Decorating for Fall: Painting and Accessorizing

Autumn Decorating

 Is this cool weather making anyone else crave Autumn, we are so close to the season!!! 49 days away from NFL kickoff, less than that for college football, 132 days til Thanksgiving, 105 days to Halloween, probably less than a month til we see Halloween candy on the shelves, and Halloween costume previews and sales have already begun online. The season is almost here!!!!!

While grocery shopping today on the chip isle I noticed "Pumpkin Seed Tortilla's" by Marie Farms. So, of course, I bought them and the chips are delicious. Tip: place the chips on a baking sheet lightly drizzled with olive oil, sprinkle a generous amount of Kraft's Five Italian Cheese on top, sprinkle two tablespoons of pepper over the cheese, and heat under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and melted (2-3 minutes). What a great Halloween side dish for a gathering this would make. 

Decorating For Fall

Since it really is close to the first day of autumn, lets talk decorations. Aside from Halloween decor, lets stick with simple ways to spice up the home for those cozy, comfortable, cool autumn days. Start the season with some simple steps using easy to find items to bring fall inside. 

• Autumn Paints-okay, I am a sucker for fall colors and a favorite paint is Benjamin Moore's Key West Ivory, Hepplewhite ivory, Pumpkin Spice, Harvest Moon, Spiced Apple Cider, and Pumpkin Mousse. Now, even though I love these colors and they are great for indoors, especially for kitchens and bathrooms, the one place I love seeing these colors throughout the year is actually on the screened-in porch and the outside decks. Now, most paint companies have similar colors, I have tried others and just found that I like the pallets offered at Ben. Moore, but this is an awesome way to bring some fall into the home and my favorite place to paint in one of these colors is definitely the kitchen.
•  Fall Colored Accessories- Decorating rooms for the season does not mean having to change the paint color or the furniture, by just changing the items on the fireplace mantle, the pillows, throws, or curtains, the home can be turned into an autumn wonderland.

1. Pillows-There are some great original fall pillows available on EBay, and of course, finding fall colored pillows on sale at major retailers is also an option.
2. Crafty items-Lots of fall crafts available throughout magazines during the season, a personal favorite is making owl, ghost or cat faces using a cleaned pumpkin and acorns, sunflower seeds, and whatever other item from the craft store on sale that is available (directions to come in a later blog). For these items, I like to place them on the fireplace because they give an extra touch of the season .
3. Autumn Leaves-Okay, clear the fireplace mantle, get two clear or same colored long bottles (wine bottles without the labels even), go outside or to the craft store, and find long twigs with lots of colored leaves, place on the mantle with an autumn scented candle in the middle, well away from the leaves or on either side of a large picture or television. This is also a great idea for tablescapes.
4. Curtains (including shower curtains) and table clothes-two items that are absolutely easy to change  and are available at every home store, in the home section of stores, and online. Paired with seasonal pillows in the living room and towels in the bathroom, the decorating is jut that simple.

• Candles-It is not fall without the smell of the season throughout the house. Candles are a seasonal essential in this home. They make perfect table toppers, mantle accessories, and can be placed in decorative holders. Two favorites, Yankee and Partylite.

So, these are a few tips on decorating, more to come along with instructions on how to, but for now, start preparing so when the time comes, all one has to do is pull out the items and go to town!!!! Happy Autumn.