Friday, August 30, 2013

end of Summer inspirations . . .









The end-of-Summer is the one time of year when our home decor "unwinds" from colorful and vibrant . . . and shifts to soft neutrals.

It's a peaceful way for me to transition our home into Fall decor in September and October.




I love cotton boles. They are incredibly beautiful, especially in the Fall when paired with pumpkins, berry twigs, and other natural elements.

I bought this stunning wreath while on vacation with my mom and sister here.








White hydrangeas are always a part of my decor, any time of year. 

                   They are my year-round favorite flower!

I have seasonal favorites too . . . like Black-Eyed Susans and sunflowers ~ July through November. 

I especially love sunflowers throughout Summer, especially at the end-of-Summer.

Their golden hues are a warm welcome for Fall, one of my favorite seasons



 


There are even simple desserts, like a slice of warm Butter Poundcake and fresh sliced peaches
that seem to taste the best at the end of a long Summer season.




Towards the end of Summer, I tend to decorate our family room, dining room, and kitchen in more neutral hues.

I carefully pack away my bright and vibrant Summer colors and patterns, and exchange them for . . . beige, grey, and whites.

I find that this soft and muted canvas allows me to 'dream of Fall,' and all its beauty.

For me, it's a peaceful and pleasant way to transition into a new season.

       







LET'S STAY in touch!






Do you do anything special to prepare your home
for a new season?





47 comments:

  1. What lovely images! LOVE the softer side of fall!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Yvonee!

      Thank you so much for stopping by! It's quite an honor to have you.
      As you can see, I ease into Fall. I spend most of the beginning and middle of September celebrating APPLES; and then by late September, my home has fully transformed into all things Fall.
      It's such a fun time of year!
      I'm looking forward to all the beautiful things you have in store for StoneGable!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  2. Suzanne,
    I adore your neutral palette appearing for the transition from Summer to Autumn,!
    Your mosiac with the Sunflowers gave me give a deep sigh!!!
    I LOVE Sunflowers and "Mr. Ed"grows them every year just for me (and the birds)!!!
    I make a complete Seasonal change beginning with my petite dining room!
    Instead of neutral this year, I'm going full blown Traditional decor and hues!
    I enjoyed my visit today!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pat!

      So happy you came by!
      I enjoyed reading your comment :0)
      Summer and Autumn just wouldn't be the same without sunflowers. Don't you agree?!
      Happy decorating as we slowly move into a new season.
      Please come back again soon!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  3. Stunning vignettes, they are dreamy and so soothing. Hydrangeas are always a favorite of mine but that boles wreath...wow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christine!

      Thanks for coming by!
      Come back again soon.
      Have a great weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  4. Love the cotton bole wreath. I've never seen anything like it. Such pretty vignettes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tammy!
      Please come back again soon.
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  5. LOVE the cotton! So pretty! Makes me wish I lived in the south! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Allison!

      Thanks for coming by!
      This is a great time of year to buy cotton bole sprigs and wreaths. Keep your eye open for them in specialty stores. You can also find them on-line.
      I fell in love when I saw this wreath, and I'm so happy that I bought it. I've never seen anything like it since.
      Please come back again soon.
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  6. Beautiful pictures and home! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Maria!

      Thank you so much for coming by and leaving such a kind comment.
      And thank you for the invitation to join your link party!
      See you there :0)
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  7. Oh wow, such beautiful photos and I am so intrigued by the cotton wreath. Love it. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much sweet Marty!
      Come by again soon,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  8. I am in love with that cotton wreath! Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jenna!
      It's one of my favorite purchases of all time!
      Thanks for coming by!
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  9. Lovely images - especially the sunflowers!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful photos Suzanne, I love the way you said that you shift from summer brights to soft neutrals~your cotton wreath is wonderful!
    Jenna

    ReplyDelete
  11. HI Jenna!

    Thanks for coming by!
    Having a more calm and neutral palette AFTER bright and vibrant Summer decor, really does make me more excited for the arrival Fall.
    And then when Fall arrives, our home undergoes another transformation. I love decorating for Fall! (as I'm sure most people do :0) )
    Please come by again soon.
    Have a beautiful week,
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, I love all the flowers they are so pretty! You did a wonderful post! I saw it on share your cup.
    Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Julie!

      Thanks so much for coming by!
      I hope my post inspires you to enjoy the end of Summer :0)
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  13. Love the cotton wreath -I saw some this weekend and should have grabbed one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Beeutiful by Design!

      Thanks for coming by!
      Wreaths are hard to find! You should've bought it :0)
      Be sure and grab the next one you see.
      Come back again soon!
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  14. So pretty! And calm and soft. End of summer for me always means back to school so I just did a back to school mantel... the white hydrangeas are perfect this time of year too!! Thanks for sharing this at Work it Wednesday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Krista!

      So happy you came by!
      I enjoyed reading your comment, thank you.
      And by the way . . . I thought your 'back to school' mantle was great!
      What a wonderful way to get your kiddos excited about school :0)
      Come by again soon.
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne (Happy Housie follower)

      Delete
  15. I'm smitten with your white hydrangeas - but then, I'm smitten with blue ones too! I've never seen cotton boles woven into a wreath - but it looks incredible - what an amazing find! Enjoy the wind down and change of seasons! :)
    Sheree (stopping by for the first time!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sheree!

      So happy you came by!
      I hope you come back again soon!
      So nice to have met you :0)
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  16. What a lovely post - and white hydrangea blooms! Since we live with cotton growing all around us, making a wreath like yours is on my to-do list. Love it!
    Blessings,
    Kim @ Curtain Queen Creates

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kim!
      Oh my heavens, I wish I were so close to cotton growing!!
      Lucky, lucky you!
      Come back again soon.
      Have a beautiful weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  17. So cute. I love the cotton! Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/09/fridays-five-features-no-7.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Becca!
      Have a great weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  18. Beautiful photos! I am in love with that cotton wreath! I love decorating with natural and neutral too! Visiting from French Country Cottage! ;)

    Melissa @ Shabby Love

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melissa,

      Thanks so much for coming by!
      Hope you come by again soon.
      Have a beautiful weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  19. How I love your cotton bole wreath and the sunflowers in the tote. Lovely images.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tina!
      Come by again soon.
      Have a great weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  20. I love the cotton boll wreath and the white hydrangeas. A great end of summer look.
    Thanks for coming to the party at Craft Frenzy Friday. Hope you comeback next week.
    http://obsessiveandcreative.blogspot.com and http://craftdictator.blogspot.com
    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rhonda!
      Thanks for coming by!
      I hope you come back to see what I bake up and decorate of Fall!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  21. Suzanne, I too love sunflowers and black eye's. Definitely signify summer transitioning into Fall for me. Your neutrals are so warm and I love the cotton wreath. I would LOVE to find one like that to hang in my basement family room. Will check out the link you shared. Thanks so much for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jann!
      Be sure and visit again this week. I'll be sharing a post dedicated to Black-Eyed Susans.
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  22. Your "End of Summer" vignettes are just lovely! I have always wanted a cotton boles wreath, and we do live in a state where cotton is a big crop; but I've never seen one for sale anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carol,
      Thanks so much for coming by!
      I imagine that living in a state that harvests cotton - that you should be able to find cotton bole sprigs and wreaths. Wishing you luck on finding one for your home.
      Hope you come back soon to visit.
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  23. What a beautiful home! I'm hosting a handmade candle giveaway that you should enter! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/09/fremont-candles-givewaway-20-for.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kayla!

      So happy you came by! And thank you for your kind comment.
      I'll swing by to enter your contest. Thanks so much for the invitation.
      Come back again soon.
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  24. I love it! The photos are really pretty, Suzanne! The hydrangeas are gorgeous! Thanks for linking up to the Less laundry, More Linking.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Everything is just breathtaking! As a girl from South Carolina, I love the cotton wreath. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Funday... have a great week!

    Take care,

    Trish

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Bonnie and Trish,

      Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate your kind comments.
      Come back again soon.
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...