Almost Fall in the Library

Welcome to the blog today, friends! Can you believe it’s almost the middle of August? Before we know it, September will be here, bringing the cool and cozy vibes of fall. I’m getting a head start by tidying up the garage in preparation for a yard sale in mid-September. It’s become a yearly tradition, and each year the space feels a bit more open as we tackle those lingering boxes and old Christmas decorations.

This year, I’ve decided to part with most of my Spode Christmas Tree china. I’ll be keeping four place settings, but that leaves 12 more and all the lovely serving pieces for someone else to enjoy. If you’re interested, just drop me an email—I’d love to see them go to a good home!

I’m also going to be selling @ 12 place settings of Mikas “English Countryside”. It’s hard giving up old friends but letting them go to new homes for new stories is a satisfying thing to do.

But now, let’s turn our hearts toward the glory of autumn, with all the splendid colors and textures that the season embodies. During my recent cleanout, I had the chance to put the library back together, which naturally led to a bit of furniture rearranging. With new furniture positions, I couldn’t resist creating a few new vignettes to celebrate the season.

The picture above captures the rich palette of oranges and yellows set against a deep blue backdrop. The rustic pumpkin candleholder, a recent thrift store find, adds a charming touch. The pillar candle, with its gradient from cream to a warm, rusty orange, beautifully complements the colors in “The Book of Hours” resting on top of the book stack. “The Book of Hours” feels especially fitting as we count down the days until the Fall Equinox.

The other side of the room has books and watercolors on display on the gallery shelves. The bookshelves are packed with adventures yet to be discovered. Some are classics, some old favorites and some new books to be enjoyed for the first time. Don’t you just love being in the presence of such wonderful stories?

A table built by my talented husband is set against the far wall. The desks chairs are comfortable leather studded with nails heads. We found them in an antique store years ago. The wood is a beautiful mahogany and they are Georgian in design. I love sitting in this room, reading or working on the computer.

A simple, rectangular woven tray sets the tone with its soft straw color, offering a natural and inviting foundation. Resting on the tray is a hand-thrown pitcher in varying shades of brown, paired with matching cups. The earthy tones of the pottery create a warm, welcoming vibe, and its ability to keep beverages cool longer than ceramic makes it perfect for those lingering warm autumn days. The overall feeling is relaxed and casual, perfectly capturing the essence of the season to come.

Plates chosen for their delicate wheat design, hand-drawn by the potter, beautifully carry the harvest theme and add an extra layer of texture to the tray. Draped casually over the edge are homespun napkins in a soft, matching color, adding a touch of coziness. Just behind the plates, a small stack of vintage books on the language of flowers, a subject that fascinated the Victorians, adds a hint of nostalgia and charm to the display. This arrangement weaves together the warmth of autumn with a nod to history, making the vignette both inviting and meaningful.

A stem of beautiful, changing maple leaves adds a touch of autumn’s magic to the vignette, evoking the crisp days ahead. The combination of these simple, handmade pieces brings a sense of warmth and tranquility, offering a quiet and gentle introduction to the new season that’s soon to embrace us all. It’s a celebration of the simple pleasures that make autumn so special, inviting us to savor the peaceful moments as we transition into this cozy time of year.

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While going through the garage this week, I uncovered a box of vintage chemistry bottles that had been tucked away. These brown bottles catch the light from the lamp, adding a warm, amber glow to the scene. There’s something truly fascinating about old bottles, and these chemical bottles, complete with their elegant glass stoppers, serve as reminders of a bygone era. They bring a touch of history and curiosity to the space, blending seamlessly with the autumnal atmosphere.

There are 17 bottles in the box, and it was such a delight to rediscover them. Four of the bottles are in pristine condition, never having been used, with their stoppers still wrapped and secured by the original twine. The remaining bottles, though once used, are remarkably clean and well-preserved. It’s such a joy to have them on display again, adding a touch of vintage charm and a sense of discovery to the space. Finding these treasures has truly brought a bit of history back home.

Thank you so much for joining me today for a visit to the library as we anticipate the next season coming our way. It’s always a joy to have you stop by, and I look forward to welcoming you back soon!