Fall Decorating with Vintage
Last week I shared the fall decor with vintage in our living room, dining room, and porch and today I’m sharing our family room’s decor. When I was decorating this space, I not only was thinking about fall, I was thinking about decorating with vintage items that reminded me of fall. You’ll see a few brand new things in this space including the paint on the wall and you’ll see some vintage items that I’ve never shared. Keep on reading to see all of my Fall Decorating with Vintage.
I’m sharing my ideas along with a talented group of bloggers for a Embracing Fall Blog Hop. This tour is organized by my friend Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home. I love Amber’s gorgeous old home and how she decorates it so beautifully with vintage style. I look forward to seeing Amber’s decor in any season and if you’ve never visited Amber’s blog, I encourage you to do so.
If you are visiting from My Thrift Store Addiction, welcome!
Fall Decorating with Vintage
Welcome to our fall family room. A few weeks ago I painted this room a lighter color (Benjamin Moore Clay Beige) with the hopes of brightening it up a bit. Our family room is located on the north side of our house and it stays dark in this space no matter the time of day. The lack of light makes it cozy for relaxing in this space but tricky when trying to photograph it. Our formal living room is painted the same color and the paint appears much lighter in that room.
I always forget how much work it is to paint a room and was very happy when the job was finished so that I could get on to fun part, decorating for fall.
Coffee Table Decor
For fall I switched out the throw pillows on our sofas to mustard yellow pillow covers from IKEA and gray velvet covers that I made. I started my fall decorating in this room with the coffee table.
Every fall I collect seed pods from an Osage Orange tree on city property. This summer the city cut down the tree that I’ve visited each fall for over 20 years to make way for a traffic circle. I liked collecting from this particular tree because the seed pods, called by many Horse Apples, were a small size.
Luckily I knew of another Osage Orange tree and was able to harvest a few seed pods, but not enough to completely fill the bowl. There were plenty of seed pods on the ground around the tree but all of them had brown spots on them where they were starting to decompose.
I could just barely reach two branches on the tree and I was able to pull them down so that I could pick a few seed pods to use.
To fill the bowl, I added some small pumpkins and two deer sheds that Sherman found. Osage Orange seed pods will eventually turn brown and decompose. This year I used my “How to Make Pumpkins and Gourds Shine for Display” hack on both the pumpkins and the Osage Orange balls and I’m hoping that the green color will be prolonged.
For this year’s fall decorations in this room, I wanted a fall feel but wanted to achieve it with decor that isn’t specifically fall related.
To the right of the wood bowl, I stacked two vintage Lynchburg books that I found at the YMCA’s books sale. The cover colors are colors of fall and the content is special since it’s where we live.
I could have used a pumpkin or some gourds on top but I wanted to do something different so I used a dried shelf fungus and a wasp nest.
Long ago one of my students brought the shelf fungus in when we were studying them in science class. I used it for science lessons for years and now I’m decorating with it. Mr. SP found the wasp nest in the attic space of our boat house when he was lubricating the boat lift and saved it for me knowing that I would like to use it for decor.
Fall wouldn’t be fall if my dad’s squirrel nutcracker wasn’t on display. Someone in Vinton, VA gave this to him when he was a boy. I used to love to play with it when I visited my grandmother and was tickled pink when she gave it to me. The green bowl holds some acorns for Mr. Squirrel to eat. My grandmother left a note in this bowl explaining that she wove a basket around it in bible school when she was a child.
End Table Decor
We love our family room and this is where we relax every evening. Mr. SP on the sofa to the left, me on the sofa to the right, and Sherman in the leather chair.
The coffee table and end tables are part of a set of furniture that my parents purchased when they were married in 1968. My mom still has the matching sofa and two side chairs.
After I decorated the coffee table, I decided to look through a gigantic box of postcards that my grandmother collected to see if I could find postcards that reminded me of fall. One that I found was tobacco themed and I decided to display it since tobacco is harvested in fall.
The postcard was sent to my grandmother in 1931. It reads:
Dear Marg,
I am having a fine time here in NC but I can’t keep Vinton off my mind. Tell all of the girls that I know hello for me.
A friend that needs a friend,
“Laughing Lee”
My grandmother wrote in pencil beside “Laughing Lee” Lester Oliver to identify the sender.
To display along with the tobacco postcard, I pulled out a 1922 receipt from Lynchburg Tobacco Warehouse that my mom gave to me and I’ve been meaning to frame.
Kemper Rodes was my grandmother’s first cousin. My grandmother’s mother died of Typhoid Fever along with her brother and she and her sisters were sent to live with aunts. Granny was raised by Phillip and Lillian Rodes. Kemper was their son. Along with Kemper’s tobacco receipt, I displayed a letter sent to Lillian in 1917.
The glass globe is from the farmhouse where my paternal grandfather was raised in Maryland. 
The coffee table to the right of the sofa tells the story of our love of visiting Vermont in fall. I’m actually in Vermont this week for our now annual fall trip. The Byer’s wheelbarrow was a Vermont purchase that I enjoy using every year.
We are hoping to see some brilliant fall color this year on our trip. Even if we don’t, there’s no better place to enjoy fall than in Vermont. You can read details of last year’s Vermont trip here and here.
This corner of the room used to be where Mr. SP relaxed in the evening but Sherman has claimed it as his spot. 
Mr. SP is a Badger and to celebrate his school pride, I had a Wisconsin pennant pillow made for him. This is an Etsy seller and if your school isn’t shown for sale, contact her as she can probably still make a pillow for you. That’s what I had to do to get this pillow. 
Sherman shamelessly begs for treats, so a treat jar is always on this table to oblige when he whines and cries. For fall I used an antique lamp along with a shade that I’ve had for 20+ years. The goose gourd was a gift from my mom when she went on a fall New England trip with my aunt and uncle.
Back to my grandmother’s postcard collection. My search in that box was for postcards with a fall feel to use on this frame made with wood from the schoolhouse that my paternal grandfather attended as a boy. The schoolhouse is still standing and you can see a picture of it in this post.
I found five postcards to use to set this mood for this display and for the pie safe top, went with a loose vintage hunting theme.
My grandfather did hunt but he spent more time foxhunting. Not the foxhunting done on horseback while wearing hunting attire, he did pickup truck foxhunting where his buddies would all meet, release their hounds, and the guys would socialize and imbibe while listening to the dogs bark. Granddaddy smoked a pipe and the pipe and tobacco holder were his. The lantern was also his and I’m sure it lit the way many a night when he did farmwork after dark.
To go with my hunting theme, I added a pheasant platter along with an Avon bottle goose.
There was an empty spot between the pipe holder and lantern, so I went back to the postcard box to see if I could find one with an animal on it and I found this one with a black bear. 
This “I can’t ‘bear’ to leave” postcard was never used. The back says that is it from Ashville, NC.
Every fall I create a Vintage Virginia Tech corner in our family room. You can see more details of the items on display in this post.
My dad, aunt, and I all went to Virginia Tech. The Virginia Tech pennant pillow that I ordered from the same Etsy shop goes right along with my Vintage Virginia Tech corner.
Breakfast Room
A fall tradition in our breakfast room is to hang three stained glass leaves on the windows. I purchased these long before this room existed and used to hang them in our former kitchen’s window.
This 1970’s basket is my mom’s and if I had to guess, I’d say that she bought it at Lightfoot in Williamsburg, VA. I think of it as “the potato chip basket” because she often lined it with a napkin and served chips in it at a picnic. I filled it with dried gourds. I never throw my gourds out, I dry them and then stain them to use over and over again. I have a giant tote filled with dried gourds that I use every fall.
Please pin this post to remember for later.
Next on the tour is Angelina from Petite House. Angelina is sharing French Country Fall Home Tour and I can’t wait to read her post.
I hope you enjoy all of the fall ideas shared today on this Embracing Fall Blog Hop. Click on the links below to visit each blogger participating in today’s tour.
Hi Paula
Love your Fall décor. I too love the “hedge apples”. I live up in Maryland (near Frederick) and my husband usually brings me a bag of them that he has scavenged from a tree on the side of the road. I love the look and the smell of them. I also love all of your vintage postcards. They are so cool, especially with writing on the back. Enjoy your trip to Vermont. We were there in August. I have never been in the Fall but need to add that to our travel list.
Hi, Lynda! Thanks so much for commenting. Vermont in fall is wonderful. We love going there and the only season there that we haven’t experienced is spring. My grandfather is from Middletown, Maryland and the farm that he grew up on is still in operation. Maryland is a beautiful state!
Paula
Paula,
I always love seeing your amazing vintage decor. The pennant pillows are so fun. And those vintage postcards are awesome. I love that you have a receipt for tobacco to go with the postcard that belonged to your grandmother. So much vintage goodness! I hope you’re having a great vacation in Vermont. That’s definitely one place that’s on my bucket list.
Such a beautiful space to snuggle up and relax Paula! I really like the new paint color. It’s pretty. I can’t get over all your tobacco finds. They are amazing! My great grandparents had a tobacco farm and my Mom has the best stories from spending time there. I love everything your family has saved and shared. It’s all fantastic. Hugs, CoCo
Paula I love you home and how you have it decorated for Fall. Sorry about the city taking your favorite tree down. Glad you found one to gather the Horse’s apples again this year. I love the coloring the pumpkins and the apples create on your table. All your rooms are beautiful and Fall ready. Happy Fall!
You have the best stuff! I love hearing about your family and love how your grandmother wrote things down for the next generation. Your postcards have to be my fave but all of your decor is splendid! It’s all memorable and special which makes it perfect. Happy Fall. Always love hopping with you. Pinned
Beautiful fall vintage decor! I love it and I especially enjoy the stories behind each piece.
The Vermont pictures were great, too!
You have the best stuff! I think my favorites have to be the postcards. I love hearing about your family and love that your grandmother wrote things down for the next generation. And I know exactly how you feel about certain rooms on the north side of your home. I have one or two of those. I can never get a good photo. :/ Enjoy your lovely fall decor! Pinned
Paula, you have so many incredible and interesting things in your decor but that little squirrel nut cracker takes the cake! It reminds me of my grandfather and all the nut cracker contraptions he used to come up with for his pecans. So fun!!
Paula, I think I want to live in your house. It is always a treat to see and you are a treasure for sharing with us. I like that you decorate with meaning and never look cluttered but loved.
Paula always love to see you decorate with all your vintage pieces hope you have a great vacation.
You have added so many nice little reminders of fall to your home, that make it more cozy. You really did get those pumpkins shiny! The tiny wheelbarrow is just adorable. But, the very best thing about your fall accents is all of the treasured memories that go along with them. Except for a pair of turkey salt and pepper shakers, I don’t have a lot of treasures like that. Enjoy and happy fall!
I love how so much of your decor tells a story. Those pods are quite amazing, and that nutcracker is adorable, Paula! Hugs!
Such a pretty and inviting room. I always love seeing all your vintage decor you mix in.
I love the vintage postcards and that wheel barrow. Darling. What a cozy room.
this is such a wonderful, comfortable room Paula, love all your amazing vintage keepsakes and the pillows are so fun! It’s such a shame your tree was removed for traffic flow. I used to grab a few at the entrance to our subdivision at the last house, and now I’m realizing that I didn’t get to do that this year. I think they make a great Fall accent! Happy Hopping!
You have the most amazing collections, Paula. Those letters and postcards are so special and I love reading all the stories behind your treasures. Love how you decorated the room and love seeing that cute squirrel!
Shelley
Paula, your family room is beautiful and has such a warm feel. I enjoyed seeing all the little Fall-ish items you decorated it with. The one thing I really, really love, though, is the pair of gorgeous brown pottery lamps on either end of the one couce. They are so beautiful. May I ask where you found them?
You’ve decorated a very cozy room full of interesting artifacts. Well done!
Thank you for your kind comment, Naomi. My mom and dad bought those lamps in 1968 in Warrenton, VA. They’ve been in constant use ever since!
Paula
Hi Paula,
I’m sorry about the tree! I’m not familiar with that kind, but what neat seed pods those are! Your vintage decor has inspired me to put out what I think is a vintage Mt. Vernon guidebook for some of my Fourth of July decor next year. And for Fall I have included a little pocket Vermont Maple Cookbook (which is probably not vintage, but I hadn’t thought of it as decor until I see what you and others are doing!)
Liberty @ B4andAfters.com
Paula I am going to start sounding like a broken record (hey that’s a phrase that shows my age!) when I say each time I come to your blog how much I enjoy your heartfelt posts and all the stories behind your vintage treasures. I am starting to feel “at home” when visiting your home as I recognize some of your wonderful keepsakes and I am enamored by the surprising new ones you share.
I am loving the new lighter color in your family room Our living room is extremely dark so I had to paint it the creamy white we have now after trying a historic persimmon color that really was pretty. It just was like a dungeon all the time but the lighter walls made a world of difference.
Here in KY we call those hedge apples. True story, Years ago I was driving down the road when one fell out of a tree and hit our windshield and shattered it! You would think I would hate them now but I don’t, I love the unique look and color. I love how you used them and the other unexpected natural treasures as fall decor.
Thank you so much for embracing fall with us!
Oh Paula what wonderful treasures. I LOVE Laughing Lee. Yes, I indeed call them horse apples. LOL
Oh my goodness, Paula! Your post is packed with so many vintage goodies once again. I have to admit, I had NO idea the pumpkins and seed pods in your bowl were real! I need to get that hack for shining pumpkins. I also had no idea there were seed pods that looked like that. Most of all, I always devour your antique postcards and other vintage items passed down from your family. I have never seen a collection like yours.
Paula, I always look forward to seeing your home with all your wonderful vintage items and the stories that go with them. That’s what makes a house a home and yours is so cozy feeling for the fall!
Your home is so lovely, Paula! I always love seeing your special family pieces…gives your home wonderful history and a collected over time feeling! Beautiful and personal!
Hi Paula! I love the new wall color in the family room – it really brightens it up! And I always like to see your vintage and heirloom treasures and the stories that go with them – it makes the room that much more warm and cozy. So happy to be on tour with you!
Paula, I love your combination of natural and vintage decor! The seedpods are wonderful! Happy Fall! Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
You have so many unique treasure! Makes them even more special when they have a family connection. I love your mini pumpkins mixed with the pods! Happy Fall,
Jann
Wow your vintage Fall decor is so inspiring! I love the pennant pillows and the postcards Happy fall!
Your home is absolutely beautiful!! I love all of the fall touches that you have added. So pretty!!!
~Emily
Hi Paula!
I love the wall color in your living room, its so pretty. I really enjoy visiting your blog and seeing all of your family treasures and learning about the stories behind each one. Its very interesting and each piece is so special!
Reading about how you have come to find/receive your home decor is always so interesting. Love those green pods and shiny pumpkins. I’m happy to be featuring you at Tuesday Turn About this week, sweet friend!
Paula,
Remembering family members by using treasured keepsakes from them makes our homes so much more meaningful. Thank you for all the wonderful stories connected to your Fall decor. No better way to embrace fall.
Judith
Paula, thank you for Shari
G all the wonderful history of your family. It makes all your fall decorations so much more meaningful. Growing up around horses and out I’m the north Texas pastures, I’m very familiar with horse apples. The color is a perfect counterpoint for fall pumpkins. Love all your animal pieces. I’ve never been to Vermont but I can just imagine how awesome the fall foliage is. Enjoy your fall. Hugs.
I love, love all your vintage touches! It is so special that you have that amazing squirrel nutcracker. I love how you decorated the top of your pie safe and the postcards! Your college pennant pillows are so fun! Of course I love the Badger one!!
I love the pops of fall colors! The room looks cozy and lived in.
Your room is beautiful and I love that everything tells a story. Such a lovely place to relax.
I love vintage decor for fall and your finds are so cute!, love the pillow
Love your vintage fall decor!
Everything is so pretty and cozy! Loving the new paint color. It’s amazing what paint can do to a space. I’ve really had the painting bug lately. That osage orange is the main and only ingredient in a facial oil that I use. How cool is that! They look fabulous for fall!
Looks great!
I love your fall décor. The center piece with pumpkins and hedge apples is my favorite. The hedge apples remind me of my childhood. We had them everywhere. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Rhonda!
Paula
Paula, I just love everything about your home! That says it all!
You are so kind, Kathy! Your comment made my day.
Paula
Gorgeous vintage accents added to your home decor!! The high gloss pumpkins are brilliant!! I’d love for you to share over at our weekly Wednesday Creative Crafts Linky Party
https://creativelybeth.com/creative-crafts-linky-party-9-join-in-the-fun/
Have a great week!
Creatively, Beth
I always look forward to your seasonal decor posts, Paula. I grab a coffee and sit back to enjoy. It’s like a virtual trip to a historical museum that I just love. You are being featured this weekend at the Snickerdoodle party. Enjoy your time in Vermont!