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There are so many places to find inspiration for seasonal decoration. Pinterest, of course, and Etsy, and the dozens of decorating magazines on supermarket and bookstore shelves. You could even grab a couple of friends and plan a road trip to Northwest Arkansas to visit some craft fairs. Some you have probably already prepped your porch, but others needed the temps to drop first. No matter your decorating timeline, here are some ideas to use as you plan for your retreat into the shorter days and cooler breezes of fall.
Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Everywhere
It wasn’t that long ago that decorating with pumpkins was limited to actual gourds, and the colors you had to choose from were orange, white, green, and more orange. You can find plenty of pumpkin patches in Arkansas to provide for your tablescape and front porch needs, but you don’t have to fit your color scheme to the natural color of pumpkins. With a few sponge brushes and some craft paint, you can decorate your pumpkins to fit your personal style. Can’t have enough glitter? Want to add some decoupage? Come sit by me.
Pinterest says metallics are still popular, but I also think deep jewel tones are going to make a comeback, as a response to years of whitewashed-everything that has dominated decorating magazines and television. You can quote me.
Paint it Black
Black isn’t just for Halloween! Decorators are featuring black accents that visually add weight to a room. (Just ask Jo Gaines of Fixer Upper fame.) You could buy the newest goodies at home décor stores, but it’s really easy to get the high-end look with a can of spray paint. Candlesticks, lanterns, picture frames… a collection of thrifted items can be pulled together with paint to create an instant statement. Add moody candles in dark colors, a bunch of mini gourds, or fresh fall flowers for a unique holiday table.
Don’t like black? You can do the same thing with your favorite metallic or plain gloss color. (Navy and burgundy called and they’re not staying in the 1990s!) For less than $5.00, it’s a project you can try and try again until you get just what you want.
Natural Textures
One of my favorite decorating styles involves a walk in the woods with a big basket or tote bag. Give me all the antlers, hedge apples, wood discs, natural leaves and turtle shells. I might be an Earth Goddess. You can pick up wood discs at most craft supply stores, or use a chainsaw or bandsaw to cut a few of your own.
If the woods aren’t near you, take a stroll through your local grocer’s produce section and grab a bag of apples, pears, or a couple of heads of cabbage. Nuts in the shell, like acorns or pecans, look great in a clear vase on a table.
Image courtesy of SweetSomethingDesign.com.
Image courtesy of Jason Leung.
Monochromatic Magic
I know, I teased about the proliferation of whitewashing just a minute ago, but here’s the thing… you don’t have to use white if you want to focus on a single color in your décor. Popular paint brands release “colors of the year” each year, so see what they are recommending. Check out Behr’s color of the year, Blueprint S470-5 for some serious impact, or go with something considered a more traditional “fall color” like plain old orange or green. You can also never go wrong if you use those natural elements you foraged as color inspiration.
Quick Change Fabrics
A quick peek at Pinterest will tell you plaids are covering a lot more than Scottish knees this fall. They’re on pillows and throws, table runners, even on dishware. Choose your favorite color combo and use a dash of it here and there to liven up a casual dinner, or to create a cozy welcome on your front porch. Black and white Buffalo Plaid is really popular too, and it adds lots of punch to a room or painted on pumpkins – but take it easy, it’s a big look.
Image courtesy of OnSuttonPlace.com
Image courtesy of SheriSewSweet
Vintage Vibes
I can’t call a decorating scheme complete without adding some vintage elements. In fact, most of my decorating is made up only of vintage elements, thanks to my love of thrifting. If you don’t have time to wander your local flea markets, you’ll find plenty of “vintage style” items to add to your table or porch at most large retailers or home décor stores. I hope the use of vintage items never goes out of style, but I’m willing to be off-trend if it does.
Always available, easy-on-the-budget ideas include mason jars (old or new), metal with a patina (who really likes polishing silver??) and old crates and wooden boxes. I’ve even used old cheese graters found at thrift stores and run through the dishwasher as covers for tea-lights on my table. You’ll find LOTS of inspiration for using vintage items in your décor online, or in magazines like Flea Market Style.
Image courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez.
Whatever you choose as your inspiration for your fall décor, it will be perfect if you choose what you love. Arkansans have often been known to march to a different drum, and your choice of table runners should reflect that truth, don’t you think?
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[…] Decorating for Fall Everywhere! […]