Autumn is in the air, and this lovely season has also arrived at my blog. My most recent posts have featured the iconic fall flavors: earthy pumpkin, spicy cinnamon, appetizing apples, and warm vanilla. However, this week the children and I decided to take a break from the baking, by work together to create some inexpensive autumn home decorations. These simple ideas can be used inside or outside of the home to create the look and feel of the autumn season. By using thrifted and natural items (found outdoors), we were able to create a warm and welcoming seasonal space.
So go ahead, grab your pumpkin spice lattes and your creativity, and join me (and my homeschool crew), as we seek to celebrate this wonderous autumn season… sprinkled with just the right amount of glitter and love. Let us do this- by first taking a moment- to observe the magical world in which we all live.
~Autumn Moments Inspire Autumn Decorations~
If you are in need of creative inspiration just step out into nature and be still. Behold, the beauty of the season. As you step out into nature, breathe in the crisp autumn air, enjoy the warmth of the golden sunshine on your back, smell the fragrant aroma of damp burning leaves, see the vibrant colors of the foliage, and be still. What marvelous gifts from above!
Having experienced some of the joys of autumn this week, I wanted to create a few seasonal “moments” around my home to celebrate the beauty of the season. As is my custom, I tried to use mostly thrifted items and items I already had in my cupboard. (This is a good challenge- not more, new things, but more of the available things.)
In fact, I find my best creative ideas come when I build off a single creative thought. A single thought, then becomes a more considered thought, as I add to that original thought… by “layering” in my collected treasures. Sometimes an item springs to mind that I do not have on hand- so I simply ask myself, “What can I use that I already have?” Or “Can this item be found on the shelves of a thrift store?”
Which conveniently brings me to the purpose of this post: to give my readers creative, seasonal ideas that do not cost the earth.
~Inside, Outside Autumn Decorations~
My vision for a “front porch moment” started several weeks ago, when I purchased a wooden stool from a thrift store. (You may have seen the stool before in my post on powder room ideas, if not, click here).
Sometime later, while looking through a thrift store window, I spotted the most amazing flowerpot. From there, visions of pumpkins and flowers began to dance around my head, and a new/old look was born in my imagination.
Being thrifty and enjoying the beauty of my vintage flowerpot so much made me then decide to incorporate some of my outside decorations- inside. Two different looks for the price of one.
I also chose to incorporate some of my earlier ideas (i.e. my leaf garland from this post), into a few new decorative moments. Some items you may recognize, and some things will be new. (Again, the idea of using available things instead of always buying new things.)
~A "Word" On, Decorating in Layers~
The creative thought process often begins as a single idea- which then blossoms into something else. Basically, you are adding more “meat to the bone” by layering items and ideas. For, the “layers” are where the magic happens.
It is my hope you can take some of these ideas and make them your own- by “layering in” your own personal tastes and creativity. Think of my ideas as little “tidbits” that you can take away to turn into your own scrumptious “feast”.
~It Started with a Humble Wooden Stool~
As I shared before, the wooden stool was my first inspiration. (Normally, this helpful stool is beside my children’s bathtub.) It is perfect for giving baths to little ones, whilst saving your back. Also perfect to hold the completely unglamorous, but necessary, items- such as toilet paper.
However, I wanted to give our little stool a grander purpose in life- and allow it too, to enjoy the beautiful autumn season. This is how it ended up on my front porch. It is worth noting that while we do have a covered front porch, some of my autumn display is more of a temporary beauty. Items like baskets and candles are subject to the damp conditions of the season so you may use these ideas for more decorative purposes.
~A Two-toned Vintage Flowerpot~
Now enters my second inspiration piece: my two-toned vintage flowerpot. When browsing a thrift store, certain things grab my attention. On this particular instance, I was immediately drawn to the pink flower border. Actually, when I first observed it- through the shop window- I thought it was a mixing bowl or maybe a fruit bowl.
This multipurpose flowerpot/planter has given me three functional and beautiful uses. First, on the front porch, second as a pumpkin holder on my countertops, and the third use will be revealed shortly.
A triple threat, a threefold bargain!
~A Free Flowerpot to Add to the Collection~
As I was working on my autumn decorations in the garage, I stumbled across an old, forgotten, terracotta flowerpot. This was the perfect porch accompaniment.
I recalled the day, some years ago, when my husband and I found this pot at the end of the road and decided to rescue it from a life doomed for the rubbish pile. Wanting to add my own twist to the flowerpot, I decided to lighten its clay- red color revealing a softer, more subtle, pink.
Needing some assistance, I called my Happy Hawks Homeschool crew together. When they were all assembled, I instructed them to be on the lookout for small leaves- the prettiest they could find. After they brought me their offerings, I inspected each colorful leaf searching for the most vibrant, pliable prize.
Now that we had our hand-picked stash, we used a bit of Mod Podge to attach the leaves to the top border of the flowerpot. (This look was to mimic the pink flowers on my vintage planter pot). After this, we added a few flakes of gold leaf… and wa- la, we had created a fun autumn flowerpot… for maybe fifty cents.
~A Welcoming Front Porch, Perch~
For the full assembly, I added a thrifted basket, some fresh pumpkins (from a previous post- waste not want not), my planter flowerpots, and some candles to create a very “Elizabeth” autumn porch moment.
Then I pulled the rocking chair close, decorated the back of the chair with my now dried leaf garland (from my last post), and added a pillow with a burlap bow.
Now I have a festive, frugal place to perch and watch the children play. If I had a pumpkin spice latte magically delivered to my hand- that would be the cream on top. But of course, that isn’t going to happen so I guess I will settle for a warming cuppa tea.
Ahh, the little things.
~An Autumn Wreath Sash~
A few years ago, my husband and I bought two front porch door wreaths. Nothing fancy, we got them from Lowes (if memory serves me). I wanted to jazz them up a bit this year. The children and I got out my grandmother’s vintage sewing machine and sewed a simple sash for our wreaths.
My sash is a bit shorter than the traditional wreath sash, but the premise of this blog post, is to use what was available to me. I had a yard of cream-colored cotton fabric stashed away, so this is what I used. My idea was for my wreath sashes to look like little sailor bow ties. A simple decorative piece, that did not take away from the overall feel of the wreath. I also did not want my sashes to be so long that little, curious hands could tug on them.
In the end my sash dimensions were as follows: 35 inches long by 5 inches wide. Traditionally a sash would be around 55 inches long. I folded my fabric together (pretty sides together if you have a pattern), ironed, pinned, and then cut my dimensions. Then I cut an angle on the bottom of the sashes to create a tail. The perimeter sides were sewn together, but I did leave a small opening, so that I could turn the sash right side out. All that was left to do was to press the sashes and close the small gap. (You can hand sew this or use an iron-on tape.)
~A Little Sparkle~
After being outside on the front porch, let us venture indoors with a few of my porch decorations in hand. Before we arrive at the dining table, let us rewind back a little… to last month
Again, like a mother duck (speaking of mother ducks, find my Cotswold Kitchen Mom Facebook or Pinterest page to learn about a reading activity involving ducklings), I gathered my homeschool pupils before me and asked them to collect as many acorns as they could from the backyard. “BUT”, I instructed them, “the acorns must have their adorable top “caps” on.” “Oh, and one more thing, get the biggest ones you can find!” (“Of course, being mindful not to pry any acorns from the hands of a squirrel!”) And just like that… my little scavengers where off.
When their forage had ended, we took their bounty, cleaned them off a bit, and decided to spray-paint the capped acorns with sparkle spray-paint…just to give them a bit more personality and pizazz.
Moreover, I enjoyed my leaf garland so much that I decided to make two new strands. (See post here for instructions) Not wanting to do exactly the same trick, I spray-painted the garlands with golden, glitter paint. And instead of using them in a “roller coaster wave” pattern, I draped them around the perimeter of my oval table runner.
Cue the sparkly acorns: We simply scattered out golden acorns about in groups of three. (Note: often decorating in odd numbers is pleasing to the eyes.)
All that was left to do was to add our vintage flowerpot (previously perched outdoors) to the table center- and with the addition of a few vintage candles- another inexpensive table centerpiece was created.
~Putting It All Together: An Autumn Dining Table~
~Until Next Time~
Having spent my morning time allotted for writing my post (as my four children are clamoring for my attention), I will conclude this post. I hope you have all gleaned some creative tips for your own autumn decorations. If you like posts like this that feature DIY home decorations and crafts, please comment and let me know.
In my next post we will be back in the kitchen for a fancy, festive, and heart-warming, English treat.
Any guesses what this could be?
Tune in next Friday to find out.
Until next week…
~Elizabeth~
Awesome job! Come decorate for me.