Transitioning from Summer-to-Fall

Hi Friends, I've been a little all over the place as I've started to decorate for Fall around here. Maybe it's because I'm trying to locate florals, decor and vintage pieces that have been packed away. Maybe it's because I have more space to work with and I'm just disorganized! I've needed a focus to get started so this Blog Hop is helping me get my act together. Thankyou Amber for hosting this fun Hop for Early Fall. If you're coming from visiting Marty at A Stroll Thru Life Welcome, so glad you're here!

It's September, and time to start making a bit of a transition into Fall. I used to just drag all my storage boxes into the Living Room and do a major one-day makeover. But as I've been blogging, I've realized it's so much better to ease into the Seasons. I like to begin Fall decorating in late August and gradually bring in darker colors and Fall Leaves and Pumpkins. Early September when it's still 90 degrees out many days, is just too soon for the heavier and darker Fall elements. 

I start out with whites and neutrals and lighter colored fabrics and textures for my base decorating. Then as we get deeper into September and October when the temps change, I go with darker, heavier textiles, textures and colors. I'm using my Fall Mantel as an example of how I make this decor change. This is sort of a step by step of how I transition any area into Fall. I had 3 subtle versions of how I took my mantel in the Hearth Room from Mid August till now; Early September.

3 Versions of an Early Fall Mantel 

and the Hearth Room

I started out in Mid August with a new "Black-Eyed-Susan" garland that I found at Hobby Lobby. I actually bought 2 while they were on sale to have a few more flowers. I used one of my Sunflower graphics attached to an old cotton canvas layered on the mirror with 2 other vintage gold frames. Two little wheelbarrows, a couple of lanterns and my wooden candle holders for a few weeks.

Hmmm... it was looking a bit plain (and crooked) to me.

Then a week or so later I added a few small white pumpkins and some Fall berries for the wheelbarrows and took away the extra empty frames. As I go through changes it's important to step back and "edit" my look. It's really easy to over-do it with a Fall look. All the foliage can overpower a space, especially a mantel.

Early last week I painted some Fall Leaf picks,

 and added these to the mix behind the wheelbarrows.

Then I added a few larger Sunflowers with the painted leaves for a little more "Fall Feel".

Last week when I started getting ready for this Hop, I realized we would be into September so I replaced the Sunflower Botanical with my Dried Sunflower Twig Wreath. This is a little darker look, but still not heavily "Fall".

 With the dried wreath taking center stage the painted leaf picks
 looked like too much brown, so I removed those.

This is a large mantel so it can handle a few different elements,

but I still have to be mindful of "too much stuff". 

Puttering and changing things up is something I really enjoy. 

Things don't stay in one spot too long with me, especially decor items. 

I wanted to keep a little "late Summer" feel going on here, so my little beat up 

vintage galvanized watering can is filled with dried Hydrangeas

 that I harvested from my bushes at the old house last year.

The adorable ticking pumpkin came from my sweet friend

  Becky at Flax and Willow.

I used room photos from July since the rest of this space hasn't changed much.

I still have my Kilim Pillows out, and will probably keep them here for a while, since they have a heavy texture and deeper colors. Here's the post of the Kilim Pillow Covers I did back in July.

My antique Market Basket with wheels has had the Sunflowers added since July, 

and I'll be adding some Fall Leaves this week for a little more color.

Thanks so much for coming by for the Hop, I hope you'll continue with all the fun by checking out the next link on the Linky List at the bottom of the post, which is Christy with her wonderful porch at Our Southern Home. A big Thankyou to Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home for organizing everyone and bringing a ton of Inspiration!

I'm so glad it's September,
now my Fall-Lovin' self can go a little crazy!

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