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Vintage Inspired Fall Decor

Fall is finally here and it certainly looking and feeling fall-like in my neck of the woods.  I’ve been adding fall touches slowly but surely to my home and today am sharing the Vintage Inspired Fall Décor in my family room.

I’m sharing my fall décor along with a group of bloggers as part of a fall tour.  If you arrived here via A Home to Grow Old In, welcome!  You’ll find links to the other fall tour participants at the end of this post.  I love getting great décor inspiration from visiting other blogs and I’m sure you will as well.

I usually share décor in my formal living room, but I’ve been working on painting that room for the past few weeks, and that space is out of commission for now.  You can see how I decorated it for fall last year here.

 

Fall in the Family Room

Our family room is in an addition at the back of our home.  It has four large windows and looks over our back yard.  We love to relax in this space.

When I think about fall décor, my first thought is gourds.  I decorated this space a few weeks ago and gourds weren’t yet available, so I challenged myself to decorate this space using only things that I had.

Family Room Decorated for Fall - virginiasweetpea.com

Links in this post may be affiliate.

When we relax in the evening, our dog sits in the leather chair, my husband on the sofa with the squirrel and fox pillows, and I’m on the sofa with the leaf pillows.

Family Room Decorated for Fall - virginiasweetpea.com

 

The maps above the sofa are from an 1880’s book, Official Records of the Civil War.  The large map to the left of the Civil War maps is a 1927 map of Lynchburg.  The pie safe in the corner was made from cherry wood harvested on the farm in Maryland where my grandfather was raised.  The farm is still in the family and still in operation.  WWI era sheet music that belonged to my grandmother’s cousin hangs above the leather chair.

Family Room Decorated for Fall - virginiasweetpea.com

 

The pie safe top is a great place for a seasonal display.  Isn’t the graphic for September 1968 great?  When October rolls around, I’ll switch the page to enjoy the next graphic.  This calendar was found in a dumpster!

The frame that the calendar is on was made using molding from the school house that my grandfather attended as a boy.  I usually display vintage post cards on this piece using tiny clothes pin, clipping them to the chicken wire.

Cotton stems in a vintage sap bucket along with faux apples in a updated thrift shop found pedestal bowl and a McCoy apple complete this vignette.

Fall Vignette with a 1968 Coca-Cola Calendar, McCoy Apple Cookie Jar, and Cotton Stems in a Sap Bucket.

 

The walnut table beside my husband’s sofa was inherited from my grandmother.  The pipe holder was my grandfather’s and it holds one of his pipes.  My aunt and uncle kindly passed it along to me when they recently came to visit.  The leaf is from Vermont, our favorite state after Virginia.  Sherman’s evening treats are handy in a glass pumpkin that I got years ago from Walmart. This jar is great for holding candy or cookies, it’s still available if you want one for your home.

Fall Vignette with a Vintage Pipe and Tobacco Holder - virginiasweetpea.com

 

The coffee table, end tables, and jug lamps are from 1968, purchased by my parents when they first were married. The antique pie safe in the corner was a Christmas surprise gift over 20 years ago from my parents.  The radios and telephone on top of the pie safe belonged to my grandparents.  The large radio still works!

Family Room Decorated for Fall - virginiasweetpea.com

 

Every fall I enjoy gathering Osage Oranges to use in my fall décor.  The wooden bowl that they are in was inherited from my grandmother.

Fall Coffee Table Decor - Osage Oranges in a Vintage Bowl with Vintage Books and a Pumpkin - virginiasweetpea.com

 

The Bergen’s Botanies Key and Flora book is from 1908 and the 1927 The Classroom Teacher book belonged to my grandfather.

Fall Vignette - virginiasweetpea.com

 

The squirrel nutcracker belonged to my dad.  My grandmother was raised by her aunt who ran a store in Vinton, VA.  When my dad was a young boy, someone in Vinton gave him this nutcracker.  I’ve always loved it and when my grandmother passed it along to me, I was delighted.

Fall Coffee Table Vignette - virginiasweetpea.com

 

When bagged nuts become available at the grocery store, I’ll put a bowl of nuts beside him.  To crack a nut, you lift the squirrel’s tail.

Vintage Squirrel Nut Cracker - virginiasweetpea.com

 

End tables and coffee tables are fun to decorate seasonally.  My mom gave me the old spool, the pitcher belonged to my grandmother, and the candle was a gift from a sweet friend.  The Edgar Allen Poe book is from 1917 and the Elementary Spanish Reader from 1897.  The Poe book was my grandfather’s and the Spanish Reader belonged to my grandmother’s cousin.

Fall Vignette with a Vintage Spool, Pitcher, and Books - virginiasweetpea.com

 

The fall art above the sofa was a yard sale find.  Last year I had it hanging over my mantel for fall.

I’ve seen so many pretty fall pillows for sale in recent months and wanted to splurge on a few for this room but resisted the urge to buy and used these that I made a few years ago.  The fox and squirrel pillows on the other sofa are also DIY projects from a past fall.Family Room Decorated for Fall - virginiasweetpea.com

 

I shopped my basement storage area to create these vignettes.  The shoe form and insulator were passed along to me from my mom.  The tray was my grandmother’s and the plate was an antique shop find.

Fall Vignette with Vintage Finds - virginiasweetpea.com

 

Circling around the room you see the Vintage Virginia Tech Memorabilia display that I shared a few weeks ago.

Family Room Decorated for Fall - virginiasweetpea.com

 

We really enjoy our family room.  It’s a cozy spot to relax each evening and when it rains, since it has a shed roof, the sound is spectacular.  In winter one of my pleasures is to watch the snow fall though the windows.

Family Room Decorated for Fall - virginiasweetpea.com

 

An eating area connects our kitchen to the family room.

Family Room Decorated for Fall

 

Gourds that I dry and save fill a dough bowl from Emory Valley Mercantile.  This shop owned by my friend, Angie, of Postcards from the Ridge and I love every single item that she carries.  I also have Farmhouse Style Caddies from this shop that I adore.

Dried Gourds in a Dough Bowl make a Beautiful Fall Centerpiece - virginiasweetpea.com

 

I hope you enjoyed the tour of our fall family room.  If you care to pin this post, I would really appreciate it!

Don't Forget to Pin It!

Vintage Inspired Fall Decor - Fall decor using vintage items. - virginiasweetpea.com

More Fall Inspiration

This fall season I’ve also shared my Magnolia Wreath Styled for Fall and my fall decorated porch.  We spend a lot of time on this porch and I love having it decorated for the fall season.

Magnolia Wreath Styled for Fall - virginiasweetpea.com

Get inspired to do some fall crafting with ideas for Fall Crafting with Leaves.

Fall Crafting Ideas with Leaves - Get ideas for leaf inspired craft projects that you can make for your home. virginiasweetpea.com

 

If you are in the mood to do some fall baking, check out my Pumpkin Honey Beer Bread.

Fall Decor Blogger Home Tours

Now it’s time to get inspired for fall décor by some blogging friends.  Next on the tour is Lincluden Cottage Life.  Click on the links below to visit the homes decked out with fall décor.

Fall Decor and Entertaining Blogger Home Tours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
 
Friday
 

38 Comments

  1. I find it interesting that your grandfather was from Maryland. I am from the western most county in Maryland. I love that your decor is rich with your family’s history!

  2. Paula, I can’t tell you how much I loved reading your post! I love all the special stories behind all the pieces in your home. It’s so beautiful, and I love all your fall accents!

    1. Thank you so much, Robin! I am lucky to have inherited a lot of antique pieces from both sides of my family. I love using them in my decor.

  3. Such pretty fall touches in your home! I love all the history… and the fact that your dog has his own chair ? What are osage oranges? I’ve never heard of them.

    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment. Osage Orange is a kind of tree and the green balls that I used in the wooden bowl are that tree’s seed pod. Osage Orange might be a species that grows primarily in the south, I’m not sure. Many southerners call the pods, “Horse Apples.”

  4. Paula! Where do I start?! Your home is so beautiful! You have so many vintage treasures I’d love to get my hand on!!!! Edgar Allan Poe! Lucky Duck! Thank you for the beautifully vintage inspired Fall Tour!!

  5. A lot of interesting tidbits of history in that room! I love that squirrel nutcracker – how charming! So happy to have you join the Fall blogger home tours!

    1. Thanks so much for organizing the tour, Angelina! I love that old nutcracker and if a child comes to visit, he’s guaranteed to keep them busy for a while. 🙂

    1. Thank you, Kelly! We collected those maps slowly over time. One of them is from Maryland and has a relative’s farm marked on it. I’m a sucker for maps!

  6. I love how everything in your home has a story. Just read the comment about your grandpa being from Middletown, MD. I live in Frederick. <3 Your home is lovely!

    1. Frederick County, MD is such a beautiful place. I have the best memories of traveling there to visit family. I only make it up there about once a year now and when I do, I always make time to ride around as the countryside is gorgeous. I’m so glad to discover your blog through the fall tour. Your vintage style is right up my alley!

    1. Thank you, Wanda! I’m lucky to have so many family things. Since I am known to treasure them, relatives who don’t want things think about me when it’s time to get rid of things and I’m happy to take them.

  7. I have never seen or head of Osage oranges before they have a beautiful colour and texture for fall decor. Love them. Your vintage books from your grandfather were my favorite part. Heirlooms are what make our house a home and I can imagine they inspire many conversations about your Grandfather. Your home is quaint and calm and beautifully decorated for fall. I enjoyed your tour.

    1. Thank you, Leanna! I am lucky to have some of my grandfather’s books. It makes my heart happy to open the cover of a book and see his name written in his lovely old cursive writing.

    1. Thank you, Sue! That squirrel is a real treasure. My grandmother used to loan things to her local historical society for displays and he’s one of them. I enjoyed being on the tour with you!

  8. What a beautiful room and I love that you used what you had to decorate the room. I think it makes it so much more special. BTW, I love your family room valances…gorgeous! Did you make them?

    1. Thank you so much for complimenting my valences, Kim. I did make them using a Pate Meadows pattern. They weren’t terribly hard but since our windows are 48″, they were awkward to sew since each one used so much material. I am so glad that you like them as I’ve wondered if they are out of style now that everyone uses long curtains. I like them because they are decorative but don’t block the light.

      Paula

  9. Paula, I love your collection of vintage items and that you have a pumpkin shaped jar for your dog treats! They are family too! I have never thought of using Osage Oranges in my decor but their color is a fabulous fit! Your home is warm and inviting and the rug is amazing! Thanks for the look!

    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Jeannee. I agree that dogs are family and our Sherman is loving getting his treats from the pumpkin jar. I usually fill it with candy corn which is dangerous because we can’t stay out of it. At least this way only Sherman will empty the pumpkin!

  10. Paula, you know I love all your vintage pieces, but I really love the way you’ve showcased them here! I’m not sure what my favorite piece is, but that squirrel nutcracker would definitely make the Top 5 list! Thanks for giving us a peek into your family’s history.

    And thanks for joining the Grace at Home party. I’m featuring you this week!

    1. Thanks for the feature, Richella. I also love that squirrel nutcracker. I wish I had written down the exact history of it when my grandmother told me about it years ago.

    1. Thank you! I love my vintage things and it’s fun to pull different things out of my collection to use as the seasons change.

  11. It all looks so pretty but my favorite is the vintage plate styled tray vignette! I also love the mini-gourds in the wooden bowl. Looking foward to seeing what you do this year!

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