Sunday, October 17, 2010

Fall Nesting...

I don't know about you, but fall has always been my favorite season. I love how the light changes, the air is crisp, and I start feeling the anticipation of all the upcoming holidays. I also love the nesting. My mom has always loved decorating for fall and the holidays-- and I think she passed that love onto me. So, this past week I've been doing some fall nesting... both inside and outside my home. In this post I'll be showing you what I've done inside...
Do you love this combination of flowers, or what?? I love love love Trader Joe's for flowers. They always have fun, interesting combinations. This combo just makes me warm and happy inside.
This is my little dining room. My little nest is... little. But it's mine, and I have learned that whether you have a little 200 square foot studio apartment (my first place) or a grand mansion (no thank you- too much for one person) you can make it home. My home was built in the 1980's and it has some quirky architecture- hence the double-sided fireplace. One side is in the dining room, the other is in the living room (that's "lounge" for you friends across the pond).
I got a little crafty with my white pumpkins that are shown on the left side of the mantle. It was a really easy project. So easy, that a tutorial isn't really necessary. All you need is some white faux pumpkins (if you can't find white, paint an orange one white), glue, black glitter, and some bling (I used Designer Jewels by Stampin' Up). Paint and glitter the stem of the pumpkin, and adhere the jewels (instructions included) and viola!
... a little gothic glam! I'm sorry this isn't a great photo. It really does look better in person, as does everything in the post. I just don't have the lighting and the photography skills to get a better photo. The architecture of my funky little house does not lend itself to good photostyling. It seemed like every angle had too many distractions in the background. Oh well, this ain't a magazine shoot. Fifi, where are you?
This is the other side of my funky mantle. I kept the slightly gothic glam look going... and yes, that is a shrine to the Twilight Series there.
I do love me some Twilight... and mercury glass. The silver mercury glass is there year-round. I just change out color accessories throughout the year. I add red mercury glass at Christmas, turqoise/aqua in the spring/summer. It's kind of a strange area to decorate. If my style was mediterranean, I could through some large scale pottery up there, but that's not my style.
This is my tiny entry-- which is actually in the dining room. (Did I mention that my house is little?) Oops. I should have tucked that lamp cord in. Oh well. Okay, back to the photo-- this is my Harry Potter shrine. I needed some kind of dresser scarf/runner so I just bought some burlap, cut it to size, and unravelled the ends to make a more interesting edge.
Yes, this is a Sorting Hat. You can really see the face of the hat in this photo--- you've just gotta' love it! I have friends who have actually sat the hat on their head to "get sorted". (Hello, Lisa!) The hat actually talks. I'm not joking! It talks and moves it's mouth, just like the one in the movie.
Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed this little peak into my little nest. I also hope that you've had a chance to do some fall nesting of your own. Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,

16 comments:

Debbie said...

Jill I really like how you've decorated those White Pumpkins. We can't get them over here. Love the sorting hat, where did you get that from? Its brilliant..xxx

Jill said...

I found this sorting hat last year at http://www.wbshop.com/Harry-Potter-Talking-Sorting-Hat-Plush/HPNCPLSHT,default,pd.html

Amazon also carries one that you can actually wear that has a puppet feature. The one that I have is more of a decorative novalty. You can't really wear it because the talking mechanism is where your head would fit. It's so fun though!

Claudia said...

I love your decorated white pumpkins, Jill. What a neat idea and it is so cool graphically (if that's a word) that it makes a strong statement.

I love this peek into your dining room! I admit I'm jealous that you have a fireplace. We don't have one. Boo hoo! I like the look of your fireplace.

When do we get a peek into the living room???

xoxoxo
Claudia

Lisa said...

Ack!! Jill, I love it! Everything looks AMAZING! Those pumpkins came out FABOOSHLY! Too, too cool my dear!! Thanks for letting me wear the sorting hat!! Gryffindor Forever!!

Marnie said...

Love the black, white and silver goth Halloween decor! Gorg! Thanks for sharing.

Elyse said...

beautiful decorating, jill! your house is so pretty and believe me -- i understand having a small space. your pumpkin idea is so cool. so much cool and fun and pretty throughout this post!

i love fall, too!

xo
elyse

Caseymini said...

Jill, How about a Gryffindor HP scarf to put on the shrine? And maybe a wand to lay beside the hat?

I love the fact that you found a way to incorporate the books into the vignettes. I especially like the one with Twilight. I never thought of that. The colors are perfect!

Great decorating! It doesn't matter how small the space is. It shows that you care about your nest!

The French Bear said...

Jill, great job on the pumpkins!!! I love the hat, I have never seen any of the HP movies.....must make time to do so, that is really cool......
Hugs,
Margaret B

suzitee said...

Jill...I am in love with your house :) The white is gorgeous, and lends itself so well to your "fall decorating". I'm pushing for white walls in my house, but my hubby won't have a bar of it..sob sob. Love your Twilight tribute (love Twilight) and the HP scene is great too. Small is great...makes you more careful with what you buy. Would love to see another room...your decorating is inspiring!

SusannaT said...

Jill, it looks beautiful... Love the pumpkins and of course the sorting hat :) I'd try that on too...

I love mercury glass also. I'm slowly collecting some pieces.

Tracey Holdyk said...

Thanks for visitng my blog and leaving such a lovely comment. I have so enjoyed your blog and I will definatley be back. Love your little house, it may be little but it oh so cute.
love me :-)

Kim said...

I love your fall nesting! The hat is awesome!!! I love your white pumpkins too- how smart of you and they look perfect!♥

Tracey said...

Wow, I love your fall decorating.....the white is just fabulous! Your twilight books.....you've given me some ideas for mine. Love the white pumpkins with BLING!!

Kathi said...

Your little nest is so beautiful! Love the black and white! Great ideas too. Hope to see more of your place soon.

Beedeebabee said...

Oooh Jill! I love your great decorating...sooo pretty, and amen to that Twilight shrine! Oh Edward! (I just have to say that every time I think of him!) Love your double fireplace too. I wish I had me one of those! Happy Halloween! xo Paulette

Susan from The T-Cozy said...

Just beautiful! Love all of your autumn items. The painted and bejeweled pumpkins are especially fabulous!