"To Autumn"....an Autumn Buffet

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To Autumn
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O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained

With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit

Beneath my shady roof; there thou mayest rest

And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,

And all the daughters of the year shall dance!

Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

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William Blake

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Autumn 2011 at Happy To Design

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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Even though we have a few more days before the calendar officially says it's autumn...I am happy to report that in our little corner of Colorful Colorado...autumn has made it's appearance!

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The days have already grown cooler and the leaves have just begun to change color.  I sooo enjoy this time of the year!  When the busy days of summer...give way to the slower...more restful days of autumn!

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I have been busy, busy with getting our home ready for the new season.  Dressed in its warm and cozy autumn frocks...we are ready to welcome the season in...with open arms!  I hope that you are enjoying the changing of seasons as much as I am. 

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Well my friends, today I thought I would share...a little autumn in my french country dining room...specifically the buffet and a new autumn vignette.  I hope that you enjoy!

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"To Autumn"

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I have created a new vignette for the buffet in my french country dining room...an "ode to autumn"...so to speak. 
It's filled with autumn's rich bounty...autumn fruit, autumn leaves, pheasants, and a few of my favorites things...
which make me feel warm and cozy!

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A "Softer" Autumn Color Palette...

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I usually go "all out" with color when it comes to decorating for autumn, but this year I decided to do something just a little different.  I chose a "softer" neutral color palette of earthy creams, linen, and browns. Of course, the dark red wall color still serves up a good measure of rich color.

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Rustic Luxe
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Rustic Luxe, a term that describes a decorating style that combines the casual and welcoming feel of a country home with the luxury of the good life.  Today’s rustic luxe decorating is all about comfort and function. An old iron bed (rustic) may be used in a bedroom with silk curtains (luxe). A kitchen may feature worn brick walls and floors made from an old barn (rustic) but the appliances will be state of the art stainless steel. (luxe) Your living room may have a worn leather sofa (rustic) sitting atop a beautiful persian rug (luxe). Shiny mercury glass lamps next to an old wooden bowl full of fruit add to the look. (Source:OnlineFabricStore.net)
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Rustic Luxe and the "Fruit of the Vine"...
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The simple elegance of a beautiful, cream colored pedestal bowl filled with autumn pears and grapes...paired with a rustic, old wooden wine crate.
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I am enjoying the contrast between the "elegant" and the more "earthy" elements of this vignette.  The beautiful, curvy lines of the tall candleholder in contrast to the rough masonary material of which it is made.  The beauty and sparkle of the glass canning jars in contrast to their utilitarian use. 
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To me, autumn is "Rustic Luxe" at its finest!  The beauty, the gracious gifts and fruitful bounty that nature brings forth and provides for our comfort...a very good life, indeed!
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"Fruit of the Vine"

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A tall pedestal fruit bowl filled with grapes and autumn pears sits front and center in this autumn vignette.

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An old wooden wine crate, a pheasant, two old canning jars filled with candles and wine corks, and a couple of sprigs of autumn flora and leaves tucked in here and there...make up the right-hand side of the vignette.  Lots and lots of lush autumn texture!

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An old wooden wine crate...

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I love the rustic feel and texture that this old wooden wine crate brings to this autumn vignette!

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Two old, lidded canning jars...

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The taller jar filled with cream colored taper candles...and the smaller jar filled with wine corks.

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...and an autumn pheasant!

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A few days ago, I decided to enjoy the beautiful autumn afternoon out on our back porch swing.  We live in the country and the back of our home overlooks a large open field.  As I marveled at the beauty of the autumn day...two pheasants flew up out of the tall, flaxen colored grass.  It was truly amazing!  Pheasants are such beautiful creatures!

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"O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained

With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit

Beneath my shady roof; there thou mayest rest..."
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A tall masonary candleholder with a brown pillar candle, antlers, and a spray of
 autumn leaves make up the left-hand side of this autumn vignette.

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The sprigs of autumn leaves are made of crepe paper.  I love the deep, rich greens, gold, and rusty browns...and the texture of the crepe paper give the leaves a bit of a "dried out" appearance.  They look just like a leaf after it has laid out on the ground for awhile...beautiful...

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and...I love the old, sun bleached deer antlers!

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Voila...and there you have it!  
My ode..."To Autumn"...a dining room buffet vignette!

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I hope that you enjoyed!

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My french country dining room...dressed for autumn.  If you look closely, you will see that I carried
 the same "rustic luxe" theme of the buffet...over to the table centerpiece.

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I hope to share more of the table centerpiece with you later this week...so stay tuned!

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I am joining these fabulous parties today...

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Metamorphosis Monday...hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Table Top Tuesday...hosted by Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life.

Wow Us Wednesday...hosted by Kim over at Savvy Southern Style.

Open House Thursday...hosted by Sherry over at No Minimalist Here.

"Roomspiration" Blog Party...Dining Rooms...hosted by Jena over at Involving Color.

Autumn Arrives Party...hosted by Liz over at Savvy Seasons.
The DIY Fall Festival...hosted by Roeshel over at The DIY Show Off blog.
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Thank you, ladies...for hosting these lovely parties for us!

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Well dear friends, I am so glad that you stopped by for a visit today!  Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you!

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Warmest Autumn Wishes,