Looking for a unique way to decorate for fall? Learn how to warm up your home by decorating with copper this season.
You know how sometimes you just fall in love with something, even something that you passed right by only a few years ago? That is how my love affair with copper is. I am crushing on it… hard.
So in love that I’m looking for more vintage pieces to buy – I seriously can’t get enough! Which is funny, because about five years ago I had the chance to buy a copper tea kettle at a fantastic price, and I turned it down. Of course today, I’d be snatching that up as quickly as possible!
Not only is copper back “in” – which is great, because it makes it that much easier to find, but decorating with copper is perfect for fall! It adds warmth and patina, and mixes beautifully with all those warm autumnal colors. And because it is so in now, it’s easy to find new copper decor and accent pieces – they are everywhere.
So today I thought I’d talk about how I’ve been decorating with copper, as well as where I’ve found some of my favorite pieces. I love any copper, but the vintage pieces really have my heart. I love their patina, and the fact that they aren’t perfect makes them even better!
It all started with my romantic fall mantel. There were so many people asking about these copper votives! I bought about ten of them I think, in different shapes and sizes, and I just can’t get enough of them. They are so versatile, and I’ve since used them in every area of the house, as well as in this Thanksgiving tablescape.
Sadly, they are sold out but I managed to find some that are almost exactly the same!
This copper pot was a vintage find and perfect for displaying apples or mini pumpkins all season!
I especially love decorating with copper in an all-white kitchen. The copper really adds warmth and gives the space such a pop!
This copper teakettle is one of my favorite things – it makes me so happy to see it sitting on the stove all season!
Then last year I found some great vintage French copper pots that I love! How charming are those handles?!
I love how they displayed these copper pots! I’m thinking next year I may try to hang mine. Via Good Housekeeping.
This little French pitcher is a favorite. I found this on Etsy, and I’m seriously in love!
My copper mugs come out every fall and winter. They’re great as a little vase for a few flowers, too.
The little vintage plant mister was probably my very first copper piece! I think I bought it about three years ago at an antique mall.
If you didn’t see the Thanksgiving tablescape that featured them, you can find that here.
Candle holders, pots, pitchers, teakettles – even colanders – all of it works and can be used to add lots of fall warmth!
I hope I’ve given you some inspiration for decorating with copper in your own home! And if you’re as crazy about copper as I am, I’ve found some great pieces for you! Lots of fun, new items as well as some great vintage pieces!
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Sheila
xo
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out some of these other favorites!
Carol says
I love your copper! I started collecting 3 years ago. When remodeling our kitchen I replaced the sink with a copper coated stainless and I love it. Not the temperament of solid copper. My dilemma is…I have a 14” pitcher I found. It has been painted the green copper patina on the outside. Guess the original owner didn’t understand it could do that without paint! Any suggestions for stripping? I’ve used an orange no chemical stripper but it didn’t work.
Sheila says
Oh my goodness, what were they thinking?! It sounds beautiful but I understand why you’d want to remove the faux paint. Other than what you tried I really don’t know. I would google “how to remove paint from metal” or something to that effect and see what you find. Though I do think you risk ruining the copper. But if it’s worth the risk to you, then I would try!
Thanks for stopping by Carol and for your kind words! Happy fall!
Sheila
Jessica says
Beautiful!!!!
Narelle Lindner says
Hi Shiela, I am just wondering where you get all your lovely flowers from? Do you grow them, or are some of them imitation, or do you buy them? I particularly love the green hydrangia. So hard to come by!
Narelle
Sheila says
Hi Narelle and thank you so much! First in answer to your question, I don’t grow very many of what I show here and I hardly use any faux. They are mostly real and almost always from Trader Joe’s or the supermarket! TJs has a great selection that are very reasonably priced and I find I can do a lot with what they have (Kroger stores and the like usually do as well!) For more info on how to style flowers as well as where I find them, check out this post:
https://maisondecinq.com/decorating-flowers-budget/
Hope that helps!
Sheila
Maryann Nolan says
Your copper is just beautiful.. What do you use to keep it from tarnishing?
Sheila says
Thanks so much Maryann! And I don’t – not really! It’s not nearly as bad as silver, so I do polish it but maybe only once every 3-4 years. It doesn’t tarnish fast and I actually like a little bit of patina. 🙂
Hope that helps!
Sheila
Nancy Brantley says
Always loved copper. I have an iron pot rake hanging in my kitchen overloaded with copper collected over the years. I also have pieces displayed. Copper gives a home warmth. Your finds are nice and hope you find more.
Tonya says
Thank you for inspiring me! I had in my attic several copper pots/tea pots my mother had back the the 70’s. I got them out and I and just love the warmth they bring to my kitchen! I didn’t realize what I was missing! I am like you, a few years ago I would have never considered using them!
Also, thank you for giving the links to “similar items” in your blog! I have snagged several things over the course of the last year and it always makes my day!
Sheila says
I love hearing that Tonya!! How wonderful that you still have all of those- the pots can be pricey so lucky that you saved them! 🙂
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog and thanks for your kind words! Happy fall!
Sheila
Joy Gilreath says
I’m thrilled everyone is finally discovering the beauty of copper. I have Mother’s copper bottom revere ware pots and the hanger to display them from the 50’s and her copper hanging jello molds that she purchased the S & H green stamps. I’ve gradually added a few pieces myself, buy the vintage items are the best!
Sheila says
The vintage items ARE the best!! And how wonderful that you have all of hers – my mom gave HER mom’s away when I was just a child which just breaks my heart!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sheila
Cecilia from Georgia says
Speaking of polish! I picked up some large copper coal buckets and they are so tarnished. I don’t want to polish them to a perfect shine but need to get most of the black and green off. I’ve looked on Pinterest but everything is very labor intensive. Any helpful miracles? I have a tall skinny pot that I can’t wait to use. Thanks for getting me going on decorating for Fall! I’m also making your Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake bars!! Yummmmmy!
Sheila says
Hi Cecilia! Funny because I actually need to polish all of mine right now too! Personally, I use the creams that are made for copper rather than the free household methods. The cream I’ve used is here (and it’s not terribly labor intensive): https://rstyle.me/+Y0S72uKcaw5Ya-9giKm1wQ
But if you want to use something you may already have at home, I’ve also used Barkeeper’s Friend. It’s great for getting in detailed edges or where it’s quite black. People also use vinegar or ketchup but I just don’t like the smell, haha!
Hope that helps!
Sheila
Margo says
I first decorated with copper in the early 70’s! I decorated our small family room in black and white with some open shelving where I displayed a mix of old and new copper pieces. It made a warm, inviting place to relax.
Like one of your readers I gave most of those pieces to my daughter in law and I think we’ve both lost track of their whereabouts, but I have a newer collection now with a set of copper cookware mixed in with a number of vintage pieces picked up here and there. These days I’m very careful in how I care for the old pieces, making sure not to polish off the tarnish that makes them so attractive. I use just enough to bring out a gleam here and there. Finding the vintage items is a lot of fun, you just never know where they might turn up!
Sheila says
Oh how I wish I had started collecting even sooner – imagine all the inexpensive pieces I would have found!! Yours sound beautiful and you’ve now reminded me I definitely need to polish mine! I like to leave them just slightly tarnished, not too much, but not too shiny either! Thanks for stopping by Margo!
Kathy Menold says
I know this is not real copper but have you ever used copper spray paint on other metal containers? Was thinking of doing an old colander as a planter.
Sheila says
I haven’t because I love the real stuff so much and I love the patina too, which obviously wouldn’t happen with paint. However, I have used it to make copper pumpkins (painted on cheap plastic pumpkins) and that works well. I guess as long as you don’t care about the look of age or patina it could work. Good luck!
Sheila
Holly Banks says
Thank you very much for inspiring me! I would have never thought to add copper but now I’m going to have to get some! It looks so good!
Sue Malizia says
I could kick myself as I gave all my copper away about 20+ years ago!!! Now I find myself looking for pieces again. =)
Sheila says
Oh no! Isn’t that always the way though?! But I’m glad you’ve fallen in love with it again:) We will both be hunting for more now!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Sheila
Barbara at Mantel and Table says
It’s all gorgeous Sheila! I’ve loved copper all my life, and I’m always so glad when it’s back in fashion, because you’re right – then you can find more of it! 🙂 You’ve inspired me to dig out all my vintage copper and see what I can do with it this year. Thanks so much, and Happy Fall!
Sheila says
Oh I’m so glad Barbara!! Dig it out! I so appreciate your support and am thrilled that you’ve found inspiration here:)
Sheila
xo
Catherine says
I’ve just fallen hard for copper too and love all your ideas! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Jill says
Are you cooking with your vintage pots, or just as decor? I’m finding them at estate sales some in better condition than others, some worn on the interior.
They are beautiful!
Sheila says
Thanks so much Jill – glad you love them, too!
And I actually haven’t cooked with my vintage ones, though I have used the new ones. I’ve already had to polish them!!
Sheila