Living in Phoenix and close surrounding areas in Arizona, we always
experience a slow transition into fall. As we ease into the new season and
the warm days get cooler, the slow transition of colors and textures begins to
appear.
Many of you know that color is my passion, and I use color to speak and
express…to tell a story. Here is another opportunity to let the brilliance of
the beautiful autumn colors do the talking. You can take the richest colors
we have from nature to enjoy a new mood in your home. Many DIY tricks
revolve around color.
One of the places to begin this change of statement is at the front door.
And don’t neglect your back or garage door if that is where you enter your
home every day. Your entry area is a perfect place for the introduction of the
new season and we can carry the theme inside, too.
We certainly can look to the usual wreath to hang on the doors as well as
bring out pumpkins in all colors, shapes, and sizes. Who said you can only
make one pumpkin for Halloween? Start early and keep going until
Thanksgiving. You can create your own pumpkin family.
A great way to highlight this is with lanterns which of course show up so
much more at night. They will give charm and interest to your home as well
as a warm glow…a great way to welcome guests into your home. You can
get lanterns in all sizes and shapes. Certainly, now is the time to burn
candles outside since the weather is cool and they won’t melt!
Find some autumn colored leaves, either go up north and pick your own or
go to the crafts stores for fabric versions, and scatter them near your entry
door. It’s fun to walk on them and feel the symbols of autumn underfoot.
Inside your home, place those cute little pumpkins around. You can give
each one its own design with paint or magic markers. Include the sink
areas in bathrooms and kitchen, bedroom, night tables, family room, bookshelves, and fireplace mantle. Decorating with them will bring you a smile.
Mix silk leaves with real ones and place them on tables and shelves under
and around accessories and lamps for accent all around your home.
Decorate your dinner table with these and other natural symbols of autumn.
Treat yourself to a new set of fall colored placemats. For fun get them in
different colors and color change them from place to place each night so
you have variety at every meal. Your dishes and flatware will look new, too!
Since fall fashion has its own color palette, play it up. Most color schemes
can handle a pumpkin colored pillow or vase placed carefully to accent a
room. Or you may have your favorite color for the season. These simple
DIY decor tricks make inexpensive seasonal statements. Then you can put
them away and save them until next year. I have an orange lamp I bring out
October 1 until December 1 and keep it in the closet the rest of the year.
Just remember everyone can create a DIY experience and what better
time to do this than NOW! Remember, rooms have no feelings, YOU do!!!!!!!!
Barbara Kaplan, Design Enthusiast – offers personal interior design
consultations for guidance, ideas, and solutions to make your home and
lifestyle truly yours. Contact Barbara at Barbara@BarbaraKaplan.com