and have a touch of that same feeling! Your blog is lovely and very cozy! Happy Fall!

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    1. Thank you so much! It's amazing what a few little changes can do. So glad you like my blog. Have a great weekend.

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  11. Pat, perfect touches of fall! I love the gathering of baskets, bottles, and books. I enjoyed your sweet barn memory. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thank you Jann! Isn't it interesting how our focus quickly changes when cool weather arrives? I've been nesting all week. Now, I hear we have warm weather coming this weekend so I'll be back in the garden. Hope you have a lovely weekend.

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  12. I love these ideas. I haven't gotten around to decorating for fall. I like to do simple touches- not an overhaul. I LOVE the mantel and could easily do something similar with things I already have. Thanks for the great inspiration!

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    1. Thanks so much! I love it when we can use what we already have to make things look completely fresh and new. Have a great weekend.

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  13. Pat, A basket of apples is a great center piece for the dining room table. Natural materials support the fall theme very easily. Thanks for sharing your decorating ideas. Sylvia D.

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    1. Thank you Sylvia! Fall has arrived in force in the Rockies. So breathtaking and cooler weather is a nice change.

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  14. Pat, that view is stunning! I love the simple real life touches you've chosen to use. That's the way to go.

    Happy Thoughts of Home. ;)

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    1. Thank you Stacey! I never tire of this view. Enjoy Fall where you are.

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  15. I love your mantel! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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    1. Thank you Sherry! Stay tuned for more mantel news. Hint: sconces!

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  16. Your lovely post evokes all that is wonderful about fall, Pat. You have a wonderful gift for decorating :) Thanks for sharing it with us at Vintage Charm--

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    1. Thank you so much Diana. Fall must be gorgeous where you are. Such a nice change. I'm so appreciative of your nice comment. Thanks!

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  17. Love your style of decorating Pat. Signed up for your emails. Looking forward to more interesting decorating ideas.

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