Summer French Country Wagon In the Dining Room

It's mid summer and I was ready for a dining room refresh from my Spring look, which meant adding in some sunflowers, late summer pears, and changing up my floral table runner from a spring-y brown floral to a summery one with reds, golds, and taupe. 

My tabletop French gray wagon can be found here on the dining room table most of the year. I painted it out from black several years ago and since then it's been a companion to the large metal basket that I usually have here. I've mentioned before that this table is big and chunky and can take something large and dramatic for a centerpiece or tabletop vignette. As they say "go big or go home." 

The pieces on the wagon change throughout the year, as does the arrangement in the basket. The ivy and hydrangeas stay, but I add other seasonal florals to the mix. In mid summer I like to bring out some sunflowers, pears, and move into the bit darker colors with reds, golds, and dark greens which are more "harvest-y" hues.

My French Faience pottery that was my wedding "china", Nemours by Longchamp, often shows up during Spring and Summer decor. I found this large tureen sans lid at a vintage market last year. That was the first time I'd seen any pieces... anywhere. It was a little worn, but after some cleanup it turned out to be usable for decorating. This tureen is just the right size for filling up with pears, lemons, apples, or maybe even tiny boo pumpkins for Fall. I also have a botanical print on a small easel and a few vintage bread and butter plates with a basket motif.

I found this Waverly fabric piece for the runner earlier this year. I loved the khaki background and large flower blooms in rose and cream. Using a tablerunner creates a lighter and brighter look for the whole room. I'm not a fan of the heavy dark atmosphere that heavy dark furniture creates, so I do all that I can to lighten up the space. 

The French-y chandelier in antique white and the light subtle stripe wallpaper help bring some light into the room. I've told you my secret for super duper easy tablerunners... just buy fabric yardage and fold lengthwise, then iron under the selvages. Two reproduction French wine bottles add to the French Country feel.

The family washstand in the corner has a sunflower "calendar" print in a vintage frame and a small late summer tussy mussy in a mini iron urn. Like the entry, the prints and some small florals change for the seasons and holidays. The lamp and my French-y girl bust are regulars.

Over the years I've used many calendar images from Cavallini calendars framed.

You can see a bit of the buffet in the background. Be sure and come back by on Friday for the Coastal Vibes Hop, where we'll be sharing how we use coastal elements in our summer decor. Have a great week, everyone!

We hope you'll come by the link party on Monday evenings.

joining in here:

The House on Silverado,  Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 

 Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 

  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life   Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage

Share Your Style at French Ethereal,  Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Create, Bake, and Grow at Shabby Art Boutique, Farmhouse Friday at  County Road 407

Fabulous Friday at Vintage Home Design Friendship Friday at Create with Joy 

 Funtastic Friday at 2 Chicks and a Mom