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8/28/2011

Dreaming of Autumn...and a New Treasure Find

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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September is nearly here and I'm dreaming of autumn!  Autumn is my favorite season.  I love watching the trees turn their fabulous colors of yellow, orange, and red...simply breathtaking!  I also love the cooler days...throwing my windows and doors open wide...and letting the fresh breeze in!  Are you as excited about autumn as I am?
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A couple of weeks ago, I visited a few of my favorite antique flea shops.  I came home with several "treasure finds" and thought that I would share just one of those sweet treasures with you today.  I hope that you enjoy!
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My living room...fireplace mantel.
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This is the faux fireplace in my living room.  I thought I would throw in a couple of photos so you could see how it has been decorated over the summer.
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Silver and Creamy Whites
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Silver and creamy whites...the summertime decor theme in my living room.  Since my living room is done in darker colors...shades of olive green, deep reds, and gold...I like to bring white into the summer decor...to "lighten" things up.  This year I decided to pair a few pieces of my silver with the white.  I just love silver and have begun to collect it.  I love the "elegance" of silver and I also love the reflective quality of silver...another nice asset for bringing light into a room.
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My Newest Treasure Find...
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Sweet Spaniel Dog Figurines...
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Aren't they just adorable?  I seen this pair of Spaniel dog figurines a couple of months ago at the antique flea shop but didn't pick them up.  Well...while visiting again, a couple of weeks ago,  I noticed that these sweet dogs were still there.  I...may very well be...a "dog whisperer" because I know I heard them "whisper my name"!  Hehe!  I decided that I had to have them and that they would look fabulous in an autumn vignette...so home...they came with me!
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I decided to play a bit...and added the little Spaniel dog figurines to my mantel vignette.
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A Spaniel mama and her younger pup.
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After standing back...and taking a look at the new additions to the mantel vignette...I realized that the sweet little Spaniels gave the vignette a "transitional" feel.
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Summer...giving way to...autumn!
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I don't know...and maybe it's just me...but the Spaniel dogs remind me of autumn.  Maybe it's the lovely, rusty brown shade of their fur...or maybe it's because they remind me of hunting.  I AM a country girl and folk around here do alot of hunting during the autumn season.  Often times, dogs are used for hunting. 
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Hmmm...and there again...maybe it's just because I am dreaming of autumn!!!
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The Spaniel pup.
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Ahhh...sooo adorable.  It looks like the young pup may be a bit shy...trying to hide behind the leaves.
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Mama Spaniel.
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I really don't know too much about the sweet Spaniel figurines.  I'm sure they are a few years old...vintage!  I tried doing a little research on the internet and didn't come up with much.  A black stamped label...a garland-like wreath...with "Japan" written in the center of the wreath...is on the underside of the Spaniel's foot.  If anyone knows anything about this manufacturer's mark or the figurines, I would love to know.
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I'm so happy that you came by today!
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I am joining this fabulous party...
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Thank you, Marty...for hosting this sweet party for us!
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Well dear friends, I'm so glad that you stopped in for a visit today!  With autumn just around the corner...decorating for the new season is on my mind.  A few of my autumn boxes are sitting and waiting!  It's always an exciting time of the year at Happy To Design!
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Warmest Wishes!
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29 comments:

  1. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsAugust 29, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Those spaniel figurines are sooooo cute, Chari! Love them! I'm with you ~ I'm so ready for Fall at this point.

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  2. Shannon@Cozy Home ScenesAugust 29, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Chari, love, love, love the spaniels. They are the cutest animals in real life and these figurines are cute, too. You do a nice job decorating your mantle. I always have a difficult time getting mine just right. I will keep watching you for pointers. Shannon

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  3. Pinky at Designs by PinkyAugust 29, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    Oh Chari, I LOVE the dog figurines!!! I love the expressions on their faces!!! SO cute, and they are great to transition from Summer to Fall!!!! XO, Pinky

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  4. Happy To Be/ Gl♥riaAugust 29, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Oh Sis I so remember when you first seen these ha ha!! what a fun day we had at the antique stores..and girl they look just great in your home..Beautiful as always my dear friend..Hugs and smiles Gloria

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  5. BabsAugust 29, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Chari, Your little spaniel figures are darling and with the sweetest expressions. Perfect for Fall.
    Babs

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  6. Cindy (Applestone Cottage)August 29, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    I love them Chari and I love your mantel too!
    The white's, the silver, the spaniels, whimsical and beautiful too!
    Definately brings in the fall feel!
    I am always sad when summer ends.
    I like fall but i don't care for what follows it!
    Hugs friend,
    Cindy

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  7. On Crooked CreekAugust 29, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Chari,
    I'm sure they would have "followed" you home had you not heard them calling your name! Very sweet sitting attentatively on your mantle. Hope you're able to throw open your windows soon. I am so~o~o ready for a breath of fresh air. Grateful in this heat for the AC, but misssing the fresh air to breathe!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  8. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeAugust 29, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Oh Chari, they are just fabulous and I love them. Such sweet faces. I would have bought them in a heartbeat. I have my eye on a Fitz and Floyd one, but I really adore yours, and of course your vignettes are always totally fabulous. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  9. Sonya@Beyond the Screen DoorAugust 29, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Hi, Chari! Your silver, white and green color scheme is just beautiful and those spaniels are just adorable! Thanks so much for dropping by and saying hello! Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  10. UnknownAugust 29, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Chari, love your new treasures! I too like the the colors of fall but I am not ready for it yet, I suppose I know what comes next, winter and snow! But I do love to decorate for fall, my favorte time other than Christmas, I guess because we get to keep our beautiful colors up a little longer. Everytime you decorate your mantle, I can never imagine it looking any more beautiful, but you outdo yourself everytime! Thanks for sharing!
    Sandy

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  11. KathyAugust 29, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Very Lovely Chari! I love the little Spaniel dogs - they're precious! I am ready for Autumn too - getting ready by making decorations! Hope you have a great day,
    Kathy

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  12. Blondie's JournalAugust 29, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    First...thanks for the tip on using silver to add lightness to a summer vignette. My mantel has been lacking something and even though it's late in the game, I am going to do this.

    Love all your new treasures. I know the designer Charles Faudree uses dogs in a lot of his rooms...they are getting very popular. I love your little spaniels!!

    XO,
    Jane

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  13. OliveAugust 29, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Chari, I often buy something when I go back a second time and what I liked is still there or perhaps marked down. The spaniels are darling and the pup has great eyes. I think we are all ready for Fall. It was nice and cool here this morning for a change. hugs♥Olive

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  14. xinexAugust 29, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Your spaniels are really cute, Chari. So glad they were still there, just waiting for you to buy. They have the perfect rustic autumn colors. Your created vignettes are lovely as usual...Christine

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  15. Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee)August 29, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Fantastic autumn post! It looks gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  16. CindyAugust 29, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Your spaniel mama and pup are just darling, I love the feel that it gives your mantel. It does feel transitional, you can just imagine them running through the rusty colored leaves scattered across the lawn and hear the rustle of the leaves.
    I'm a dreamer, too, just like you!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  17. SarahAugust 29, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    Chari, these little spaniels are darling. Beautiful post!
    Your mantel looks great. I need to redesign what is on our mantel. It's been the same for months. ;-)
    Thanks for inspiring me.

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  18. Michele SmithAugust 30, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    Those puppies are adorable!

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  19. GardenOfDaisiesAugust 30, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    What sweet little spaniels! One of my best friends has two Brittany Spaniels. Your home always looks so beautiful!

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  20. Gypsy HeartAugust 30, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    Beautiful, as usual!

    xo
    Pat

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  21. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMEAugust 30, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Your little dogs are so sweet. My mom had one years ago...my cousin wanted it when she passed. I find it interesting how dogs are so popular in decor right now...

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  22. Linda @ Life and LindaAugust 30, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Oh my, your new additions are precious! Spaniels are so cute.
    I still admire your faux fireplace.
    It's stunning! I love your style of decorating.

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  23. A Hint of HomeAugust 30, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    I was looking at your blog and my hubby walked in the rooma and said that is a beautiful mantel!
    It is! Great job with your vignette.

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  24. Air PurifiersAugust 30, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Those are so adorable! I love cocker spaniels :D

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  25. DebbieAugust 30, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    The spaniels are adorable!

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  26. Wsprsweetly Of CottagesAugust 30, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    Cheri, those little Spanial doggies are just adorable. They add a lot...and..look a bit Fallish to me. :)
    How lucky Gloria was to visit and see your wonderful home in person!
    I always look forward to visiting you and miss a lot when I don't get over here.
    Hugs,
    Mona

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  27. Savannah GrannyAugust 30, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    I am in love with your mantel. I love every detail. You have arranged it so beautifully and I love the little spaniels. They are so adorable and I am glad they were there when you came back. They had been waiting for you. I always enjoy looking at your silver. I new that you loved it because you have so many beautiful pieces.
    Thanks for coming to visit my bedroom redo. I am going to frame your comments. Anytime Sweet Old Bob laughs at what I am doing I will point it out to him.
    Have a great week. Hugs, Ginger

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  28. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasAugust 31, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Char,
    Love the sweet Spaniel figurines! So cute!
    Your fireplace is amazing and love the vignettes on the mantle!
    I too am so looking forward to Fall!! I am no lover of heart!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  29. AnonymousAugust 31, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Chari Those spaniels are just the sweetest! We had a Springer Spaniel and I just loved that Caleb dog!

    I am thinking we are seeing a new, would fad be the word? Marty found some darling dog prints for her living room!

    Have been ill for the past few days with more then just the typical fibromylgia. Woke up yesterday and almost didn't go to Chat and Coffee but pulled myself out of bed. I am wondering if I might have a slight case of West Nile as I have all the symptoms and the mosquitoes have eaten me up this summer. Haven't gone to Dr as there isn't much they can do for you unless it get extremely worse. Was so hoping to get a few things checked off my house to do list but not yet it seems!

    Is it beginning to feel like fall up your way yet? It has been very warm here still.

    Bee Blessed!
    Mary

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