Come on In! I’ve Been Decorating for Fall

by hookedonhouses on September 1, 2008

Welcome to everyone who has stopped by as part of The Inspired Room’s Fall Nesting Party!

My daughter Lily and I are so glad you came. We worked hard over Labor Day weekend to get the house spruced up for fall. (She loves being my decorating helper!)

Yesterday I showed you pictures of my house decorated for summer. We have since taken all of the turquoise down and replaced it with orange for fall.

What a difference a day makes. Come on in and take a look!

You may recall my family room looked like this yesterday, when it was still summer around here:

With just a few pillow changes and a new orange throw, voila! It looks like autumn:

We added the square windows to either side of the fireplace. My handy husband Dave trimmed them out, created the overmantel, and hung the crown molding in this room. It’s amazing what a difference details like that can make. (You can see what the room looked like before Dave worked his magic on it by clicking here.)

I’ll be adding some more decorations to my mantel and coffee table when it gets closer to Halloween. I have to ease into full-blown fall. It’s still 90 degrees outside, after all. (Which is why I’m using a picture of Lily from last year when it was cool enough for her to wear a sweater!)

Here’s how my kitchen looked yesterday, still blue and white for summer:

And here is how it looks today, all dolled up for fall:

I love how the house glows with yellows and oranges in the fall. It’s one of my favorite times of the year.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope it gives you a few ideas for how to easily change the look of your house from season to season. In December I’ll replace the orange with red–come back then and I’ll show you how different it looks at Christmas!

Now go on over to The Inspired Room’s Nesting for Fall Blog Party and check out how everyone else is preparing for the change of seasons!

* A FEW BLOG NOTES *

  • I’m kicking off the TLC Book Tour for Kathleen McCleary, author of the novel House & Home.  She stopped by for a fun Q&A with me. Click here to read what she had to say!
  • The second season of “Top Design” premieres Wednesday night on Bravo. Be sure to stop by Thursday for my recap!
  • Check out the new-and-improved Blissfully Domestic e-zine, which is launching today. I’m proud to be one of the writers for BD’s Home & Garden channel. (You can see my first article for them here.)

Follow me on Twitter to find out what I’m up to between blog posts. I’m @hookedonhouses. Click on the birdie below to read what I’m chatting about today!

If You Want to See More of My Humble House:

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{ 74 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Diane 09.01.08 at 8:07 pm

Hi Julia,
Your home looks great. Love the additon of the orange pillow!
diane

2 We are THAT family 09.01.08 at 8:19 pm

I love the way the orange pops in your home! It’s very beautiful and classic.

3 Melissa @ The Inspired Room 09.01.08 at 8:20 pm

Julia, first of all, Lily is so cute!

I love the way you changed over for the seasons, amazing what a few changes can do to change the feel of the place! I like both versions but it is great to see the pops of orange and the cozy feeling it gives!

Great job! Thanks for being a part of the Fall Nesting Week! See you on Twitter and at BD!

xo

4 maya 09.01.08 at 8:28 pm

You’re beautiful! I love it. I’m looking around thinking, gee, I never even decorated for summer and now I gotta switch to fall.

It’s my favorite time of year too.
:)

5 Kimba @ A Soft Place to Land 09.01.08 at 8:33 pm

Julia,

It looks beautiful! I’ve seen your fireplace makeover before and it is fantastic.

I love the way you choose a color for the season and then change over.

And you’re daughter is adorable.

Kim

6 Kathy :) 09.01.08 at 8:48 pm

Hi Julia,

Wow what a difference a day makes, just lovely.

And I think your little helper Lily did an excellent job….she is sooooo cute !!

Kathy :)

7 Neutral Dwelling 09.01.08 at 9:10 pm

Your home looks terrific!

8 Linda B 09.01.08 at 9:28 pm

Oh…I LOVE the windows you put in…what a PERFECT touch!. And your fall colors look as cozy as your summer ones did fresh!! Love it all, but especially that adorable little decorating helper!!

9 laura @ the shorehouse 09.01.08 at 10:03 pm

I love your seasonal swap out! And the windows…fabulous.

Where did the summer go?! My sunflowers just started to bloom this weekend so that’s helping me “hang on” by the hair of my chinny chin chin.

I am counting the minutes to Top Design. I have been working my tail off this month so am looking forward to another after work treat. My mental health breaks: Priceless. Julia’s recaps: Double priceless. :-)

10 lisamm 09.01.08 at 10:10 pm

Oooooo I love all the fall decorating! Such a great idea to change all the accents with the seasons.

And Lily is an absolute doll!! What a great little helper!

11 Amy from Texas 09.01.08 at 10:14 pm

Looks great! Tell your husband he did a great job on the crown molding. I love the before shot of little Lilly. She looks the same, just smaller:-)

12 Jen R 09.01.08 at 10:59 pm

Love it and your daughter is so cute!

13 Class of 56 09.02.08 at 12:05 am

J, you also changed your Header House. Is there a story there as well?

Love the new look. Tell handy Dave to stop being so handy. It is hard on the rest of us.

14 cherry 09.02.08 at 12:09 am

Hi there……..your home is lovely…but I think your daughter stole the show…she is soooo adorable. My first time here and I can see you love to decorate as much as I do….I am apart of the nest tour as well. cherry

15 Jen M 09.02.08 at 6:14 am

I absolutely love both looks! Beautiful.

16 Bella 09.02.08 at 6:19 am

I love your home, Julia! Summer and Fall! Can’t wait to see Christmas! :)
Bella

17 marie 09.02.08 at 6:35 am

Everything looks so pretty! Your house is beautiful. It’s so hot here I can’t even consider fall decorating yet. lol Not to mention hurricanes are kind of consuming my brain…. yikes.

18 Pat 09.02.08 at 6:59 am

Love your Fall Nesting, Julia!

19 Katie 09.02.08 at 7:55 am

I love it, your blog is great. I love it!

20 Trixi 09.02.08 at 8:49 am

Oh, you did a great job and with just a few changes. This is my kind of redo.

21 Alana @ Gray Matters 09.02.08 at 8:57 am

Julia, your home is beautiful. You are such a smart decorator. I’m inspired. Thank you.

22 courtney @ nesting instincts 09.02.08 at 9:12 am

it looks lovely…you have me talked into being excited about fall! (and that’s not easy to do!). Congrats on the Blissfully Domestic gig…can’t wait to read it!!

23 Kirstin 09.02.08 at 9:35 am

Your house is beautiful!

24 Darlene 09.02.08 at 9:45 am

Your home looks fabulous!! I love all of the before (summer) to after pictures. I have barely started on mine!

25 Stacey @ The Blessed Nest 09.02.08 at 10:07 am

I love the neutral decor & seasonal color “pops”! Looks so pretty, yet is so simple to change for the seasons/holidays! Great job–your house is so lovely, and I especially like the toile :).

Blessings,
Stacey

26 Norma 09.02.08 at 11:09 am

Julia I love the orange colors, Your rooms do look so nice and cozy for the Fall. You have the same front door wreath as me, it looks great on that green color door,Lily looks so pretty there.

27 Jo 09.02.08 at 12:04 pm

The changes you made in your rooms are lovely! They totally change the seasonal feel of the room. You have given me some ideas to use to try making my summery turquoise-walled kitchen more fall-ish. Thanks!

28 Rhonda 09.02.08 at 12:28 pm

Your home is so pretty and sparkling clean! Lily so cute! :) ~Rhonda

29 Liz 09.02.08 at 1:45 pm

I love your front door -the colour is gorgeous as is the wreath! Lily looks so cute :)
You’ve decorated beautifully.

30 kasey 09.02.08 at 1:52 pm

looks great!!
k-

31 Nancy 09.02.08 at 2:10 pm

Hi Julia,

You’ve done a great job of decorating! I love both looks. Also, those square windows are wonderful. Both you and your husband are very creative.

32 Buzzings of a Queen Bee! 09.02.08 at 2:58 pm

I love your fall decorations, and I am absolutely smitten with your toile curtains in your living room. I have been debating about adding some to my living room…and now, how could I NOT, after seeing yours? Thanks for stopping by my blog today…I am actually from Cincinnati, too, though I live in Denver now. My house that I posted about was in Mt. Lookout. Oh how I miss the older homes of Cincinnati (without the huge price tags…we couldn’t even consider a charming older home in Denver with these prices out here!). Anyway, so nice to “meet” you!
Carrie

33 Teresa 09.02.08 at 3:13 pm

How cute to have your daughter open the door for us- {adorable sweater} I love the simple but divine change just in the pillows- {I think we share the same wall color in our homes :}
Thanks for sharing.

34 Tricia Anne 09.02.08 at 3:29 pm

Your fall touches are very nice! I especially like the orange pillows and throw in your living room!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

35 REAGAN 09.02.08 at 3:31 pm

Looks great :) makes me want to get my stuff out!

36 Brandee 09.02.08 at 3:32 pm

Your house is so darn cute! I love the simplicity of your fall decor. Not overly cluttered! What a cute girl showing us into your home. :-)

37 DebbieCalif 09.02.08 at 3:44 pm

I just love the fall changes. It looks like you did it easily, probably alot of work. That living room looks SO WARM and inviting. Love the orange pillow too, I love it!!!!
Blessings, Debbie

38 Pat 09.02.08 at 4:08 pm

Julia, your home is so lovely and Lily is such a charming litlte girl.

You fall decorations are jiust perfect! It’s my favorite season also.

There is alwasy so much to look foreward to seeing on your blog! Love it!

Hugs, Pat in NY

39 Liz 09.02.08 at 4:14 pm

Ummm. Now I want some apple cider.

40 Catherine 09.02.08 at 4:57 pm

I love your fall changes. Orange really warm up a home.
Catherine

41 Rhoda 09.02.08 at 5:23 pm

Julia, it’s all SO pretty! I love the summer look & how quick you were to change over the fall in a snap. Love the punch of orange in your room too. Heck, I love your entire room! It’s so warm and cozy.

42 Bettsi 09.02.08 at 5:24 pm

I love how your home is so classic- I especially like your white kitchen. I have the light maple cabinets and they’re okay, but I can’t wait to paint them white and add white beadboard for the backsplash. Your home is lovely!

43 Melody from ~Pennies In My Pocket~ 09.02.08 at 5:31 pm

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!!!!! Just completely gorgeous!! Love it! Now, it’s making me feel like cleaning up and decorating!!

~melody~

44 new every morning 09.02.08 at 6:15 pm

Wow! It is amazing what a punch of color can do to a room! I’m headed to the attic to pull out my fall stuff!

45 Fifi Flowers 09.02.08 at 6:45 pm

WOW… decorating for Fall! I’m impressed! I only decorate for Christmas. But I do love Fall!
I have to go find out about this tour… or Fall Party… FUN!

46 Ms.Tee 09.02.08 at 7:20 pm

Oh, what a sweet picture of Lily! :) I love it all - just gorgeous!

47 nikkisnacs 09.02.08 at 7:46 pm

I love your fall decor. I love how there are just simple pops of orange. Beautiful!

48 Starr 09.02.08 at 8:06 pm

You tell Lily she decorates that front door just fine, thank you!!

Your house looks great with the orange and I thought it really looked cozy and warm.

49 Shelia 09.02.08 at 8:34 pm

I love all your fall touches. Lily and you did a fantastic job! Your home is so beautiful!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

50 Pam 09.02.08 at 8:39 pm

Gorgeous! I just had some chairs recovered in ivory and white. Now I want orange pillows. I nominated you for an award on my blog. Enjoy! P.

51 Maven 09.03.08 at 1:15 am

Your home is just beautiful. I particularly love the fabric you chose for your drapes, but truly, it is all just lovely.

Thanks for sharing.

52 Connie 09.03.08 at 3:47 am

I love the orange pillow. I also love the blue in the kitchen to change seasons. It’s so simple! Love it.

53 Terri Steffes 09.03.08 at 6:42 am

Gorgeous! You have just proven that you can do a lot with a little and make such a powerful statement! Enjoyed the tour, but that first picture… PERFECT.

54 Mrs. B 09.03.08 at 11:31 am

I love your fall accents! I really like how everything is so neutral and you can just change the feel with some colorful accessories. I also absolutely LOVE the moulding and windows around your fireplace! I have a big family room wall where I want to install a fireplace and windows just like that!

55 Andrea 09.03.08 at 12:24 pm

Julia,

Your house looks awesome. Heading to IKEA Thursday. Interested?

56 hookedonhouses 09.03.08 at 12:43 pm

Thanks for all of the kind comments about my house, you guys! You made my day. :-)
FYI, Blissfully Domestic is having technical issues, so the official re-launch of the e-zine has been moved to Monday. Sorry if you tried to get there through my link and it didn’t work. It seems to be off and on today! -Julia

57 Tori 09.03.08 at 2:30 pm

It’s really beautiful!

58 Meghan 09.03.08 at 3:29 pm

I totally do the same thing with the leaves in my chandelier!!!
Thought I was the only one.

Lovely, lovely fall style!

59 rue 09.03.08 at 6:42 pm

It’s amazing how everything changes with just a few changes of color! Absolutely beautiful!

I had to laugh when I read that about your daughter in the sweater, because I thought…. how in the world is she wearing that in this heat! LOL

rue

60 Melissa Lewis - Off The Wall 09.03.08 at 6:50 pm

Oh wow, what a difference a color makes. Looks fantastic!!!!

61 Karla & Karrie 09.03.08 at 8:33 pm

How much did that kitchen change just by switching in the orange?? I just love the chandelier and the leaves - perfect!!
Now…..how about coming up to get our homes ready??
Karla & Karrie

62 Leanne Mash 09.03.08 at 10:20 pm

I am inspired by you … given we are doing spring I will have to spring up the house …. I have already done the hanging baskets with snap dragons … so now to move inside ….

Thanks for the motivation to act - my best to you for fall - le

63 Amy Jo Trager 09.04.08 at 3:34 pm

How great to see the before and afters of your home. That was really fun to spot all the places you’ve added in color. I’m on the hunt for a nice orange throw for my living room. Let me know if you see any this season!

64 jill 09.04.08 at 8:23 pm

Looks great! Love how your house transforms with the seasons.

65 Becca 09.05.08 at 2:57 pm

Isn’t it fun how a few subtle changes can bring out a completely different look? It looks great — thanks in part, I’m sure, to your fabulous decorating helper! :)

66 Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates 09.05.08 at 8:49 pm

I think the cutest fall decoration is Lily!

Your house is beautiful! I really like how those simple changes made all the difference. That seems like something that I might even be able to handle!

67 Pat Morello 09.06.08 at 12:14 am

I’m getting alot of inspiration from you ladies. Just those little touches change everything. Gonna try it!

Pat M.

68 Darla - UltraBeautyBoutique 09.06.08 at 10:01 am

You have a gorgeous house. Thanks for sharing.

I need to get in gear for fall. I feel like summer finally showed up - I hate to give in to fall.

69 Linda@restyledhome 09.07.08 at 9:32 pm

Wow!! Your home transitions so beautifully with the seasons! I love all the hits of orange…

My oh my, your Lily is a beauty! Isn’t it sweet when our kids show signs of being aware of their surroundings and interested in making things pretty?!

I love, love love, your love seat! So elegant, yet, not fussy…

Linda
xoxo

70 shahbeen 09.08.08 at 12:15 pm

its all so lovely….

71 Kathleen 09.08.08 at 4:19 pm

Thanks for the comment on my kitchen. I’m loving your living room! How nice of Wanderluster to give us both a shout-out.

72 Stephanie 09.12.08 at 5:43 pm

What lovely fall decor! And it seems so effortless ~ simply stunning!! Thanks for sharing!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

73 Catherine at Design Editor 10.03.08 at 4:49 pm

Oh! I just saw this! Everything looks so nice. Thanks for the peek inside!

74 Aunt Toni 10.07.08 at 9:42 pm

Kate and I love “Seek and Find”, trying to find out the difference from one picture to the next! We agree that a punch of color makes a huge difference. I hope you know we are kidding about “Seek and Find”, your house is always georgeous, no matter what the season. And Lily, well, there is no one quite like her. Love you, Aunt Toni

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