"To Autumn"...an Autumn Dining Room

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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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By 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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This week I have been sharing the autumn "fluffing" in my french country dining room. Monday, I posted about the autumn vignette that I created for the buffet. Today, I would like to share the table centerpiece that I made for the dining room table.
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"To Autumn"

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The autumn fluffing in my french country dining room does have a bit of a theme.  I am calling it..."To Autumn"...because it's my "ode to autumn"...so to speak.  I love autumn...it's my favorite season of the year!  

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The buffet vignette, as well as the table centerpiece, is 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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 Ahhh...warm and cozy!  To me...that is what my autumn home is ALL about!

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"To Autumn"...an Autumn Buffet
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I thought I would share just a few photos of the autumn buffet in my french country dining room. 

As I said earlier, the same decor theme of the buffet is carried over to the table centerpiece.
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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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If you would like to see more of  "To Autumn"...an Autumn Buffet. 

Just click HERE.

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"To Autumn"...an Autumn Centerpiece

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"To Autumn"...an Autumn Centerpiece

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I created this autumn table centerpiece, following the same decor theme as the buffet. 
Softer, neutral colors of "earthy" creams, linen, and browns make up the color palette.

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A linen hemstitched table runner serves as the foundation for this autumn table centerpiece.

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~Wooden Dough Bowl~

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I found this beautiful old, wooden dough bowl/trough on ebay!  I have been wanting one for the longest time.  It's perfect for my "rustic luxe" autumn table decor. 

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Autumn's Bounty in a Bowl...

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 I placed a tall masonary candleholder (a match to the candleholder on the buffet) in the center of the wood dough bowl.  Autumn fruits of grapes and pears, along with a few sprigs of autumn florals, deer antlers, and a stately pheasant join the mix.

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I love my autumn pheasants!

 This stately fellow's partner can be found atop the wine crate on the buffet.

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A vintage creamware pitcher filled with old nickle plated knives and forks sit alongside

 the wooden dough bowl.  Just keeping the table centerpiece simple, but I love the how the

 creamware pitcher ties in with the cream colored pedestal bowl full of fruit on the buffet!

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Just a different view...

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Do you see the cherub sitting on top of the pedestal (found in the corner of the dining room)...in the reflection

of the buffet mirror?  He is situated underneath the arched stain glass window.

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Thought I would share a few photos...

a tour around my french country dining room all dressed for autumn.

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I added a couple of wicker baskets and a garland of bittersweet to the top of the china hutch.

Ooops...I still need to change out the summer white and green dishes for my autumn dishes! 

Another project for another day! Hehe!

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Autumn 2011 at Happy To Design
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"To Autumn"...my favorite season of the year!!!  I hope that you enjoyed!

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I am joining these fabulous parties...

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Tablescape Thursday...hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.

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

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Feathered Nest Friday...hosted by Courtney over at French Country Cottage.

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Home Sweet Home Party...hosted by Sherry over at The Charm of Home.

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Potpourri Friday...hosted by Honey over at "2805".

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

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Thank you, dear ladies...for hosting these lovely parties for us!

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

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Warmest Autumn Wishes,

PS...As many of you know, I have a very dear friend, Gloria from Happy To Be blog.  She has been having health problems for awhile now...in fact, her Drs. have run about every test that they could run on her.  Yesterday, she was to go in for an angiogram.  Last night there were unexpected complications and they had to do emergency surgery...a triple bypass.  When I read of the news...my heart just sank into my stomach!  Gloria is sooo dear to me and I am so worried about her.  I will be trying to call her tomorrow and will keep you posted on how she is doing.  In the meantime, please pray for her!  I believe in the power of prayer!!!  Thank you, dear friends!
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