Around the third week of September, I start to get the fall "decorating" itch. Over the years, I've accumulated some seasonal outdoor decorations that I use annually (wreaths, faux pumpkins, etc.), but mostly I have year-round items (lanterns, baskets, pillows, etc.) that can be changed to fit the season. Re-using items helps with storage and allows me to invest in decorative seasonal items that will only last a few months (corn stalks, pumpkins, etc.).
By the end of September, nurseries, local farms and grocery shops have started to display their fall plants, squash and pumpkins. I'm so excited to see more and more heirloom pumpkin and squash varieties popping up everywhere. Make sure to check your local farms and nurseries, as they often have new crops coming from the fields daily during late September/early October.
One of the seasonal tweaks I make is to introduce new colours and textures into my flower baskets and urns. Fall flower favourites include, different colour mums and ornamental cabbages. This year, I went with white and a beautiful deep burgundy coloured mum that goes well with the colours of my character home. As my home does have a lot of colour, I usually try to keep the flowers neutral or within the same tones as the paint to keep the overall look of the home cohesive and pleasing to the eye.
As for pumpkins, my biggest purchase every fall, there's so many new types available. This year, I am especially fond of casper pumpkins (medium-to-large in size with crisp white skins & orange flesh), blue pumpkins (medium-sized & varying shades of green, don't be fooled by the name!) and cinderella pumpkins (also medium-to-large in size & a vibrant, bright red-orange colour). I was also lucky enough to be at the nursery, just as they were bringing in a load of heirloom porcelain doll squashes (medium-sized, looks like a pumpkin shape & very pale pink in colour). Very exciting!
I find two of the best places to find unique, living decorations here in Vancouver are Cedar Rim Nursery and Port Kells Nursery. Both are located in Langley, BC. and offer a wide-selection of hay bales, pumpkins, ornamental and fall baskets and plants and they even have corn stalks. It's worth the drive to check out the seasonal selections at both these nurseries. They are locally owned and so knowledgeable about their products.
Every year, I tweak and re-arrange my porch decorations, but I have found that I stick to these Five Key Rules when decorating:
Tip No. 1: Layer and Use Different Heights
Using different heights while decorating draws the eye to different planes and angles. You want to create a sense of interest in the space. Layering hay bales and upturned planters to elevate lanterns provides varying visual lines and is a great way to see all the little details.
Tip No. 2: Use Natural Elements
When decorating outdoor spaces, I like to use a combination of materials that are actually found in nature. I'll often pick up interesting branches, leaves and bark that I find in the neighbourhood and use them to decorate with - especially during the winter season. For this year's porch, most of my materials came from the nursery, not the neighbourhood, but are still natural and living. I used a variety of elements such as hay bales, corn stalks, pumpkins, leaves and real bushel harvest baskets made from thin wood strips.
Tip No. 3: Use Contrasting Colours, Textures, Metals and Patterns In the Same Colour Family
Both the colour of my home and natural fall elements have earthy, warm tones. In keeping to that palette, I added plaid ribbon with a gold trim, a DIY gold fall wreath (see below for link to DIY), galvanized metal planter pots with bronzed trims, and terra cotta pots etc. as embellishments to the natural materials and pumpkins.
DIY Gold Fall Wreath (click here) - It's very cheap to make and looks amazing from the road!
Tip No. 4: Create Zones or Groupings
Believe it or not, but creating zones and grouping of decorations and furniture can actually make a space feel bigger than it is. My front porch is narrow, but runs the length of my home, so I wanted to create mini zones that each had a different feel or focus. I used the two corn stalks around the front door to give the eye a sense of symmetry, then I set out to create the different spaces. Multiple zones or groupings of decorations easily allows my family and Lola (you can see her hind leg in the photo above, she's camera shy!) access throughout the space and we can still accommodate mail delivery and front porch usage on warmer days!
Tip No. 5: Pillows & Throws - Bring the Indoors Outside
I might be alone on this one, but I can't help myself - throw pillows make me happy! I love the look of comfort they bring to furniture, so why not bring them to outdoor furniture as well. Last year I found these fabulous deep orange and burgundy fall plaid pillows at Home Depot. They are made from a great outdoor material that weathers rain and snow. I love how these pillows immediately cozy up the love seat and create a welcome feeling. So don't keep your throws and pillows inside, bring them outdoors as well!
I hope you all have a Happy Fall! Let me know how your fall porch decorating goes. Tag photos to #mykuratedlife.
Enjoy,
Krista
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