If you’re like me, you are looking forward to autumn and all the wonderful things that come with it. Spiced lattés, sweaters, s’mores around the fire pit, rocking away on the porch, and beautiful outdoor color, to name a few. To start the season off right, I’m joining some friends for a blog hop and sharing a glimpse into our home. Here are 5 vintage accents for a classic fall dining room. 
The hop today is hosted by MaryJo from Master “Pieces” of My Life and Susan at From the Bay to the Beach. I hope you find something inspiring so you try something different as you begin your fall decorating.
5 Vintage Accents for a Classic Fall Dining Room
What is considered a classic decorated home? Some describe it as an elegant style with symmetry and balanced proportions, made with high-quality materials and enduring pieces. Well, I don’t think that’s completely accurate. You can easily achieve a classic aesthetic on a budget.
Our not-so-formal dining room is a good example. As you’ll see, it’s not fancy, and it doesn’t have high-quality materials. Actually, I don’t particularly want those things. I prefer to buy the “enduring pieces” from Facebook Marketplace or at an antique store. I agree that it’s smart to purchase high-quality materials, but usually, that quality comes with a higher cost. Because I get bored with things quickly, I feel I shouldn’t pay a lot for something I know I’ll get rid of eventually.
A hand-painted tole tray is always great inspiration for color.
So my title mentioned 5 vintage accents. Let me show you what they are so you can see how they made our dining room one of the most used spaces in the entire house. I always choose an inspiration piece first. It truly guides what I do. Certainly in vibe but mostly in color. The first vintage accent piece is the black Tole painted tray. The colors scream autumn to me. What I love the most is that by placing it on the console table. it covers up a lot of the orangey wood top.
Mantel print is from Hobby Lobby.
Vintage accent number two is the old mantel found on Facebook Marketplace for $75. It’s 8′ by 5′ and is the showstopper when people walk in. I’m on the hunt for some pretty fabric to replace the painter’s drop cloth curtain I made. It’s there because if we ever move, I’m taking the mantel with me, and seeing the chair rail molding looks odd.
What color should I paint the hutch?
On the opposite side of the dining room is the 1950’s hutch I found for… drum roll please… $50.00 four years ago! If you’d like to read about that amazing day, click here. It’s been in the family room, then the entry, but this is where it will stay. It is a “dining” hutch after all. However, I’m not loving the white paint. I could use some help deciding. What paint color do you think would look good? TIA!
Just look at the colors in the painting spread out over the entire hutch.
JusThe hutch isn’t vintage accent piece number three. It’s actually holding numbers three, four, and five. After moving the shelves around, the timeless painting was the first thing I placed. The colors work with the tole painted tray. It is hand-painted, signed, and was another steal at $25.
I’d been eyeing this small Italian vase for over a year. It is never on sale, but then, out of nowhere, it drops to $9. No way was I passing that up. I can’t believe no one else snatched it up before I did. In my eyes (and heart), it is stunning. It’s also perfect to bring out more of those lovely deep fall colors.
Vintage cookie and biscuit jars bring in added warmth.
At the top of the hutch are the warm-toned vintage cookie and biscuit jars, along with a sugar and creamer set. They all bring out the colors from the tole tray and painting. I needed to fill up the top shelf, and what better way than coordinating books. Books are one of the best ways to help with height and create fullness.
Soon I’ll add real flowers and use this for a Thanksgiving centerpiece.
This is vintage item number five. Isn’t it something great? It’s an old ale pitcher. I’ve searched for longer than I’d like to admit, trying to find information on it, but I cannot find the same thing. Similar pitchers don’t have a lid. What I do know is that I wouldn’t want to fill it with beer and try to pour it. It’s already super heavy!
Look at more of the gorgeous fall colors! I didn’t include these fun autumn cuties in my 5 vintage accents, but I’ll definitely use them a lot. My Mahjong friends and I love snacking, drinking, and chatting during our weekly games.
So just to recap, I chose an inspiration piece with the colors I wanted to use. Then I gathered several items I thought worked together. I styled the mantel first, then the hutch, and then the console table. The last decor piece was the jar full of leafy fall stems for a centerpiece. I feel this is the first time our dining room complements the rest of the house. It has traditional, timeless elements, whimsical items, and vintage charm all rolled into one.
Your home is so pretty Cindy! Can’t wait to see what color you paint your hutch. I”m sure it will look lovely! ~ Susan
Author
Thank you Susan. Hope I can figure out a color! 🙂
Wow Cindy! Your dining room looks fabulous. I love tole-ware and that tray is amazing. As is that pretty vase for $9- So many great accent pieces and you have a fabulous eye friend. Thanks for sharing with us today and I am ready for Fall. Even if the weather isn’t cooperating. lol. XO- MaryJo
Author
Thanks so much, MaryJo. What a sweet comment. BTW, I just read an article from the Farmers Almanac that said our (TX) hot temperatures will hang around longer than expected will and most likely not see fall until late Nov!!! Ugh, I’m dying inside.
Cindy, your vintage accents could not be more perfect for a dining room. The biscuit jars and ale pitcher are fabulous pieces! I’m deliberating on what color to paint your hutch. I like having a contrast to the rest of the dark furniture in the room, so maybe either the same color as your walls or a few shades darker. Just a thought. Big hugs to you!
Author
Oh! That is a great idea! We painted the cabinets in the bathroom a shade darker and love it. I can try that on it this week! Thank you. I knew the artist would have a great suggestion. You are awesome. Happy Monday friend. Stay frosty!
The tole painted tray and your shelf styling are gorgeous ❤️ so happy to find a fall blog hop to get me started.
Author
Aww, thank you Pamela. I needed some inspiration myself to get started. It was 107 degrees outside when I started. Bleh. Enjoy the process!
Love all the beautiful old things you used, it makes your dining room so cozy and pretty. Those colors are my favorite for Fall. Old things have stories to tell and thats more precious.
Author
I agree, Marlene – old things have stories and are more precious. Things back then just have more character. Especially than things from a big box store. Although what would we do without Hobby Lobby?! Bring on the fall, friend and please send some cooler weather down here when you get it. It’s still stifling!
Beautiful vintage gathered pieces! I really like how the green ties it all together, and your black accents are sooo good!
Author
I do love me some black, green and taupe together! Thank you for noticing. When I told my husband that I chose green carpet on the stairs, he was a little stunned at first. He loves it now. 🙂
Hi Cindy, loved all the lovely accent pieces you used in the dining room. That mantle is spectacular and I understand why it will go with you, if you ever move. The green accents in the hutch are perfect and tie in so nicely with the painting. Using art is such a great way to blend all the colors together for a cohesive whole. I’m thinking a shade darker than the wall, too for the hutch color.
Lynne, Thrifting Wonderland
Author
Oh wow, thank you Lynne. The color taupe never entered my mind, but I think it will be a favorite.
I agree with those who said a shade darker than the walls. Lovely room. Great ideas.
Author
Thank you Vicky. I greatly appreciate it!
Oh, Cindy!
THE VINTAGE!!! Love a vintage fall, and your home just shines (even if it’s 100 degrees outside). Just beautiful!! Happy September! -Libbie
Author
Aww, thank you Libbie. You made my day! Hope you have a wonderful week.
Cindy, your dining room is absolutely beautiful! love how you built the whole look around that black tole tray — the colors really do carry through beautifully into everything! I love that Italian vase, I love t a room full of pieces with real history behind them. Happy fall, 🙂 Althought we are still in a heat wave lol
Author
Thank you so much Kristin – I truly appreciate that. Hope you have a wonderful week. 😉
Oh my goodness, so many pretty pieces in your home. I’m actually swooning! That small vase is amazing. The colors are fabulous and nine bucks? Wow. I also love that skirt on your fireplace mantel. I’m a huge fabric junkie and I skirt anything I can, so I adore it!! I can’t wait to see what fabric you choose for the fall and holiday season…oh and for that hutch, I vote for one of the bolder colors from the vase, but I do love a pop. Happy Fall!
Author
Thanks so much Kim! Your enthusiastic comment made me smile. I hadn’t thought of a bold color. I do love the warm burgundy color on that vase but that scares me! I know, it’s only paint but since I’d rather clean a public bathroom with a toothbrush than paint, I need to be right the first time around. I’ll think about it though. I’m ready for something bold – I think. LOL!
That superb mantel is really the focal point for your dining room, but my eye keeps stopping at the vase full of those striking leaves on the table. I think they command attention because their vibrant burgundy color really stands out against the greens, browns and creams that fill the rest of the room. Not that I don’t love those vignettes — I do! You have found some amazing pieces on your hunts for enduring treasures. Happy Fall!
Author
Thanks bunches, Sandra. I’ve always used a smaller, shorter centerpiece, but I’m enjoying it too. I might try that in the breakfast room next. Who knows, maybe I’ve changed. 😉
I enjoyed reading your post! The tole painted tray reminds me of one that my great aunt painted. Your mantel is fabulous! Thank you for sharing all of your great ideas! Happy Fall!
Author
Wow, she must have been quite the artist. I’m always enamored with people who can paint. Did you inherit some of her skill? I’m jealous if you did! Thank you for the visit and sweet comment.