Late summer is when my thoughts start turning toward fall! I’m not quite ready to completely let go of summer — not yet. Instead, I pull out faux green apples and a few wood accents to combine with existing pieces to suggest the arrival of autumn while still holding onto summer’s lightness.
Though it’s late summer, I hint at fall with warm wooden textures, lanterns, and scattered green apples. The mix of apple green with natural wood and black-and-white accents feels fresh yet grounded — a perfect bridge between seasons.
I hope revisiting my early-fall shelves from last August gives you a few simple ideas you can adapt for your own home.
I try to keep decorating simple by using classic backdrops and versatile accessories that can be rearranged for each season. That approach saves time and keeps a continuous flow through the house. For this late-summer update I kept my black-and-white dishes, bowls, and mug tree in place, and changed only a few display items. A small lamp on the sideboard stays lit most evenings, adding cozy light and serving as a gentle nightlight for the breakfast corner.
For instance, I left the stacked plates and bowls in place, but added visual interest by placing a few plates in a long, narrow basket. Small changes like this refresh the overall look without overhauling the shelving.
Mr. Herbert, my faithful faux pig head, still watches over the breakfast area. Below him, a dough bowl piled with green apples signals the transition from summer to early fall.
I kept the vintage toolbox on display but swapped the old tobacco basket for a galvanized metal tray to add a touch of industrial texture. I removed the spring items from the toolbox and refilled it with white pitchers and other black-and-white pieces already used on the shelves, making the toolbox feel timely for late summer.
This mix of green apples, wood elements, and black-and-white accessories is an easy, stylish way to carry decor from late summer into early fall without starting from scratch.
Using a dresser as a sideboard in the kitchen has been one of my favorite functional choices. I use the drawers for kitchen and dining linens; grouping storage, display, and lighting in this corner makes styling and daily use effortless.
Here are additional elements that transition well from summer to fall and are easy to layer into existing displays:
- twig wreaths
- dried flowers, such as hydrangeas
- candles for warmth and ambience
- throws in neutral or autumnal hues
- reclaimed or aged wood accents
- green leaves or faux greenery
- subtle copper accents
- tarnished or aged brass touches
- sunflowers or small floral clusters
- galvanized metal trays or buckets
- natural twine for texture
- baskets in woven or rustic styles
Are you ready to let go of summer yet, or are you holding on like I am? A few well-chosen pieces—like a dough bowl of apples, a wooden tray, or a twig wreath—can help you ease into autumn while preserving the last bright days of summer.
IF YOU NEED SOME LATE SUMMER INTO EARLY FALL INSPIRATION, PIN IT FOR LATER!
