Homey Seasonal Decor Finds

Homey seasonal decor finds in rich hues and flavorful tastes frame this picture perfect season.

fall-2021-inspiration

Excitement surrounding the first day of fall compares to Christmas day in my book.

I’m selecting songs for a fall into autumn playlist, and the big blue gumbo pot is ready for the c’est si bon celebration of the season and its cornucopia of seasonings.

pecan-pies-fall-Keith-Robinson-Flower-Magazine-photo-David-Hillegas

Y’all know my affinity for taking a photo and replicating it with in the style finds.

Well let me just say how taken I am with this bountifully beautiful display created by event designer Keith Robinson as featured in Flower Magazine.

Wood Cake Stand - Hearth & Hand

I can’t locate a recipe for pecan pie from Mr. Robinson, but I use the  Homemade Pecan Pie recipe from Karo Syrup, so classic it is.

Homemade Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1 cup Karo® Light OR Dark Corn Syrup

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter melted

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1-½ cups (6 ounces) pecans

1 (9-inch) unbaked OR frozen deep-dish pie crust

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla using a spoon.  Stir in pecans.  Pour filling into pie crust.

Bake on center rack of oven for 60 to 70 minutes (see tips for doneness, below).  Cool for 2 hours on wire rack before serving.

Place cookie sheet in oven and preheat oven as directed. Pour filling into frozen crust and bake on preheated cookie sheet.

High Altitude Adjustments: Reduce sugar to 2/3 cup and increase butter to 3 tablespoons.  Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

-Karo Syrup

pink-rust-orange-mums (1)

Chrysanthemums (mums) are plentiful at fall, relatively inexpensive, and the color array spectacular.

Stone-like Grey Large Decorative Vase

Stone-like Grey Large Decorative Vases

Stone and earthenware decorative vases and planters become focal point accents for housing seasonal flowers, branches, and stems.

Rustic Vase Brown

No fuss-no muss simplicity at its serveware best is achieved with new or vintage stoneware bowl(s).

Pure fall, pure vintage beauty.

chocolatey brown antique farmhouse, stoneware mixing bowl

Antique RED WING Yellow Ware Bowl
Chocolatey Brown Stoneware Mixing Bowl

Serving boards made from natural materials serve well as versatile, uncomplicated choices for showcasing the foods and flavors of fall.

Brown Wood Look Plate

Wood Style Plate from Hobby Lobby

As I’ve stated before, never confuse simple with cutting corners or skimping on the details.

tondo-12-round-platter

Tondo Wooden Plates

Cozy is easily achieved when the emphasis is placed on inviting- the main ingredient in the recipe for putting together a fall fête for a party of two or intimate gathering for friends and family.

Teak Root Wedge Reclaimed Wood Serving Board

Teak Root Wedge Reclaimed Wood Serving Board

When casual elegance meets tone on tone layering meets inviting ambiance, a stellar result is achieved.

pumpkin-wood-serving-platter

Amber Glow Pumpkin Wood Serving Platter

Pumpkins quickly come to mind when considering autumn-fall theme accessories for home and table, but have you noticed the popularity of the mushroom?

Handmade Wood Mushrooms Tabletop Decor Collection

Handmade Wood Mushrooms Tabletop Decor Collection

Homey seasonal decor finds in a neutral colors fit right in with the natural state of the season’s beauty.

Seagrass Woven Pumpkin

Seagrass Woven Pumpkins

Crisp notes in the late afternoon air, tole serving trays, cake domes, and fall themed loaf pans stirs up all the fall feels, finds, and flavors.

tole-tray-cake-cover

Apple nut cake is set for the cake stand come Wednesday, but first, whipped maple pie.

whipped-maple-pie

Maple is among the taste of fall favorites, and is the featured flavor in this super easy to make dessert.

maple-syrup-flavoring-vanilla

Whipped Maple Pie

Ingredients

1 deep dish pie crust

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla instant pudding

1½ cup cold milk

½ cup pure maple syrup

1 tsp. maple flavoring

1  container (8 oz.) thawed whipped topping

nutmeg for dusting

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F.  Remove frozen pie crust from package and allow to thaw for 20  minutes.

Using a fork, prick the bottom and sides of the pie crust with to help reduce shrinkage and bubbling.  To ensure the crust bakes off properly, place an empty pie pan the same size inside the crust.

Place pie crust on baking sheet and bake on lower oven rack for 12-15 minutes, allowing to cool once removed from oven.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together instant pudding and milk until firm.  Add maple syrup and maple flavoring; mix well.  Fold in whipped topping; mix until incorporated.

whipped-pudding

Spoon mixture into cooled pie crust. Dust top of pie with nutmeg and top with nuts.

Refrigerate 1 hour.

Drizzle maple syrup over pie just before serving.

stoneware-pie-dish-set

Stoneware Pie Dish, Set of 3

Pie today, parfaits tomorrow with this recipe.

Bee & Willow™ Goblet in Gold

Bee & Willow™ Goblets

Grab a jar, tumbler, or goblet and working in layers begin with crushed cookies (vanilla wafers, gingersnaps, graham crackers- all delicious choices).

Next, add a generous tablespoon of the maple pudding mixture.

Repeat with another layer of crushed cookies and complete the dish with a final addition of the maple pudding mixture.

Top with a dollop of whipped topping, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, and walnuts or fresh Louisiana pecans.

The delicious proof is in the pudding.

empty-mixing-bowl

Gorgeously anticipating fall’s color rich-seasonally tasty arrival on this blog post writing afternoon makes for perfect blog post writing conditions.

fall-is-my-favorite-color-blog

That and streaming The French Chef with Julia Child featuring three French favorites:

Tarte aux Pommes Classique
Tarte des Demoiselles
Tarte Tartin starring apples, cinnamon, and butter- the fall baking trinity.

red-fall-apples (2)

Julia Child is a classic, her personality endearing, and her recipes favorites in the Places In The Home test kitchen.

Between the show, recipes, and hint of crisp in the air I’m inspired to add her Tarte aux Pommes to my must make for fall recipe file.

Tarte aux Pommes

Ingredients

10-inch partially cooked pastry shell

4 pounds cooking apples

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/3  cup apricot jam/preserves

1/3  cup Calvados, rum or cognac (or 1 tablespoon vanilla)

2/3  cup granulated sugar for topping

3 tablespoons butter

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 375F. Quarter, core, and peel the apples. Cut enough to make 3 cups into 1/8-inch lengthwise slices and toss them in a bowl with the lemon juice and sugar.  Reserve them for the top of the tart.

Cut the rest of the apples into rough slices.  You should have about 8 cups. Place in a pan and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.

Beat in apricot jam, Calvados, sugar, butter, and cinnamon.  Raise heat and boil, stirring, until applesauce is thick enough to hold in a mass in the spoon.

Spread the applesauce in the pastry shell.  Cover with a neat, closely overlapping layer of sliced apples arranged in concentric circles.

Bake in upper third of preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the apples have browned lightly and are tender.  Slide the tart onto a serving dish and paint over it with a light coating of apricot glaze. Serve warm or cold with whipping cream or a scoop of ice cream.

Apricot Glaze

½ cup apricot preserves, forced through a sieve

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Stir the strained apricot preserves and sugar over moderately high heat until thick enough to coat the spoon with a light film, and the last drops are sticky as they fall from the spoon (225-228 degrees on a candy thermometer).  Do not boil past this point or the glaze will become brittle as it cools.

Apply the glaze while it is still warm. Unused glaze will keep indefinitely in a screw-top jar.

-Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Volume I

Stoneware Pumpkin Serving Dish - Threshold™

Stoneware Pumpkin Serving Dish – Threshold™

Delicious year round, but these flavors shine at the fall table.

fall-jellies-jams-preserves

Sunday night dinners here at the Places In The Home ponderosa tend to be the breakfast for dinner type.

Biscuits.

Pancakes.

Eggs with fried apples.

round ceramic baking dish grill dinner plates

Found and placed on my fall finds list for suppers such as these is a set of Bruntmor Set Of 4 Matte Glaze Ceramic Food Serving Plates With Skillet Look.

coffee-tea-flavors-fall

Coffee drinking and tea sippin’ season and seasoned warm beverages complement and spice fall’s crisp days into brisk cozy evenings.

Homey Seasonal Decor FindsMason Cash | In The Forest Batter Bowl
Polyresin Pine Cone Table Decor     
Antique BM&T Covered Vegetable 1896  
Metallic Silver Scroll Charger Plate
Nordic Ware Leaf-Lettes Cakelet Pan, 2.5 Cup

fall-home

Homey seasonal decor finds frame this picture perfect season and welcome the best of the season to home and hearth.

This is how we welcome fall home.

love signature

DIY Fall Decor Project Ideas

Crisp air, nature’s bounty, and a hot glue gun is all the inspiration needed to get the DIY fall decor project ideas flowing.

apple-pear-wreath-candle-ring

The little apple candle wreath that could is falls into my PhD (Project half Done) studies.

Believe me, the faux apples are not as red as they appear in the images.

They’re red alright,  but not quite as bright red as seen in some of the images.

If I could get the lighting right on both space and camera, I’d be dangerous.

what-you'll-need

Styrofoam-wreath

apple-wreath-supplies-fall

DIY wreath projects need not be a complicated endeavor.

Where’s the fun in that?

For this particular project I chose a Styrofoam wreath form.

fall-craft-apple-wreath

Remnants leftover from the umpteen burlap bags used for everything from placemats to gift bags came together to base wrap the wreath in order to cover the Styrofoam.

scissors-burlap

Hot glue gun used for this step.

wreath-ribbon

Striving for a more polished look than that of the rustic burlap bags, I wrapped the entire form with burlap ribbon purchased from Dollar Tree, pinning the ribbon with a few straight pins to secure into place.

wrapped-wreath-form-burlap-ribbon

Grab a paper or download a Michaels coupon and let the DIY fall decor project ideas savings begin.

Let me let you all in on a little secret…

DIY projects can get expensive, so clip those coupons.

apple-wreath-materials

Place faux apples and pears around the form to get an idea of how you want the finished look to turn out.

fall-apple-wreath-form

Heat up the glue gun (use caution with these things), and once it gets hot glue the faux fruit in place.

making-a-wreath-for-fall

Spanish moss is not only decorative, it covers a multitude of gaps and DIY mistakes.

apples-stacked

There you have it.

apple-candle-ring-1

I absolutely love this sweet sweet DIY potpourri wreath from Sweet Something Designs.

potpourri-wreath-fall

Simple elegance comes to a door or chair frame near you by way of a bag or two of potpourri, a grapevine wreath, your favorite color, texture, and pattern ribbon, and the usual wreath making tools and glue gun to hold fall fabulous all together.

what-you'll-need

grapevine-wreath-medium

potpourri-mix-for-making-fall-wreath-1

Simple instructions of hot gluing potpourri pieces to wreath and topping off the look with a bow in your choice of ribbon.

fall-inspired-ribbon

Laura of Garden Answer posted another wonderful fall wreath how-to video giving us five different options to choose from.

How fall flipping cute is the owl wreath?

owl-wreath-Garden-Answer

what-you'll-need

grapevine-wreath-medium

Grapevine wreath.

Hydrangea.

Pine cones.

An assortment of fall leaves.

Feathers.

Small craft gourds.

Dried and/or fresh floral stems.

Seasonal blooms.

Decorative owl figure.

Laura uses echinacea, rose hips, hydrangea, clematis, sedum, vines, pine cones, autumn leaves, and a most darling owl.

wreath owl supplies

pheasant-feathers-Joann1

Jo-ann Fabric

Owl cute is this!

Pinecone Owl

Pinecone Owl

Magnolia tree flower and leaves

Flickr

fall-maple-leaves

Items sourced and found at Jo-Ann Fabrics on a free shipping Saturday afternoon signals the cart is full of DIY fall decor project ideas.

wreath-for-fall-2020

what-you'll-need

Jo-Ann-wreath

Purchased for this project list:

18″ Grapevine Wreath

Zucker Feather Products 12 pk Duck Gilded Feathers

Bloom Room Autumn 19” Millet Leaf Bush Yellow

Place & Time Fall Harvest Textured Ribbon 2.5″

Bloom Room Autumn Hanging Pinecone Acorn Natural

From nature:

Pinecones

Nandina

Hydrangea

Juniper

Fresh pine

natural-elements

Nandina berries  fresh pine and juniper

dried-stems-fresh-berries

Placement is ruled by where the bulk of the clippings and stems fit best without much effort in securing to wreath.

Why make things difficult?

wreath-embellishments

Undone paper clips help to secure stems to the wreath.

glue-gun-heating-up

I hot glued the pinecones and hanging pinecone acorn to the wreath with ease and great success.

placement

pine-cone-decor

Professional bow maker will never find its way onto my resume, but I can fake it till I make it with the best of them.

making-bow-with-green-ribbon

A trusty loop and twist method works, and pipe cleaners-stems looped around the center and twisted several times holds everything in place.

Once you decide where on the wreath the bow will go, feed the “ends” of the pipe cleaners-stems in an over and under method through a couple of the wreath twigs in that section.

Gentle pull up on the pipe cleaner-stem ends to pull the bow close to the wreath.

green-bow-for-wreath

Secure the bow in place, twist the ends together, tuck the stems into the wreath twigs to hide, and fluff the bow.

bow 1

Gold feathers tucked in visually strategic spots

wreath-goodies

wreath DIY fall decor project ideas

As time marches on the nandina is turning a stunning golden crimson.

So fall fabulous!

fall-colors-foliage

DIY wreaths naturally mirror the beauty of the season.

love signature

Decorative Ideas For Firewood Storage

Decorative ideas for firewood storage and accents come to mind on these first days of fall.

fireplace tile

Better Homes & Gardens

Antique Hessian Soldier Andirons

Antique Hessian Soldier Andirons

Ceramic Blue Nautical Delft Design Ship Windmill Set of 9

Blue Nautical Delft Ship Windmill Set of 9 of 4.25″ Kiln Fired Ceramic Tiles

Fireplace days are here again, and I for one could not be more excited for an evening round the fire cozy at home.

to-everything-there-is-a-season

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

fall-living-room-fireplace

House Beautiful – Photography by Reid Rolls

Throughout this post I’ll include decorative ideas for firewood storage along with new, vintage, and in the style of accents for your seasonal decorating consideration.

Claw Leg Saddle Stool

Claw Leg Saddle Stool

Horse Brass Fireplace Tool Set

Horse Brass Fireplace Tool Set

Black Wrought Iron Log Holder With Leather Carrier - Black

Black Wrought Iron Log Holder With Leather Carrier – Black

Santa Claus chic, and home for the holidays approved.

Bronze Antler Fireplace Collection

Bronze Antler Fireplace Collection

Accent and accessories used in expected ways and in unexpected placement have the ability to impress and add charm to the spaces and places in and around the home.

fireplace-kitchen-green-walls

House Beautiful – Photography by Susan Gilmore

Victorian industrial architectural andirons

Victorian Industrial Architectural Andirons

Black Large 52 in. W Steel Frame 3-Panel Fireplace Screen with Heavy Guage Woven Mesh

3-Panel Fireplace Screen with Heavy Gauge Woven Mesh

Minuteman-International-Forest-Fox-Emblem-Fireplace-Screen_2C-38-Inch-Long_2C-Antique-Brass-and-Matte-Black

Antique Brass and Matte Black 1-Panel Forest Fox Emblem Fireplace Screen

Rare Antique Spindle Windsor Style Wood Central Splat Back Chair

Rare Antique Spindle Windsor Style Wood Central Splat Back Chair

Vintage copper Coal Scuttle Bucket

Vintage Copper Coal Scuttle Bucket

pink-walls-fireplace-Tim-Charles

House & Garden – Photo by Tim Charles

french-louis-xv-style-antique-walnut-fireplace-screen

French Louis XV Antique Style Walnut Fire Screen

Large Black & Natural Basket by Ashland®

Large Black & Natural Basket by Ashland®

Handled-Basket

Handled Basket

Cattail and Paper Terra Basket

Cattail and Paper Terra Basket

Large Bamboo Basket with Handles - Threshold™

Large Bamboo Basket with Handles

Large Bamboo Basket with Handles – Threshold™

Corvina Unlacquered Polished Brass Chandelier

Corvina Unlacquered Polished Brass Chandelier

Corvina Unlacquered Polished Brass Chandelier

Amazing Quality Find! Fantastic Antique French Louis XV Rococo Ornate Brass Fireplace Andirons

Antique French Louis XV Rococo Ornate Brass Fireplace Andirons

fireplace-neutral-room

1stDibs Introspective

Pair of Vintage Victorian Style Brass Andirons

Pair of Vintage Victorian Style Brass Andirons

Decorative Fireplace Andiron Set - Gold Golden Greek

Decorative Fireplace Andiron Set – Gold Golden Greek

french-marble-fireplace-decorative-coral-ruhlmann-single-sconce

 Morgan Harrison Home

Antique Brass Swan Andirons |

Antique Brass Swan Andirons

Inviting chic to the cozy fall of it all party begins with introducing home and hearth to decorative ideas for firewood storage.

large-french-gold-ornate-fireplace-mirror-leo designs chicago

 Leo Designs Chicago

Josephine+Fireplace+Surround

Josephine Fireplace Surround

gold-leaf-baroque-mirror-with-marble-fireplace

Peter Dunham Design

Antique French Brass Fireplace Chenets, A Pair, 19th Century Provincial Andirons

Antique French Brass Fireplace Chenets, A Pair, 19th Century Provincial Andirons

Antique late 1800's Victorian Girandole Brass Rococo Style Set of 2 Candlesticks

Antique late 1800’s Victorian Girandole Brass Rococo Style Set of 2 Candlesticks

KJP_carrying-wood

Kiel James Patrick

fall-styled-fireplace

Southern Living – Photo by Helen Norman- Styling by Jeff Minnich

Round Wooden Barrel Planter

Round Wooden Barrel Planter

log-bin

Pleasant Hearth 1.5 ft. Log Bin

Autumn/fall into the holiday season we spruce and prepare our homes for the season, placing the emphasis on cozy and comfortable.

comb-back-Windsor-chair-by-fireplace

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Fall festive with year round presence.

Minuteman International Maple Leaf Andirons Set of 2

Minuteman International Maple Leaf Andirons Set of 2

cast-iron-fireback-with-oak-leaf-design

Cast Iron Fireback with Oak Leaf Design

Metal Christmas Tree Log Holder (1)

Metal Christmas Tree Log Holder

fireplace-in-fall-living-room

Better Homes & Gardens – Photography by James Nathan Schroder

Large Round Woven Junco Basket Light Green - Threshold™Large Round Woven Junco Basket Light Green – Threshold™

Antique English Victorian 19th c. Expanding Oak Barley Twist Fireplace Fender

Antique English Victorian 19th c. Expanding Oak Barley Twist Fireplace Fender

resin+Duck+Figurine

Resin Duck Figurine

There’s nothing quite like a toasty warm fire in a safe and ready for the season fireplace to conquer and complement a crisp fall chill.

fall-decorating-ideas-leaves-display-Tara-Donne

Country Living – Photo by Tara Donne

With that also comes the seasonal decorating project of making life easier.

Boulangerie jar candle

Boulangerie Jar Vanilla & Fig Candle

Vintage Fireplace Broom

Vintage Fireplace Broom

cabin-fireplace

House & Home

crackling-cedar-candle

Crackling Cedar Candle

Copper Metal Suspended Grid Style Netting Single Panel Fireplace Screen with Bolted Detailing

Copper Metal Suspended Grid Style Netting Single Panel Fireplace Screen 

19th-C Carved English Lion Fireplace Box1

19th-C Carved English Lion Fireplace Box

Implementing decorative ways to house firewood, fire starters, fatwood, pine cones, newspapers, and safety matches at the ready is a sure fire way of marrying seasonal style with seasonal convenience.

cozy-at-home

Crisp fall days into chilly fall evenings into winter holidays frame a cozy and warm fireside narrative.

cabin-fireplace (2)

Peter Zimmerman Architects

Safavieh Chloe Brown Club Chair

Chloe Fully Upholstered Club Chair with Casters, Brown

Gianluigi Brown Vegan Leather Armchair with Rolled Arms and Nailhead Trim

Gianluigi Brown Vegan Leather Armchair with Rolled Arms and Nailhead Trim

Fall air is crisp air, and goodness knows winter air chills to the bone.

Faux Rabbit Fur Throw Blanket

Faux Rabbit Fur Throw Blanket

Settling in and warming up in front of a crackling fire sparks a fireside chat of comfort and joy.

fireside-hot-chocolate-weather

Tasty Treats

Classic tunes such as the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young “Our House” frames a lovely fall scene and heard.

I’ll light the fire
You put the flowers in the vase that you bought today
Staring at the fire for hours and hours while I listen to you
Play your love songs all night long for me, only for me
Come to me now and rest your head for just five minutes,
everything is good

Such a cozy room, the windows are illuminated by the
Sunshine through them, fiery gems for you, only for you
Our house is a very, very, very fine house with two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy ’cause of you

woven-house-basket

Where one sees a woven basket, another sees a super cute fireplace accessories holder for matches, starters, and the like.

Destination Holiday Acorn Shape Wicker Fall Basket with Lid

Destination Holiday Acorn Shape Wicker Fall Basket with Lid

Firewood stacked with purpose and style is part of the warm and cozy equation.

Costway 2 Feet Outdoor Heavy Duty Steel Firewood Log Rack Wood Storage Holder Black

Costway 2 Feet Outdoor Steel Firewood Log Rack Wood Storage Holder Black

black-marble-mantel

 Jeremiah Brent Design 

Antique Louis XIV Style Marble Fireplace Mantel

Antique Louis XIV Style Marble Fireplace Mantel

19th Century Coal Scuttle

19th Century Coal Scuttle

19th Century Andirons With Brass Balls Decoration

19th Century Andirons With Brass Balls Decoration

Black Marble and Brass Fireplace Screen

Black Marble and Brass Fireplace Screen

Jackson-andirons

Jackson Andirons

Montecito Medium Round Chunky Woven Basket by Jake Arnold Montecito Medium Round Chunky Woven Basket by Jake Arnold

Graphic Metal Fireplace Firewood Holder

Graphic Metal Fireplace Firewood Holder

Charm is discovered through the mix and mingle of old and new, vintage and modern.

French Art Deco Heron Figurine on Marble Base, Verdigris Metal Bird Statuette

 French Art Deco Heron Figurine on Marble Base, Verdigris Metal Bird Statuette

Curve Ball Match Striker

Curve Ball Match Striker

This is where making home and hearth life easy with decorative ideas for firewood storage by the fireplace or fireplace adjacent enters the picture.

Brown-Wood-and-Leather-Organizer

Traditional 8 x 15 Inch Brown Wood and Leather Organizer by Studio 350

Dahlia+Metal+Firewood+Holder+Log+Carrier

Dahlia Metal Firewood Holder Log Carrier

English Cottage Renovation

reDesign home

Consider architectural salvage pieces as fireplace mantels.

beam-mantels

Large-Vintage-Black-pottery-Jar

Artissance Large Vintage Charcoal/Gray Pottery Jar

Coming up with unique and decorative options to house and hold firewood is not a huge challenge.

Uniflame Corporation Log RackUniflame Corporation Log Rack

Chuck log holder

Chuck Log Holder

Quentin-Bacon-fireplace-CL

Country Living – Photo by Quentin Bacon 

Ornate antique quality brass fire screen

Ornate Brass Fire Screen

Copper pots, cauldrons, boilers, coal scuttles, and buckets in warm tones prove to be excellent fireplace focal points of visual interest.

Copper-Finished Hammered Metal Firewood Buckets with Leaf Handles, Large

Copper-Finished Hammered Metal Firewood Buckets with Leaf Handles, Large

Victorian Copper/Brass Coal Scuttle

Victorian Copper/Brass Coal Scuttle

Copper Finished Firewood Bucket With 5 lbs. Fatwood Resin Rich Pre-Split Kindling for Easily Starting Fires

Copper Finished Firewood Bucket With Fatwood Pre-Split Kindling

Crisp and cold weather around the fireplace essentials can exist “out of the box” and in decorative harmony with the rest of your decor.

firewood-in-basket-photo-Paul-Massey

House & Garden – Photo by Paul Massey

Rattan Woven Log Holder with Handle Gray Natural

Woven Crescent Basket

Woven Crescent Basket

Pretty is as pretty stores.

VOH Architects

VOH Architects

fire-starters-wood-pine-cones-newspaper-sticks

Martha Stewart

belts-used-as-firewood-tote

Martha Stewart

Two leather belts later and you’ve got yourself a custom log carrier-holder-tote.

fireplace-cozy-lodge (1)

Hasbrouck House

Rich in provenance, distinctive detail, unique form and functionality,  antique and vintage chests are a great option for firewood storage.

Northern European paint decorated storage trunk/ blanket chest, c.1817

Northern European Painted Storage Trunk/ Blanket Chest, c.1817

Primitive Antique Pennsylvania Painted Pine Blanket Storage

Primitive Antique Pennsylvania Painted Pine Blanket Storage

Vintage and in the style of vintage wooden crates also do a fall fabulous job of storing firewood, fire starters, pine cones and the like.

vintage-Johnnie-Walker-red-crate

Vintage Johnnie Walker Wooden Crate

Vintage Napoleon Eggs Crate

Vintage Napoleon Eggs Crate

Black Galvanized Boiler Oval Wash Tub

Black Galvanized Boiler Oval Wash Tub

Old Chatham New York farmhouse fireplaceTimberpeg

Uniflame Aged Bronze 3 Panel Screen With Doors

Uniflame Aged Bronze 3 Panel Screen With Doors

Bronze Black Iron French Country Traditional Ornate Fireplace Screen

Bronze Black Iron French Country Traditional Ornate Fireplace Screen

Brass Damper Open Closed Plaque Sign

match-striker-matches

Match Striker and Matches

Pedro-da-Costa-Felgueiras-house-photo-Michael-Sinclair

House & Garden – Photo by Michael Sinclair

turkey-broom

Turkey Wing Broom

Pine+Cone+Fireback

Cast Iron Fireback with Pine Cone Design

fall-room-fireplace

Designer Series Louis XIII 47 in. x 53 in. Cast Stone Mantel

Designer Series Louis XIII 47 in. x 53 in. Cast Stone Mantel

Avalon Solid Monogram Wool and Cashmere Throw Decor H Blanket

Beige Merino Wool Blanket, Cashmere Plaid Throws 67″ x 53″

Striking pieces will complete the fireplace decorating scheme.

the-wandering-rabbit-cast-iron-matchstick-sculpture

The Wandering Rabbit Cast Iron Matchstick Sculpture

boot-jack-cricket
Sharkey Boot Jack Cricket

Bronze-finish-Bulldog-SculptureSitting Bulldog Garden Resin Statue 16 in. Iron-Look

 

Deluxe Galvanized Ash Bucket with Handle, Lid and Double-Layer Bottom - Copper

Plow & Hearth Deluxe Double-Bottom Metal Fireplace Ash Bucket with Lid

fireplace-mantel-magnolias-Trevor-Tondro

House Beautiful- Photo by Trevor Tondro

Pair of Brass Andirons circa 1880 Ball and Claw Feet of Twisted Column Form

Pair of Brass Andirons circa 1880 Ball and Claw Feet of Twisted Column Form

Mid-Century Lee Woodward Tuft Leatherette Sculptural Rocking Chair

Mid-Century Lee Woodward Tuft Leatherette Sculptural Rocking Chair

In a myriad of styles to choose from, outdoor planters become eye-catching indoor essentials for housing fireplace accessories.

planters-holding-firewood-newspaper-pine-cones

Orson Composite Urn Planter

Composite Urn Planter

Washed Gray Fiber-Resin Urn

Washed Gray Fiber-Resin Urn

It’s official folks, fall has arrived, and outdoor gatherings at this time of year are made for a gathering times around a warm fire.

fall-outdoor-fireplace-trees

Flower Magazine – Photography by Erik Kvalsvik

Tangkula 21.5 Fire Pit & Firewood Log Rack Outdoor Square Firepit & Firewood Holder with Spark Screen Rolling Wheels

Fire Pit & Firewood Log Rack Outdoor Square Firepit & Firewood Holder 

No matter how you stack it, the chilly days and nights of fall call for cozy times and decorative ideas for firewood storage.

Darleen-signature-love

Touches and Hints of Fall At Home Preview

The intention of this touches and hints of fall at home preview is to bring about that cozy-colorful-bountiful-nature inspired-pumpkin spiced-apple appealing feeling of fall at home.

fall-at-home-preview

Those of us who absolutely love the fall-autumn season revel in the fall at home preview planning and prepping.

fall-velvet-pumpkin-in-basket-Werner-Straube

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Werner Straube

Seasonal décor pretties.

Rich warm colors and hues on parade.

Crisp days into evening.

Pumpkin everything.

Cozy times.

fall-sweet-fall-throw-pillow

Actual signs of fall may not be obvious in your neck of the woods (or skipped you all together i.e. 101°F in Denver one day, 33°F the next), but the excitement of a fall-autumn arrival is building.

Fall at home preview posts on the pages of food and shelter magazines, recipe and home decor blogs, and the social media platforms of choice confirm the anticipation.

pumpkins-sign

“Fall has always been my favorite season.
The time when everything bursts with
its last beauty, as if nature had been saving
up all year for the grand finale.”

—Lauren DeStefano

They say good things come to those who wait.

On that logic I liken fall’s tease and eventual arrival to the pot of harvest gold at the end of summer’s scorching rainbow.

A sure sign the beauty of fall is upon us.

free-printable-landscape-with-plaid-print

Ella Claire & Co. gifts this lovely free printable vintage landscape for fall framing and decorating.

Sending a big thank you to creative friends and blogs bearing gifts.

I have a bronze gold frame picked out to frame the print in, and am leaning toward placing it on a small decorative easel.

Click on the link to visit this wonderful blog and print your copy- Ella Clair & Co. 

Wrensted Interiors LLC

Wrensted Interiors LLC

Natural touches such as seasonal foliage picked from your yard or garden and housed in rustic crocks, vintage silver pieces, or basic glass jars bring the beauty of fall to a tabletop or vignette near you.

Modern Brown Ceramic VaseModern Brown Ceramic Vase – Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee

fall-vase-brown

console-table-fall-decor

Pinterest

Inspiration, imagination, creativity, and a keen eye are responsible for many a stunning decorative display.

Antique Large German Brown Glazed Stoneware Pottery Double Handle Crock Vase

Antique Large German Brown Glazed Stoneware Pottery Double Handle Crock

As one who always includes setting and staying within budget when selecting, suggesting, and sourcing home décor accents and accessories for clients as well as myself, I love the endless possibilities afforded by decorating with items found at home, in nature (the best arts & crafts store going!), farmers markets, and the flower and produce departments of local grocery stores.

cabbage-dishes-in-hutch-photo-John-Granen

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by John Granen

“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home
by paying attention to what we already have.”

—Unknown

bag-Gala-apples

There’s no need to spend an exorbitant amount of money in order to achieve a striking result.

Fall Harvest Wooden Decorative BowlFall Harvest Wooden Decorative Bowl

An arrangement of fresh seasonal fruits placed in a wooden bowl or on a plate or platter sets a simple yet elegant display.

Loropetalum

I’m convinced the five senses dance a delightful waltz to an autumnal melody.

bella notte linens

Bella Notte Linens

Layers of warm and cozy linens wrapped in your favorite fall color, texture, pattern, and scent invite a fall into comfort feeling.

Functionality has never looked, felt or smelled so inviting.

Fall Scented Linen Spray

Ingredients

½ cup water

½ cup vodka

8-10 drops fall scented essential oil(s)

Directions

Mix water and vodka together in a clean spray bottle.

Add essential oil or combination of oils to mixture, swirling to blend.

Essential oil scents and combinations to consider:

Sweet orange, clove bud and cinnamon bark.

Pumpkin pie.

Brown sugar, apple pie and nutmeg.

Wood spice.

Sweet tangerine.

Cedarwood.

foodiesfeed.com_woman-holding-fresh-apples

Foodiesfeed

When apples and cinnamon enter the mix or the mixing bowl, the scent and the taste of fall follows.

Brown Wood Look Plate Brown Wood Look Plate

Design details include a realistic faux wood grain pattern paired with the extra bonus of being safe for food use.

apples-leaves-acorns-candle-Sköna hem

Sköna hem -Pinterest

Southerners take fall any way we can get it since we really don’t get much of it in the first place.

butcher block

D Magazine – Photography by Nathan Schroder

It’s a fact of life in Louisiana when the temps fall below 70°F you can hear the collective clang of gumbo pots making their way from cupboard to stove top in true c’est si bon fashion.

copper bowls stacked

When fall rolls around you can find me spending most late afternoons into evening sitting on the porch taking it all in. I love spending time in the kitchen developing fall recipes, but you can’t be in two places at once.

Playing to that logic, simple seasonal dishes such as mustard greens and buttermilk cornbread top the dinner menu on crisp fall nights.

mustard-greens-in-pot

Dave the Builder’s mother held firm the taste of a Louisiana sweet potato is not at its flavor zenith until after the first frost.

Louisiana-sweet-potatoes-dry-pinto-beans

Fall’s first frost is a ways off yet, however, we cook, bake, and candied sweet potatoes on.

Leaf Wooden Spoon

Leaf Wooden Spoon

Isn’t it funny how you assign a season to particular foods and flavors?

Gumbo.

Cinnamon roll candied yams.

Pecan pie made with Louisiana pecans and pure cane syrup.

Apple nut cake.

apple-pecan-walnut-cake

We’ll cook it, bake it, and eat it any time of year, but it taste so much better in the fall.

faux-apples-pears-moss-wreath-fall

Fall ushers in thoughts of DIY projects for door, porch, mantel, and seal.

DIY pumpkin lanterns

Shine a light on fall with these DIY Pumpkin Lanterns from designlovefest.

fall-is-my-favorite-color-blog

When my son was in school, yours truly pulled room mother duty every year kindergarten-8th grade.

Loved it!fall-bouquet-ribbon

In my element fit the call of decorating duty for the teachers appreciation gala, fall festival, and Halloween carnival extravaganza.

Included in my bag of decorating tricks was the idea of using faux fall flower bouquets for everything from tabletop decorations to gift favors.

fall bouquet 1

Wrapping each bouquet in inexpensive craft or tissue paper tied with ribbon and raffia in assorted seasonal colors and textures took the presentation from faux to fabulous.

For extra fall scented goodness tuck a couple of cinnamon sticks in with the bouquet.

It’s all in the details.

fall-colors-throw-pillows

Embellishing an inexpensive throw pillow(s) rich in fall color with decorative trim(s) creates a custom decor piece.

fall trim

autumn-decor-Virginia-based designer Janie Molster Elle Decor

Elle Decor 

I saw this idea of draping faux fur throws over the back of dining chairs in a fall decorating feature in Elle Decor, and quickly filed it under F for faux fur for fall at home preview.

Fall At Home Preview

Seasonal accents here and there layers house and home with touches and hints of the season.

Add a decorative throw or pillow to an existing piece and you instantly create a seasonal update though color, texture, and/or pattern.

‘Tis the season for feathering one’s nest with touches and hints of the season through décor additions and updates inspired by the best features of the season.

Darleen-signature-love

Just a Friendly October Reminder

Today’s just a friendly October reminder post inspiration comes from the beloved L. M. Montgomery  Anne of Green Gables quote “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers

Most of you know the role music plays in my daily as it is constant company while I write, cook, source, develop- you get the idea.

I posted the following image into the post, being sure to take thoughtful note of the weight and meaning of the words.

Although in a degree of deep thought, the public service announcement caught my ear.

Turning my full attention to the PSA, the subject of the spot made me think of yet another famous quote and how its meaning serves to further the message.

“An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound of Cure.”
– Ben Franklin

Benjamin_Franklin_by_Joseph_Duplessis_1778

October is National Fire Prevention Month, and the week of October 9 is Fire Prevention Week.

Take the time this month to put safety measures into place to help prevent a fire in your home as well as carbon monoxide poisoning.

Discuss and devise a fire escape plan with all members of your household.

Around the house tips for preventing a house fire include:

Changing furnace filters regularly will cut down on a buildup of dust and lint that can catch fire.

Inspect space heaters before and after each use, making sure to place heaters a minimum of three feet away from anything combustible.

Never place items close to the heating element or pilot light of a water heater.

Clean out the dryer lint filter after each drying cycle.

Give the area behind and around the dryer a quick check for lint build up or laundry items that have fallen under or behind the dryer.

Kitchens are hot spots for a house fires to originate in.  Never leave anything flammable near the stove or oven or on stovetop.

Be mindful of kitchen towels and oven mitts when using around heating elements.

copper-pot-on-stove

Pinterest

Never leave the kitchen area with pots and pans in use on the stovetop.

It’s so easy to become distracted by something else.

I know how easy it is because I did just that a couple of weeks ago and burned up a saucepan.

UPS knocked on the front door, I got into a conversation with the delivery guy, and totally forgot about the brown sugar onions cooking away on the stovetop burner.

Crisp autumn nights tap the shoulder with an October reminder.

When using a fireplace, give the ashes ample time to cool down before disposing of them.

Always place fireplace ash in a metal container used only for this purpose.

Never mix ash with any other trash or product.

Ginger Barber Design

Ginger Barber Design

Creosote buildup is the lead cause of chimney fires.

Hiring a professional chimney sweep to clean your chimney at least once a year is the way to go.

Our chimney sweep even wears the traditional outfit and top hat.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes without smoke alarms or with non-working smoke alarms.

Carbon monoxide, better known as the silent killer, is:

  • Invisible
  • Odorless
  • Tasteless
  • Flammable
  • Deadly

Common household sources of carbon monoxide (CO) include fuel-burning appliances such as:

  • HVAC systems boilers
  • Water heaters
  • Gas and wood fireplaces
  • Gas ovens
  • Washers and dryers

Carbon monoxide alarms/detectors is the only way to detect carbon monoxide.  

Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms equipped with a 10-year battery cover the spectrum of both smoke and carbon monoxide detection.

The Kidde Worry Free 10-Year Sealed battery smoke and carbon monoxide combination detector  with voice alarm is a battery-operated (no hardwire required) smoke detector that comes with a 10-year lithium battery lasting the life of the alarm.

Kidde Worry Free 10-Year Sealed Battery Smoke and Carbon Monoxide DetectorKidde Worry Free 10-Year Sealed Battery Smoke & Carbon Monoxide  Detector

Smart safety and smart home protection is found in the Nest Protect Battery Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector.

It has an industrial-grade smoke sensor, detects both fast and slow burning fires, can be silenced from your phone, detects carbon monoxide, and lasts for up to 10 years.

Nest Protect Battery Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

Nest Protect Battery Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

A working fire extinguisher is as vital a piece of kitchen equipment as a stove or cookware.

Places In The Home is equipped with both two  recreational fire extinguishers for the washroom and bedroom area and one kitchen fire extinguisher for the kitchen/breakfast room area.

1-A:10-B:C Recreation and 10-BC Kitchen Fire Extinguisher (2-Pack)

1-A:10-B:C Recreation and 10-BC Kitchen Fire Extinguisher (2-Pack)

Having a working fire extinguisher is one thing.

Knowing how to use one is another.

Remember the acronym PASS when using a fire extinguisher.

Pull the pin on the extinguisher.

Aim the nozzle low toward the base of the fire.

Squeeze  trigger.

Sweep nozzle from side-to-side.

Make time this October to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home, and if your home is already equipped with them now is a good time to replace the batteries.

October reminderHarvard Medical School

Just a friendly October reminder to roll up your sleeve and get your flu shot.

Getting a flu shot helps to reduce the risk of getting the flu and the complications that come with it.

The one and only time I had the flu it liked to have killed me.  I was down for almost eight weeks, with one week of that spent in the hospital.

No, thank you.

October reminder

October is breast cancer awareness month.

Annual mammograms can detect cancer early when it is most treatable. The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk of breast cancer begin having a yearly mammogram at age 45, and a mammogram every other year beginning at age 55.

Getting your mammogram is a pressing matter in terms of procedure and prevention.

Mammography is a fast procedure (about 20 minutes).

Discomfort is minimal for most women.

The procedure is safe.

Early detection through a routine mammogram is one of the attributing factors in my mother’s breast cancer being caught in the early stages which contributed to her survival.

It made a believer out of me, so every October a mammogram it is.

Housekeeping goes beyond the everyday of all things house that make a home.

Prevention and wellness drives this well-oiled machine we call home and family.

Just a friendly October reminder to embrace the beauty of the season, and to do what it takes to keep you, your family, and your home safe and healthy.

love your style

Fall with Apples and Pumpkins

Fall deliciously places the baking, cooking, decorating, and entertaining emphasis on apples and pumpkins, appropriately planting a seed of inspiration.

apple trees picking

Palettes o’plenty are in place under the pines awaiting a pumpkin haul for this year’s local pumpkin patch picking.

pumpkin-patch-2019

I’ve been in  fall baking, cooking, decorating, and entertaining with apples and pumpkins development for a week or so.

Introducing hints of fall finery and a new or improved recipe to the troops here at Places In The Home is part of the fall of it all.

apples-and-pumpkins

Flickr

Baking & Cooking

Those of you who get into fall baking and cooking and taste testing know apples and pumpkins are the stars of the show.

Sprinkles and dustings of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg deliciously dress cored, chopped, sliced, minced, cubed, grated or diced apples.

bag-Gala-apples

In the Fall Kitchen with Apples and Pumpkins

One small apple measures 2 ¼ inches across.

One medium apple measures 2 ½ to 2 ¾ inches across.

One large apple measures 3¾ inches across.

types of apples graphic

How many apples are there in a cup?

apple-shaped-measuring-cups

1 medium apple equals:

About 1 1/3 cups sliced or cubed.

About 1¼ cups diced.

About 1 cup finely sliced, minced, or grated.

red-apple

How many apples are in a pound?

4 medium apples equals approximately  1 pound.

2 large apples equals approximately  1 pound.

1 pound of apples equals approximately 3 cups sliced or cubed apples.

apples and pumpkins

Coring and Peeling an Apple

Carefully cut the skin off the apple using a paring knife.

Cut the apple into four wedges.

Remove the core out of each wedge.

Cut, slice, or chop the apples according to recipe preference.

fairy tale pumpkin

One 2½ pound pie pumpkin equals 1¾ cups pumpkin puree (which is equivalent to one 15 ounce can pumpkin).

A 3½ pound pie pumpkin equals 2½  cups pumpkin puree.

Did you know that the pumpkin is really a squash?

Pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin sangria, and the big daddy of fall desserts, pumpkin pie, is in the fall tastes and treats spotlight.

traditional pumpkin pie recipe

Traditional Pumpkin Pie Recipe

How to Prep and Puree A Pumpkin 

You can substitute homemade pumpkin puree for any recipe that calls for canned pumpkin.

With that fall baking fact in mind, let’s check out how to make homemade pumpkin puree.

Here we will be using a sugar pumpkin (also called a pie pumpkin), the best for cooking and baking.

sugar pumpkin

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Carefully cut off the top of the pumpkin.  Using a large metal spoon, scoop out the seeds and the “strings”.

Cut the pumpkin in half.

Line a baking sheet with foil and place the pumpkin halves cut side down onto the baking sheet.

Generously rub the outer skin of each pumpkin half with olive oil.

Place in a 375°F preheated oven and roast for 45-60 minutes or until a fork easily inserts into each pumpkin half.

Allow to cool for twenty minutes or until cool enough to handle without risk of burning your hands.

Using a large metal spoon, scoop out the softened pulp.  Place the pulp into in a food processor and pulse until smooth.

staub-ceramic-pumpkin-cocotte

Pumpkin Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Ingredients

2 Sugar Pie pumpkins (each about 2 lb.)
Substitution: 4 cups  of canned pumpkin puree

Extra-virgin olive oil for brushing and drizzling

6 Tbs. unsalted butter

2 shallots, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbs. minced fresh thyme, plus whole sprigs for garnish

¼  cup  Marsala

5 cups vegetable broth, plus more as needed

3 Tbs. maple syrup

1 cup half-and-half

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the grilled cheese croutons:

2 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature

6 slices artisan white bread or sourdough bread

1 ½ cups grated Gruyére cheese

Directions

To make the soup, using a sharp knife, carefully cut off the top of each pumpkin to remove the stem, then halve each pumpkin vertically.

Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and any stringy fibers and discard.

Brush the flesh of the pumpkins generously with olive oil, then place them, cut sides down, on the prepared baking sheet.  Bake until the pumpkins are very tender when pricked with a fork, about 50 minutes.  Let cool for 15 minutes, then scoop the flesh from the peel into a bowl; discard the peels.

You should have about 4 cups of pumpkin.  Set aside.

In a Dutch oven or large, heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 Tbs. of the butter.

Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and thyme and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute.

Add the Marsala and deglaze the pan, stirring to scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pot.  Add the pumpkin and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes.  Add the broth and maple syrup.

Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 20 minutes.  Stir in the half-and-half.

Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. (Alternatively, working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour back into the pot.)

Add the remaining 3 Tbs. butter to the soup and stir until the butter is melted.  Season with salt and pepper.

Stir in more vegetable broth, if desired, to achieve the desired consistency.  Keep warm over low heat while you make the grilled cheese croutons.

To make grilled cheese croutons, spread the butter on one side of each slice of bread, dividing it evenly.

Heat a large fry pan over medium heat.

Place 3 slices of the bread, butter side down, in the fry pan.  Divide the cheese evenly between the 3 slices in the pan, then top with remaining bread slices, butter side up.

Cook until the bottom of bread is golden brown, then carefully flip each sandwich and continue to cook until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes, turning down the heat if the bread is browning too quickly.

Transfer the grilled cheese sandwiches to a cutting board and let cool slightly while you ladle the warm soup into 6 individual bowls.

Drizzle each serving of soup lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with a few grinds of pepper.  Cut the grilled cheese sandwiches into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes and divide them evenly among the bowls of soup.

Garnish with thyme sprigs and serve immediately.  Serves 6.

-Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen

Decorating

1100 block of Rue du Belier

Country Living

Never underestimate the visual impact of the simple yet elegant seasonal décor accessory.

apple-wreath-supplies

Gorgeous is in the eye and the glue gun of the beholder.

Faux apples, a natural grapevine wreath, and several yards of burlap ribbon  is all you need to DIY your way to a lovely fall wreath.

apple-wreath

In the case of my fall wreath DIY project, I chose to go with a Styrofoam wreath.

Using burlap ribbon from the dollar store, I wrapped the entire wreath to conceal the Styrofoam.

Using a hot glue gun, I glued various sizes of red faux apples and green mini pears from Michaels around the top and sides of the wreath.

Spanish moss serves as an excellent filler and gap cover, and as in the image of the grapevine apple wreaths, burlap ribbon (5½” wide) with a finished edge completes the look.

There’s a bevy of pumpkin decorating ideas out there.

This DIY pumpkin project from Proven Winners utilizes late summer/early fall blooms and foliage to create a Mod Podge magnificent botanical pumpkin.

pumpkin-blankets

We Heart It

Simple makes a simply beautiful statement.

Entertaining

Part of the fun of entertaining is coming up with festive and creative ways to put a seasonal spin on the presentation of drinks, snacks, entrées, sides, and desserts.

apple shaped cheese balls

Better Homes & Gardens

“I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face, and great music in the background, because that’s what gets a dinner party off to a fun start.”

-Ina Garten

fall-board-cheese

pumpkins-rosemary

Charcuterie | shahr-ku-tuh-ree  refers to the art of preparing and assembling cured meats.

Charcuterie boards feature an array of dried meats, cheeses, fruits and nuts, crackers, breads, jams, preserves, marmalades, olives, pickles, and the like.

bread-butter-pickles

A recent conversation on the topic included a rundown of charcuterie board essentials.

pumpkin board

Great entertaining minds think alike, and we all agreed a gathering of friends or/and family on a crisp fall late afternoon into evening is an excellent entertaining opportunity to bring on a fall cheese or charcuterie board.

pumpkin-wood-serving-platter

There’s no wrong way to do a cheese or charcuterie board.  I put together a small with fall in mind cheese board this afternoon.

It’s meatless, so it doesn’t officially qualify to be referred to as a charcuterie board.

fall-cheese-board

Crisp apples, fresh dates, red grapes, assorted nuts, blue cheese, white cheddar, cream cheese with fig preserves, and dried cranberries fill the board.

A quick walk around the yard later I had fresh rosemary sprigs and mint leaves to use as garnish and filler.

The aroma is spectacular.

fall-pumpkin-cheese-board

What’s in the little vintage creamer?

Honey.

Honey drizzled over a slice of cheese topped with an apple is the taste of fall.

apples-grapes

marmalade-preserves

I love these carved wooden spoons for spooning up preserves and marmalades.

Hand Carved White Oak Wood Snowflake Spoon

Hand Carved White Oak Wood Snowflake Spoon

Ciders, seasonal wines, and apple flavored sangria are all excellent beverage choices to serve at a fall gathering.

Cinnamon water is a recent fall perfect beverage discovery that’s as tasty as it is easy to make.

This stove top method brings out the flavor and color of the cinnamon.

Begin by adding 2 cinnamon sticks to 2 cups of water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes.

Allow concentrate to cool before adding to cold water and ice.

cinnamon-water

Baking, cooking, decorating, and entertaining with apples and pumpkins on a crisp fall day or evening is part of the tradition and pure fall fun.

love your style

Forty Days To Go: Countdown to Fall

Dog days, excessive heat warnings, and the fact I’ve had all the summer I can stand brings on this countdown to fall.

its-August-time-to-get-out-your-fall-decor

Pinterest

It may be too soon for some to even remotely entertain thoughts of fall, but for those of us who love the fall of it all let the countdown to fall begin.

And Halloween.

And Thanksgiving.

And Christmas.

Yowza.

Anticipating the joy of witnessing the changing of the leaves, trying out a new recipe featuring apple and spice and everything pumpkin nice, tailgating times, fairs and festivals weekends spent in quaint little country towns, Thanksgiving gobble and gather, and Christmas spent with the ones you love celebrations is what makes September through December the most wonderful time of the year.

Incorporating natural elements into your fall and holiday decorating scheme brings the beauty of the season to the table, mantel, door, or wall.

persimmons

Persimmons

figs

Pinterest

Leaves, branches, nuts, fruits, and berries easily create a look that is fresh, seasonally appropriate, visually impressive, and easy on the decorating budget.

fall-leaves-arrangements

Better Homes & GardensFlickr

Magazines, newsletters, emails, and social media postings are getting in on the countdown to fall.

This image from a fall feature in Country Living Magazine epitomizes understated elegance.

The warm color palette, neutral accents and accessories in two by two placement, and the DIY magnolia leaf swag (instructions below) come together in decorative harmony.

diy magnolia garland

Country Living Magazine – Photo by Bjorn Wallander

Magnolia Leaf Garland

Measure the length of the mantel- door-wall where you plan to hang the garland, including an estimation of how many loops you plan to hang.  Add a half foot to a foot more, per loop, to your final measurement.

Gather the magnolia leaves.  It will take approximately 25 leaves per each foot of garland.

Flip the magnolia leaves over to the brown/gold side.  Take two leaves and put them together with their front sides facing.  Wrap floral wire around the stems. Repeat this step until you have multiple paired sets of leaves.

Cut heavy twine to the length of the space measurement and add another foot.  Start at one end of the twine and begin adding leaves.  Tie the first pair using a simple knot.  Continue to add the pairs by looping the twine under, over, and back around stems to secure in place, pushing them right up against the first pair.

Repeat until the garland is complete, tieing an overhead knot around the final pair.

-Country Living Magazine

Gold Taupe Bias-Cut Dupioni Silk RibbonGold Taupe Bias-Cut Dupioni Silk Ribbon

Finishing touches magnify the decorative detail.

demijohn decorative bottle 1

leaves-in-demijohnJoanna Gaines – POPSUGAR

Forty days to go, my fall loving friends.

countdown to fall

love your style

Fall Decorating Inspiration 2018

This week finds me tuned into fall decorating inspiration 2018.

Warming home and hearth with seasonal updates for fall in this the season of cozy colors, textures, and patterns appeals to my penchant for gifting the home, eye and heart with the much anticipated unveiling of the best the third season has to offer.

fall-leaves-colors

Fall In Love

Transitioning the spaces and places in your home to mark summer’s exit and fall’s arrival is easily achieved through welcoming rich warm colors and engaging layers to create and convey a cozy mix.

Let’s take a look at what’s in home motivated by fall decorating inspiration 2018.

reading-chair

Domino – Photography by Carter Berg

Curling up with a good book in a cozy spot is always in season, especially on a crisp fall afternoon or evening.

whiskey-in-a-teacup-reese-witherspoon

Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love, and Baking Biscuits 

dive-into-fall

Family Circle – October 2018 Issue

The October  issue of Family Circle plants a pumpkin seed of fall decorating inspiration 2018.

Nicollete-top-grain-waxed-leather-persimmon-chair

Nicollete Top Grain Waxed Leather Chair

A comfortable chair and a good book or magazine pairs well with a fall afternoon or evening.

The cozy reading corner essential check list includes a table lamp, swing arm lamp, floor lamp, or small reading lamp producing optimum light.

Add to that a spot table, a spot of tea, and a plush throw and you have the elements of comfort to ambiance.

Hiend Accents Cable Knit 50"x60" Throw

Seasonal tabletop accents enhance a fall-autumn-Thanksgiving table is set to gathering together.

Vintage-French-Pewter-Hunting-Dog-plate

Vintage French Pewter Hunting Dog Wall Plate

antique-silver-sentiment-charger

transferware-sterling-silver-Victoria-Magazine

Victoria Magazine

Fall Decorating Inspiration 2018

Velvet fabric in vibrant colors will make the table runners I could not source to suit.

velvet-fabric-fall

standing-ringneck

Standing Ring-necked Pheasant

The needlepoint fabric in pheasant detail I wanted was just a bit too pricey for my taste- $2000.00+ too much.

One enhanced search and source session later and this P Kaufmann Game Birds Heritage Ducks Pheasants over paisley fabric is on its way to Places In The Home.

P KAUFMANN GAME BIRDS HERITAGE DUCKS PHEASANTS OVER PAISLEY

pumpkin-cream

Frosted Eucalyptus Garland

Frosted Eucalyptus Garland

seeded_eucalyptus_bunch

Seeded Eucalyptus Bunch

faux-wood-plate-charger

 

fall-vegetables

harvest chicken casserole

 Harvest Chicken Casserole

Fall tastings generate a fair amount of dirty dishes.  I’m sure the sentiment of the below images echoes a majority opinion.

dishes-board

If you’re like me, placing a positive spin on the task at hand cuts through the dread and the dirt.

Enter Mrs. Meyer’s Apple Cider scent dish soap.

mrs-meyers-apple-cider-scent-dish-soap

This stuff is fall in a bottle.

The staying power of both scent and suds justifies the price, adding a bit of aroma therapy to an otherwise unremarkable household duty.

ornamental-cabbages

Ornamental Cabbages

Autumnal bouquets in harvest tones, pumpkins, gourds, acorns, pecans, cotton bolls, persimmons, apples, pears, ornamental cabbage, pansies-  nature absolutely is the best arts and crafts store.

When nature is in the house the simple yet elegant essence of fall-autumn is present and accounted for.

pansies

A touch of autumn through new to me art, accessories, scents and taste.

fruit-lamp

Pastels pair beautifully with deep rich tones of copper, mahogany, and ebony creating seasonal color contrast for fall through winter decorating.

throw-pillows-fall

A mix of traditional and modern pieces creates visual interest and curated contrast.

Sadik 2 Door Accent CabinetSadik 2 Door Accent Cabinet

Simeon Pumpkin-shaped Glass Base Table Lamp

Simeon Pumpkin-shaped Glass Base Table Lamp

 

Scents of the season~

brown-sugar-chestnut-soy-wax-candle

2-Wick Candle Brown Sugar Chestnut Soy Wax Blend Candle

I can personally attest to the scentsational aroma of the Hot Buns and Apple Cinnamon Vanilla scented candles from Our Own Candle Company.

The entire house smells so delicious when I burn one of these candles.

hot-buns-cinnamon-candle

Fall is here, and what better way to announce its arrival than to welcome style home through fall decorating inspiration 2018.

Simple enhancements in seasonal colors, textures, patterns, tastes, and scents reflect a warm feel and cozy character.

Happy first weekend of fall, y’all!

love your style

 

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