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September 14, 2017 By Shirley

First Impressions {Velvet Pumpkins}

They say that first impressions are important.

The curb appeal of your home is definitely a first impression of your property.

A beautiful door can also be the first impression of your personality.

A yellow door of happiness, a purple door of creativeness . . .

When you enter through the doors of a home, I would say the first impression

of the soul of the house is in the foyer/entry.

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 One of my favorite pieces of furniture is in my foyer. 

My antique French buffet. I love it because it is beautiful,

has such history . . . oh, if it could talk, the stories it could tell

about the families that owned it over three centuries.

It also reminds me of my amazing trip with friends to France,

where I purchased this grand piece. 

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My foyer also contains another very sentimental piece.

My 19th Century stained glass window.

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A stained glass window that I found, but resisted buying it as it was

not in my budget at the time.

This beautiful stained glass piece appeared in my home a few days later.

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A Valentine’s gift from my hubby. Surprise!

He knew I loved it . . . He went back to that town that was about 75 miles away,

and did some negotiating on the price and it became my very special gift!

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A Valentine’s Day that I shall never forget.

I was over the moon happy with that stained glass window

that I was on the quest for, but I felt the timing was not good to purchase it.

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The timing was bad as I had just, the previous week, retired from a healthcare career.

My hubby agreed that I take an early retirement

and I agreed to be prudent with my spending. 🙂

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So that Valentine’s Day surprise gift, was truly a special surprise.

As I had mentioned above, the foyer is usually a reflection of your home’s soul . . .

your personality . . . a segway into setting the tone

of what your home will be like. I can say mine says a sentimental person lives here.

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If you read my blog regularly, you will remember

that I have often spoken of my friend Martha. She is the other Martha Stewart.

Martha and her hubby were moving away to be closer to their son.

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I purchased many beautiful things from Martha and one of those items

is the antique Scottish scale that sits on my  French buffet. It’s sentimental indeed!

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The French buffet is always adorned with seasonal items,

befitting of the sentimentality and beauty of the items in the foyer.

So I chose these exquisite, the original, velvet pumpkins. Plush Pumpkins.

Plush Pumpkin-Housepitality Designs

This orange plush pumpkin was the very first velvet pumpkin I had purchased.

I purchased this several years ago while shopping with my sister

in the quaint town of Micanopy, Florida.

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I was fascinated by the beautiful stems, the uniqueness and sheer elegance

of these special pumpkins. When my granddaughter first saw the stem,

she said, “Grandma, the pumpkin is a dragon!” She said the stem looked like the

head of a dragon and back then she was really into the movie, “How to Train Your Dragon”

Plush Pumpkins-Housepitality Desitgns

Needless to say, this pumpkin is her favorite.

I was ecstatic to have recently received a collection of velvet pumpkins

from Plush Pumpkin to add to my current collection.

Pumpkins that are handmade with exquisite velvet fabric and real pumpkin stems.

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These amazing handmade pumpkins add beauty and grace to any decor.

Check out their website and you will find that they also have a selection of

fine handmade pumpkins of other exquisite materials to choose from.

There are also beautiful hearts and acorns (both shown here),

and the most adorable mushrooms!

Plush Pumpkin, the original velvet pumpkins and more!

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I love beautiful things . . . don’t we all?!!! I am so happy to adorn my foyer

for this beautiful season of Fall with these pumpkins.

Speaking of setting the tone for your home in the decor of your foyer/entry . . .

the gorgeous berry colors of many of these pumpkins set the tone for my Fall decor this year.

I will have a full Fall Home Tour with my bHome friends next week.

You will “Fall” in love with all of the amazing inspiration for Fall.

AND . . . there is an amazing giveaway!!!

bHome Fall Tour

Disclosure: Plush Pumpkin products have been provided free of charge

in exchange for promotional consideration.

All glorious reviews are happily and ecstatically my own!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Antique scale, Fall vignette, Foyer, French Buffet, Plush Pumpkin, stained glass, Velvet Acorn, Velvet Pumpkin 19 Comments

Previous Post: « The Backyard and Porches
Next Post: My Fall Home Tour »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:07 am

    Shirley, I think these are the most beautiful velvet pumpkins I have ever seen! So plush descibes them perfectly …I’m wild over the polka dot one, popping over via your link to take a look! Gorgeous fall vignette with your scale and your handsome French buffet. ♥

    Reply
  2. Kim says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:34 am

    Oh, such a pretty display on that beautiful piece of furniture from our trip to France and that gorgeous scale from your friend. I only have a few of these lovely pumpkins and could truly use some more.

    Reply
  3. Karenann says

    September 14, 2017 at 8:05 am

    I love the way you displayed your beautiful velvet pumpkins for Autumn! I have a collection of the gorgeous pumpkins myself, and I keep them in a bowl on my server year ’round. They are so beautiful and elegant, I love to look at them all the time!

    Reply
  4. Lidy@FrenchGardenhouse says

    September 14, 2017 at 8:38 am

    I love this post! I love the pumpkins, which are amazingly beautiful, but I love how you weave stories around your lovely photos, giving us a glimpse into your life, and why you love the things you decorate your beautiful home with! Just a gorgeous post, Shirley.

    Reply
  5. Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors says

    September 14, 2017 at 8:41 am

    What a beautiful Fall vignette to greet your guests as they enter your home. I have always admired that beauiful French buffet and the stained glass window that hangs over it. I can’t wait to see your Fall home tour! Happy Thursday!!!

    Reply
  6. Sandra at Maison De Jardin says

    September 14, 2017 at 8:49 am

    Your pumpkins are absolutely gorgeous. And, they are so lovely on your treasured scale and in front of your priceless stained glass window. I agree with you – that what is behind our treasures is what truly makes them special.

    Looking forward to your Fall Home Tour! Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  7. Pinky says

    September 14, 2017 at 8:59 am

    I love these beautiful, plush pumpkins! I just wish they were anywhere NEAR my budget:) Your foyer looks gorgeous with your exquisite buffet! It is so beautiful in itself! Love that scale too, And the stained glass is a favorite of mine too. Your hubby is such a great guy! I know you must miss Martha. Have a beautiful day.

    Reply
  8. Donnamae says

    September 14, 2017 at 9:50 am

    You do have a most beautiful foyer…and your buffet is a wonderful starting point. Those pumpkins are adorable…and come in such luscious colors too! 😉

    Reply
  9. Alycia nichols says

    September 14, 2017 at 9:57 am

    Well, you’re surely not “dragon” your feet when it comes to readying your home for Fall! Those are some of the prettiest velvet pumpkins I’ve seen. Some I’ve seen in stores aren’t worthy AT ALL!!!

    You made a deal to curb your spending?!??!!?!!? Surely you’ve not honored that I’ll-conceived promise???!?!!!? It was sweet of your husband to procure that pricey gift for you after the deal was made. Seems to me, though, that that gesture should negate the terms of the deal. Get a lawyer!!! ?????????

    Beautiful!!!

    Reply
  10. Nancy Brantley says

    September 14, 2017 at 10:30 am

    Beautiful vignette of pumpkins on your antique chest. Nice scale to decorate. That stained glass window is so pretty…hubby knew you could place it to look swoon worthy!

    Reply
  11. Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things says

    September 14, 2017 at 11:26 am

    I have some velvet pumpkins that I love. They are packed away. Your foyer looks beautiful. I love the story of the stained glass window.

    Reply
  12. Pam Richardson says

    September 14, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    Shirley, beauty everywhere in your vignette, love the Plush Pumpkins! What a sweet story about the window, Tom did well! I can’t wait to see your fall tour next week!

    Reply
  13. Lauren@Simplylkj says

    September 14, 2017 at 6:14 pm

    Love the texture of the velvet and stems, and all the vibrant colors.

    Reply
  14. Linda says

    September 14, 2017 at 10:01 pm

    I WANT all your velvet pumpkins. The colors are terrific and you know how I love color. No matter where they are used, they would be standouts.

    Reply
  15. Stacey says

    September 15, 2017 at 7:12 am

    Shirley, when you build your new home have you made sure to have a place for your favorite pieces? I had one really, really favorite that I had to part with.

    Your entry is gorgeous! The stained glass is so special and I love your pumpkin collection.

    Reply
  16. Liz @ Home and Gardening With Liz says

    September 15, 2017 at 8:08 am

    Those who enter your home will know you have lots of style and love it! The pumpkins are beautiful. I adore that chest from France ever since you brought it home and first showed it. The scale and the stained glass piece all make for such a unique setting. Love the story about how your hubby went back and got the stained glass piece ?

    Reply
  17. Pam @ diyDesignFanatic.com says

    September 19, 2017 at 1:06 pm

    Love those velvet pumpkins Shirley. They are so beautiful. Love the whole vignette!

    Reply
  18. Lauren says

    September 20, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    A beautiful display! The different colors of velvet are so pretty and what an amazing gift from you hubby!

    Reply
  19. Pat @ Life At Lydias House says

    September 20, 2017 at 10:26 pm

    Wow, Shirley! That is a beautiful fall vignette!

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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