Get inspired by fall vintage decor with a twist. Discover the timeless beauty of the blue and white aesthetic for a cozy and stylish home—and maybe a little pink and orange, too. Yes, Pink!
Fall Season
It’s early September; the leaves are still on the trees, the grass remains green, and the temperatures are in the 70s.
Fall hasn’t quite arrived, but I can’t wait. It’s absolutely my favorite time of the year. We also live in the most beautiful part of the country when it comes to fall: Vermont. It is absolutely breathtaking. And with all the rain we’ve had this summer, I’m anticipating it may be the best fall foliage season yet!
Fingers crossed that no hurricanes will make their way up the coast to change all of that.
Create First, Consume Second
I’ve recently listened to some new design and blogging podcasts on my drives between Vermont and Maine. And one thing that has stayed with me is that “it’s better to create first and consume second.” Have you ever heard this?
Today, there is an extraordinary amount of content for us to consume everywhere. Want to know the latest fall vintage decor trends? Scroll Instagram and Pinterest, view trending TikTok videos, flip the pages of magazines, watch the latest HGTV or DIY episode, or refer to the newest and hottest design book on the market. The list goes on and on.
Therefore, my best tip for what’s trending in fall vintage decor 2023 is to “create first and consume second!”
Decorate first with what makes you happy and then consume on Instagram, Pinterest, magazines, books, TV shows, etc., for what’s trending in fall vintage decor. That way, your creativity can flow with what makes you happy and accentuate later with your consumption.
Here’s how I am accomplishing this: I am starting with our breakfast nook using my favorite color combination, blue and white, because that’s what I enjoy, especially in this space.
Dining Room Breakfast Nook
This is a new space for us after we repainted our open floor plan last year. You may see more in the post Pretty in Stardew Blue Paint | A Home Interior Makeover Before and After.
It used to be our dining room and has been a breakfast nook off the kitchen since last spring. See more in this Best Breakfast Nook Ideas for Morning Brunch post.
This breakfast nook is my favorite room in blue and is defined by this Blue and White Asymmetrical Vintage Platter Wall.
Therefore, I don’t want to change all the existing color patterns in this room to stay on top of this season’s color trends. However, this room can be easily updated with a fresh fall decor look with just five classic fall decor design elements.
Here are five ways to update your spaces with fall vintage decor ideas.
5 Favorite Vintage Fall Decor Ideas
- Natural Elements: Foraging for nature’s natural materials is always on point and will never go out of style—items like sticks, leaves, fading flowers, acorns, stones, pumpkins, gourds, pussy willows, and apples. These elements will be different, of course, depending upon where you reside.
- Autumn Bouquet: Autumn bouquets add charm, color, and character to any room in any season. But with fall’s fading colors, hydrangeas are a favorite with their pink hue, sunflowers with their happy smiles, Autumn’s Joy for their blush pink to mauve coloring, and farmer market’s fresh autumn bouquets for vibrant colors.
- Unique Vases: Add your flowers to unique vases like these in the post, How to Repurpose an Oil Lamp into a Unique Flowers Vase. I have had so much fun creating flower bouquets in my old oil lamps for a unique look.
- Fall-Scented Candles: For this time of year, I’m embracing Kanda Candles’ fall scents: “Fall Magic,” “Velvet Pumpkin,” “Pumpkin Cheesecake,” and my favorite, “Fire and Cider.” I have one in every room of our home. They are heavenly! Use the Coupon Code Ann15 and save 15% off!
- A Pop of Color: Choose your favorite accent colors and add a pop of a completely different color. Honey and pink are trending in fall vintage decor. I’m crushing on the orange and pink color combination myself. I know! It’s so different, but I love it.
Pro Tip
You may find more fall hydrangeas inspiration in this Fall Hydrangeas Decorating Guide For Pink Blooms post.
Pink & Orange Fall Vintage Decor Color Scheme
Incorporating a pink and orange fall vintage decor color scheme is a great way to infuse warmth and vibrancy into your seasonal decor.
Vintage items in shades of soft pinks and burnt oranges can add an unexpected yet charming twist to your fall decorations.
Mix and match unique pieces like antique vases, vintage treasures, and retro glassware to create a cohesive look. These vintage pieces not only bring character to your home but also serve as beautiful reminders of the past, offering a timeless approach to fall decor.
I picked up this pink vintage platter while out Thrifting with the Gals this week, specifically to pair with this MacKenzie-Childs bright orange striped pumpkin on this breakfast nook table.
Next, I added one of my oil lamps repurposed into a unique flower vase and cut a few of my “Autumn Joy” Sedums from the front yard to give the table a little more of a pink hue.
You may also enjoy this On November Or In November Either Way, It’s Stick Season post.
You may also enjoy this 12 Table Topics with Thrifted Tea and Toast Fanfare post.
“Autumn Joy” blooms in late summer, with flowers that gradually darken over several weeks to a rust-red or purple color by fall. It is one of my favorite low-maintenance fall flowers.
What do you think? Would you add pink and orange to your fall vintage decor?
The blue and white Lenox china was a wedding gift from 25 years ago. I’m so happy to display it on our table today. You may also enjoy the How to Style a Vintage Cabinet Hutch with Wedding China in 7 Simple Steps post.
I love how my friend Janine from the Happy Happy Nester displays pink and orange in her fall decor for 2023. See more in her Cozy Fall Decor Ideas with Pink and Orange post. Janine used to live in our town here in Vermont, too, before she moved to California.
You may also enjoy the 6 Best Foraging Basket Arrangements for the Off-Season post.
Natural Elements in Fall Vintage Decor
Dried Hydrangeas in Unique Flowers Vases
Next to the “Autumn Joy” on the table, another favorite fall natural element is fading hydrangeas.
I cut a few of our limelight hydrangeas, filled up two larger oil lamps repurposed into flower vases, and displayed them on our vintage faux mantel next to the breakfast nook table and blue and white platter wall.
In my opinion, adding natural elements is a must in fall vintage decor.
Look around your backyard, go on a hike or a walk, and see what you can find to add to your fall home decor spaces. Find more inspiration in this Vintage Fall Centerpiece in 5 Easy Steps post filled with outdoor fall decor elements like apples, holly, leaves, sticks, pussy willows, and more.
More Blue & White in Fall Vintage Decor
Find more inspiration and fall table decorating tips in this How to Create a Stunning Fall Tablescape You’ll Love post.
And a basket of pussy willows, one of my favorite outdoor elements from fall thru winter.
Wooden Flatware
I found these vintage wooden flatware pieces at an antique shop this week. They would be ideal for fall tables and the fundamental basis for my vintage decor tables. I just love all the vintage charm of old silverware patterns.
Pro Tip
Learn more about vintage silverware collections in this 45 Vintage Silverware Flatware Set Ideas post.
You may also enjoy this Order of the Eastern Star Amidst This Vintage Market Haul post.
Apples
Apples are another wonderful natural element to add a touch of fall to your eatery spaces. They are colorful and practical. Display apples in a wooden bowl, on place settings, or create a centerpiece.
The apples pair so nicely, too, with the fall hydrangeas’ warm colors.
Pro Tip
You may also find inspiration in this Vermont Fall Foliage and Autumn Vintage Market Days post.
Find more Organic elements ideas in these posts:
Cozy Look with Fall-Scented Candles
Fall candles set the stage for a cozy home. I have one in every room of our home. Even if you don’t light them, their scents permeate throughout the spaces they keep.
My favorite fall candles this year are by Kanda Candles. I love them all, but their “Fire and Cider” scent is my fall choice. This candle has nutty undertones ending with apple cider and a twist of pomegranate and cinnamon. Amazing!
Save 15% off all Kanda Candles with the coupon code ANN15.
Are vintage candlesticks popular in fall vintage decor? Yes! I use candlesticks in everything: on bookshelves, coffee tables, porch tables, dining room tables, breakfast nook tables, bedside tables, and more. My favorite candlesticks are collected vintage brass candlesticks in all shapes and sizes. In my opinion, they go with everything and add so much character and charm to every season. You may also enjoy this Salvaged Windows & Brass Candlestick Project, which is one of my favorites.
But to create a cozy fall aura in my home, I refer to Kanda Candles for the season’s aromas.
A Daily Hike and Farmer Market’s Fall Flowers
Now that the weather is cooling down, I love to take daily hikes. They inspire me, and I enjoy my alone time.
On a hike this week, the Orvis Flying Fishing School was picturesque at Equinox Pond, with a couple picnicking on the side. Just as I left, a woman arrived with her yellow lab, sat down, and started to paint.
It’s the best time of the year and a great place to visit…
Then, on the way home, these flowers at our local farmer’s market stopped me in my tracks. I bought four bouquets plus some stragglers to create a unique piece for my vintage fall decor.
Wicker Picnic Baskets
Find more outdoor fall inspiration in this Vintage Picnic Baskets for Beyond the Picnic Ideas post. The perfect time of the year for an outdoor picnic.
Flower Arrangements in Fall Vintage Decor
Now, how do you display these gorgeous autumn blooms? In the past, I’ve used galvanized buckets, oil lamps, pitchers, baskets, old crates, toolboxes, and the list goes on. You may find more great ideas in these posts:
Then I remembered I had this old flea market find, a post office box that was displayed on our bookshelves. I added the flowers to a vase of water and then placed the autumn bouquet into the old post office box for all its rustic charm.
This old crate arrangement really makes for a beautiful fall vignette on our table. What do you think?
And yes, this breakfast nook table is a bit cluttered, but sometimes this is just what creativity looks like…
Not everything is meant to look perfect, but I hope it inspired you a little today.
Are you ready to embrace your fall vintage decor by “first creating and then consuming”?
In conclusion, trailblazing with a blue and white fall vintage decor offers the best way to blend timeless elegance with cozy autumn vibes. Whether layering earthy tones with vintage books on your coffee table or adding a pop of vintage style to your living room, the possibilities are endless.
Exploring flea markets, thrift shops, estate sales, and antique stores can reveal unique treasures with vintage vibes that enhance the overall look. Embrace the charm of these vintage finds to create a truly unique and inviting space for fall.
A Vintage Affair
If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.
Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com
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Wow Ann
This post is loaded with fun ideas! I need a bigger house!! Blue and white is my favorite color combo and with a splash of orange it is so warm and inviting. The post office box “vase” arrangement is spectacular!!! My head is spinning with your ideas. Such fun! Thank you!!!
Thank you so much Kathy I’m so glad you found inspiration, yeah🫶🏻💯
Your choice of blue and white as the predominant color palette is not only unexpected but also incredibly stunning. It’s like a breath of fresh air amidst the traditional fall hues. The way you’ve blended these colors with seasonal elements like pumpkins and foliage is simply masterful.
I’m particularly impressed by your attention to detail, from the beautifully set table to the charming vignettes throughout your home. It’s evident that you’ve poured your heart and soul into curating a visually captivating and inviting space.
Thank you for sweet note.
So many ideas The pink and orange? As I thought about that, we do have some leaves that look pinkish pale orange Maybe that was the inspiration!
Wouldn’t that be interesting but yes I’ve seen leaves with these colors too. I really like it! Thanks for stopping by Linda!
Good morning, Ann! So many great ideas in this post! Love all the color, of course! Especially adding different colors to classic blue and white. That is my signature style! But most of all, I love the idea of “create first, consume second”. Have a great day!
Thank you kindly Molly, we think alike:)
I love the idea of “create first, consume second!” I am also obsessed with your wood post office box floral arrangement! Gorgeous1
Thank you Missy, I picked up that up a few year’s ago and have adored it too. I’ve never seen another one like it. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Good Morning Ann,
This post really spoke to me. I love the IG accounts that I follow, including yours. I feel like you’ve become a ‘friend’ in the craziness. I try hard to not get overwhelmed by content and totally ‘do me’ first. Then open up to tips. On a side note, I always find something from your content that I e learned or used. And I’m a huge fan of orange and pink together. Thanks, Friend. 😉
Cara
I feel the same way Cara, us New Englanders and vintage loving gals need to stick together:)