Above photo of cherry trees in our neighborhood
Wow! How did we get to November already? Tom and I have been traveling quite a bit – lots of road trips up to New England plus a buying trip in Scandinavia. We’re delighted to be home just in time for DC’s fabulous fall foliage, which I believe is a bit late this year. Anyhow, lots of new blog posts ahead (I promise), but for now, a bit of color to brighten up your tone-on-tone world 🙂 Enjoy more photos on my Instagram account: loithai
Happy November!
Loi
Outside our front garden is this glorious willow oak aglow in golds and russet tones. Notice how verdant, full and neatly clipped the hornbeam trees (to the right) are. The leaves will eventually drop, but sheared hornbeams tend to hold their foliage well into January. To see them bare, visit here. BTW, I’m letting the tops of the holly hedge (behind the gates) come together to form an arch. The hedge is sited on a hill so there will be plenty of overhead room coming up the steps under the future arch.
Exotic orange tulips to brighten up a grey day at the shop.
I thought the bittersweet wreath added a simple but festive touch to this grey barn in Maine.
After several trips to Maine, we traveled to Denmark and Sweden. No photos of Sweden because it rained nearly every minute during our visit. We did enjoy a traditional Danish lunch overlooking this lively canal in Copenhagen.
Here comes the sun! Love this shot of a blonde bicyclist riding through the old town of Dragor with the Danish banners flying.
Located just outside of Copenhagen, Dragor is a historic fishing town famous for its yellow stucco homes with red roofs and cobblestone streets.
Look what I found!!! A large vintage (early 1900s) Goyard trunk with my initials. It was originally made for storing hats…..still in fantastic condition. Sadly and with much disappointment, the Goyard didn’t make it home with me. Thank you to all my Instagram friends for encouraging me to buy this beauty – you guys are the best!
(Are there any other LTs who want to chip in and do a timeshare deal?)
Let’s not say goodbye on a sad note. On my way to work, I gathered a bunch of fallen maple leaves to cheer up the shop for the weekend.
Some maple leaves to complement the maple frames on the antique bird prints.
And some to fill this large footed punch bowl from the mid 1800s. Voila – instant autumnal decor!
Dear Loi so many gorgeous images. I adore the Goyard trunk. I wish so much that it was yours!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Hi Loi,
Everything looks beautiful. I am impressed with your restraint. I almost never see anything with my initials so can never resist them!
xo,
Phyllis
Wow, it truly is beautiful there, Loi!! So many beautiful colors. It is beautiful here in Birmingham too. I love fall.
I am so happy that you had a wonderful trip, and maybe next time on the trunk!
Happy weekend.
Teresa
xoxo
You can brighten up a day with color no matter what! Amazing pictures with beautiful colors…….so sorry about the truck!
xo
Patty
Loi your garden is stunning! When will you begin to offer tours?
I hope that all of your trips to Maine mean that you have found a perfect little retreat.
Your Fall leaves for the shop are stunning! I love them and wish that a few of the trees here would drop some colorful specimens like that.
As for the Goyard trunk, I think we have all left something behind on a trip of two. As for a time share trunk I would love a Hermes!
Have a wonderful, hopefully relaxing weekend with Tom and your pups, perhaps a good book and a cup of tea or two!
Elizabeth, let me know if you ever want to visit. I'll give you a personal tour 🙂
Hello Loi, I am glad you are enjoying Fall at Home and also overseas. My wish is to visit Denmark and Sweden one day. It looks quite fascinating and different. Enjoy the rest of the Fall. Happy weekend!
The colors of fall in your part of DC are gorgeous. I love your yard! The hornbeams and boxwood are amazing. Of course, I am in love with Denmark. The yellow stucco houses and red tile roofs are so charming! Thanks for a peak into your life and welcome back. I missed your posts.
Beautiful pictures!
Loi, what wonderful photos and those leaves are so pretty they don't look real. Ours turn brown way to quickly.
Lovely photos Loi. If you find yourself in Dragør again dont miss visiting Beghuset. http://www.beghuset.d
Thank you for sharing that restaurant with us! I just visited the website (beghuset.dk) – looks fabulous. Tak!! Loi
Dear Loi,
Welcome home! We missed you and your beautiful images!
Your garden and your neighbourhood are so pretty, love that street snapshot, how revitalizing to walk in such seasonal splendour!
Too bad about the downpour in Sweden, BUT, your glorious pictures of Denmark are so very picturesque and I noticed that they are dressed in their autumn best, with rich tones of copper, amber and ochre. The images of the port and the fishing village are stunning! Did you know that in a recent survey the citizens of Denmark were found to be the happiest people on the planet?!! After seeing your photos, it's no wonder why!
Looking forward to more 'happy' hues of those great Dane days!
xo
Poppy
How pretty is that row of yellow stucco houses!
Hi Loi, welcome home. Your shop looks so inviting and ready for Fall. That image of the girl on the bike is perfect. I hope you are home for the Holidays. This is a nice time to build a fire and sip hot beverages.
I have missed your posts, Loi! And just on Thursday night, I went into Ethan Allen to just see if they happen to have any Scandinavian furnishings…..NONE! I was speaking to the sales associate and was trying to describe the TONE ON TONE look. We went to her computer, she Googled TONE ON TONE and there you popped up. She gasped as she saw your wares. I told her if I had my druthers, I'd just order from YOU!
Oh Loi, your photos of the garden just thrill my imagination. I love your sensibilities for I believe in lush green, everywhere, with a pop of color for surprise. Well-clipped and clean borders and hedges thrill me! OK, now for the interior….
The leaves add that sense of the outdoors while we are preparing to hunker down. Bringing in nature is very important to me, to live with it, close to it as much as possible. LOVELY DÉCOR!
Well my friend, you have a lot of unloading to do. Your trip to Scandinavia must have been wonderful. I love their homes and just found a beautiful photo on Pinterest of a home in Sweden….TDF!
Much love, Anita
Hello Loi,
My oldest son collects vintage cigarette lighters and it is fun to pick up a very special one now and again while out treasure hunting. Imagine my giddiness when one day I was browsing ETSY and found a gorgeous lighter with his initials right on the front! You should have seen his eyes light up (no pun intended) when he spotted that detail that Christmas morning opening his gifts. Something so simple can have such a delightful impact on a person.
Thank you for yet another lovely post. The frames on those bird prints are just gorgeous!
Have a great weekend.
Fondly-Lisa
Hello Loi,
Glad you and Tom have had a good trip…..we were in Denmark last year after visiting cousins in Sweden and can't wait to return! Love the view of the front of your garden, and the hedged arch you are training over the gate……stunning!
Have a lovely weekend,
Sophia x
Hi Loi, I've been missing you. Glad to see that you are back and that all is well!!
xoxox Mary
Hi Loi, Thanks for this inspiring post…………even the simple bowl of fall leaves is so tastefully displayed!
xo
Holly
Hello Loi, I love the vibrant green of your garden, and the way it seems to be holding at bay the coming autumn just beyond its borders.
I am wondering what the Goyard trunk is made out of–it looks like tin, but if so it's pretty large and in pretty good condition.
–Jim
Jim – It is a leather trunk and quite large. The inside, lined in beige linen, has a couple of removable compartments / trays. A real stunner!
Oh my, Dragor looks just lovely: rain or no rain. Love the understated colors and all the yellow stucco! And the leaves are oh so nice and yes, such an easy way to decorate. It may be getting cold and dark around here…but it will always be bright and cheerful in your shop and house!
You put the A in Autumn accents! I love what you did so simply with those leaves – so pleasing to the eye. Happy Fall!
Such lovely images Loi! Seeing your garden, and getting a peek at your adventures is always relaxing and inspiring! I hope you enjoy this gorgeous day!!
xo Kat
I'm happy to get to see another of your absolutely lovely posts! The way you add some autumn to your house is beautiful. And, I always love any and all glimpses into your breathtaking garden!
Loi
What a find!! That never happens! Love that photograph of the bicyclist….your photography skills make me want to take some classes! Beautiful
dearest Loi, you put Autumn in the shop with those leaves + glad you will be posting + i missed you! Sorry about the trunk because monograms are a favorite of mine + oh well clap your hands over your head then say next + works for me every time + wonderful photos! xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Loi,
I have never experienced DC in November-I've always visited in the spring. The fall colors are glorious! I'm envious of your recent trip to Scandinavia, Tom and I are looking forward to planning a trip to Sweden to visit his family there-we must make this a priority! Your photos of Denmark are beautiful. For months I've been pouring over all things nordic and scandinavian to find the right look for the barnhouse- I'm officially smitten ( slightly obsessed) and enjoying all things Scandinavian!
I must hire you when we are ready to plan and design the garden for new home we plan to build in the country-your gardens are sooo beautiful!!
XO Sarah
p.s. the maple leaves add the perfect touch of fall in the shop! Lovely:)
It would be an honor to collaborate on your gardens 🙂 Happy to offer suggestions anytime!
Hello Loi, Your photos are gorgeous! I'm glad you didn't miss the fall colors in DC, looks like you are having a beautiful fall. Your garden looks especially beautiful. The maple leaves in a glass bowl are especially clever – a great idea that I'm going to have to imitate.
Have a lovely weekend!
There's nothing quite like fall glory. So radiant and fiery! I love the contrast of your green garden with the fall color. Our leaves fell quickly. One day I was photographing fall in all its glory; today it's looking more like winter. So not ready! Maybe that's what makes fall so spectacular…its brevity? Blessings to you!
Dear Loi
A warm welcome home. You garden is beautiful and your decision to allow the hedge to arch will be just fabulous.
The initials LT on the trunk, maybe we can do a time share HT – we could fudge the L and H with each interim ownership. Hee hee
Your photo when in Denmark is fabulous!! Should be put on canvas and hung! Alas, our leaves are almost gone…but not forgotten…hours of raking ahead! 🙂 franki
We'll be raking this coming weekend, Franki. Starting to come down here.
i love your artist's eye, loi. shopping trips to scandinavia sound purrrrfect so holla if ever you and tom need me to carry yer bags (i'm sure you've seen my guns so you know i'm up for it). the leaves and orange tulips look so gorgeous in the shop. it's always those simple silhouettes that sing.
happy november, friend.
michele
You have simply made my day, Loi. This post is so beautiful, your home, your garden…all are perfect. And, those Maple leaves? Awesomeness X10 !
Lovely photos, Loi! I love fall foliage – and today will go in search of leaves to use for making chocolate leaves to decorate a cake on Tuesday!
-Revi
Looks like you have been having a great time on the go Loi! Your photos are filled with crisp and colorful images! What are you using for a camera? I love the bittersweet wreath, and your lovely array of fall leaves.
Thanks! I use my iPhone and Nikon Coolpix (basic point and shoot). And a little help from Instagram 🙂
The next time you two plan a trip to Maine and/or Denmark, bring me along. I have in love with both spots. Glad to have you back, and glad you can be home enough to enjoy the gorgeous foliage from your own front door.
Beautiful, colorful photos from around the world. Beautiful post, Loi!
Loi,
Your garden looks amazing. The green looks so rich and with the gold and burgundy leaves in the background it's perfection. I'm growing an arch over a concrete bench in my yard. The two branches finally touch and I wrapped twist tie to force them to hold hands until the other branches catch up. That will look great over your gate.
I always enjoy the mini-tour I feel I've been on when looking at your wonderful photographs of Scandinavia.
I believe there will be another great antique trunk in your future and if it doesn't have initials on it I say you stencil some on to look old and worn. 😀
Enjoy your weekend.
xo,
Karen
I love all the leaves in the bowl!! And the tulips are just stunning. Great color!
Loi…great find and with your initials…what are the chances of that? They were meant for you to find….
I like the almost gilded-over Greek key on your gilded mirror, (in the last shot).
I have been to Dragor while a recent trip in Denmark.It's an easy escape from Copenhagen and it certainely is a charming old village by the sea. You are so good Loi to capture "the spirit" of all these places you visit!
Great autumn atmosphere all around your beautiful house and shop.
All the best!
Olympia
Your garden looks magical, Loi, enhanced by autumnal colors and your meticulous care. I have never been to Denmark, but I am in love with Dragor. Thank you for the tour.
Best…Victoria
Dear Loi, Your November greetings are really lifting up a very grey Sunday here in the Périgord! Your garden looks immaculate, lovely with the color spot of the Willow oak at the end…..!
Love the luggage pieces! Sadly that the LT has not find its way to W-DC, would be lovely as a kind of side table or so….That's how I use mine from time to time, here and there.
And your wonderful pictures from Denmark bring back so good memories, memories of the time when I had my shop in Hamburg and went to Copenhagen for buying trips.
Thank YOU for another enchanting post!
November-Greetings from the Périgord to Washington,
xxxkarin
you are wildly creative my friend, your gardens, and shop displays caused me to linger at the stunning images.
the goyard had to be wildly expensive to pass that up! settle for a stencil??
cheers!
debra
Oh, I do love the all yellow houses, never seen anything like that! All those maple leaves are beautiful in the bowl.
Loi,
Your posts ALWAYS make me smile. I just love peeking into your world, where you demonstrate how to live beautifully. Your photos, as usual, are stunning and each one stands on its own. I'm sorry that L.T. trench didn't make it home with you, but you never know what might be in your future. And that compote of fall leaves. Somehow when you do things, they seem effortless and elegant. Thank you for being a style maker that I admire and only dream of emulating!
Happy week, sweet friend!!!
xoxo Elizabeth
Beautiful post I love the Fall Vignettes!!!
Wowy, wow, wow! Tone on tone golds, rusts, and oranges, against tone on tone greys! Sublime! Love all of the images and how you incorporated the colors of the fall foliage to coordinate with the colors of the architecture in Maine, Denmark, Sweden and your kitchen. haha! All done so artfully! Mother nature knows what looks good together! Can't wait to see what delights you picked up on your travels! xoxo
i don't think my comment went through- i LOVE that trunk and it was meant to be yours!
Fall has been late here in Atlanta too, but it has been (and still is) a glorious season this year. Must be all of the rain we had this spring and summer! Hope you enjoy the rest of your month.
– Holly
Great to hear from you. I love the holly hedge arch idea, my neighbor has done that and it is very special, especially for Christmas. I am looking forward to seeing more from you buying trip. Isn't it amazing what a few leaves can do? I brought in some bright yellow ginko leaves and put them on my desk, they only get ore beautiful as they dry. Welcome home!
I've been looking forward to your post, Loi (as always). You have a way of making simple leaves look elegant and your garden looks amazing at any time of year! Love the orange tulips, too–so perfect for fall.
-Deborah
Dear Loi,
I do like your idea for the Holly hedge arch. That will make a very nice touch to your garden.
There is not much in the way of autumn leaves here as the storms blew most of them away! There are still a few to collect though.
Bye for now
Kirk
Another delightful post, as we have come to expect from you Loi (no pressure haha). My husband has been in Norway for the past 2 weeks (saw the Northern Lights, sigh) and now off to Sweden and Finland for 2 weeks, then finally home. I just keep telling myself my turn will come 🙂
Ange x
Hi Loi! I wish you could have brought home that trunk, what are the chances to find one with your initials? Such beautiful photos and like you I have no idea how November snuck up so quickly 🙂
I love that you had such a lovely time on your trip despite the rain Loi, the pictures just shows it all.The trunk was perhaps, not meant to be, the right one will show up for sure. I don't know about time share for a trunk, that would be hard, say 1 year with you and 1 year with me? hahaha! We'd end up fighting over that beaut in the end. Love the leaves idea, very simple but perfect, wish I'd thought of it. Anyway, enjoy your day Loi and will await your upcoming posts!!!!XO
Hi, Loi,
I would have had a hard time passing up that Goyard trunk! But that's easy for me to say — my floor space is more and more limited! I hope you'll update us on your hedge arch.
Good to hear from you, it is good to be busy :). The fall foliage is beautiful and through your wonderful photography we visited Denmark as well.
Best wishes, enjoy November, I still remember last Thanksgiving, can't believe another one is just around the corner…
Gorgeous fall colors. I love that you have tulips in the fall! I loved seeing your pictures from Denmark. One of my favorite things is seeing photos from other people's trips to the other side of the pond!
Hello Loi,
Thank you for another collection of beautiful images! I'm especially glad to have seen your hornbeam hedge: we've just planted a similar hedge, but it will be a few years before our young trees "connect" to make the stilt hedge we're going for! You give me hope that patience will pay off!
Warm regards,
Erika
Dearest Loi! HELLO!
Thank you for visiting me today! I know you've been so busy unloading your fun finds from Scandinavia, and I can't wait to see what you are going to share for Christmas! What a busy November it's been here too…..keep up the inspirational muses my friend…you always take my breath away too!
HUGS TO YOU! Anita
Copenhagen is so colorful! I once read its the happiest place on earth. Beautiful pictures, all beautiful. xoxo
jen@vreelandroad
Immagini straordinariamente belle!
Ciao caro Loi,
sereno giorno!
Luci@
Welcome home! I love the color of these leaves right now and wish they would never shrivel up- any clue as to how we can preserve them? Your photos of your trip are gorgeous. Looking forward to sitting down with you soon. Happy Holidays!
xoxo Nancy
Nancy – I noticed the leaves on top have shriveled, while the bottom ones are still flat. Not sure about preserving….maybe silica gel?
man???? you needed that LT case….but maybe something will come along again one day. Beautiful fall in your neighborhood Loi!
Hi Loi, glad you had safe travels. I love all the orange and reds. Everything is white with snow here (really) – ugh. That trunk is beautiful – too bad it did not make it home with you. What are the chances?? Statistically there is a 1/676 or 0.15% chance that something bearing two initials would be yours (math geek – sorry)!! You should have bought a lottery ticket instead. hehe. xo Terri
Hey Loi,
Glad you are back. Had to smile at your bittersweet wreath from Maine. We saw some too while in Maine, but passed on them when we noticed all the droppings underneath the display. Knew they would be all over the car and then the porch at my house. Now, I kind of wish I'd bought one because yours looks great. And cheaper than a Goyard trunk – hold that thought.
b
b
Stunning photos…each and every one!!! And a happy November to you, dearest Loi!! How wonderful to be traveling again…and thank you for sharing the extraordinary beauty of Scandinavia….
As for your garden….magical….I love the idea of the "green" arch!! D.C. looks magnificent in the Fall….and I'm sure that trunk was so hard to resist!!
A beautiful rest of the week to you!!
xoxo,
– Irina
I am not an orange lover but you can even make orange look good in my eyes. I noticed I have not been getting your post via email so I signed up again. It looks as if I have missed a few post! Today I gave you and your blog a shout out on my blog. Your bleached pine cones are a big hit!! Always creative and generous dear Loi, thank you!
Kathysue
You live in a beautiful part of the world Loi and travel well! I hope you have been able to scout out a home and or location in Maine. I can feel the pull in your photos…it is meant to be.
Warm wishes from Saigon…
Jeanne 😉
I can smell autumn just looking at your wonderful images! You surround yourself in beauty my friend. A charmed life 🙂
Di
xoxo
Loi,
Happy trails all the way into November. This is my favorite time of the year. Because we have to "s t r e t c h" to stay balanced and it's always a great time for new discoveries. Love these snaps what a great way for a home to say "welcome home". Say well my friend…hugs!
Bette