Dog days, excessive heat warnings, and the fact I’ve had all the summer I can stand brings on this countdown to fall.
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
Leaves, branches, nuts, fruits, and berries easily create a look that is fresh, seasonally appropriate, visually impressive, and easy on the decorating budget.
Better Homes & Gardens – Flickr
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.
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.
Gold Taupe Bias-Cut Dupioni Silk Ribbon
Finishing touches magnify the decorative detail.
Forty days to go, my fall loving friends.
