after the storm

after the storm
Welcome autumn!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

finding a bit of autumn...




I will sigh loudly if the Christmas catalogs start arriving in September. I will complain if the Christmas store displays are out in October. Christmas music piped into department stores before Halloween? Unacceptable.




{Disclaimer: I have been known to play Christmas music any time of the year. I just don’t want the stores to play it too early. I cannot defend my position.}
But fall at the end of July? Apparently, I change my tune. The muggy, those-clouds-are-not-raining-at-my-house grumbles disappeared when I stepped into Pottery Barn. There it was...autumn.
The air felt cooler (do they turn it down to add to the ambiance?). There were rusts and golds and a lovely green. There were Manzanita branches hanging over the tables. Copper vessels, wooden bowls, olive plates and autumn quilts.




I could feel the cool. I could feel the calm. I could almost smell the leaves. I wanted to make soup and build a fire. If there had been a way to make everyone else leave, I would have settled into the cream sofa covered with autumn pillows and spent the afternoon reading.

All I could do was soak it up, knowing I would have to leave eventually. I bought the napkins I will use on my Thanksgiving table and came home, inspired by autumn in July. It is 97° right now. I may need to go to Pottery Barn a lot between now and October.
Please join Susan and the other tablescapers at Tablescape Thursday.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Boy, do I like these colors. This is close to what I am thinking of using in my soon to be remodeled kitchen.

The Charm of Home said...

Oh, me too!!! I got their catalog and it had the exact same effect on me and I did fall this week on my table too! Now that is marketing! Love, love these colors! Another great table.
Sherry

Lynn said...

So beautiful, love the colors and great napkins-enjoy!

the cape on the corner said...

oh, yes, i second your whole first paragraph! completely unacceptable. yesterday evening i could have sworn fall was in the air, it was so cool.

and i do love those napkins!

The Inspired Nest said...

Beautiful! I love the colors together! I am so ready for fall! This Florida heat is gonna kill me!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Beautiful! I love when the crispness of fall ushers in too. You look ready!

Jacqueline said...

Beautiful color combinations, I wouldn't even call this Fall, I would call it sultry summer, the reds of sunsets and the hot hot hot color. This is just gorgeous. Glad you shared it.

a quiet life said...

i love your table colors... i adore fall, i think its my favorite season. laughing about xmas music all year, my ipod frequently surprises me... my instant air conditioning!

love your table, happy thanksgiving!

Barbara said...

I forgot the glasses! Geez, I am blaming it all on the heat!

Entertaining Women said...

Your perspective on Pottery Barn makes me smile. I think that they have elevated their design quotient over the last few years, and they offer some really special things to their customers. I could have been the lady sitting at the other end of the cream sofa...it's one of my favorite haunts. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Barbara,
this is a wonderful table, from the used itemas as much as from the colors. Fall is the year the last colorful season and nature brings at the last moment all the bright harvest colors and treasures of the whole year to one point. I love fall also. Thank you so much for showing this nice table, I had bought this napkins, too. Nice combination this special red with soft aqua.
Greetings, Johanna

Celly B said...

Oh, I love those napkins, too! Autumn is my favorite season, and you've made me long for it even more!

Cathy said...

Your tablescape is beautiful, Barbara. I use a lot of red in my home decor and enjoy the color year around. About now I start looking forward to fall, especially after such a hot summer.

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Barbara, I too play Christmas music whenever the mood strikes but if any family is home it has to be after Thanksgiving for them to tolerate it. When I go to Pottery Barn I try to put blinders on and go for the sales because I would be bringing home everything. I am still planning 2 more beach tables for this summer, so fall needs to wait, even if it is hot and my A/C is on the blink. I am waiting for those cute blackbirds to go on sale. Hmm..sounds like I need to make a trip today! Linda

Fatima said...

BEAUTIFUL table! The colors, the dishes, wonderful. Thanks for sharing with us.Fatima-Scrapart

Bring Pretty Back said...

Oh! How I loved your comment this morning on my blog! Thank you for visiting! That is awesome that you feel that way about your hubby!!!! I feel the same way about mine! We are lucky aren't we!
I agree with you about the stores!
I know what you mean about that cozy autumn feeling ~ it is my absolute favorite!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

What a beautiful color combination! Those napkins are gorgeous, and can be used with many colors!

I seem to have more fall decor colors to work with, so bring on fall!! My TT today has a fallish look as well.

Katherine

Marigene said...

Beautiful table with all the rich color...the napkins are my favorite. I can't wait for fall!

Marlis said...

I was so thinking I couldn't wait until autumn and wondering why the previous house owners had planted trees whose pods litter my yard each fall. And why it wasn't happening yet! But they are changing color, so soon. thanks for dropping in. I love your colors, I love the napkins and it all came together beautifully. (as a side note, I was upset when Hobby Lobby put out Christmas on July 1st! but I still have Christmas Cd's in the player!)

Melissa Miller said...

Barbara this tablescape is truly magnificent down to every detail. Lovely!

I adore your amazing hummingbird photos!
~Melissa :)

Donna (Timeless Settings) said...

I can't wait for fall! I love the turquoise with the red, just beautiful!

Donna

Diann said...

Love all these beautiful colors! such a pretty table! I am ready for Fall too. However, I want it to last all the way to Christmas Eve and then it can snow for Christmas and on New Years, Spring can start to show up! LOL

xinex said...

Lovely tablescape. I love the black and red color scheme and your layering is very pretty...Christine

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Beautiful tablescape with wonderful colors! And...your hummingbird pics are amazing! I hope you are having a great week!...hugs...Debbie

shannon i olson said...

everything looks so nice. Thanks for visiting my blog. You said your friend moved from Williston ?? to where you are? I grew up in Williston!! How cool is that?

Laura said...

Barbara- I am so glad you stopped by my blog because that means I found yours!
I love the colors and I know what you mean about Christmas in July, fall colors, and HEAT!

I enjoyed visiting so much-
I am now a follower,

Laura
White Spray Paint

Sweetladyelaine said...

A beautiful fall tablescape but could fall wait a little longer! I still want fun in the sun...too soon to put on sweaters! Love the colors...napkins are fab! I enjoyed visiting...Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!!!

Mary said...

I so agree~ I love all the elements of fall. I was just in PB the other day and could have taken the whole store home... Love your colors on your table & napkins. I'm looking for any solution I can find for 97 degree temps, if it's PB visits, I may have to pitch a tent there :-)

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

So pretty. I love the red and aqua color combo.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Barbara, I LOVE your napkins! What a great color combination. ...And I am totally with you about bringing in the holidays so early. I'm your newest follower. :-)

Kathleen said...

I am there 3every week, the Outlet ie, can't afford the other store. And I just wait them out. Eventually it gets there!

But lately I am uninspired there. I miss the colored plates they used to have. Now just gold and white. I have the red.
Today I ran into Michael's for a calligraphy pen.
And yes, the Halloween is out! Way too soon for me. I like to savor each season.
Yep, it was hot here today, not 97, but 90 and humid! But still, I can't get my head around Christmas!
I love your napkins, and your table is just lovely!

The Tablescaper said...

Great colors, awesome napkins, but I am in no way ready for fall - let alone Christmas.

But I really love those napkins.

- The Tablescaper

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Yes, all the catalogs ares showing fall now. I LOVED the Pottery Barn catalog! They have the formula don't they? Lovely Table! Jacqueline

Unknown said...

I love those colors so much...I use them year round. What can I say I am an Autumn person. And, I too have been know to hum a carol or two...when I thought no one was around :D.
You table is is wonderful.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

You were smart to snap up on those napkins. They are beautiful, and I bet they won't stay in stock long. Your photos of the table are wonderful, and I loved seeing it. Such pretty colors. laurie

Sharlotte said...

What a warm and inviting table. I love the colors you used. Your chargers are perfect, they really say "fall" and your dishes are perfect additions. BTW, your pictures are so crystal clear...everything is so vivid, the reds really pop! Thanks so much for sharing and dropping by to visit!
Sharlotte