Fall on the Countertop

Welcome to the Blog today, Friends. I’m so glad you’re here! My kitchen island is one of my favorite spots to decorate, especially as we welcome the cozy embrace of fall. It’s a working kitchen, though, so any display I create needs to be easy to move when it’s time to cook or gather around for a meal.

Today, I put together a welcoming fall display using all thrifted treasures. It all began with this delightful wooden lantern, which caught my eye the moment I saw it. The lantern has a charming farmhouse style, crafted from simple pine wood, and paired beautifully with a textured straw bee skep. When I first found it, the poor thing was covered in dust, inside and out. The glass was so dirty you could hardly see through it! But I saw its potential.

After a little TLC, starting with a good dusting, I used Windex to make the glass sparkle again and Liquid Gold to nourish and brighten the wood. Now, it’s the star of my fall display, adding just the right touch of warmth and rustic charm to my kitchen. I can’t wait for you to see how it all came together!

Here’s a closer look at the lantern that’s become the centerpiece of my fall display. It has this fascinating mechanism that allows you to raise and lower the candle inside the glass. By pulling up the wooden dowel that threads through the top, the candle rises. What’s really neat is how the copper piece at the top swivels around and compresses against the dowel, holding the candle securely at whatever height you choose. It’s a simple yet clever design that adds a bit of charm and character.

To add an extra touch of autumn, I’ve scattered some leaves around the base of the lantern. These leaves look so real, you’d almost expect them to crunch underfoot! I found them in a bag at a thrift store, and they’ve quickly become a favorite in my seasonal decorating. They add just the right pop of color and texture, making the lantern feel even more like a cozy, rustic fall treasure.

A bit of raffia was tied around the handle in a loose bow. Leaves are caught in the raffia as if drifting to the ground from a large tree.

A leaf was caught in the top of the bee skep catching and holding a bit of color and a soft, yellow, hand dipped candle rests inside the lantern.

On the breadboard, a charming truck in muted colors is parked, happily carrying bright pumpkins and fall leaves. It’s like a little slice of autumn on wheels! The vibrant colors of the pumpkins and leaves pop beautifully against the soft tones of the truck, creating a cozy, festive scene.

Just behind the truck, I’ve placed a lovely pottery bowl filled with lush, cling-free peaches. These peaches came from a roadside stand and are perfectly ripe for eating. I love having them right there on the breadboard, inviting anyone passing by to help themselves to a gorgeous, juicy peach. It adds a fresh, inviting touch to the display, blending the beauty of fall with the simple pleasure of seasonal fruit.

This vignette pulls together all the little bits and pieces that remind us of the simple joys of fall. The warm colors and cozy elements bring that special autumn magic right into the heart of the kitchen. I’m already looking forward to our upcoming trip to the pumpkin farm, where we’ll pick out fresh pumpkins for both cooking and display. There’s something so satisfying about bringing home those perfect pumpkins to decorate with and savor in hearty fall dishes.

As the honey bees buzz about, making the last batches of honey from the final flowers of summer, the candle in our lantern will soon light our way for a bit of trick-or-treating. And with the crisp air of autumn, we’ll be taking long, leisurely walks, with the satisfying crunch of leaves under our feet. It’s all these little things that make fall such a special time of year, and I’m so glad to share it with you here.