Ahhh fall, my favorite time of year. It has always held special memories of cozy evenings by the fire, holiday anticipation, and now our wedding anniversary. Last year at this time we were still settling into our home and learning how to survive with a newborn, and this year we’re learning how to survive life during a pandemic with a toddler.
But the colors and sounds and smells of fall always remain constant, and decorating for the season has become more comforting this year than ever.
Earth tones are my go-to palette year round, so I didn’t have to change much around here—a few new pillows, throws, candles and stems to change the entire mood. This preserved mauve stardust might be my favorite new plant (update: it looks like it’s out of stock! I found similar options here and here.)
In the living room I brought in the lantern, basket tray and planter from my BHG patio shoot (I painted the planter black and brushed it with dust to make it look aged).
Family photo books, faux painted pumpkins, a fall candle and $12 beaded garland sit inside the basket:
On our sideboard, I swapped out eucalyptus leaves for faux magnolia stems (on clearance!) and filled a wooden dough bowl with small pumpkins and gourds.
I can never have enough pillows and blankets, so I picked up this $20 chocolate knit throw along with a classic black/white plaid throw ($19!)
These two and their sweet bond…
Melts my heart! Esmé has become obsessed with books lately—so much that she refuses to sleep, shoves her favorite books in our face constantly yelling “Buh! Buh!” (her word for book) and cries like the world is ending if we don’t read to her.
We can’t help but laugh at her tantrums—we’re just happy she loves books so much.
Hopefully next year it will be safe enough to take her to a pumpkin patch, but this year, we’re making do with a few pumpkins by the fireplace…
Still loving our DIY fireplace we made back in January! We have fun getting cozy on the rug and watching the flames change colors.
I swapped out my painting for this vintage replica mirror for a simpler mantel look (unfortunately it’s out of stock now, but here’s a similar one that I like even more).
These amber taper candlesticks are an elegant seasonal alternative to white, and I love how they look in wooden candle holders (I ordered them in 3″, 6″ and 9″).
My favorite of all though are these magnolia garlands. I looked far and wide for the most realistic garland (that didn’t cost a fortune) and this one was the winner, hands down. It looks and feels like the real deal. I twisted three of them together to make the garland extra long and full.
And that wraps it up for the living room…
Adjacent to the living room is our dining area. Admittedly this table has become our drop zone for tools, toys and trash… but I managed to clear off one end for a few quick photos (I missed a toy… can you spot it? ;))
Nothing says fall like golden pampas grass, and the gold candelabra is a favorite new find.
If you followed along with my DIY planter stories on Instagram, here’s how the bowl turned out! I made it from a hypertufa mix then added a layer of grout. I’m obsessed with it…
On the other side of our dining room is the kitchen.
Did you notice there’s a new rug in town? It’s the Layla Cinnamon/Sage in the 5×7′ size and, as per usual, Loloi did not dissapoint.
Changing out a kitchen rug is the quickest way to change the mood to a new season, and this one will last through both fall and winter with its rich burgundy and brown tones.
We’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, so I figured it was finally time to update our old mismatched set of pots and pans. I found this 7 piece set on Amazon for only $99 and think I might just leave them sitting out all the time…
I also splurged for a new dutch oven, which was 10% of the cost of a Le Creuset but looks just as nice with fabulous ratings.
The striped napkins and wood cutting board are also from Amazon.
I hope you don’t mind all the baby photos… I’m trying to hold onto her littleness by capturing all the moments.
I never want to forget the pitter-patter sound of her crawling into our room from the kitchen, looking for her mama.
The crawling days might be over soon, because she took her first steps during this shoot! It was completely unprompted—Lucas set her down and she was standing there, watching Susie…
Then she took a couple steps, and I was quick enough at the shutter to capture it (including Lucas’ shocked expression…)
It was such an exciting moment and we’re still buzzing from it. Later we were able to capture it again on video (luring her with a raspberry) but she quickly got over it, so we’ll see if this was a fluke or if she’s officially ready to walk. I’m not sure if we’re ready for this!
Just a few more of the kitchen because I couldn’t stop snapping photos…
PSA: I snagged the last of these magnolia branches but they’re finally back in stock! These are the most realistic looking stems out there and worth every penny! (I used three of them in this vase).
I still have more but this post is long enough, so I’ll save those for Instagram!
In our powder bath just off the kitchen, the warm neutrals fit right in with the season.
I added these Queen Anne’s lace stems for a touch of fall.
I love using the striped linen cloths as dish towels, hand towels and dinner napkins. Triple duty!
Last but not least, our master bedroom which you’ve already seen! I revealed it on the blog last month, but have to include it here since it has all the fall vibes (and it’s still my favorite room in the house).
You can find all of the photos and sources in the reveal post.
But there is one bedroom update! I finished my second DIY hypertufa planter a couple weeks ago and here she is…
With this one I added a subtle white and brown paint wash to make it look even more realistically aged, and I just love the way it turned out. The fluting detail is my favorite part! (for those wondering, there are felt pads at the bottom to protect the floors).
Want to shop the fall items you see in this post? You can browse my Amazon lists here:
You can also get direct links to more items below:
And as always, you can find a complete source list on the Shop the Heights House page.
This weekend we’re finally getting back to work on our office/play room, and I’ll be sharing updates on Instagram so make sure you’re following me there!
Leslie says
You may have one of the prettiest homes on the entire internet. It is just so effortlessly beautiful. And I LOVED your other homes before. This one looks settled and calm, like home. Happy Fall!
Jenna Sue says
That means a lot Leslie, thank you for making my day! ❤️
Carrie says
Beautiful. Where is your rug from in the family room?
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Carrie! You can find all the sources linked here: https://www.jennasuedesign.com/shop/heights-house/living-room/
Kelly says
Beautiful!
I am going to check it you have living area window coverings linked. Question…are there 2 windows on each side of fireplace? I love how it meets in corner and I have similar area with 2 sliders and and corner with long window to our lanai. The fullness is great but curious if it’s covering additional windows or for the appearance.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Kelly! The wall ends just past the fireplace on the left, so there’s only a window on the right.
Wendy says
Any chance you have a link to the vase that the queen anne lace is in in the bathroom?
Jenna Sue says
Hi Wendy, I don’t sorry, it was thrifted and I’ve had it for years!
Julia says
Such a beautiful home and family! I’d love to know, what company do you use to make your family photo books?
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Julia! I use Blurb 🙂
Jessi says
Fall is the best season! Your house is the best too! Ha ha, I spotted the bead garland in the tray right away because I bought the same ones a couple months ago…great minds?? ?
How lucky that you captured the first steps! Those are treasures! She will be so happy that you have taken such beautiful photos. I’ll tell you, at least for me, the starting to walk was such a joy. It’s beyond adorable to have your little one walk up to you and put her arms around your legs. I totally melt. My girl is about to turn two…in October…she knew fall was the best season.
Jenna Sue says
I can’t believe it took me so long to order these beads! I need a few more sets, they’re so good and only $12. This learning to walk thing is SO much fun! Parenthood just keeps getting better ?
Lisa says
I LOVE the over sized frames in your dining room! Where did you find those? I have the perfect wall for those and paired with the sconces….just perfect!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you! You can find all of the sources on this page, including a direct link to the frames in the size/style I used: https://www.jennasuedesign.com/shop/heights-house/dining-room/
Tina says
Loving the cozy neutral colors – they feel beautiful all year round but so perfect for fall!
Cindy H says
Love this ?. Beautifully done, it might be my favorite Instagram house.
Thanks so much for all the source info. Loving the magnolia for fall. Adorable that you were able to catch her first steps unexpectedly.
Sheila k says
Your home is beautiful. I love your coffee table. Can you share where I could get one like it?
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Sheila! You can find links to all of my living room sources here: https://www.jennasuedesign.com/shop/heights-house/living-room/
Mary says
We could never get tired of your sweet little model Esme in your gorgous home. You have truly created a warm and cozy atmosphere for her to thrive in. Thank you Jenna for sharing her first steps with her. And we hope you continue to share many more milestones.
Kaitlin M says
Seriously everything you touch turns to gold! So so so in love with your home and love all these fall touches! Also, I unexpectedly burst into tears seeing Lucas’s shocked face and her first steps 🙂 Love that you were able to capture that moment!
Jenna Sue says
We will cherish those photos forever, such a special moment! Thank you for all the love Katilin ❤️
Michele M. (Finch Rest) says
Your home, your family, your cat ….YOU – absolutely perfect.
I loved your great pics of your sweet crumb crusher Esme – so so cute – can’t stop smiling.
Jenna Sue says
Crumb crusher–haha, I love it! You made my morning, thank you Michele ?
Ivory says
Glamorous, beautiful, fabulous, breathtaking, do I need to say more?
Also, take as many pictures as you can of your beautiful little girl, because they grow up so fast, and you can never recapture those moments again. Our son is seventeen years old now, and from time to time I look back at his baby pictures, and my heart ❤️ fills up with even more joy and love for him. Enjoy every second of your little angel.
Jenna Sue says
It feels like she’s going to be 17 tomorrow! My heart can’t handle it. I just love her so much ❤️
Diane A Johnson says
It is all just beautiful as usual!!!! Looks like your precious little girl is officially now a toddler!!!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Diane! Ahhh I refuse to believe it, she’s still my baby!
Ami says
I hope you don’t mind, but I have questions about a couple of items in your home that are included in this post. I know you are so kind and diligent about answering questions of your readers and I don’t mean to take advantage of that, however, I believe my questions relate to what a lot of other readers want to know…so maybe you can use this for an entire post and it will make life easier for you! Haha. Like so many others, I love your nightstands. Probably love them more because they are thrifted! That said, I have nightstands that are similar. My question is, how do you think I can get that finish? It looks like glaze over paint? I can tell that you are quite the master of finishes so maybe you can tell us how you would achieve that look?.Maybe other readers are interested in that as well since you seem to get a lot of questions about those. Next question, that dining room table! I have two in the works that I am refinishing and that look would be amazing. I’ve gone to the website but I just can’t put my finger on what color that finish is…anyway you can describe it and give us your thoughts on how to achieve it on our own projects? Thank you so much!
Jenna Sue says
Hi Ami! It looks like the night stands were painted ivory, sanded down and sealed with a brown wax of some sort. Maybe it’s a glaze, I’ve never used glaze so I’m not too sure. As for the dining table… I really couldn’t tell you! It came from the factory this way and could be a combination of the wood underneath and multiple stain colors. There is some sort of white paint or wax in there that highlights the grain, but I couldn’t say what they used unfortunately!