We’re having an extremely balmy fall here in the PNW, far warmer than usual. While I’m basking in the silky, warm air with just a hint of of crispness, the lasting flowers and a few more days to enjoy open toed shoes, I was finding it hard to be inspired to decorate for the season.
But after a quick stop into the extraordinary gift shop we fortunate to have in our neighborhood, Martha Harris, I was filled with inspiration overload. If you live in Seattle, I highly recommend you make it down here to see their fall finery on display. If you can’t make it, here are some of the highlights.
Of course, I was immediately enthralled by the combination or orange leaves surrounding beautiful blue and white ceramics.
This is something simple one could do in minutes, you may even have branches of berries, leaves, crabapples or other fruits in your backyard you could bring inside to display.
Branches of leaves and fruits can be placed into vases with or without water (water in older porcelain can be damaging) most leaves will continue to change colors and you can switch them out if they become too dry or brittle looking.
Their vignette themes ran from subtle fall through more serious harvest and onto full~on Halloween, and beyond. I love these sweet little hand painted nightstand dishes, Martha Harris is filled with so many unique gift items of every shape and size.
This lively display built around cream colored pottery with black lettering moves us into harvest mode with the plush velvet pumpkins and more colorful leaves and berries.
Why not drape a few leaves on the chandelier?
The front of the store screams Halloween with these fun jack~o~lanterns, many are hollowed out and dried gourds which you could reuse for years to come. The window is framed with rich layers of green hops.
Shiny black cats and sparkling spiders are a superb contrast to the refined lines of these elegant vessels.
A close~up of some of the gourds, I love that they threw leopard print cocktail napkins into the mix.
A consistent factor in these vignettes is a touch of something natural and organic~looking {some silk and other artificial pieces are used because they will last through the season, but you could go easily go all natural at home}.
After I finish this post I’m going down to my garden to cut the artichokes that are dying/ drying on the stalk! These spiky globes add such great substance and texture to this collection.
I’ve always loved how they painted the backs of the store cabinets in colors that set off the china so nicely. These polished white plates look alive displayed with branches of felt leaves {you could achieve this look with fresh green leaves too}. The deep olive colored grosgrain ribbon thread through the cake plates add warmth, texture and a sense of celebration. The burnt orange colored candles and the orange ribbon flowers and table cloth provide a perfect pop of contrasting color.
Here’s another lovely cabinet of green and orange vignettes, a few pieces of fruit, flowers, branches and leaves really make the scene.
I especially love this wash of green on the edge, with the topiary, the willow painting and the celery green background, contrasted with pomanders, oranges studded with cloves, a wonderful, natural room freshener.
This ornately carved armoire is crowned with a fabulous wreath of cotton pods. These next vignettes will last through the holidays.
I love this pewter bark piece, the frost of the pewter is warmed with scenes of birds and stalks of cotton.
Here, feathered birds, orange pine cone candles and brown paper wrapped candles help to convey the feeling of an upper woodland scene.
Another vignette where shades of orange and green bring warmth and a spirit of fall, this time to exotically shaped porcelain pieces, the horn frames and deep orange printed paper base enhance the sense of an exotic land.
Okay, not decor, but I think these Claude Dozorme steak knives are the most handsome set I’ve ever seen.
Here’s a rich mix of textures in green with pops of orange persimmons {I am so excited that a friend has invited me to cut branches from her persimmon tree when the fruit begins to turn color… hoping to be sharing shots of that in a few weeks}. The humble verdant squash looks absolutely elegant in this setting.
Simply filling a bowl with interesting looking squashes, gourds & pods, adding a candle and maybe a vase of bare branches can make your desk look like a still life painting {if you take away all of the papers and clutter :)}
I loved this little Out of Africa vignette with Moroccan-looking coaster tiles, carved wooden walking sticks, exotic plants including a gardenia and sedums, horn desk accessories and elephant imagery.
Believe it or not, I have barely scratched the surface of what they offer at Martha Harris. They also have beautiful table linens, dreamy nightwear, a wide array of candles, Antica Farmacista diffusers, ribbons, cards, travel accessories, jewelry and so many more unique gifts and items for the home.
They are also known for being one of the best florists in town. The florists work in the back of the shop, so even if you see “silk” flowers in the displays, the smell of fresh flowers abounds. The day I was there they were working on a big party, so the crew was busy stripping branches of roses, hydrangeas and other blooms.
They don’t have a website, but if you are interested in anything you have seen feel free to call the shop at 206-568-0347, they will be happy to help you in any way.
Alright, enough talk, time to bring on the beauty of fall!
Gorgeous vignettes I really need to bring some Autumn decor into my home right now!
Emily, you have so much beauty right in your neighborhood and they have done a great job of displaying the fall decor!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Featuring Jeff Koons