Second to Christmas, I love decorating for fall.  What words evoke fall to you?  Fall to me means:

Crisp, clear, cool air….

Sundance, UT in the fall (photo by Terrie P)

Leaves that burst with rich, warm color….

What says fall more than these colorful leaves? (photo by Terrie P)

Scooping up armloads of leaves and running and jumping (or at least for the kids)….

 Harvest of pumpkins, gourds, fruits…..

Pumpkins and gourds for fall at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. (photo by Terrie P)

Nesting, cocooning, snuggling, curling up by a fire with a good book….

Curl up with a good book (or magazine) and favorite pet.

Fall is a prime time to bring the outdoors inside – collect those bright leaves, pinecones, nuts or seed pods, those late blooming flowers, garden harvest like corn or squash – and pull out baskets, vintage art, fall colored runners or fabric, candles, etc. and start creating some fabulous tablescapes or centerpieces.

A fall floral arrangement I made for a party. (photo by Terrie P)

I used 2 sizes of apothecary jars, filled one with lemons, one with limes (could use any fruit) then stuffed the vase with lots of orange lilies and greens.  A touch of wired fall ribbon draping over the side adds interest.  The shorter jar doesn’t have any greens and the single stem of lilies is cut to barely reach the top edge of the jar.

Welcome your guests with a seasonal wreath or swag that says “fall has arrived”.  This one below is from Window Gardens Direct.

Lush fall wreath to welcome guests.

Bring out terracotta pots, raffia or wired gingham ribbon, real or fake fall leaves, rust or brown napkins and make a simple, appealing centerpiece – even if you don’t have company coming.  Your family will appreciate the effort.

Decorate a table for fall.

Give your bedroom a facelift by changing the bedding as soon as it’s cool enough.  Bring in warm colors, puffy down comforters and lush soft throws to snuggle and keep warm under.

Let your bed envelope you in the colors of the season.

Early in the fall season just a touch of dried hydrangeas will give the hint that more fall is on the way.

Simple hydrangeas remind us fall is on the way. (photo from Country Living)

Sometimes all these vivid fall colors just don’t work in your style or for a particular event.  Here’s a fresh take on a more subtle fall centerpiece from Kateydid’s blog.

A subtle fall arrangement.

The calendar says September, which to me is the beginning of fall.  However, I know that in many parts of the country, including here in Arizona, temperatures are still in the 90′s or more.  But even here I’m detecting cooler, crisper mornings and I see buds on the chrysanthemums.  For those of you already enjoying a leaf turning red or a squash ripening on the vine, start gradually bringing those natural offerings indoors.  The rest of us aren’t far behind.  I’ll be sharing more fall and seasonal ideas as I start seeing evidence of fall around me.

If you’ve got a favorite decorating idea or unusual use of mother nature’s bounty, please share.  I’m always excited to see new decorating ideas.

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