Top Decoration

Simple, yet striking.


~Fall is in the air!~


Photos courtesy of BHG.com

Up until two days ago, I was fine with putting off decorating for Fall just a bit longer. Our Summer was fun and crazy busy and a little too short for some of us up here in the Pacific Northwest.

The past few days have given us quite a bit of rain, the kids are all back in school, orange mums are blooming in the garden, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes have returned.
(YAY!)

But despite all of that, I was still going to hold off on Fall.

Until I saw this...

M-hmmm. I know. It's perfection.

So, thanks to Michelle, my fall decorating has now begun.


What about you?
Are you settling into Fall or hanging onto Summer while you can?

A few weeks back, I was lucky enough to catch a great clearance sale. I happened to be at Target, browsing and looking for inspiration when I realized that they were rearranging merchandise and putting out their 75% Off signs.

Nice!

They only had a few of these...
A Photo Serving Tray - originally priced at $19.99, but marked down to $4.98.

SOLD!

I knew immediately that I would not be using it for photos, so as soon as I got home, I removed the entire back piece and pulled out the matting. I was left with this...

The perfect blank slate to make it my own!

Over the next couple of weeks I found 3 different placemats to use inside my serving tray - all three within the same neutral color family and all three with lots of texture and interest.

The one on the left came from Fred Meyer for less than $1.00 (can't beat that!) and the others came from Target...

This seagrass one was a no-brainer...

This one was the right color and I loved the embroidered pattern...

And this one, well...I just can't resist stripes...

A quick test run to make sure I actually liked each one in the tray...

Yep - good to go!


I removed the entire back (again), not where the photos would be inserted, but the entire back...

Fourteen teeny-tiny screws later...

I used the back as my template and used a pen to trace the shape right onto the placemat...

Perfect fit!

Onto the next, using the same process...

It wasn't until after I had drawn the lines that I realized that this placemat was lined. And suddenly I was nervous that without the lining the stitching would all fall out as I cut out the shape...

(Note: I do not sew. I know nothing about fabric and thread and whatever else goes into it. So if this "worry" of mine sounds ridiculous to you, it probably was.)

I used extreme caution with this fabric (whether it was necessary or not) and, luckily, the thread all stayed in tact...

Pretty!


Two down, one to go...

I have to admit, I did feel a little bit guilty cutting up three
brand new, perfectly good placemats...

But I got over it!

I loved how they were turning out...

Now the fun part...accessorizing!

A beachy look for the seagrass...

For the golden embroidery - a touch of nature.

I love how the green Jade plant and the green mussel shells play with the yellow.

And with the stripes - some fun for the kiddos!

Some brain teasers, wooden tic-tac-toe pieces, and lollipops...

And that's my clearance tray - three ways!

The best, BEST part...I can change it as often as I like! And the options are limitless.

This is a Made-for-Karla accessory right here.

:)

My only regret...that I didn't buy more of them when I had the chance!

I think this would make a great gift for someone, personalized to their style and decor.

I'll just have to be on the lookout for more!




P.S. I am linking to:

Metamorphosis Monday, Get Your Craft On, Just Something I Whipped Up, Show & Tell, Before & After Party, Make It Yours, Works For Me Wednesday,

For me, decorating for Autumn comes in the form of using nature to reflect the change in season. Pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, leaves...

what you see outside, is what you will see inside.

On the living room mantel, the more candles, the better...

A candle wrapped in leaves becomes a glowing display of color...

And simplicity is key.

Nothing fussy or overdone.

Indian Corn standing tall in a vase is about as easy as it gets...

Berries added to the Family Room mantle say "Autumn has arrived"...

And I love big pumpkins, not just outside, but inside as well...

I have two pictures that come out every Fall. I don't leave them on display all year long because both photos were taken at the pumpkin patch (a bit too seasonal to look at during the spring and summer), but I love looking at them through September, October and November.

My boys...

Owen, taken a few years ago...

And both of my Will's, taken on Little Will's first ever trip to the pumpkin patch (he was 10 months old)...

In the Living Room...

you will find more of the same.

Pinecones, twigs, nuts...natural materials that reinforce the feel of nature...

and one of my all time favorites this time of year...

I got these leaves a long time ago down in Sumner, WA on Main Street. A few blocks of old town shops filled to the brim with home decor that screams cozy and homey.

These leaves are made of paper and extremely fragile, but despite a few rips and tears they make their way out for display every year. I put these on top of the new built-in in the entryway, as well. I love the colors of them and the way they are variegated ever so slightly on the tips...

My fall decor finds its place in between items that I keep on display all year long.

For me, Autumn is about layering...muck like the way we layer on long sleeved shirts, sweaters, coats and scarves, this time of year...

...introducing new colors and textures to our home.


And then there are the kids - if they had it their way, the house would be filled with ghosts, bats, jack-o-lanterns and witches. So, to satisfy their need for a fun-filled holiday, these make their way out...

Simplicity in seasonal decorating appeals to my senses...

...until the day after Thanksgiving when the Christmas decor comes out, and then,
all bets are off!

(It's going to be here before we know it!)



And last, but not least, my favorite Autumn wreath...

I got this when we lived in Arizona, at the local Safeway.
Seriously - Safeway!
In the floral department.
Crazy, right?

The leaves are the same as the garland from Sumner, but the nuts, pinecones, seed pods and twigs are all real and have been dried and preserved.

It's so pretty, and I normally hang it outside on the front door. But this year, I decided to keep it inside where I can see it and enjoy it everyday...

So now it hangs on the inside of our front door.

Makes me happy!


Speaking of our front door...

a change is coming.

I'm not exactly sure when. This is one of those projects that I would have done while Will was away on a trip, but now that there aren't anymore trips...

This is one of those projects that he'll say "Why?" to.
You know, like, "why go through the trouble? It's just fine the way it is!"

Typical.

But I saw an example over a year ago and fell in love with the idea.

I would love to have it done before Christmas decorations go up.
That gives me a month to get it done.

Hmm...I wonder if there is a Procrastinator Party happening right now?

Might be just the motivation I need...





P.S. Don't forget to enter our Giveaway for one FREE item from Leen The Graphics Queen!

Click here to read all of the details!


P.S.S. I am adding this post to Beautiful Life Friday over at The Inspired Room

and Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home