It’s time for our monthly Design Challenge, and this month we are kicking off the coming season with inspiration centered around chests. It’s been a blistering 105 degrees outside, but I coaxed myself into believing it was a crisp 65 by turning the A/C down and lighting a pumpkin-scented candle. Ahhh, it was nice. Let’s begin by styling an antique chest for fall using everyday items you likely already have at home.
If you found your way here via Lora Bloomquist’s blog, howdy! I’m thrilled you’re here. If you’d like to know more about me, click here for the ABOUT ME page. I hope you find something you like and want to try one of these challenges yourself. If you do, please let me know in the comments. Comments make my day!
Styling an Antique Chest for Fall Using Everyday Items
Inspiration is from Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home
We carry out a Design Challenge by choosing an image found on social media first. We all get the same photo and recreate it to work in our personal homes. That means you’ll see many adaptations. It’s a lot of fun and quite rewarding to see the finished result. Hence the reason it’s worth trying.
This month our inspiration comes from Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home. What I notice most about her image is that it subtly looks like fall. Heidi uses warm colors and everyday items to decorate her chest of drawers.
That’s my plan for our home as well. To use seasonal colors and everyday items to create a warm, inviting environment that says – welcome fall and welcome all! Soon I’ll throw in a few pumpkins and stems around the rest of the house.
Now, about those everyday items. All the pieces listed below are probably already in your house.
Here’s a list of what I plan to incorporate:
- A chest of drawers or hutch
- Plant
- Candle
- Books
- Pottery
- Mirror
Let’s use everyday items to decorate this antique chest of drawers.
The most important item is the chest of drawers. It used to live with my father-in-law. When he went to be with Jesus, my very nice SIL let me bring it home to live with me. I think of him every time I open a drawer, which is often because it’s stuffed with candles, placemats, and cloth napkins. It’s a true treasure.
Always add as much texture as you can. The wicker urn is perfect for that.
Step 1:
The first step in recreating Heidi’s photo is gathering the pieces from around my home that coordinate well together. I like to concentrate on color. Since this will be for fall, I gathered warm tones like brown, gold, green, burgundy, and rust; colors you can see outdoors in the fall.
The plant was the first thing that caught my eye in Heidi’s image. Then the books, the bust, and candles. I noticed her pretty mirror, but since my chest was already in front of a window, I did something else for the mirror.
Step 2:
Step two was placing the largest things on the hutch first. That was the lamp, plant, and frame.
I placed the frame/antique tabletop cheval mirror on the far right to balance out the top of the chest. Since it is missing the mirror, I used a page from a book. The dark grapes pop with the rest of the room (you’ll see it on another day). I could add prints of acorns, leaves, trees, etc., but I’m waiting until September. Remember, I don’t want it to look overly fall-like in August.
Step 3:
Step three is “filler”. Those are the things that will fill the remainder of the chest. Of course, you do not have to fill the entire top of your flat surface. You could use only 3 items and like it. I’m turning into a maximalist and love the look.
Heidi used beautiful antique books, but I want more color, so I chose a couple of my favorite coffee table books instead. She also has a small white creamer sitting on top. For that, I’m taking the opportunity to use some of my vintage green pottery instead. Winner winner, chicken dinner!
The square-shaped pedestal-type bowl is not a candle holder, but it can be! While it has been many other things, this time, it adds more interest to the grouping and gives the yummy pumpkin candle a little more height.
I wasn’t able to utilize a large mirror behind the chest, but look at the wall beside it. It’s an antique European mirror I found probably 15 years ago in the junkiest of stores. It was the only thing I purchased that day. I was concerned about the roof falling down on top of us. I had to move things around just to make an aisle to walk. Definitely one of the more memorable places.
Antique European mirror
Step 4:
Let’s keep an open mind and see where my next design idea takes us. Step four is finishing touches. I always look back at the original inspiration photo and see if I missed anything. Lo and behold, I certainly did! I noticed the hat Heidi had hanging on her chest of drawers. I don’t have knobs that will work, so my thought was to hang something from the mirror on the side wall. Couldn’t do that either. So, I added a boxwood wreath and satin bow. I actually love it!
Those are the 4 steps to styling an antique chest for fall using everyday items. Does it look like fall to you? I have green, orange, burgundy, and brown colors together. I realize it’s just a hint, but that was the plan.
The view to the living room just past the entry.
When I walk through the front door, my eye is drawn to the windows and down to the chest. It’s a much better view than a dirty window with a boring backyard.
Next in the lineup is my friend, Christy from Our Southern Home. I always enjoy seeing how she styles her lovely home for the seasons.
What a treasure to have that family heirloom! I love how you’ve styled it with the little mirror now picture frame. Such a great seasonal piece. But I am obsessed with the wall mirror. Glad you risked that dilapidated space to save it!
Author
I risked my life for that mirror – LOL! THe store/run down house was just outside of Navasota in Anderson. Did you ever go through Anderson to see your dad? I need to go back and see if it’s still there. Thank you Christy!
Cindy, we thought the same about this Design Challenge inspiration. Your chest is lovely, and it’s so sweet that it belonged to your father-in-law. That mirror on the side wall is amazing. Your green container is a great way to add a pop of color to your fall vignette. This inspiration has been one of my very favorites. Thank you for choosing it.
Author
I’m also glad we used it, but I didn’t choose it. I think it was Cindy from DIY Beautify. Heidi provided excellent inspiration. Thank you Carol, glad you liked it.
Hi Cindy! Wow, I’m so incredibly honored to have one of my photos chosen for your monthly design challenge. I’m reading through all of the blog posts to see how everyone put their design spin on my fall dresser. Thank you so much, it was fun waking up to this, this morning!
Author
Aww, that makes me day Heidi, thank YOU. Your chest looked amazing! All of us were excited to challenge ourselves with inspiration like that. Happy fall!
Cindy, I love that you were able to inherit this beautiful antique oak chest from your father-in-love! A lovely keepsake and a wonderful way to always have him close by. <3 I love that you used the warm pumpkin candle. It lends a special warmth to this area of your room. And the antique european mirror surround is lovely as a backdrop nearby. Very cozy!!
Here's to fall coming soon,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Author
I’m really looking forward to fall (as I do every year). As I get older, summer seems like it hangs on even longer. I’ll be 60 next month. I can’t imagine a summer when I’m 69! Thank you for your sweet comment. My FIL was the dearest of men.
Cindy,
That mirror has my heart going a mile a minute. What a find! Love all your ideas. Have a blessed weekend.
Author
I couldn’t believe it when the guy said $20 dollars! I think he knew I went through a lot to get it to the door. LOL. Thank you Rachel.
Love this cozy corner! That European mirror is a treasure! Thank you SO much for the inspiration and for hosting!
Author
It’s always my pleasure Laura. Y’all are a great group of talented ladies. I love being able to call y’all friends. Thank you. Stay frosty!
Cindy, your chest of drawers looks fantastic! And can we talk about that amazing European mirror? Oh my goodness—it is such a beauty! I also love the soft, elegant touch the wreath and ribbon add.
Author
I appreciate that, Wendy, thank you. I’m enjoying it and am having to hold back on filling it up even more! I need to figure out how to turn the Mister into a maximalist too but I fear his input would just be extra clutter. No stanks. That’s already a daily chore.
First of all, I would love to have a chest of drawers like yours. So pretty! Second, your late summer early fall decor could not be more spot on for our current weather. The frame and artwork is very clever! And of course the antique mirror ties it all together! Well done my friend!
Author
You are so sweet, Michelle, thank you. I do love it and enjoy walking by it 10 times a day to let the dog out. He loves to torment the squirrels. I only do it because I know he will never catch one. Ha! Thanks again for the smile. Stay cool!
Pieces from our loved ones are the best and you added things to add to it. Love that old mirror piece, love old pieces. I think the colors are perfect, I never add a lot of decor for Fall.
Author
It’s funny how I am turning into maximalist (yikes), but don’t really want a bunch of fall stuff around. All I know is that for me, change is good. Thank you so much Marlene. I always love reading your comments.
Beautiful vignette to enjoy the view! Love the green pottery & that amazing architectural salvage. So glad you inherited a special piece & can keep the love going. My only question is…olives? I thought it was a bunch of grapes;)
Author
I thought it was grapes too but then someone told me they were olives. I’m changing it back to grapes. LOL! Thanks Lora.
Author
Instead of relying/trusting others so much, I thought I’d go back and look for myself. It says “Greek Grape – a dark berry…” I’m glad you said something, or I would have never gone back to check. Thanks again!
That’s a really nice look, Cindy. Green is a great neutral in my book, and goes with any season!
Author
I agree – green is a neutral. It’s all over the house and is the color that brings our rooms together. Our bathroom even has green walls, ceiling and tile! Does it sound crazy? LOL. Thanks so much for the visit, Rita. 🙂
That chest is gorgeous my friend, as is the European mirror! You balanced everything so well and it does give that subtle hint of fall. I enjoyed seeing the larger view of your space… that huge white cabinet on the left certainly caught my eye! Where can I see more? Pinned
Author
LOL, you crack me up, Cindy. I feel I’ve shown that white cubby cabinet a hundred times. I’ll share more soon since I transitioned it to a fallish look last week. It’s one of my favorite pieces. I found it at Home Goods a few years ago. Thanks so much.
Cindy, I just stopped by Courtney’s blog, French Country Cottage, and she shows an antique double mirror similar to your European antique! Thought you might be interested in seeing. Hers is gilded and has mirrors, but looks similar. I’ll link her post here: https://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/behind-the-book-beautiful-back-cover-of-seasons/
Have a great rest of your week and thank you for having us over for the party,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Author
Oh my golly, thank you! I will definitely take a look. I’d love to see how it looked in its heyday!