Warm Cozy Impressions

Sharing a few warm cozy impressions with you by design and delight is the theme of this week.

Upholstered-tweed-walls-fireplace

Veranda – Photography by Dylan Thomas

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

warm cozy impressions

Gilded Leaf Acorn Ornament

Inspiration is everywhere as proven in this eye catching photo.

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.

autumn-harvest-rice-dish

Autumn Harvest Rice hits the spot when you’ve got a craving for a delicious hearty and cozy.

Food cozy?

Absolutely!

Recipe here.

fall-autumn-flowers-fruits-on-table

Southern Living – Photography by Helen Norman

In my experiences with bouquets picked out and picked up in the grocery store floral department reduced for quick sale buckets, a next level look is super easy to obtain by simply tucking in stems, cuttings, and seasonal greenery from my at home lawn and garden department (the yard/garden).

Adding to never seems to take away from the finished result.

fall-hydrangeas-basket-antiques

Late fall hydrangea blooms thrive until the arrival of the first frost.

I knew I loved these flowers.

fireplace-kitchen-green-walls

House Beautiful – Photography by Susan Gilmore

Homey for the holidays or cozy fashioned in fall, creating a cozy ambiance will tick all the boxes of seasonal decorating success while leaving warm cozy impressions.

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October Observations

October observations run the gamut from events to design to decor and just about everything else fallapalooza in-between.

Halloween is definitely October happening numero uno.  Man, has this
31st of October event become a celebration powerhouse.

October observations

Anticipated Halloween spending according to the National Retail Federation is estimated to reach $10.6 billion in 2022, breaking last year’s record of $10.1 billion. Approximately 68% of consumers plan to participate in some sort of Halloween celebration, up from 65% last year, 58% in 2020 and 69% in 2019.

That’s a lot of spirited spending, folks.

candy-corn-October-observations

Candy corn.

Like?

Hate?

What say you?

Psst! I like the stuff.

halloween-decorating-hack-domino

Domino

Artist Carlos Amorales exhibition at Salone del Mobile Milano,“The Accursed Hour,” is as striking as it is haunting. Copy the look by covering walls and ceilings with swarms of paper butterflies stickers found on Amazon or Etsy.

Instant Paper Butterflies Wall Decor Halloween

There is Halloween decorating, and then there is Halloween decorating.

Dewalt-saw

Fall fixer up time sees new wood molding atop the antique corbels on the front of the house, and a while we’re at it let’s touch up the colors paint session.

fall house paint colors 2022

Neighbors are precious friends-friends who come to call with skill saw, molding, primer and woodworking talent to save the day.

boxed-corbel

Recipes accenting the flavors associated with homey and hearty hit the spot on chilly fall night or game day afternoon.

sausage-and-wild-rice-stuffed-acorn-squash (1)

Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe from Country Living

pumpkin-harvest-dinner-plate

Bee & Willow™ Harvest Motif Dinner Plate

Savings is a prime number.

deep-pumpkin-bowls

Sales on seasonal wares and accents have a way of inspiring cart fulfillment.

Ceramic Pumpkin Serving Bowl

Ceramic Pumpkin Serving Bowl

pumpkin-vase-fall

 Country Living

Vacation escapes and fall into holiday tablescapes pique my October observations interest.

Natural elements set a stunning table and the tone for a lovely drive.

GSMNP-travel

Visit Gatlinburg

Peak color season getaways feed the heart and soul while gifting the eye a colorama as only nature can do.

geese-Gatlinburg

It won’t be long before the honking sounds and sights of Canada geese heading south for the winter will be in our area.

Last year for about 8 nights in a row around 7:15 p.m. cst the show began much to my delight.

They fly so low you can really get a good visual, and of course, you hear them before you see them.

In honor of this October tradition, I’m purchasing a set of these Spode Snow Geese dinner plates.

Snow Goose Dinner Plate

Spode Snow Goose Dinner Plate

October in our little town is parish fair time, and that means my craving for a caramel apple is soon to be satisfied.

caramel-apple-at-the-fair

The Might Thomas Carnivals

Crisp days are coming into view, and with that brings the retail offerings, nature’s color parade, thrills, chills, tastes and trends that round out my October observations.

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Cozy Toasty Fall Happenings

October has arrived, and with it comes the excitement and joy of comfy cozy warm and toasty fall happenings.

houses-in-fall

Autumn Cozy

Creature comforts of the season go a long way in setting a cozy scene.

comfy-cozy-warm-toasty

Nestling in with a hot cup of cinnamon spice tea, a hint of pumpkin wood in the air, and this month’s Country Living is the best of fall.

wj-bk

Two darling nephews and one picturesque pumpkin patch delights little ones and this Auntie to no end.

pumpkin-cozy

Cooking remains my diversion of choice.

Honing in on the flavors best known to the season and putting your stamp on a recipe to make it your own is a delicious way to create a house favorite.

Photo by Roberta Sorge on Unsplash

Photo by Vera De on Unsplash

Apples and spices, fresh lemon and rum extract, refrigerated pie crust (easy is the name of the game) and sprinkles of sugar mix and mingle in a flavor gala befitting a recipe you’ll label a must make.

three-red-apples

Photo by Roberta Sorge on Unsplash

Apple Crostata

Ingredients

3 Gala apples; peeled, cored, sliced

1 Granny Smith apple; peeled, cored, sliced

1 refrigerated pie crust

1 lemon (for juice and zest)

½ cup sugar

coarse sugar

2 teaspoons almond extract

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

¼ tsp. allspice

¼ tsp. nutmeg

1 egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°F.

refrigerated-pie-crust

Pie crust will roll out better if allowed to be at room temperature for ten minutes. Roll pastry out onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

floured-pie-crust

floured-pie-crust (2)

In a large bowl combine apple slices, lemon zest, lemon juice, flour, allspice, nutmeg, almond extract, granulated sugar and salt.

sliced-apples-fresh-lemon

flour-allspice-nutmeg

Lightly dust center of pie crust with flour mixed with allspice and nutmeg.

Pour filling into the center of the crust.

spice-apples-in-crust

Gently fold the border up over the edge of the apple filling.

Pleat crust with fingers to create a border design.

apples-sugared-in-crust

Brush border with egg.

Next, sprinkle border with coarse sugar.

coated-apples

crostata-apples-pastry

Bake for 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

apple-crostata-1

Tradition beckons the baking of the first Apple Nut Cake of the season.

recipe apple nut cake 1

apple-cake-batter

Trying out a new recipe or whipping up one tried and true celebrates the taste of the season and dishes cozy toasty fall happenings.

On a personal note, I would like to ask my dear readers to please be patient with me as I slow the frequency of postings at this time due to devastating health news received over the last two weeks. Prayers for comfort and strength are most appreciated.

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Welcome Fall Home

Today makes it official, friends. I am so excited to greet the season with accents and accessories, tastes and scents that welcome fall home.

fall-sweet-fall-welcome-mat-Rae-Dunn

One would not know today is the first day of fall by the current weather in the Deep South.

fallsummoween

Hot and humid with temperatures rising lands us in full-on fallsummoween.

outdoor-temperature-first-day-fall

High heat and humidity zaps the feel of fall, but apples paired with pears, cloves, and cinnamon offers the taste of fall refreshment.

Fall Fruit Facts: 

Did you know there are 7500 varieties of apples grown throughout the world with 1oo varieties grown commercially here in the United States.

Cinnamon (also called quills) is the perfect spice compliment to sweet and salty drinks and dishes.

Pears are members of the rose family (no, not the Rose family of Schitt’s Creek fame). Origins of the pear date back to 1000 B.C.

apple-pear-cinnamon-infused-water

Autumn Apple Pear Cinnamon Water

Ingredients

6 cups water

2 Gala apples cut into thin slices

1 Granny Smith apple cut into thin slices

1 pear (I used Bartlett) cut into thin slices

2 cinnamon sticks

3 whole cloves

Directions

Fill pitcher with water.  Add apple and pear slices, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves.  Give a quick stir to mix; cover and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to blend.

sliced-apples-pear-water

Why stop there?

Crisp mornings, afternoons, and evenings go splendidly with a warm beverage or warming cocktail.

Simple syrup or spiced concentrate added to your favorite fall hot or cold beverages amplifies the spice which in turn brings out the flavors so closely associated with fall.

fall-beverages

Vanilla Simple Syrup

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

In a small saucepan over medium heat bring all ingredients to a soft boil; cooking until sugar dissolves making sure to stir the entire time.

Remove from heat and allow to completely cool. Transfer syrup to a heat safe jar or container and store in refrigerator.

Autumn Spiced Concentrate

Ingredients

2 cups water

3 cinnamon sticks

3 whole cloves

Directions

In a medium saucepan bring water, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves to a to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.

Your house will smell amazing during this part of the process!

Remove from heat and allow concentrate to cool before transferring to a heat safe jar or container.  Store in the refrigerator.

autumn-fall-dining-room-decorations

Seasonal touches here and neutrals there decorate the dining room.

dining-room-table-fall-centerpiece

faux-red-leaves

Faux stems and bushes usually don’t tickle my fall decorating fancy, but this Japanese Maple bush from JOANN is absolutely lovely.

pheasant-planter-new-fall-accent1

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

tureens-on-sideboard

DIY wreath project success means I like the way it turned out and find it too pretty to hang on the front door just yet, so it calls the foyer welcome fall home for now.

fall-2022-wreath-foyer-chair

Several posts ago I shared with you all my purchase and impending delivery of this Negative Oranges Framed Art Print from Kirkland’s Home.

oranges-print-kitchen-wall-art

Don’t you love when an item you’re sure will work does just that.

negative-oranges-print-on-wall (1)

Our welcome fall home 2022 wishlist is almost complete.

welcome-fall-home

Vintage or in the style of vintage prints never fail to catch my eye.

Tennessee has really been on my mind and heart of late.

I purchased my first Anton Pieck print from an antiques shop in East Tennessee thirteen years ago, and last week I purchased this vintage Anton Pieck 3D Paper Art print of “The Ship” to add to the collection.

Hunting dog prints hung throughout my grandparent’s house, and the vintage porcelain figurine immediately took me back so in the cart it went.

Pheasant-canvas-flat-copy

Pheasant Canvas Flat

Wishing my fellow fall fans a happy first day of fall is a Places In The Home tradition.

How do you welcome fall home?

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October Vibes Come Home

October vibes come home to a warm welcome, seasonal updates, creature comforts, and hearth and home enchantment.

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

Friday officially brings October to the table, a perfect time and a perfect month as can be, autumnally speaking.

October vibes come home

Chilly sweater weather days and crisp fall evenings will eventually make it down to Louisiana.

Fleeting as it was, we did get a fall preview last week.  Colors on parade outside our dining room windows grabbed my attention inspiring me to grab the camera and snap the above photo.

Two days later the color treat was completely gone.

Nature not only showed up and showed out, it showed me the importance of enjoying every facet of the season I love while it’s here.

homebody-mug-sweet-water-decor-etsy

Sweet Water Decor Homebody Mug

Cozy, comfortable, cool, and crisp amplifies the fall at home quotient.

Fall autumn days into evenings mark a prime time for a bit of personal downtime spent enjoying the creature comforts of the season we wait for all year long.

If you find the time.

When time affords.

Give yourself permission to give yourself the gift of me time.  Most of us realize it’s a labor of love to nurture, comfort and cozy hearth and home, family and friends.

But what about you?

What better way to recharge the battery we run down during our busy and hectic week than with a good book, a hot beverage and a few creatures of cozy comfort.

foodiesfeed.com_woman-in-a-warm-blanket-holding-a-cup-of-coffee

Foodiesfeed

Comfort and cozy lives on through the generations.

Although the linen closet is packed with a slew of throws and blankets to choose from, invariably I go for the crocheted afghan my grandmother had made for my mother Christmas circa 1974.

It’s a familiar and familial source of comfort; a tactile touchstone accessory perfect for a fall settle in.

fall-colors-vintage-throw

Remember hot spiced tea from Tang?

Talk about bringing back precious and tasty memories.

pumpkin-teapot (2)

Both my maternal and paternal grandmothers mixed up gallons of this fall into winter spiced tea, serving it up on chilly afternoons to warm the bones and set the tone.

spice-tea-made-with-Tang

Hot Spiced Tea

Ingredients

1  1/3 cups TANG

½  cup sugar

½  cup instant tea*

1  teaspoon cinnamon

½  teaspoon cloves

*Or use lemon-flavored unsweetened or sugar-sweetened instant tea

Directions 

Combine ingredients and store in tightly covered jar.  Makes approximately 24 servings.

For 1 individual serving, place 1 teaspoon of spice tea mix in a cup, fill with boiling water and stir until dissolved.

-Hot spice tea from Tang recipe from Recipe Curio.

fireplace-townley-terrace-home-tour-domino

Domino – Photo by Jessie Cuts

Touches reflecting the season.

Fireside chats.

cozy cardigan candle

Cozy Cardigan Candle

Scents of the season floating throughout the house.

Sweater-Knit Slippers

Enjoying the comfortable and warm styles of the season.

Fall is an extraordinary time of the year where we seem to embrace the places and spaces in the home a bit more than usual.

I came to realize the silver lining of time at home during the lockdown phase of virus life.

At home times seasoned, shared, and experienced in a haven of warmth and comfort, reassuring and familiar in the very best and coziest of ways, is time well spent.

pink-turtleneck-knit-sweater

October vibes come home in comfortable spaces with a fall flavored beverage of choice and a good book.

home-decorating-design-cook-books-fall

Finding Home: The Houses of Pursley Dixon 
The Complete Autumn and Winter Cookbook
A Well-Kept Home
2021 Christmas with Southern Living

I put this activity on respite and repeat.

October-breast-cancer-awareness-month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Annual mammograms can detect cancer early when it is most treatable.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.

Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.

Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.  Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.

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.

pink-pumpkin-flowers-wreath (2)

Heartfelt Additions

October vibes come home in seasonal splendor on this gorgeous first day of the month.

Take it in, enjoy the bounty, and have a lovely weekend.

 

 

 

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.

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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 roll into my thoughts on this first official day of fall.

fireplace tile

Better Homes & Gardens

During our hurricane damage property overview, I happen to notice the chimney clean out is in need of just that.

Antique Hessian Soldier Andirons

Antique Hessian Soldier Andirons

Dave the Builder will put on his chimney sweep hat and get the job done.

pink-walls-fireplace-Tim-Charles

House & Garden – Photo by Tim Charles

Large Black and Natural Seagrass Calista Tote Basket

Large Black and Natural Seagrass Calista Tote Basket

fireplace-neutral-room

1stDibs Introspective

I, on the other hand, will adorn myself in a chic fall of it all party hat while introducing home and hearth to decorative ideas for firewood storage.

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

 Leo Designs Chicago

fall-styled-fireplace

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

In fall we spruce up and prepare our homes for the season, placing the emphasis on cozy and comfortable.

cozy

force-of-nature-bedroom-fireplace-Helen-Norman

Country Living – Photo by Helen Norman

There’s nothing 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

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.

leather-arm-chair

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

Safavieh Chloe Brown Club Chair

Brown High Upholstered Textile Fabric Retro Style Accent Club Arm Chair

Silver Orchid Conklin Contemporary Throw Blanket

Silver Orchid Conklin Contemporary Throw Blanket

ken-fulk-retriever-andirons

Metal Log Holder with Leather Sling

Metal Log Holder with Leather Sling

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

farmhouse-decor-ideas-garland-wood-Virginia-MacDonald

Country Living – Photo by Virginia MacDonald

September through March is prime snuggle weather.

snuggle-up-throw-pillow

Snuggle Up Throw Pillow

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

Hit the play button to hear the sounds of crackling things to come.

The Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young classic “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
And our la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

fireplace-Southern-Living-photo-Robbie-Caponetto-styling-Kendra-Surface

Southern Living- Photo by Robbie Caponetto – Styling by Kendra Surface

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

Holmes Hole Builders LLC

Holmes Hole Builders LLC

Darryl-Carter-Home-antique-firewood-holder

One Kings Lane

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

chopped-birch-wood

Brown-Wood-and-Leather-Organizer

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

Yankee-Candle-Balsam-Cedar-Scented-Firelog-Set-of-4

Yankee Candle Balsam Cedar Scented Firelog-Set of 4

Dahlia+Metal+Firewood+Holder+Log+Carrier

Dahlia Metal Firewood Holder Log Carrier

Copper Brass Colonial Windmill Sailboat Covered Bucket Coal Ash Fireplace

English Cottage Renovation

reDesign home

Orange Cinnamon Clove Glass Candle

Orange Cinnamon Clove Glass Candle

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

Bria Hammel Interiors

Uniflame Corporation Log RackUniflame Corporation Log Rack

Fall Festive Living

One Kings Lane

Chuck log holder

Chuck Log Holder

Quentin-Bacon-fireplace-CL

Country Living – Photo by Quentin Bacon 

Nautical Brass Fireplace Log Holder

Nautical Brass Fireplace Log Holder

Large Brass Repousse Tinder Box

Large Brass Repousse Tinder Box

stair-fireplace-ideas-veranda-Designer Lynne Stair

Veranda – Photo by Annie Schlechter

Large Copper Firewood Cauldron

Large Copper Firewood Cauldron

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

Victorian Copper/Brass Coal Scuttle

Victorian Copper/Brass Coal Scuttle

 

deluxe-copper-boiler-and-wash-tub

Deluxe Copper Boiler and Wash Tub

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

david-netto-connecticut-family-room

Veranda – Photo by Francesco Lagnese

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

Round Two-Tone Wicker Storage Basket and Planter on Wheels By KOUBOO

tapered-log-basket

Tapered Log Basket

tall log basket

Tall Log Basket

Rattan Woven Log Holder with Handle Gray Natural

fireplace-mantel-ideas-wood

Country Living – Photo by Kim Cornelison

Duraflame New Decor Matches

bangia-agostinho-architecture-rony-vardi-carroll-gardens-townhouse-pia-ulin-photo

Remodelista – Photo by Pia Ulin 

Woven Crescent Basket

Woven Crescent Basket

wood-in-basketDomino

baskets-for-firewood-storage

Pretty is as pretty stores.

VOH Architects

VOH Architects

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

Martha Stewart

6″ Beehive Crock with Fatwood Bag

belts-used-as-firewood-tote

Martha Stewart

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

Chinese Country Antique Painted Cedar Trunk

Chinese Country Antique Painted Cedar Trunk

Blanket chests and painted trunks rank high on my suggestion list of decorative ideas for firewood storage.

Frank-Muytjens-dining-room-fireplace

The Inn at Kenmore Hall – One Kings Lane

This is the form and function part of the show and tell show.

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

a-stately-manor-fireplace

Southern home Magazine- Photography by Emily Jenkins Followill
Design by Nina Nash Long and Don Easterling

19th Century Swedish Country Hand Painted Pine Wooden Wedding Trunk - c.1848

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.

Maiden Creek Apples Wooden Crate

Maiden Creek Apples Wooden Crate

Cott to be Good Soda Crate

Cott To Be Good Soda Crate

outdoor-fireplace-Atlanta-home

Luxe Interiors + Design – Photo by Emily Followill

A pine crate is lovely enough in its natural state, but if it’s not your first choice of finish let the fall decor project good times begin.

unfinished-wood-crates-pallet-wooden-crates

Stain or spray paint in your preferred designer color and/or add a transfer or stencil to customize.

Old Chatham New York farmhouse fireplaceTimberpeg

Uniflame Aged Bronze 3 Panel Screen With Doors

Uniflame Aged Bronze 3 Panel Screen With Doors

Vintage fireplace iron figural Man chimney tools

Vintage Fireplace Iron Figural Man Chimney Tool

Antique . Cast Iron Salvage Grate Front Panel Insert Fireplace Salvage Victorian Architectural Salvage #10

Antique Cast Iron Fireplace Panel

Louis XVI Style Carved and Gilt Fire Screen

Louis XVI Style Carved and Gilt Fire Screen

Antique French Rococo Brass Gilt Fireplace Screen

 

Brass Damper Open Closed Plaque Sign

Antique Cast Iron Woodpecker Match Holder and Strike

Antique Cast Iron Woodpecker Match Holder and Strike

match-striker-matches

Match Striker and Matches

turkey-broom

Turkey Wing Broom

Antique Sheffield Dutch Boy And Girl Cast Iron Pair Of Fireplace Andirons

Antique Sheffield Dutch Boy And Girl Cast Iron Pair Of Fireplace Andirons

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

House & Garden – Photo by Michael Sinclair 

 

Culbreath+Cement+Barrel+Planter

pine-cones-on-wood-stump

Pine+Cone+Fireback

Cast Iron Fireback with Pine Cone Design

So pretty in the firelight.

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

Striking pieces will complete the fireplace decorating scheme.

fireplace-accessories-fall-winter

Rentas Fiberstone Pot Planter
American Carved Wood Hand Form Match Safe
The Wandering Rabbit Cast Iron Matchstick Sculpture
Ohio Stoneware Crock
Italian Hand- Carved 19th Century Fire Bellows
Sharkey Boot Jack Cricket
Classic Shanghai Style Water Bucket
Plow & Hearth Deluxe Double-Bottom Metal Fireplace Ash Bucket with Lid

C.E. Hilts Shoe Co. Tin Litho Match Holder

C.E. Hilts Shoe Co. Tin Litho Match Holder

coal scuttle vintage

Pineville Treasure Chest Too

Cast Iron Queen Bust Andirons, Antique French Figural Firedogs

Cast Iron Queen Bust Andirons, Antique French Figural Firedogs

fireplace-dining-HB

House Beautiful

Fall festive with year round presence.

Minuteman International Maple Leaf Andirons Set of 2

Minuteman International Maple Leaf Andirons Set of 2

Nicky Propane Gel Ethanol or Gas Fireplace Decorative Logs

Propane Gel Ethanol or Gas Fireplace Decorative Logs

reclaimed-pine-wood-mantel

fireplace-mantel-magnolias-Trevor-Tondro

House Beautiful- Photo by Trevor Tondro

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

 

hearth matches

Crawfordsville Steel Pot Planter

Color-Changing Fireplace Color Cones, 2 lb. Bag

Color-Changing Fireplace Color Cones, 2 lb. Bag

Orson Composite Urn Planter

Composite Urn Planter

It’s official folks, fall has arrived!

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