During the deadpan heat of Summer, I spend a good bit of time outside, but it is in short spurts; however, when Fall comes along, my deck becomes an extension of my living room. It's like I move out onto the deck and piddle my time away in the yard. I had a ball this week on my days off. With the cold front that has come through, following one of these who-knows-what-it-will-do-storms, the outdoor thermostat has been quite nice and cool!
While riding around one of the ponds, I had to get out and pick a few up some dried curly willow, limbs, and pampas grass shoots. These are perfect to add to arrangements to give them some height. We also spotted some Chinaberry trees growing around the pond's bank. So you know what happened next....we had to stop the truck. I've been wanting one of these, so we all helped dig it up to transplant down at my river home.
As soon as I got home late yesterday afternoon, I got right to work! Mixing the tall, airy pieces with shades of burnt orange and rich rust colored, golden mums, and bountiful magnolia greenery, all combine to create gorgeous arrangements inside and outside of the home.
"These groupings would work from September to Thanksgiving. Use fall foliage along with berry-laden branches and seasonal fruits on the branch and mix them with fall flowers. For the large arrangements, I choose cattails, pomegranate branches, crabapples, ornamental peppers, olive branches, dill, pyracantha, and a lotus seedpod," says Monica Buck of Southern Accents.
Susan Hall, of Southern Living,suggests, "This season's perfect front porch decor is only minutes away. Pair painted terracotta pots with fiery-hued florists' chrysanthemums to create a hospitable entryway."
This piece of furniture catches your eye as soon as you start climbing my stairs, so it's only natural that I make this piece the focal point for Harvest decor. I prefer to make small arrangements and scatter them like this than doing a traditional piece like a wreath - it's just a fun spin and more unexpected!
Hall continues to suggest even the use of a croton plant in containers and arrangements. "Although it originates in a land without autumn, its extravagant costume of yellow, orange, and red exhibits the season's signature colors."
Now an important preceding note to all decorators is to clear out indoor or outdoor clutter before gathering beautiful foliage. Store faux arrangements and trim down on accessories, so that no items will take away from the lively seasonal creations.
Whether a home contains a fully accessorized, personal feel or a modern, sleek, minimal design, all homeowners should pull back on the accessories somewhat in order to make the harvest arrangements and décor the truly divine focal points of a space.
Better Homes and Gardens writer Dana Joseph illustrates, "No matter where you live, there's something turning -- some species of tree or shrub reacting to the lengthening nights and the cooling temperatures -- and putting out colorful leaf pigments to hail the changing of the seasonal guard."
Joseph also suggest for decorators to enjoy a leisurely fall drive, with the family, to take-in the full spectrum of hues and to allow nature to serve as inspiration and ideas. She states, "When the scenery cooperates with a showy display of color, so much the better."
Incorporate the simplicity of nature and take advantage of these inexpensive accessories. These tips are quickly performed, but the effects are much more lingering:
-Fill baskets and open containers full of pine combs and gumballs.
-Use twigs and branches to heighten bare vases.
-Allow simple river driftwood to display itself among console or cocktail tables
Pottery Barn makes the best miniature pumpkins. With these I like to place a neutral pillar candle in the hurricane, then fill the space around the candle with the mini pumpkins!
I'm actually doing some of these on my cousin Patsy's dining table. We're going throughout her home tomorrow night and doing just what I'm saying - removing some of her everyday decor and making a home for her seasonal accents! Again this is an unexpected accent that when done as a pair make a great centerpiece for an outdoor dining table or sitting area.
Buck further states, "Autumn signifies the slowing down of new growth, as plants and leaves leisurely find their way back to the earth, but it's also a time for rejuvenation. A walk through the woods in crisp, fall air will yield a number of surprises: a cluster of twigs, a clump of moss, a riot of color in the trees."
By allowing Mother Nature and her elements inside, a simple house in transformed into a home through the use of stunning, warm colors and earthy textures.
This is a rarity for me - and was an awesome treat! Seeing me just sitting around convinced Mr. Bockers and Gertrude that I truly had fallen off the wagon....and they just went to clucking away! By the way - I highly recommend any of Dorothea Frank's books, especially this one!
I did feel like the scarecrows were staring at me though....the jury is still out on them! They might have to go!
Become advantageous -- go enjoy a slow afternoon drive down a country road or a casual stroll along the river bank stopping to take-in the pleasures of Fall.
