Let The Fall Season Begin!

courtesy of Flickr, “pumpkins by mellow_stuff”

As an interior decorator, every year about this time, a twinge of excitement leaps through me like a kid in a candy store. I begin to entertain ideas for my fall home decorating plan! After lengthy consideration, it never fails, I ultimately ask myself the big question; how can I do FABULOUS simply and quickly?

Well, as the hundreds of retail catalogues begin to arrive, overwhelming us with so many wonderful styles and items for the new fall season, the answer to that question can easily become daunting and challenging.

I have a few suggestions that might help make the idea of fall decorating a bit easier and less stressful. And hopefully, FALL FABULOUS!

Ideas to Decorate for Fall:

At your front door entry, try stacking pumpkins in decorative urns, topiary style. Stack from largest pumpkin at the bottom to smallest pumpkin at top. Use a variety of pumpkin styles for interest. Around the stacked pumpkin urns, add smaller surrounding pots and urns filled with fall plants and florals. Groupings like these are quick and simple. They will give you a visually full look, and impart a warm and welcoming feel at your front door.

Bring the Outside In:

Mix some rustic with some “bling”! Fill mason jars with woodsy sticks or berry branches. Add mercury glass candle jars and holders in a variety of shapes and sizes for some sparkle! Throw in a few gourds, mini pumpkins (that you can easily pick up at your local market) and fall scented candles. These are great fall looks for your entry tables, mantels, or open kitchen cabinets and buffets.

Stack small gourds, bright colored berries, mini pumpkins atop cake stands that you may have housed in your hutch or open cabinets. Rustic leaves and branches placed in small bud vases can add warmth and fill empty areas on shelves or in cabinets. Give your counters a special fall touch by grouping together and filling large glass apothecary vases and jars with collections of fall favorites like acorns, walnuts in the shell or a collection of dried fall leaves. Larger items can be apples and artichokes, mini gourds and pumpkins.

Don’t forget to use items that already exist in your home as containers or accents for your seasonal decorating. Such items can be baskets, vases, aged flower pots, platters and bowls. Rustic wire baskets are big this year!! Fill them with fresh fall fruits and vegetables – always simple and inviting as a centerpiece for your kitchen or dining table!

The Power of Fresh Scent:

For yummy fall scents to make guests think you spent the day baking, set out small mason jars filled with cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Not only is this visually appealing on your counter, the fragrance is just amazing!

I love to add one or two bold statement makers into my decor. These could range from fun, fall colored accent pillows with embroidered iconic fall patterns to cozy throw blankets in bright fall colors and textures! My favorite statement maker this year are painted pumpkins with stencil designs!!