Good morning Friends! Today is going to be chock full of inspiration as several of my friends are transitioning from Summer to Fall in a blog hop hosted by Follow the Yellow Brick Home. Are you hopping over from Decor to Adore? If so, welcome! If you’ve not visited here before, I hope you stay and find other inspiring posts. Let’s get started!
If your weather is still anything like ours here in Texas, it’s hot, more hot and dry. Sometimes finding inspiration to transition from summer to fall with your decor is difficult but not impossible. Here’s how I do it. Today I’m working on the kitchen table. Do you decorate your table? I sure do. It’s where we spend a lot of our time together so I want it to look nice even though no one cares in my family but me. And now that it’s just me and the Mister, it’s definitely only me that cares.
Transitioning From Summer to Fall at the Kitchen Table
First thing I do before transitioning or changing anything around is to clear off the surface and give the area a good cleaning. I’ve tried altering vignettes before clearing things away and it took me twice as long and I usually end up breaking something. So a clean slate is best. What remains for me is a black, well loved table. You can see my walls are a bright aqua blue color. But blue reminds me of summery days so for these next couple of weeks, I’m going with warm golds. I pulled that color from the fabric on the chairs and window valances.
During the summer we usually used all six chairs during meals. Now that it’s only the two of us, I’ve decided to remove the leaf and the extra chairs. In order to cozy up the smaller table, I’ll add a table runner, two chargers, napkins, and salt and pepper. Those are our necessities.
If you are empty nesters, do you sit across from each other, sit side-by-side or do you sit on the corner together? I’m going to try this out for a while. I don’t want the Mister breathing on my food or being so close that I can smell the abundance of garlic and onion that I tend to put in almost everything. Yes, we love garlic and yes, we might be afraid of vampires. LOL
I can always put the table leaf back in and when we have more than 2 visitors at a time, we’ll just eat in the dining room. 🙂
For the centerpiece, I chose the Lazy Susan I found at Pier One. We’ve had it a while and I’m amazed how handy it is. I prefer the centerpiece in the kitchen to be casual and simple. To make things slightly different for us, I’m not going to use the center of the table though. Instead I’m going to move it all to the side for something new!
Remember that decorating rule for having an odd amount if items? Well it pertains to this area too. Even if some of those items are salt and pepper shakers. Keeping in mind that it’s not yet fall, I grab a few more accessories to add height and interest. The Lazy Susan holds everything but the pitcher of tall yellow stems and still turns to grab what you need. I like the practicality of this table vignette and that it looks pretty. I don’t want the table to be so boring that it’s not enjoyable when we just sit-n-chat over coffee (tea for me) or play Skipb o or cards!
It’s not just transitioning from summer to fall for us. It’s also that we are transitioning from six of us to just two. So doing something out of the ordinary is good. I’ll keep the plates and silverware out and plan to light the candle too. And if we have the occasional dessert, those plates are at arms reach as well. We are already getting excited about this new phase of life. I think I’ll cook one of the five things I know how to cook and see how this smaller table works out. Oh please, just kidding, we’ll probably order pizza. 🙂
It’s time now to hop on over to Botanic Bleu and see what Judith has done. I adore her French inspired home and way of life.
Don’t forget to come back and check out the others blogs below for transitioning from summer to fall inspiration!
Happy Decorating Friends!
Very pretty Cindy. I spent six hours decorating yesterday it was a rainy day and the perfect time to do it. I tried to use things differently and I used half of what I have. I can’t wait to see more of your fall Decor. We have a round table that we also keep small in the kitchen for just the two of us and we sit beside each other. Have a blessed day
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Thank you Barbara! I’d love to see the small table in your kitchen. I want to see what other people do with their decor. There’s not much to see on Pinterest. Unless I’m just searching for the wrong thing? Hope you have a great week!
Very pretty Cindy. Love getting early fall going in the house. Added my touches this weekend.
I had to laugh at the garlic. We love it too, it’s good for you so you both smell of it not bad.
Enjoy your Monday
Cindy
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LOL! The Mister and I will be safe from all vampires for life. I’m looking forward to seeing your touches of fall Cindy – Yay!
Cindy, I hate to admit it, but Sweet Shark and I never eat at our breakfast room table. We either eat dinner at his bar and watch TV or on Satueday night we may eat in the dining room. I do like to have something pretty on the table -if I’m not usi g it for a DIY project or photo shoot. I love that you styles your table with fall flowers and the runner. I’ll try to do better.
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When I was writing the post and wondering what people do, I actually said to myself, I bet a ton of people don’t even sit at the kitchen table. Maybe we’re not the norm? LOL! We should all do what works for us anyway Carol. 😉
Cindy I love this! I used to have a large round table in my kitchen, however I decided to cut it down to a coffee table. Which I LOVE. However, the new table in the kitchen is either really tiny without the leaf or seats six with it in. With the leaf it fills the space. I’ve been afraid to take it out, for the same reasons you stated: being to close etc., but after seeing yours I’m inclined to give it a try! Love your vignette!
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Do it Tammy! I am seriously loving it. We’ve sat there now a few times together and so far so good! There’s been no spitting on each other. Hahahahahahahaha!
So pretty. I love the sunflowers and love the colors. I need to remember to add a lazy susan to my table. Yours looks amazing.
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Thank you Marty. It was very handy when we had six people sitting at the table. Although it might have cut down on using our good manners because we could now get things for ourselves instead of asking politely. But it’s super handy! I’ve used it as an ice-cream topping holder and hot dog condiments before too. 🙂 Thanks for the visit!
This is so fabulous Cindy! I know you loved having your family home for the Summer so it’s fun to see how you’re transitioning to Fall now too. The pops of yellow from the sunflowers are so pretty. I never think about using our lazy susan but this post is making realize just how useful they can be in every season. Hugs and Happy Fall, CoCo
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Very true CoCo, I enjoyed the family here. But I’m having fun changing things up too. I think when they come back for a visit they’ll be shocked at the changes and maybe even feel a little disappointment. I can see the youngest one now asking if I was hoping they’d never come home! LOL. I’ll just smile and wait to see the look on her face before I answer with the resounding NO WAY!
I love the way you set your table – the lazy susan reminds me of my childhood, but I have never bought one for us. The wall color is beautiful in the background.
We only have one table for eating – I sit on the window seat and Steve is across from me. And, he never wants anything between us on the table so I make sure my centerpieces are something easy to move.
I hope you have an easy transition to just the two of you. Our nest emptied in 1999 and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. We love having the “kids” here, but we cherish our time together.
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Thank you Carol – You give me hope! It’s going to be a big change but I’ve always dreamt that a few years down the road, the kids will bring their spouses home for the holidays and the Mister and me greeting them at the driveway, giving them big hugs and asking if they are hungry or do they want to play a game. LOL. Of course it will probably never work out like that (especially the house and driveway i have in my head) but at least they’ll be visiting sometimes. 🙂
Love how you styled your table!
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Thank you Angelina!
I love your table and it should be pretty for the people who are there always to enjoy. The colors are so bright and cheerful. It’s just me at my house but you better know i keep my table pretty cause, i am important,haha!!
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LOL Marlene – yes, you are important! If I lived alone, my house would so pretty! I wouldn’t have to decorate around what the Mister wants. Most of his stuff contains wires and more wires! You can only hide so many wires. Ugh.
Your table is so beautifully styled! I love the pops of yellow and how you used the large sunflowers on the place settings. Such cute ideas for this time of year! Oh, and I love the garlic comment!
Shelley
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We do love our garlic around here. 😉 Glad you liked the ideas too. Enjoy the rest of your week!
The sunflowers are perfect! They to me are such a wonderful summer to fall flower. I also like that the table setting is offset. Very clever idea! It’s just hubby and I now and sometimes it is awfully quiet. Luckily we see the kids quite often.
hugs,
Jann
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I hope our kids come around often and don’t move far away when they graduate from college. I’ve got lots of plans when they come over. I just hope I get to implement some of them! Thanks for the visit Jann.
This is so pretty, Cindy! I really love the golden tones with the aqua! We tend to eat on adjacent sides of a corner…or in our chairs watching tv!
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If either of us ate watching TV anywhere other than the table, our furniture would look terrible. One of us is quite messy and his area is already a mess with popcorn dropped everywhere. LOL. Glad you visited today!
You have the right idea Cindy keeping your table simple, pretty are ready at a moments notice. I could eat pizza here any night of the week! Love that Lazy Susan centerpiece too!!
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Thanks Michelle. I am finally at the age where simplicity is key. It should have been when the kids were younger but I wasn’t as wise back then. HA!
Cindy, I could listen to you all day! you say all the things the rest of us think but you’re much more clever (and funny) than me. We used to eat at a small table in our Kitchen Sitting Area, but since we’ve moved we eat at the bar except for dinner which is on tv trays in the Living Room while we watch tv. Hubby gets home late so we have to entertain ourselves. haha. oooh, big change going from 6 to 2. Love the color of your walls, it’s such a warm blue and it’s perfect for Fall. Happy Hopping!
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Thank you Debra. I say what’s on my mind which sometimes gets me into trouble but oh well. What can anyone do to me at this age anyway? Hope I never find out! So glad you stopped by. Hope you have a great week.
Love the idea of scaling down the table for just the two of you. But do get back with us and let us know if you don’t enjoy sitting away from the table completely, lol. Tables are for tablescaping, bahahahaha. All that aside, your table looks terrific for the elusive seasonal transition that TX may or may not ever get. I like the lazy susan, and have found those to be just as cute and handy as they were in the 60s when our moms had them. I had my friend Patti (Pandora’s Box) paint checks on my vintage find and I use it in an otherwise dead space corner in my kitchen. Happy September, Cindy!
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We are not the type to eat anywhere other than the table. Could be my controlling personality or the fact I don’t want to clean up the Misters crumbs. I can’t sit at the bar, my legs are to short to reach and no TV trays, I’ll turn it over with spaghetti sauce on it which will hit the white sofa for sure. So… I guess I’ll be at the table and tablescaping the rest of my life – LOL! Glad you visited today Rita!
Hi Cindy! I love how you styled your kitchen table for summer-fall! My husband and I don’t have children, so we take most of our meals sitting at our breakfast table – when we’re not eating in front of the TV, that is 🙂 So happy to be hopping with you!
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I know the Mister would love to sit in front of the TV while he eats. I just can’t bring myself to do it. I can’t relax. I’d be thinking of the mess if we had an accident or looking at the sad dog eyes staring me down. At least at the table, I can angle myself so I don’t see the dogs. Thanks for the visit Michelle!
Cindy, we truly are kindred spirits. I MUST clean the area completely before changing the decor. LOL Mr. Decor and I sit ACROSS from one another. Better to gaze into one’s eyes. I texted you. Let’s plan a get together ASAP for your birthday lunch.
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I believe we are too Laura! Or at least clean freaks even though my house is always dirty. I’d love to get together with you!
Cindy,
Another delightful post styled with humor! We eat at the kitchen island a lot. Sometimes we eat at the breakfast table in the sunspace in the kitchen. And, we have been known to eat in the living room while watching TV. Years ago, we took an American Road Trip and meandered our way around from Alabama to New Hampshire. We stopped in North Carolina for the express purpose of furniture shopping in the showrooms, and we bought a beautiful sample sofa from Thomasville. Within three months of getting our new sofa, my husband dropped a serving of lasgna face down on it. I was able to get all the red sauce off the sofa, but it took a lot of cleaning immediately. We still continued to eat in the living room, but take more care now!
Judith
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And for that lasagna reason, it’s exactly why I prefer the kitchen table Judith. LOL! I know myself well and my food usually ends up on my shirt and there are way to many crumbs around where the Mister sits – both around his place setting and in his chair. :0 So as much as I’d like a change of space sometimes, it’s the same ol’ place for us. Glad you stopped by today. Enjoy your September!
This whole scene could be plopped right into my kitchen and be very happy! Love the aqua, mossy green and gold together, especially with the outline of black; comfort zone! And that empty next? Sometimes they come back…
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Come back? Say whaaaaat?! I think the Mister has already looked up how to get a hot tub upstairs in one of the bedrooms and a recliner and movie screen in another. And I guess I’ll fill the others with my crafts and junk! LOL!
Your table looks so cozy and is beautifully decorated for early fall meals with your husband. I love your new lazy Susan. I have my grandmother’s lazy Susan and I’m currently using it in a corner of my pantry. Seeing yours reminds me of how my grandmother used hers on the center of her kitchen table year round. One of the pieces of pottery in my post was always on Granny’s lazy Susan. I may have to head to Pier One to get another lazy Susan to use.
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Awe, you should get a new lazy Susan and the pottery piece could sit there too so you could think of your grandmother all the time! My memories of my grandma are so special and they make me smile. Thank you Paula
Wow, going from 6 to 2 at the table must be hard! What a great idea to take out the leaves and not have to stare at those empty chairs! I love the way your table setting turned out and the pops of color you used, Cindy. That lazy susan is a gem. I love Pier 1’s trays. I have a large tray in my dining room from there that is a favorite purchase. I wish it turned, though! Pinning!
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Thank you Crissy. I love just about everything in Pier 1 and love that it’s so close to my house. I have a couple of trays from there too that are awesome. Glad you stopped by and thanks for the Pin!
Your table is beautifully dressed for Fall. I love everything you placed on the table. I especially love the table runner…how cute. I always love coming over to visit your home!
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That table runner was from Pier 1. Got it years ago during my love-all-things-silverware phase. It’s been at least 4 years and I’m still in that phase – LOL! Visit anytime Terrie. You are always welcome!
Cindy, everything looks so pretty! I saw this picture on Instagram and fell in love with your wall color. It is beautiful! It has been so much fun being on this hop with you!
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The wall color used to be barn red so it took some getting used too. For a while I felt like I was in a fish bowl. It’s growing on me though and since the Mister hates hiring someone to paint and doesn’t like doing something twice, it’s there for many more years. Thanks for stopping by Shannon!
Well Cindy, you made me feel better that no one cares about your pretty table but you, because no one cares here but me! My husband and sons are “desensitized” to my extravagant vignettes haha
… I flipped out when my husband said he didn’t care if we used paper plates for Thanksgiving. Sulked for days…how could he ignore my “art” of table display for the holidays? Then I got smart and realized, it’s a heck of a lot less work on me if we use paper. So maybe I will pick up some heavy duty pretty plates and use chargers and have more time to relax this Thanksgiving.
I love your simplified yet stylish table setting. Great color scheme for this transitional time, and great setting for this transitional time of life. Order a pizza and enjoy it by the light of the pretty orange candle in the glass jar!
Thanks so much for joining the hop! Happy summer-to-fall!
Author
I totally get you Amber! My family often suggests paper plates for Thanksgiving and it makes me a little hot headed. I’ve thought of using them and giving myself a break but I can’t bring myself to do it! Maybe as the holiday gets closer, we an encourage one another and just try it? 🙂
Oh I forgot to mention, we do eat at the dining table several nights a week. If it’s every man for himself we might sit at the breakfast nook or just stand around the island and talk and eat snacks. When it comes to the farm table, they just push my vintage loot out of the way if it’s fully decked out during tablescape hop time. My youngest son is 14 and we think it is very important to sit down and connect as a family with home cooked meals in between rushing around to soccer games and whatever else is going on. I always have a runner and some kind of centerpiece but I try not to have the chargers and plate settings out unless I am doing tablescapes so there’s actually room to eat. The farm table is great for family meals. We have had ten or more gathered around it.
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Your family time sounds special, with or without all the decor. It was always important to me as well to get around that table and hear about everyone’s day. And I will always have a runner or placemats and a centerpiece. But I’ve seen my family flip up the runner or move the placemats before. I asked why and they said they didn’t want to get it dirty! LOL
Cindy, I love how you decorated your table for early fall. We are seriously having cool fall temps right now in Michigan, so it puts me in the mood for fall versus having the hot dry weather you have right now. Loving those sunflowers!
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Thank you Carol. I have really enjoyed looking at it and eating there everyday since I put it together. The weather man said we should have 100 degrees today. Ugh! Hurry up fall temps!
Cindy, I love every detail of this charming table setting. In Kerrville, we had a cool morning on Tuesday and I was beside myself–of course, it didn’t last, haha! Happy almost fall and here’s hoping our Texas weather cooperates soon! Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
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The other night was in the 80’s! It could be in the 80’s every night lately but I’m not outside to notice. LOL. Bring on the fall! Glad you stopped by today Cecilia!
So pretty! I love the sunflowers and fall colors against the aqua blue walls! Girl, it is hot as hot in SC!
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Yes Christy, aren’t you over it?! I can’t remember yearning this much for cooler weather in years. Might be my age or maybe my lack of patience. Either way, it can’t come fast enough! Glad you could visit today. 🙂
You have set a pretty table with a touch of the idea of fall in the coming weeks. Sunflowers are always a sign of the end of summer, aren’t they? I love that table runner! So unique! Bring on the fall temps!!
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Thank you Chloe! I’m still enjoying the table and how it’s set up. But soooo ready for fall!
I love this post and your blog – following now!! I understand your decorating style is a life style. I found mine at 65!
I host a brand new blog party at “My Big Fat Menopausal Life” – I’d be honored if you shared some of your fantastic posts!
http://bigfatmenopausallife.blogspot.com/2021/08/share-wealth-brand-new-link-party-of.html
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LOL, your blog name is hilarious! Looking forward to checking it out and will definitely link up. Thank you so much for the visit and subscription. Hope you have a wonderful weekend Helen.