Late Summer Entry with 2 Mini Updates

Subtle changes are showing up around the house, now that we're into August. This is the time I switch gears and look toward fall. As I've said before, August used to be my least favorite time of the year, but now I look at it differently... it's a transition time leading up to the cooler months and my favorite season. Autumn.

I like to do a little changeup each month or season here on the entry console. You all know that I like to decorate with the seasons or holidays and this month I was ready for a few small changes to have a new "look". 

Since the beginning of the year, I've used my large glass cloche and faux paperwhites, but this month I wanted something new. Paperwhites are a bit too "springy" this time of year, but I didn't want to do a big floral arrangement so I thought I'd try another urn and maybe a topiary. I finally decided on a large moss orb; something different. Below is the late spring entry from May with a bird theme.

The Entry is For the Birds

When I put together a "look" on the console, I consider not only a theme, but color, and balance. Having put away the large glass cloche I went with a tray, a smaller bouquet, and a candle. The vignette rule tends to run with three items, and honestly it's a little guideline that works well.

I brought back my "gothic" wooden frame window and a vintage white rectangle frame. Because the lamp and gothic frame are tall, I needed something on the left that also had some height. Here's where a little makeover took place on this Pottery Barn urn from about 10 years ago. 

I absolutely love this urn, but it had a very creamy base with a lot of "rust" which lends itself more to fall and winter. It's a beautiful piece, but didn't really match my other lighter finish pieces. I wish I had two of these, because I'd keep one the original finish and then the new painted lighted finish.

Here's a post from several years ago where I had a fall look with birds in the original finish urn.

Old World Nature Inspired Urn

Like I said, I love that original finish, but often found myself choosing something different with a lighter finish for a floral look. I also needed more height for this moss ball so I used my wooden column base, which didn't coordinate with the pedestal finish. So I dry brushed it with an antique white in chalk paint. I wanted to leave some of the "rust" finish, but tone it down a bit.

I love old prints and this English cottage garden with sunflowers is a favorite for late summer. It's an R. Atkinson Fox that rings all my English Cottage bells. The print is old and in it's original glass and frame, but the frame was really "brown", boring, and lackluster. The overall appearance was just blah. So a bit of Rub n Buff antique gold gave it a little punch and noticeability. Love the little garden and the sunflowers on the right side.

Plus the frame now looks so much better with the little bee themed votive cup.

A beeswax candle in the shape of a beehive group together on the tray.

This antique tray is sort of a paper mache that has an English Cottage motif. It says "alcohol proof" so I don't know if it was for serving drinks or for the vanity table. But it does look like some water damage resulted on the lower area. 

This vintage white vase is filled with faux summer flowers for a small bouquet. I love using a tray when I'm using multiple smaller items for a vignette.

September's Entry will look much more like Fall.

Thanks for coming by...

Here are a few more "urn" posts with a Fall theme.

My Favorite Urn for Fall

Elegant Urns for Fall

Pumpkin Urn with Bittersweet

Early Fall Entry with a Vintage Botanical

Did you catch my latest post...

Mid-Summer Roost in the Cupboard