By Chelsea Ferguson –
Even though summer is having its last wind, I cannot help but set my mind on fall. Knowing that pumpkin coffee, cooler weather and seasonal activities are around the corner, can you blame me?
I should not try to rob summer of its time but I can, at least, start planning my fall home décor. My favorite room to decorate is my kitchen. I enjoy using fruits and vegetables as a way to add a splash of color and, in the fall, I go full force. I rely heavily on pumpkins as accessories, but it is also fun to throw a few other items in the mix to create a warm, autumnal feel.
I love jazzing up a pumpkin with paint and other materials. If the color orange doesn’t complement the style or palette of your home, go for white pumpkins to add a modern, chic look.
I find it is best to purchase a variety of pumpkin sizes to tuck away in different parts of the kitchen and in the dining area. Utilize dried wheat stalks to add a fall feel to the kitchen. Set up bundles with an assortment of squashes and corn in a corner or on a kitchen island.
My mom inspired me to use hurricane display glass and glass domes to fill with items that accent my favorite season. Mix up your fall décor by playing with multihued beans and corn, or pile pinecones with colored leaves for a soft effect.
I love using branches for year-round displays, but autumn is my favorite because it reflects how the leaves are changing. Add candle displays to create a cozy effect; you can enjoy it when everyone in the house is winding down and the main lights are dim.
Arrange pumpkins on the kitchen table as a centerpiece, place pumpkins or fall plates above cabinets, or put small pumpkins on displayed dishes.
Each year, I am more inspired by the previous fall season to switch out my kitchen displays. I find fall to be the easiest season for decorating because of the foods that are associated with October and November holidays.
A simple display of sunflowers, a garland of leaves hanging from a chandelier, or some new curtains and tablecloths with yellow and orange tones, are enough to breathe a little autumn air into the home.
With new fall decorations in place, all that is left to do is pull out the pumpkin pie recipe card and start baking.