The dining room being in the center of our home, it's one of my favorite rooms to add some seasonal touches. Recently I made a few changes, one of them being moving a painting over the mantel to a different room and hanging some dishes in its place.
This fall I'm loving natural colors - colors that remind me of a walk in the woods.
I hung an ironstone platter and a few saucers. I love this brown transferware... I've had my eye on it at the antiques store for a long while and finally brought a few (small) pieces home with me. I like the idea of changing out the saucers as the seasons change.
Justus shook his head at me, wondering what my fascination with hanging plates is. And I really don't know... I just know I love the way plates look displayed on the wall and always have (smile).
And speaking of the woods, recently the girls and I walked around a little and collected some treasures to bring indoors. I love all the nuts we find, especially hickory nuts. They are plentiful at my parents farm and the girls love gathering and playing with them.
Last weekend we also recovered the seats of our dining room chairs. I made a huge mistake in reupholstering in linen of all things last year... beautiful at first, but not so beautiful with two little girls sitting on them at the dinner table. I had purchased this outdoor fabric on clearance ($4.99/yd!) for pillows on our front porch and had plenty leftover. Suddenly I realized they would probably be the perfect solution for right now... easy to clean and easily replaced later on. Even though the pattern is a little different from the curtains, I kind of like the new look. (Not to mention, anything was better than stained linen!)
The gorgeous table runners were made by Ann of On Sutton Place. I simply adore her work. These runners are mangle cloth and they are so gorgeous and natural. I especially can't wait to use them for the holidays this year!
On the opposite side of the room, I finally hung some vintage artwork on the empty spot on the wall. Sometimes the perfect piece can be so simple.
Our dining room is so large we also keep the piano in here. Lately it's been used very frequently as Jillian is learning to play. I love her sweet music.
Have a wonderful week!
I love your fall decor! It is simple, natural, and uncomplicated:) You have succeeded in creating a lovely home without overspending, overusing, or overcluttering.... I love your style. I so enjoy your blog and getting to "know" you:)
ReplyDeleteWendi S.
Thank you, Wendi. Getting to know readers is my favorite thing about blogging! I so appreciate your sweet words.
DeleteYour home is seriously so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana! It is a work in progress... sadly, I think the dining room is only one of a few that are completely finished. ;-)
DeleteFor me, reading each new post on your blog is like opening a new copy of Country Living magazine, Andrea. I love your new brown transferware and the plates look wonderful on your wall. You must smile whenever you see them! So lovely that your sweet Jillian is learning to play the piano ... treasure these special moments. xx
ReplyDeleteOh, Tina, what a compliment... thank you.
DeleteSimply sensational!....I love Ann's work too!...just love the dining room and all of your beautiful details!
ReplyDeleteYour dining room is looking so beautiful! x
ReplyDeleteOne word sums it up, Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour mantel is beautiful and I love your plates. I love Ann's work too. Thanks for your lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the plates that you have hung in your dining room! I also loved the painting you had hanging and I am glad to know it has found a new spot in your lovely home. I am always inspired by the way in which you use simple, natural things to decorate. In a world that can be overdone , sometimes the true beauty of the natural world gets lost. You have a keen eye for shining light on true beauty in the world around you and for inspiring others to be able to do the same. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour thoughtful comment meant so much to me.
DeleteThe painting is so special to me... it did just get moved around a little... it's hanging above the mantel in our bedroom now. :-)
Have a great day!
Oh Andrea...I think we are sisters somehow separated at birth! Wouldn't your mom get a kick out of that? I have loved plates seems like my whole life. I have had them on my walls since we moved into our very first home. Transferware just takes it to another level! I saw brown transferware at my antique mall recently but neglected to pick any up. I might have to go back. Thank you for featuring the runners. I cannot imagine them anywhere else now. Don't be afraid to wash them either. They are tough as nails. You'll have to iron them though! Enjoy these last days of October. It's going so fast. Tell your mom I said hi! ~Ann
ReplyDeleteI forgot to tell you. I have watched just a little bit of Creatively Made Home. You did such a good job! I loved hearing your voice...I plan to watch them all but it will take me a while. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, I love the simplicity of your fall dining room. Have a fabulous week.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea. I'm new to your blog and just love your style! Your dining room "makeover" is beautiful! I'm a huge fan of "less is more" and using natural items to decorate with so your home really resonates with me. BTW...I perused through some of your old blogs and borrowed your paint color..."Simply White" by Benjamin Moore. You are spot on with the warmth and beauty of that white. I chose many other swatches to compare and tack up around my home and "Simply White" was the winner by far. THANK YOU! Looking forward to getting to "know" you better! Hugs from the Heartland.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and for your kind words, Valerie! I'm so glad you like the paint color... it does seem to be the perfect shade of white and complements everything well. :-)
DeleteYour dining room looks so festive for fall. I love hanging plates too and yours look so pretty above the mantel. I noticed your new seat covers right away and love the fabric you used on them. You have a knack for creating such a warm and cozy home for your family.
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
The plates on the wall above the fireplace are wonderful! While I do not own any brown transfer ware, I wish I did. My grandmother always had blue, but I believe the brown is my favorite. Especially, in the Fall. Your mantel is just perfect...actually, the whole room is!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kathy! I love transferware too, in all colors. Brown is probably also my favorite, but I haven't been able to find much of it and when I do it's very pricey. I think this antique pattern may be my all time favorite though. :-)
DeleteYour dining room looks beautiful for fall.....a lovely room!! Your photographs are wonderful. Thanks for sharing your talents on your blog!!
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric you chose for your chairs. All your fall touches are great, love the plates on the wall.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
Hi there, I just wanted to say hello. I was blessed with a win on the Creative Home class. While I am a week behind I just read your entry video. I am so excited to get started. Your blog is amazing and I know I am going to walk away with such amazing ideas. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteWelcome... thanks for stopping by to say hello! I'm so glad you are enjoying the course and thank you for your sweet comment!
DeleteI love the fall touches! I love any and all transferware!
ReplyDeleteI just love your style of decorating and your fall and natural style this year. Everyday I just cannot wait to read your blog. If you don't mind me asking what is the name of your brown dishes.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Ann, thanks so much for reading. The brown transferware is Mason's Ironstone and the pattern is Watteau. I think I may need to collect a few more pieces. :-) Have a great day!
DeleteHi Andrea, I love all of your fall decorating. It looks so warm and cozy. What a great job on recovering the seats, the transferware is precious (you really should gradually add more ;) and I especially love your little brown oil lamp. I have Spode Woodland Rabbit transferware and I adore it, but like you, I have to slowly add more to my collection. Being a stay-at-home Mom, I have to be resourceful with decorating, and I thank you for your inspiring ideas. Your home is so comforting, I love visiting your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deni, for your thoughtful comment! Just recently I saw the Spode Woodland Turkey transferware and loved it... I think I like the rabbit even better. So gorgeous!
DeleteHi Andrea! Everything looks so festive and homey! I too love brown Transferware! I love how you wrote "colors that remind me of a walk in the woods"...I can almost smell the aroma of wood-smoke in the crisp autumn air! I know I mentioned this on Facebook, but I LOVE your blog and the way you've created a home-sweet-home. Absolutely delightful!
ReplyDeleteI love your dining room...it's very warm, inviting, and calm.
ReplyDeleteYour dinning room looks so pretty and I love all your arrangement's. My hubby doesn't get the plates hanging on the wall thing either, but like you I just love the look.
ReplyDeleteI love decorating with plates too. Your transferware is so pretty and perfect for Fall. I don't know why men just don't get these things!
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteAfter Bible study tonight we were talking about blogs and my friend introduced me to yours and your mom's blogs. I'm loving your style and your adorable children.
ReplyDeleteDo you know about Annie Sloan Paint? If not, you can see my last 10 projects on one of my two blogs at ledahlawalla.blogspot.com
I love the idea of hanging plates as art work! I have an antique tea set placed out on a buffet, but the plates would be showcased so much better on the wall. My kids and I love going on walks and collecting things to display in our house. Nothing is more beautiful to me, than a vase full of Prairie Grass and colorful leaves.
ReplyDeletelove your room....also, I love plates on the wall, simple and beautiful.....now, how did you get that large ironstone platter to hang flat, mine tend to turn up
ReplyDeleteHi Linda and thank you. I know what you mean... I take the part of the hanger on the back that fits over the nail in the wall and pull it out towards me some. That seems to help a lot in getting the plates or platters to hang flat!
DeleteYour dining room is gorgeous! Love the brown transfer ware!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through the Home for the Holidays e-course. I really like your style (and your videos in the course!) Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Lynda! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the videos.
DeleteHi, Andrea! I love the platter and the transferware over the mantel. I have brown transferware hanging in my dining room as well. The whole room is just beautiful! I think you've posted with your candle holders before. Where did you get them? They're the cutest! Have a great week. ~ Jamie
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this post? So lovely.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Leeshideaway.blogspot.com
I love the new fabric! I laughed because you had just told me the story about the linen covering. Jilly looks so sweet playing the piano!
ReplyDeleteOoh, that's a good tip about linen on seats. I have used outdoor fabric as well, for a roman shade in my kids' bedroom. It is nice and durable.
ReplyDeleteYour dining room is looking lovely, as always. That dough bowl!
Love love love this space!! Ann is awesome she just made me a bunch of custom pillows for my living room.
ReplyDelete