You know I love to use fillers in my candle containers or floral arrangements. Remember the peas? Well I was just thinking the other day about what I could use for a fall filler. Nuts, leaves, etc...? Check out this candle with corn. I think it's perfect for fall and you don't have to worry about the corn changing in appearance if you buy it already dried. I love that it is natural too. BINGO!
(photo from bhg.com)
Carry your love of butterflies into the fall this year! Here is a simple, pretty idea for decorating your home for autumn while still including the beautiful butterfly.
Collect your favorite color turned leaves from the yard. I can't ever decide between red or orange! Press between the pages of a heavy book for two weeks. Use a small strip of plain paper for base. With a skewer, apply glue to tip of a leaf; secure to base for a bottom wing. Working from bottom to top, glue remaining leaves, which should overlap slightly, to base. Glue two leaf stems to the top of a thin leaf for antennae. Glue thin leaf vertically to white base for the butterfly's body. A mat border and frame give a finished look while protecting the leaves.
(photo and how-to from marthastewart.com)
Well I just can't wait any longer to transform my home into a fall wonderland! I almost enjoy decorating for fall as much as Christmas. Anyone else feel that way? Don't get me wrong I love Christmas decorations. I think I am just more drawn to fall colors.
For fall I change out centerpieces, decorate the mantle, change pillow covers, and burn pumpkin spice scented candles. YUM! I keep it confined to the family room and outdoors (wreath, mums). My mom even changes out her bedding!
BHG has some great ideas for fall decorating. I just love how this one is a combo of fruit and branches. Great for the kitchen or as a table centerpiece.
Do you decorate your home for fall? I'd love to hear all about it!
I love that Sunflowers are making a big comeback for late Summer decorating! They are so bright and cheerful. To me they signal that Fall is not far away (thank goodness!).
Here are a few ideas for incorporating them into your End of Summer Parties:
The yellow and dark brown really make an impact on this table setting.
These plates would be perfect for an end of summer gathering. They are rustic and earthy.
This sunflower table decor incorporates lemons. A great addition to the bright yellow and blue. These arrangements are a bit dressier with roses added to the bouquets.
Pillow covers to spread the theme throughout your house.
And for dessert...sunflower cupcakes.
Sunflower seeds would make perfect party favors! I love the rustic simplicity of this arrangement.
Sunflowers are so versatile. You can dress them up or down. Combined with other flowers or alone they make unique arrangements. I hope this inspires you to say goodbye to summer with a celebration. Have fun planning all of your end of summer soirees!
Have I told you lately how much I love anything BIRCH? I love adding little touches of it all over my house. This rustic table is so easy and budget friendly! Now I just need to visit somewhere Birch trees grow!
(photo from allyou.com)
Here is another one of those interesting, lovely flower arrangements we talk about. This time the vase is a large shell. Perfect for summer decorating. I think I've seen these large shells at Michael's.
Seashell Arrangement How-To
1. Choose a sizable shell that sits securely -- without rocking or falling over -- when its aperture, or opening, faces upward. Begin by soaking a block of floral foam in water until saturated, usually a few minutes (the moist foam will then keep your arrangement fresh for 3 to 4 days).
2. With a sharp knife, cut the foam to fit inside the shell's opening, trimming it as necessary. Press and pack the piece of foam down into the shell; it should fill the opening to just below the lip.
3. Use a pencil or a stick to make holes an inch or so deep in the foam for plants with pliant stems, such as hostas and ferns; sturdy or woody stems can be pushed directly into the foam. Combine flowers and greenery as you wish to create a pleasing arrangement.
(photo and how to from marthastewart.com)
While looking for ideas to spice up our back deck I found this picture of a deck very similar to ours.
Most everything is the same except we don't have benches. I would love a rug like this! It makes it so cozy along with the floor cushions. The web is full of inspiration! Hope this inspires you to spruce up your outdoor spaces.
(photo from myhomeideas.com)
THAT is the question. I've been looking for another project and I think I've found it! The inside of the house is pretty much done for now so I'm moving to the outside. In the front of the house I always do monochromatic colors of flowers, chairs, etc. In the back I decorate with all kinds of colors. Multicolored tablecloth, chairs and flowers. I love color.
My chairs have seen better days because they are totally exposed to the elements. I've thought about buying cushions to spice them up, but then the cushion would just get dirty.
Then I found these ideas from BHG for painting patio furniture! They are so colorful and bright.
Love love the polka dots and daisies below!
I have a beverage tub like this. I think this would be a lot of fun to paint.
The cool blue stripes below go great with the pool.
So I've painted designs on wooden furniture for indoors. My question is would this sort of thing work on chairs like this??:
According to BHG you use acrylic paint then seal with a varnish. I've heard of plastic paint too. Anyone ever painted outdoor furniture before? Mine would be in the sun and rain so I'm wondering if the designs would fade and/or come off. The chairs are not expensive so I'm thinking it will be fun to try it and if they get messed up it won't be a huge loss! Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated!
I am constantly amazed by all of the different ways to arrange flowers. Especially when they are arranged in easy to find, inexpensive containers like these little fishbowls. I just love the simplicity of these arrangements. Bonus-I have both zinnias and hosta in my yard. If you don't have them in your yard they are available at most any nursery or hardware store.
These fishbowls are filled 2/3 full of water. A hosta leaf is then curled around the inside of the bowl. Add any flowers you like. They used three to five per bowl here. Then stack at varying heights. Now you have a bright summery floral display.
(photo from myhomeideas.com)
