Simple but beautiful Thanksgiving decorating ideas...

I'm going to my parents for Thanksgiving this year, so aside from a few ornamental gourds and pumpkins I haven't done much Thanksgiving decorating. But if I was hosting this year I'd definitely being making some of these ideas my own...

For a more modern spin on a harvest theme, paint some leftover Halloween pumpkins white and use them on your Thanksgiving table.

Use some autumn colored leaves in place of these green ones if in your climate they're no longer green.  You could also try pine branches or just interesting bare branches.

We're used to seeing a lot of dark and earthy tones in Thanksgiving decor, but I actually like these fresh, light spaces. See the little pumpkins hanging from natural-fiber rope in the back?

images above via Digs Digs

Some really pretty ideas for dressing up candles.

I absolutely love this table setting

and this chair is gorgeous
via The Portfolio of Vickie Lan


Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year - what Thanksgiving decor do you like to use?

Halloween inspired interiors -great ideas and inspiration

Because I haven't lived anywhere with any real storage yet, I don't really have much in the way of decor. I still like to look at holiday homes though..and I think the ones below are all completely doable decorations!

I don't know how safe it is to put candles on the floor.  Either go the flameless route, or make sure there are no kids/pets that could knock them over. 

via Gap Interiors

so cute!

This table scape is seasonal but still sophisticated...
via 2 above via Trend Hunter

via I Heart Shabby Chic

via Lebaron Interiors

via Material Girls

via Trend Hunter

Do you like to decorate on the holidays?  How do you decorate for Halloween ?

Gorgeous little outdoor escapes...

Before we know it snow will be falling and ice will cover the roads ...atleast here in the north east. So enjoy these beautiful days of autumn outdoors while you still can... happy weekend!

I hope there's a beach behind that cottage....

so gorgeous...

via Pinterest

It's beginning to look a lot like fall...

I do not like cold weather. I'd pick 90 degrees and humid over 30 degrees any day. However, I LOVE autumn. Hands down the best season for fashion, a number of outdoor activities, and the return of the sense of coziness.

via Artessen via The City Sage

2 above via Habitually Chic

3 above via Artessen via Automatism

I love to bake....well, I love to eat baked goods..and autumn is the season for warm breads and muffins
via Pinterest

lovely

via Artessen via Saipua

Gorgeous Autumn and holiday decor and how to make it!

I am ashamed I'm not posting this DIY earlier. I've always though that gilt gourds is were so pretty, I just needed a good excuse to try it out! It makes gorgeous autumn decor - so I should have posted this in plenty of time for anyone interested to make it before the holidays. Regardless, I still thought it'd make a good post. My original inspiration was this gallery from Country Living.

I looked up a couple of step-by-step instructions, but the best instructions I found in the Mona Lisa Gold Leaf Kit, which I picked up at Michaels. This is what I recommend for beginners as it includes everything you need - primer, adhesive, gold leaf, sealer, and antiquing glaze.



My parents grew many gourds so I had my pick. You can get gourds online or from supermarkets if they're in season. Make sure they are dry, and have no punctures.


Here are a few supplies you may want to have on hand - gesso (which I used as a primer on the gourds that I only painted, not leafed). Paint (some of the gourds I just painted metallic gold to ad variety alongside the gilded ones). Brushes, paint stirrer, paint tray, palette knife for mixing small amounts of paint, a pencil and masking tape for creating designs on the gourds, and a leafing kit or supplies.

After picking the gourds I wanted to paint, I primed them with gesso, applying it only where I planned on painting them or applying the leaf.

This gourd I painted the top a metallic gold, and applied leaf on the bottom half. (Notice the red leaf primer on the bottom.) A dark color primer makes the gold leaf "pop" a little more.

Once the primer dries, apply adhesive as instructed on the label. I found applying the gold leaf was easy it I placed a piece of waxed paper over it, warmed the wax paper a little just by rubbing my hand over it, and then applying the leaf to the gourd. Try and touch the leaf with your fingers as little as possible. You only have to press the leaf to the gourd very lightly.

Brush off any excess flakes with a soft, dry, brush. A light touch will do. After that, coat it with the sealer well. After the sealer dries, apply the antiquing glaze as instructed on the label. This project does require a good amount of surface space, and can be messy so make sure you've allotted space and cover any surfaces. Also various amounts of drying time will be needed between steps.

So...without further ado...here are my results!





I lined a wood bowl with dried rye and than arranged the gourds to create a centerpiece.


What do you think?

Bedrooms that make you want to cozy down for autumn

I love autumn! The fresh smell of the air and chunky knit sweaters. It means airing out the quilts from storage and putting away the grill. The days are shorter and less daylight means more time indoors. So don't neglect your home and start planning how you'll transition your house this fall. One easy and relatively inexpensive way is to change out bedding and/or curtains. Hopefully these bedrooms will inspire you...



The autumn leaf red coverlet keeps the furniture from being absorbed in to the dark walls

images via "Domino: The Book of Decorating"

The dark wine walls and texture from the hopefully faux fur blanket say "warmth"
photo property of Dan Duchars

This mostly black bedroom is kept fresh with white linens and purple accent pillows
via Living Etc.

via Indenfor and Udenfor

unknown

Which one is your favorite?