a fewRich, rustic, and full of soul.
When I think of fall design that really feels lived-in, Etsy is always the first stop. Unlike in Part 1: Amazon, which nails the quick wins and designer basics, Etsy is where I go when I want a space to tell a story. It’s the difference between styled and soulful… pieces with history, handmade details, and that beautiful imperfection that makes a room feel like someone really lives there.
Why Etsy?
Etsy is the antidote to mass production. Every search feels like a treasure hunt. Half the fun is in finding the shop that only makes six of something. The listings aren’t always perfect, and that’s kind of the charm. I always tell people:
- Read the reviews. They tell you everything you need to know about quality and shipping times.
- Message the seller. Etsy shop owners are often small-batch makers or vintage curators—they love sharing details, custom options, or helping you source something specific.
- Search smart. Keywords are your best friend (more on that below).
Etsy is great for finding those layers that make a room feel aged-in but intentional—vintage art, handmade ceramics, antique brass, unique textiles, and one-of-a-kind decor accents. The kind of stuff that gives Ralph Lauren energy without the markup.
Keywords to Try (Trust Me on These)
If you don’t know where to start, here’s my cheat sheet …
Search:
“vintage equestrian art,” “English country decor,” “unlacquered brass hardware,” “French linen pillow,” “hand-thrown ceramic bowl,” “antique oil landscape,” “vintage trunk coffee table,” “iron wall sconce,” “old world brass candlestick,” “handwoven Turkish textile,” “marble light switch cover,” “Italian alabaster lamp,” “English toile wallpaper.”
Those searches are a gateway to the good stuff—the kind of listings that look like they came from a forgotten country estate.
Quiet, Collected Living
Grounded textures, timeless layers, and pieces that tell a story.
There’s something about October that makes me crave the grounding details. The things that make a space feel lived in and layered. Lately, I’ve been gravitating toward those “quiet foundations” that don’t scream for attention but make a home feel steady and inviting. Think cozy corners, the patina of brass, the weight of wood, and small luxuries that feel both old-world and new.
Here’s what’s been inspiring me this month — pieces that blend countryside warmth with collected sophistication, and a few finds that feel like heirlooms in the making.
1. The Dining Room: Where Everyday Becomes Occasion
There’s something special about a dining space that feels both unfussy and elevated. It makes you want to linger long after the plates are cleared.
Ruffled Linen Chair Cushion | Monogrammed Linen Napkins | Ripple-Edge Ceramic Plates | Wicker Fruit Bowl |
Blue-and-White Plates |Equestrian Tray | Ribbed Roman Candles
Ruffled Linen Chair Cushion
If you’ve never added a slip-style cushion to your dining chairs, you’re missing out on one of the simplest (and most charming) upgrades you can make. These linen ruffled ones instantly soften the look of heavier wood furniture. I love that mix of masculine and feminine. They’re cozy, washable, and bring that understated European farmhouse feel that makes even a weekday breakfast feel special. It’s giving “country estate meets candlelit dinner party.”
Monogrammed Linen Napkins
There’s something beautifully old-fashioned about monogrammed linens. Maybe it’s because they make you feel like you’ve taken care in your hosting, even when you’re just serving takeout on your favorite dishes. I always keep a stack of these in a drawer for impromptu dinners. The embroidery adds that touch of refinement without ever feeling stuffy, and come holiday season, they photograph like a dream.
Ripple-Edge Ceramic Plates
I’ve always been drawn to the imperfect. That slight wobble in the edge, the glaze that looks handmade rather than manufactured. These ripple plates embody that “collected over time” spirit I love. Stack them under a linen napkin, mix them with your grandmother’s china, or let them be the star on their own. They remind me that the best tables are never too perfect.
Wicker Fruit Bowl
Wicker always feels right this time of year. I love how this bowl looks piled high with citrus in the fall, or filled with pinecones and greenery in December. It adds an easy, tactile warmth to the table. Bonus: it looks just as lovely bare.
Plates, trays and candles
Blue-and-White Plates
Blue-and-white will never go out of style. I like to think of it as the denim of tableware: classic, versatile, and works with everything. Try mixing patterns rather than matching; it creates that effortless, inherited look that feels authentic. And if you’re not hanging them on your walls yet, consider this your sign! They’re art in their own right.
Equestrian Tray
Every dining room needs a touch of something conversational, and this horse tray is exactly that. It’s that English countryside element I always seem to come back to… a wink to tradition that still feels modern when styled right. Use it for cocktails, for coffee service, or on a console with flowers and a few old books. It’s timeless, personal, and quietly luxurious! The way you want every home to feel.
Ribbed Roman Candles
There’s no better time to embrace candlelight than fall. These Roman ribbed candles add height and texture to your tablescape while casting the softest golden glow. Try pairing them with mismatched brass holders, they’ll catch the light in the prettiest way. When the evenings turn cooler and the dinners stretch longer, these are what set the mood. My little trick? Let the wax drip a bit. The imperfection feels romantic, like an old dinner party captured in a painting.
2. The Bar: Where Character Meets Mood
A good home bar should feel like a story unfolding… layered in brass, leather, and a little bit of mystery. It’s the quiet hum of conversation, the glint of glass in low light.
Copper Ice Bucket | Tortoiseshell Tumblers | Monogrammed Leather Coasters |
Brass Horse Head Finial | Oak & Leather Bar Stools | Polo Print Wall Art
Copper Ice Bucket
If the bar is a stage, this is the spotlight. A hammered copper ice bucket throws off the prettiest glow, specially in the fall when dusk comes early. I keep mine out even when it’s “off duty”: filled with limes on weeknights, or holly and cedar for the holidays. Pro-tip: pop a linen cocktail towel between the insert and shell to catch condensation.
Tortoiseshell Tumblers
Moody, chic, and forgiving (they hide the inevitable splash). That mottled pattern reads vintage library. Perfect with a single cube or a splash of seltzer. I like to set two on a small tray with a cut crystal decanter; the contrast makes everything feel collected rather than matchy.
Monogrammed Leather Coasters
The quiet luxury move. Guests clock them immediately. Styling trick: keep a short stack in a silver or rattan dish so they feel like part of the vignette, not an afterthought.
More considerations for the perfect bar …
Brass Horse Head Finial
My favorite idea: swap a lamp finial for this little equestrian moment. It’s like adding cufflinks to a well-worn blazer. It’s subtle, personal, and a tiny nod to countryside clubs and polo fields. If your bar doesn’t have a lamp, add one; pools of light beat overhead glare every time.
Bars are for lingering, so comfort matters. Oak frames feel sturdy and timeless; black leather keeps things tailored and practical (easy wipe-downs after happy hour). Float a petite wool throw over the back of one stool in cooler months.
Polo Print Wall Art
Art sets the tempo. This tartan-backed polo print adds heritage and a bit of swagger. This is exactly the mood you want when you’re pouring something good! Hang it slightly lower than you think so it connects to the bar surface; then echo the palette with a tartan napkin or a plaid-bound cocktail book. Suddenly the whole corner feels layered, intentional, and storied.
Host’s Note: On fall Fridays, I pre-chill coupe glasses in a champagne bucket (ice on one side, glasses on the other). When friends drop by, you’ve got instant “speakeasy” energy. No fuss, all atmosphere.
3. The Living Room: The Art of the Collected Space
The living room is where everything comes together — texture, tone, nostalgia. It’s where I layer the pieces that tell our story: worn leather, handcrafted wood, and fabrics that have lived a little.
Cowhide Rug | Wooden Stool | Vintage Trunk | Indigo Block-Print Pillow | Rust Block-Print Pillow |
Iron Knob | Brass Gallery Rail | Leather Laptop Clutch | Vintage Persian Kilim Rug
Cowhide Rug
The quickest way to shake a room out of “too tidy.” A cowhide adds movement where rectangles can feel static and (hot tip) its organic edge visually widens a seating area. I float mine over a big jute.
Wooden Stool
My all-purpose little hero. In September it becomes a mini side table for cider mugs; in December, tuck a throw over it and perch a small tabletop tree. The hand-hewn shape warms up sleek furniture and gives your styling a place to land. Stacked books, a match striker, a bud vase—done.
Vintage Trunk
Form + function + folklore. Use it as a coffee table with a big tray on top, then hide board games, throws, or wrapping paper inside. If your room needs weight, a trunk anchors those pretty textiles so they don’t read “floaty.” But really they are great for extra storage for things like greenery, seasonal decor, or candles.
Block-Print Pillows
Pattern is personality, and block print is the friend who mingles with everyone. Try one of each (this rust one paired with this indigo option) on a sofa—cozy but composed. In winter, layer with a cable knit; in spring, swap to linen. Same bones, fresh mood.
And a few more …
Iron Knob & Brass Gallery Rail
The jewelry moment. Swap a few knobs on a cabinet or built-in. Aged iron brings that European soul, slightly imperfect in the best way. Then, add a brass gallery rail to an open shelf (or even the top of a console) to keep frames and books corralled. It’s a tiny architectural line that whispers “custom millwork”.
Leather Laptop Clutch
Okay, this one’s technically not decor, but it’s worth including. It keeps cords, notebooks, and receipts organized while adding that soft structure to my workspace. As such, it’s proof that practical can still be beautiful.
Vintage Persian Kilim Rug
The unsung hero of a well-styled dining room. This flatweave kilim grounds the space without overwhelming it. I love how low-pile rugs like this make sliding chairs effortless, while still adding visual texture underfoot. Think of it as the quiet layer that holds everything together: understated, enduring, and beautifully lived-in.
***
Etsy is where character comes from. It’s the difference between a space that looks designed and one that feels lived in. Every item here tells a story. Maybe it’s a handmade ceramic from a small studio, or a brass fixture that’s been polished by time. That’s the magic of layering in these pieces: your home starts to reflect you in a way that can’t be replicated.
Whether you’re slowly building your collection or just adding one or two soulful details, think of Etsy as your secret design tool. This is where you can find the charm, craftsmanship, and small imperfections that make a house feel like it’s been loved for years.
If Part I (Amazon) was about getting the look quickly, Part II (Etsy) is about making it last. The beauty of design is in the mix. Pairing the old with the new, the handmade with the high-gloss, the story-filled with the streamlined.
Next up? Part III: Wayfair — The High-Low Balancing Act.
Because sometimes the best interiors come from knowing exactly when to splurge, when to save, and how to make it all look intentional.
Need a little more direction?
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Life is short. Make it beautiful!
