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3 Different Autumn Decor Ideas for a Bookcase

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It is the tenth of the month and that means it’s time for me to join my friends on Ten on the Tenth for another project.  This time we have gotten together to share fall ideas.  I chose to use the humble pumpkin, and build three vignettes around that idea.  So without much fanfare, I am going to show you how to style a bookcase for fall three different ways. 

You may recall that last time we shared posts on acts of kindness and I shared the  Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden.  Make sure to scroll all the way down so you can see what my friends are up to this month.

Ceramic pot, candelabra and round ornament on top of bookcase with pine cones, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
The humble pumpkin in question was actually made of Styrofoam and very cheap. But it would just not do in this state so I gave it a quick makeover with paint – my solution for everything these days.
Styrofoam pumpkin from dollar store, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
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The first vignette: a touch of brown

I used a bit of milk paint I had left over after I finished painting the wall.  Yes, milk paint is so versatile. To contrast the blue I added lots of brown to the composition.  Lots of pine cones and various other cones.  I had bought a whole bag of them a few years ago. 

The white and brown tin bucket was from the dollar store and covered in color. Naturally I painted over it to tone down all the colors.

Fall vignette with pine cones, pumpkin, potpourri and bucket, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
The blue vase is actually a gift from my son.  He knows I love candles and he gifted it to me.  So what do I do with it?  I fill it with potpourri.
​ 
Fall vignette, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
By looking on top of this shelf we can see these items.  You have probably seen them before especially the round clock makeover.  But now that my wall is painted cloudy blue, they really stand out. 

A few pine cones scattered here and there certainly add a fall atmosphere to the whole bookcase.

Bookcase with fall styling, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com

The second vignette: moody glass

I am such a recycler that I will keep bottles that are oddly shaped.  If you are like me then you will immediately recognize one of the smaller bottles which was for soy sauce.  The green ones most likely held olive oil.  So this vignette centers around the beauty of the glass bottles. 

Instead of removing the labels on all of the bottles I chose to keep some of them and paint them over with chalkboard paint. 

Fall vignette with glass bottles pumpkin and pine cones, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
I applied a few coats to cover and then went over them with a chalk.  This helps to cure the surface.  Now you are ready to write on them.
Fall vignette with glass bottles pine cones and pumpkin, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
You can see another similar project here. The round plate in the background was also done in the same way. And of course the vignette is not complete without a soy candle. 
Detail of fall vignette with candle, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com

The third vignette: bright and blue

This third one is really a variation of the first.  The difference is that I’ve added more pumpkins.  I’ve also placed a large pine cone inside the glass vase.
Fall vignette with blue vase, books, pine cones, pumpkins, art and a candle, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com

​This little frame was a special gift from my dear friend Michelle of A Crafty Mix.  She made a miniature painting of the Paranoid Pumpkin Man and sent it to me all the way from South Africa.

Michelle painted him in front of a stone building which is characteristic of the buildings in Greece.  Needless to say it made the journey with me to the States.

Fall vignette and closeup of framed art , How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
The books were all covered with that cheap paper that is used to pack things.  I wanted to give them an old feel with no color. Of course it helps that they are wrinkled. 
Fall vignette with blue vase, books, pine cones, pumpkins, art and a candle, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
Fall vignette with blue vase, books, pine cones, pumpkins, art and a candle, #falldecor #fallvignette #bookcasestyling #pumpkins #pinecones #upcycled How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
And those are my three different ways to style a bookcase for fall.  All you need is to look around your home and I know you will find things to inspire you to put together a great fall vignette. How much did I spend this time?  Just a couple of dollars for those pumpkins.  Of course I’m lucky my kids and Michelle give me nice gifts! “wink”

​What do you use in your fall decorating?

Scroll down and visit my friends who are also going to show you their fall ideas!

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Fall vignette styled three different ways with thrifty items and items from your home, #falldecor #fallvignette #bookcasestyling #pumpkins #pinecones #upcycled, How to Style a Bookcase for Fall 3 Different Ways www.theboondocksblog.com
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I love it when I get your comments and I will try to reply to every one of them. ​

  1. You definitely have a flair for putting vignettes together!! The painting your friend sent you is fabulous!! Such talent. I tried to choose a favorite grouping, but just couldn’t do that – they are all my favs!!

    • Mary says:

      Thanks Patti, I only wish I had more space to style more vignettes. Maybe if I hid some of the books?

  2. I too have painted a few pumpkins in my day! Love all the ways you styled the bookcase! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

  3. Lorin says:

    Lots of great ideas with this post Mary! 😍 😍 😍

  4. I can’t pick a favorite because I like them all! But I do like how the blue painted pumpkins pop and the painting of paranoid man – he’s a must for Fall 🙂

  5. Katrin says:

    Lovely vignettes Mary! Mr. Pumpkin Man is a Fall icon and the soft blue pumpkins look amazing!

  6. I actually like all three so it would be hard to chose a favorite. Good job on all of them. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty

  7. Jann Olson says:

    Very cute ideas! I love the painting of your pumpkin from your friend. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

  8. Wow, all are fantastic! You really do know how to put everything together in order to look beautiful. But I can not keep my eyes on the third one, I just love the brighter colors!

  9. laura says:

    HI Mary! This is a feature on my blog for the Inspire Me Monday party! Thanks for joining the fun! The glass vignette is my favorite! laura in Colorado!

  10. All great ideas, look lovely.

  11. becky says:

    I love them all. Gotta get my pumpkin game on!!! 😮

  12. Michelle says:

    I needed this today as I am trying to finish up decorating for fall. Thanks for linking it up!

  13. mireille says:

    Amazing what a little paint can do!
    Pretty fall decor!
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

  14. Kippi says:

    Love fall and everything fall so I really like your decor.
    Happy fall,
    Kippi

  15. Cindy says:

    All very attractive! And perfect for fall. I love doing vignettes too!

  16. Michelle says:

    I love the ways you styled your bookcase. The paranoid pumpkin man is just too cute!!

  17. Love your vignettes. They are all perfectly styled. I like decorating with jars and bottles too. Vignettes make a home so cozy.

  18. Oh Mary, you took the painting with you when you moved <3 I've got the biggest smile on face right now and mascara streaks all the way down to my chin 😀 And I hardly ever wear makeup unless I need to go to a meeting with important banking people. They all think I'm nuts right now. You are one special lady. Thank you. I love all the ways you've styled your bookshelf. The top vignette against your cloudy sky wall looks stunning. Amazing how that color makes everything pop.

  19. Michele says:

    You are giving me mantel envy. I would love to use some of these ideas on the mantel in my new house. Unfortunately, I am still waiting for my brother the carpenter to get it installed. I have a big empty white brick wall! I also have a lovely painting that will go there. I hope he gets here before fall is over or I might have to start with a Christmas mantel!

  20. Mary, I’ve painted those same orange pumpkins! Love the idea of wrapping the books with packing paper. I love to style my bookcase for the seasons and holidays so thanks for the great ideas.

    • Mary says:

      Those pumpkins are so slippery when painting. I had no idea. But once the paint was dry it stayed put! And everyone has packing paper!

  21. Tammy says:

    Wow! You are so creative. It would be hard to pick a favorite. Thanks for the inspiration… I definitely need some.

  22. You’ll have me looking at ordinary bottles differently. Your little painting of pumpkin man is adorable. I think that may have been the very first time I visited your blog. He was a cutie. What a sweet friend.

    • Mary says:

      I love bottles Katie! The are so simple and yet have their own unique personality. And that pumpkin man is very special indeed!

  23. I enjoyed seeing your different vignettes for fall! I love the idea of wrapping books in the wrinkled paper. I might have to borrow that one! I also like your blues. I’ve seen so much blue for fall this year, so this post is on point!

    • Mary says:

      Ricki I am really missing the blue of Greece so my whole house is awash in blue now. It sort of crept up on me this love of blue.

  24. All three are lovely ideas for making a fall vignette. I have a box full of different sizes and shapes of bottles in my craft room closet. Plus I have others around the house. Love the painting of the paranoid man. Those were fun post to see what he was up to next lol.

    • Mary says:

      Linda take out your bottles and play with them. It is so much fun. I am threatening to have the whole bookcase full of them. Oh and I too miss that pumpkin man!

  25. Kim says:

    Mary, I love your arrangements and the way you’ve made use of all your crafty items. Those bottles are lovely…Happy Fall!!

    • Mary says:

      Thanks Kim, I’m like you, use what you have around otherwise you are threatened with craft overload and no place to store them.

  26. Carol says:

    I like all 3 versions but my favorite is the one with the bottles. Great job!

  27. I have a little lantern like yours (but white). Love the pine cone in it. Will be using your idea! Thanks for all the inspiration.

  28. I can always use some inspirational ideas, Im always at a loss, so your bookcase ideas are wonderful and being features on Friday Features this week.
    Be sure to stop by and share again!
    Have a great weekend!

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