Do you feel a nip in the air? In my part of the country, we are seeing definite signs that autumn is just around the corner. It’s an exciting time of change and thankfulness for the harvest season with all the bounty it has to offer. It also means we can change up our decor to celebrate the season too. I’m excited to share with you how to create a farmhouse fall vignette from thrifted finds. Anyone can do it!
What you see above is a collection of three items I chose to use to start my autumn decor in my home. First is a peg shelf, second is an antique hand drill, and the third a little bushel basket. Two of the three of these things can be found most anywhere, but the third will need some DIY spirit. The best part is you may even have something you already own at home that could use a makeover. Shopping your home is the most affordable way to decorate.
Also, I’ve created a video for you below to take you through my thought process behind this vignette, but I’ll also map it out here. In addition, you know I love to create my own home story and my goal is to inspire you to create your own too.
LET’S GET STARTED
First, I’ll start with the peg shelf since that is what my vignette is based around. I like the painted color that it currently is, but the paint does have discoloring and marks that I can’t color match. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t make use of that color as a base coat.
I give it a good cleaning with a vinegar/water mixture to prep it for paint. My goal is to create a layered effect to give it a time-worn story. I begin by using an old wax candle to rub areas I want to show wear.
*post sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
Then, out comes my sprayer. Notice I’ve set up my shelter with my DIY furniture lazy susan so I can spin the shelf as I work.
I fill my Super Finish Max with an antique white paint slightly thinned and I’m using the green tip with my flow set to spatter the paint a bit. Yep…spatter. I want it to be an aged appeal…like I found this shelf in the corner of a barn. hee hee! To get that setting, simply practice on cardboard or scrap wood before beginning. You can see the demonstration of my spraying in the video below.
Once the first coat is on, I wash up my sprayer so it will be ready for the next layer in a bit.
THE NEXT STEP
While I am waiting on the paint to cure, it’s time for me to make use of another of my thrifted finds. This time I’m making I’ll be taking the antique drill and a bit of my wood stash and getting my build on. I’m tellin’ ya it pays to grab that old picket fence gate off the side of the road because that’s what I’ll be using. (especially when your husband helps haul the beast) Isn’t the patina in that wood fabulous?
While I could lay out the steps to build your own tote, I’m going to reference my previous tutorial HERE so you can take a peek. Since I am building this tote to fit the drill, there is no set parameters. However, it’s pretty simple. It entails two tall end pieces, two side pieces, and a bottom. Feel free to have fun with it!
I’ll show you my end result of my build in a bit. In the meantime, it’s time to apply the final coat on my peg shelf I painted a bit ago. This time around, though, I will be using a dark brown self-made glaze. It’s simply a latex paint watered down as I demonstrate in many of my posts, particularly in my DIY faux wood garage door tutorial.
To apply, I simply spray it on in a sweeping motion, not aiming to hit every inch of the surface. Then, I take a damp rag and wipe off the excess letting the glaze remain in crevices and cracks. In addition, I’m also using a wet distress method to remove the bits of white paint that are on top of the wax I added earlier. My layering loving heart is happy!
ONE MORE THING
Last, but not least is that little bushel basket I couldn’t resist. I mean, who doesn’t love a basket, am I right? At this time of year there are so many gorgeous colors that offer a cozy effect. I head out to my limelight hydrangeas and snip a few to fill my basket.
If you’re like me, I dry my blooms so I can enjoy them all winter long. Simply place a shallow dish inside the basket, fill with water, then replace daily.
The hydrangeas will dry while in the water. The key is to refresh the water daily. I also enjoy my sedum, mums, and hostas that are still producing a show. Do you have any favorite fall plants?
TIME TO ASSEMBLE
Now we have all our pieces ready to put together this farmhouse fall vignette. I don’t know about you, but “farmhouse” for me is not this carbon copy made-in-wherever junk (pardon my slang) you see at box stores. Nope. It’s the easy way of living displayed by using utilitarian objects as decor, as well as in our everyday living. Just like our grandparents used to do.
I adore simple, refreshing ways to decorate making use of textures, colors, and lighting. When I begin to create a vignette, I start with the base structure. In this instance it would be my crate table, my chair, the ladder, the shutter, and the shelf. Notice those are all wood (ie. natural).
I then look to add a bit of metal and textiles, followed by natural elements like flowers and pumpkins. Almost all of what you see here is from the curbside (aka. #trashure), a thrift store, or my own garden.
I don’t know about you, but the soothing tones of fall can be just as beautiful as the bright oranges, yellows, and reds. They are all so wonderful and bring such joy.
Are you inspired yet? I sure hope so! That’s what I’m all about.
Be sure to pin and share this farmhouse fall vignette to inspire others to skip the box store and create their own home story too.
Up next, it’s Reduce, Reuse, REFASHION time! I’ll be showing how to remedy a bleaching situation when it happens to your favorite duds. Head HERE to see.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
In addition, more autumnal projects like this farmhouse fall vignette:
Really like your autumn décor. Clever idea using the drill as a tote handle. Never would had thought of that.
Daughter had given me and old 3 drawer dresser so guess that would be my project if I should happen to be the winner of the spray shelter.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway opportunity.
Thank you, Colleen. I do love creating. 🙂 Hand-me-downs are the best, aren’t they? 😀
Its all so pretty. I love the little tote! Do you grow your pumpkins also? Some critters have filled up on most of tiny patch . We have 2 pumpkins and some gourds that have survived
Thank you. Yes, we do on our split rail fence. Sorry to hear about the feast on your vittles! ugh…the joys of gardening for others. 😉
It is beautiful!! I have a old drill like the one you used for your handle on your box, now I just need the old wood!! Thanks for the inspiration! I am hoping for a win of the shelter, I need that very much!!
Thank you, sweet friend. Those drills are so fun for many uses. I hope you get to make one too! You will love the shelter. It’s a must-have in my book.
I love the whole display , but I love the drill handle box! Great pumpkins too . did you grow them?
Woot! I have such fun building with “junk”. 🙂 Yes, we grew pumpkins again this year.
Larissa … I love everything about this!! The colors are my favorite for Fall. As gorgeous as all these things are … I love the info that you added about how the hydrangea will dry in the water … the things I learn from you!!! I absolutely love the tote you made using that drill for a handle …GENIUS!!! Thank you for the giveaway, I have seen you use that shelter many times & whoever wins it will be a “Lucky Duck”! Have a blessed day!!!
Such wonderful words. Thank you, Michele! It is my absolute pleasure to share and why I do what I do. Sending you hugs! Yes, I wish everyone could receive a shelter…they’re awesome!
Love your how-to’s. I have a workshop with a number of “projects”. Love spending time there and the Home Right items would speed up the process of getting the projects from dream to reality.
Thank you, Susie. It sure does make my job easier. I’m headed out now to redo a stand before winter rolls in.
Fantastic ideas! I love Autumn decor……making a box handle from the drill is such a great thing. Pumpkins usher in Autumn perfectly. ? Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a HomeRight Medium Spray Shelter…I need it to spray paint so many projects.
Thanks, Dale! 😀 Pumpkins are definitely my weakness this time of year. Any and all! You will love the shelter.
Always full of clever ideas, I love the hanging basket.
Thank you, Amy. I’m delighted you enjoy it so.
I always look forward to seeing your posts especially if they have something to do with FALL!! It is so hot here in South Louisiana, so we are very ready for the fall season. Absolutely love the vignette with all of the lace and wood. I have a few projects on the list once it cools off a bit to work outside so the HomeRight Paint Shelter would make those jobs so much easier. I have looked at them on several occasions and even have them in my Amazon shopping cart but haven’t bought them yet.
I don’t blame you as we lived in Georgia for 3 years. That was enough for me! 😀 I can’t say enough awesome about this shelter and the HomeRight tools. A must-have for a DIYer.
Great ideas for your finds! Thanks as always for sharing.❤️
My please to share, Michele. Thank YOU.
I love how you did the shelf. Really cool technique.
What a beutiful Autumn display! My favorite are the linens ladder and the drill handled tote, but that picture of you with the pumpkin on your lap is just GORGEOUS!
I’ve looked at your blog and the video and I’m missing something apparently. Is the drill just resting in the slots or did you attach it somehow so you could actually use it to pick the tote up?
Thanks for all your lovely suggestions.
How wonderful to hear. Thank you! I had such fun. I cut a slot for the handled end, and then added a bit of scrap above it to keep it from coming out (even though it was in there tight!) I drilled a hole in the other end to fit the drill through and then attached the bit on the outside to hold it on. It works like a charm. Yay!
I love this project! I would paint my coffee table.
Thanks! Sounds good.
I would paint wooden chairs that have seen better days and I love your new project.
Chairs are so much easier with the right tools. You will love this!
Love this idea. I have just recently moved into a nice home that the main theme is vintage and looking for ideas to keep everything “current” and fresh
That sounds like fun! Congrats on the new home.
Very pretty and you’ve added tons of character to it too!! Happy fall Larissa!
Thanks! Right back at ya, Mary. hugs!
Hi Larissa! I enjoy all of your updo’s. You are very creative. I wish i could think outside of the box. Just send that home sprayer my way! 🙂
Thanks, girl! 😀 haha…you are a hoot!
Great post, Larissa! I love the soft colors in the vignette with all the natural elements. And that is a really beautiful picture of you in there too!
Thanks for the chance at the spray shelter- with no garage I could certainly get great use out of it!
Thank you! This is my kinda fun. I’m delighted you enjoyed it too. Thanks!
Just bought a new house so I could use that thing for Plenty ??? Love all this especially the lantern! Where’d you get that
Congrats!! It sure will be handy for that. The lantern is from a flea market years ago.
Beautiful Fall vignette, Larissa! I’m curious, did the two large heirloom pumpkins come from your garden?
Thank you, Marie! I have been trying for 3 YEARS to grow those doggone blue jarrahdale pumpkins and each time they send me bunk seed! No, they are not mine, but I do have HUGE green jarrahdale. I will grown them one day…I’m determined! 😀
Love the pale hues you used. So comforting.
They are my favorite…mmm… 🙂 Thank you.
Love the fall decor !! Now I need to try and dry out my hydrangeas!!!
You go girl! Feel free to ask questions. 🙂
Love all your posts ❤️. Thanks for the opportunity to win the home right spray shelter!
You are most welcome. Thank you!
Hi Larissa, oh how I love all that authentic vintage goodness along with your pumpkins and flowers! The shelf and the caddy you built are just perfect for your fall vignette! I love it all!!!
I can’t say enough about how fun it is for me to create and decorate. Thank you for the affirmation, Kaycee.
Love it! Can’t wait to try and dry some of my hydrangeas using this method!
I have a buffet in my dining room that need painting, so I would probably try and tackle the drawers/doors.
Woot! Sounds like fun to be had, Audra. Thanks! Your project sounds perfect.
That little caddy with the drill handle was a super idea! You really have so much cleverness in that brain of yours!
Thanks so much, Jeanette. 😀
Love this ❤️
Thank you, Michelle.
Well done my dear! Love that hand drill and the aged finish on the shelf really looks authentic. Have to say though I am very jealous of your “nip” in the air…here in the desert I am praying for even a hint of a nip! Thanks for sharing.
It was fun to do. Thank you, Mary. I will send some nip your way! 😀
I have a freestanding jewelry box that needs some love. I have been putting off painting it because I have to do some repairs to it first. I would like to get it done before winter comes!
Wow, you always come up with unique ideas and projects. Very creative! Looking forward to winning a spray tent! Could so use one!!
How fun to hear, Hanna. Thank you. You will love the shelter for sure!
Larissa, your Fall Vignette is beautiful! I love how you’re always showing us that we really do have all we need to create stunning home decor without buying more “stuff”. All it takes is a good imagination, and you definitely have that! Thank you for providing the giveaway. That spray shelter is the perfect size for the side table that I’ve been painting, and I wouldn’t have to worry about outside dust and tree leaves settling on my wet paint, lol.
Thank you for those sweet words, Diana. I guess it just boils down to what makes us happy. I like to not waste time or money on things, but spend that time on creating what I do love and sharing it with others. This sounds like the perfect prize for you!
Love your projects!
Sending you hugs, Sherry!
It would be so awesome to have a paint sprayer. I have so many antiques that need a refreshing makeover. Maybe for the first project I would try one of the old dressers that I have. It would be fun to try! Love the Fall decor and hydrangeas.
They are a blessing for sure. 😀 Tools make all the difference.
I have some smaller chairs I would spray if I had a shelter.
I will be painting a shelf and a wall magazine rack after I finish my kitchen cabinets. They will need updating to fit the color change. This will be a great help.
Some of the best ideas for the house! I’d love to dry some hydrangeas! And the sprayshelter would be great out here in always breezy Palm Springs!
Aww..thanks, Laura. 🙂 You sure could make use of this shelter. It’s so handy!
You make everything look so easy! I love your creative spirit!
I would use the sprayer on a couple of old, brass lamps we’ve had forever and bring some new life to them!
Well, I sure have fun sharing. Thank you for the love, Kathy. 😀 Those lamps wouldn’t stand a chance. tee hee.
I love how easy you make every project seem. You seem to never get frustrated, but just go with the flow. Sometimes just getting started is the hardest part for me. You pull stuff out and just tackle it. I am always inspired by your posts. I need to spray paint some faux pumpkins. I have the pumpkins and the paint, now if I had the shelter to work in I would be ready to go.. Having somewhere to spray is always a problem for me. Would love to win this spray shelter.
Your encouraging words means so much, Anita. Thank you. I know what you mean about the space to spray. We have limited space and I don’t like getting it on the grass or anywhere else. This shelter is my must-have for sanity. haha.
I love the tip on drying flowers. I will do some today. I would love the spray shelter. So many projects.
It has served me well for years. I just adore hydrangeas. They keep me sane all winter.
It looks awesome. I’d love to have a seasonal area in my home.
Thanks! It sure is nice to have.
I absolutely love your vision and the way you can see new ideas in old pieces…it’s very inspirational. Reading your posts always give me a sense of peace, and a little giddiness to see what new thing you have come up with. Thank you, Larissa!
What a treat to hear, Susan. Thank you for that smile from the heart. 🙂
I love the vision you have and you’ve so refreshed my creativity! I’d love to have a dedicated painting area for renewing things instead of making a zillion overspray spots in the backyard. 🙂
I hear that. Those spots drive me crazy! haha!
Oh my! I just love that vignette. One of my favorites. Thanks for the inspiration.
My pleasure. Thank you, Marie.
*sigh* Autumn, my favorite season. Your vignette is so cute!
Yes! It is a refreshing change.
I always love your projects. You have a wonderful imagination. I have an old dresser that needs to go with the room. I know just the color I need to paint it to!
Thank you. That sounds like fun! 😀
i would love to use it for a sign i want to make in my sons nursery
Your little drill-caddy is on my build list. I’ve hoarded 2 drills for YEARS now, and I just need to build! Yours came out so cute! I need to go rustle through my stash for some wood. My sister gave me her old fence boards, but I think those are finally gone. Still, based on the complaints from my husband, I have no shortage off options out there, haha! It always makes him happy when I get something used up!
Thanks! You sound like me. I’m almost out of stash, so I’m looking forward to finding more loot and using it up too. Yay!
Helpful one! Thank You so much.
You bet! 😀
HI Larissa,
I’ve had a hard day and my feet hurt, but that picture of you with your wood stash just reminded me of my happy place (my stash of reclaimed wood and my thrifted finds). I’m too tired to read your post in full right now, but it will get my full attention tomorrow. Just know that you made me smile! Thanks. Sherin
Sherin! I wish I could send you some hot tea and a rub. haha. I hope you get to feeling yourself. Thank you for the love!