So Halloween is over and apparently now, it's Christmas.
I get it, the season is short, Christmas is fabulous, and I fully support decorating decisions that make you smile.
However, at the moment, the only trees I'm interested in are the ones that have finally decided to change colors outside.
And I'm not ready to hurry my fall decor out of the house.
Maybe it's because the weather's been so mild here, I haven't even needed a coat yet.
Or perhaps it's the fact that I got my Christmas fix in October when I decorated a tree in my daughter's room.
But it's probably because I recently updated the decor in my living room and it looks so beautiful, dressed in its autumn colors, that I want to enjoy it that way for a few more weeks.
Oh, the room is still red. In fact, it's even redder now, if possible.
You see, a few weeks ago, I decided that the red and white rug in the green family room looked out of place without the wallpaper.
It had to go.
However, before I rolled it up and retired it to the basement, something in my gut told me to try it in the living room...to see how it might look with my new DIY pillows.
Replacing the tiny braided rug that had lived there for more than two decades, turning the room from this:
To this:
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| /The Rug/ |
And I was wowed.
I mean I know everyone is talking about Ralph Lauren Christmas, but, hello, how about Ralph Lauren fall.
In all the years we lived here, I never considered a larger rug in the space, because of all the doorways, the kids running in and out, followed by the cats and dog.
I was so busy keeping those pathways clear, I'd forgotten what a dramatic difference a proper rug can make in a room.
Of course, that one change ushered in several more. Like lace cafe curtains.
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| /My Lace Cafe Curtains/ |
Their delicate pattern warms up the room on those sunless autumn days.
And provides an added layer of privacy at night.
I also anchored the room with more wood, moving the upcycled mirror from my bathroom in here, along with the old mahogany lamp and rattan shade from the family room.
And the my wooden bowl, which provided the base for my pumpkin centerpiece.
As I said, I'm still enjoying all my fall decor, so there are a few more accents peppered about.
There's also the ever present candlelight to blunt the early sunsets.
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| /My Skirted Table DIY/ |
And plenty of warmth from our grand fireplace.
With a turkey on the mantel.
And tattooed pumpkins on the hearth.
Snuggled up next to that glorious rug.
At least for a few more weeks.
Until the tree moves in.
😉
Oh - and if you're wondering what's on the floor in the family room? Well, you'll have to wait just a little bit longer to peek in there...but I'm working on it.
Are you still decorating for fall or have you moved on to Christmas? Inquiring minds want to know!
Happy Decorating, Friends!
Your home is beautiful!!! It's great seeing a normal sized home in a world full of mansions. Keep up the wonderful work you do.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! You just made my day. ☺️ Yes, it's definitely not a mansion, but that's ok, I love a house that hugs me and this cottage does just that.
DeleteThat really is such a beautiful room!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Joanne!! We really enjoy it.
DeleteI love it!!! For Christmas all you would need to add are a few trees and your angels you made!! ;^) Blessings, J
ReplyDeleteHello J!! Thanks so much. I'm really excited to dress the room for Christmas and those angels are waiting in the wings. 😉
DeleteHello Friend, I plan to start to decorate for Christmas the week of November 21. Thank you for sharing your fireplace with us, so cozy.
ReplyDeletexx oo
Carla
That sounds like a lovely plan, Carla! I may be right behind you that weekend. In the meantime though, we'll be cuddled up with the pumpkins in there. ☺️
DeleteWell, Fall is beautiful at your house. I cannot BELIEVE the difference that rug made in your living room~. Couldn't you just kick yourself for waiting so long to try it in there? lol. It really sets the tone for the whole room and I think it actually 'brightens' the room up.
ReplyDeleteBeen upstairs all morning with my granddaughter moving everything possible downstairs to the guest bedroom (which is now PACKED FULL) to get ready for new carpeting in a couple of weeks. I just ordered some sliders for the sofa up there. It looks like a delicate camel back white sofa but it is heavier than the sectional in our living room. It was a good piece 40 years ago and has been recovered twice and has held up beautifully. I bought it from my next-door neighbor who decided to go a whole different route with decorating. He only bought the best of the best! It was 3 years old in their formal living room and he sold it to me for about 1/10 of what he had paid for it. A good soul!
Anyway, more than you ever wanted/needed to know, I'm sure. lol. xo Diana
Diana, I could totally kick myself!! 🤣 I don't know why it never dawned on me to put a larger rug in there...but I guess it worked out well, since this one looks meant to be! Your heavy sofa sounds dreamy. What a great piece, you lucked out! I bet the new carpeting will look perfect, too. You'll have to keep me posted when it's all done!! xo
DeleteI can never understand why no one wants to celebrate Fall and Thanksgiving. We seem so preoccupied with Christmas-a whole month to prepare. Everyone seems in such a hurry-slow down people and enjoy every season.
ReplyDeleteYes, it seems to get earlier and earlier every year. I'm leaning into fall hard this year and so far I'm really enjoying it.
DeleteA beautiful change Kim. Your room looks so cozy and warm. Sometimes we surprise ourselves with little changes. Enjoy your fall themed room.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda! Yes, it was a really big change just from moving a few things around. I love when that happens. Happy Weekend!
DeleteHi Kim, I love the "new" rug in the living room! Personally, I would leave it there all year 'round. The smaller braided rug might be nice, especially during the winter, in your kitchen, (cozy for bare feet) under the table. Like Mikey said, "Try it. You'll like it!" And kudos to leaving the Fall decorations up THROUGH FALL!!! Christmas stays up all the way through New Year's Day, so let the punkins and turkey have their time to shine!
ReplyDeleteYour Fellow Cottage Dweller
Karen
Hi Karen! Thanks so much! I'm really leaning into fall this year, pumpkin and turkey lovers unite! I love that rug and yes, it's going to stay. I have a rug under the kitchen table now, and yes, so cozy, but never fear, that small braided rug already has another home. I really appreciate your visit and your lovely comment.
DeleteI love it!!! It's so beautiful! I'm not ready for Christmas decor either. I leave my fall decor up until December. - Briana from Texas
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely plan, Briana!! And thanks so much!
DeleteWow it looks fantastic. I love a braided rug but what a difference the change makes. I like it better with this big rug + the other additions and switches you made to cozy the room for fall. But that fireplace WOW, why haven’t I seen that before? I’ll continue to enjoy our fall decorations until after Thanksgiving weekend. But I might get the tree down and have my grans decorate it while they’re visiting for the long Thanksgiving weekend. Pamela
ReplyDeleteHi Pamela! Thanks so much!! I agree, that big rug and those other accents really suit this room for fall. I'm glad you like the fireplace. That's the feature that sold us on this house. Sounds like you have a great plan for fall decor...and nothing better than having the littles decorate the tree. The making of great memories.
DeleteI love all of this, especially the rug! I moved the big Christmas tree into the front room and have left its lights off, so really, its just a big potted plant. (: It was kinda in my way in the garage....I will decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving and not a moment sooner!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina! I can't believe I was so short sighted about that rug for so long. I bet that big tree makes you smile, right now...it's a harbinger of celebrations to come!
DeleteAs with everything you do, it looks gorgeous! I really admire your decorating and am drawn to it always!
ReplyDeletePat you are so nice! Thank you my friend. ❤️ Your sweet comment just made my day.
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful! Amazing the difference a rug can make! I love the dark floral pillows, too!
Thanks Deanna!! I really love all the changes in there. It's definitely more cozy for fall.
DeleteI love rugs. Too much, probably. I have more of them than I really need. It certainly was a difference maker in your beautiful living room, though, wasn’t it?
ReplyDeleteI’m old school. I don’t decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. I’m not one to rush the holidays.
Yes, huge difference, Pattie!! I'm kind of late to the rug game, Pattie. I've always focused on curtains and the fabric elements in a space. I'm just realizing what I've been missing!!
DeleteEverything looks lovely ...
ReplyDeleteI'm still in Autumn mode ... the Christmas decor starts the last weekend of November :)
Enjoy your November days.
All the best Jan
Thanks so much, Jan!! I hope you are enjoying your November days, too!
DeleteHi Kim! That rug is so beautiful, it looks like it was made especially for that room! Everything looks so lovely! I hope you and yours have a Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Donna! It's funny how sometimes the room you buy decor for isn't really the room it's meant for...glad I changed it up! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, my friend and thanks for the visit today!!
DeleteThat rug really does pull your room together, and those lace curtains are utterly charming. But what I really love is your coffee table. It's such a classic, timeless, cottage-y look! Christmas decorating ...? The day after Thanksgiving and not one minute sooner.
ReplyDeleteI love the rug change, the curtains, and the pumpkins. The living room look great decorated for fall. I can't wait to see what you do for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYour living room always looks lovely, no matter what you do! The large red and white rug looks great in there. Just a thought...don't know if this would work, but could you slide the rug a little bit under the front feet of the couch and love seat? Anchor the seating area a bit more like that? Or, maybe you don't like that look. Which is fine!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you on the seasonal decorating. It's fall, it's not even Thanksgiving. Let's celebrate the colorful leaves, pumpkins and turkeys as long as we can. Christmas comes after Thanksgiving! One holiday at a time. :-)
I know a lot of people have already started decorating for Christmas because they love it and it makes them happy, and that's all good, too. Whatever makes one happy is all that counts.