Embracing Simplicity: A Cozy Fall Decor Transformation
Join us on a journey from Halloween to heartwarming fall decor as we share our delightful transformation. Explore creative and budget-friendly fall decoration ideas that breathe new life into your space. Discover how 'less is more' can bring warmth and charm to your home this season.
This year, I found myself bypassing the traditional joys of fall and heading straight into the Halloween spirit, for reasons I can't quite explain. Fall has always held a special place in my heart, yet this time, Halloween's siren led me astray - or should I say, I hopped on my broomstick and flew with it! Teehee
However, it didn't take long for me to realize why Halloween doesn't always resonate with me. The novelty of the decorations wore off quickly, leaving me yearning for a change. So, I decided to start fresh, beginning with our dining room buffet. I cleared away everything, polished it with a touch of Old English, and embraced the idea that sometimes, less is more.
Lately, I've found that "less is more" is a philosophy I'm increasingly drawn to. It could be due to age or a recent life journey I've embarked on (which I'll share more about later). The notion of over-the-top, maximalist decorating that used to excite me just doesn't hold the same appeal.
Thus, I resolved to scale back and let the simplicity of the fall pieces I carefully selected do the talking. These decorations will carry us through to Thanksgiving, creating a sense of warmth and coziness in our dining room.
Now, you might be wondering where I've been lately. Have I run out of ideas? Could I not find any new recipes to share (actual questions I have received)? Well, life has a way of throwing curveballs at us. But today, I'm excited to share some fall decoration ideas that won't break the bank, as I've stayed true to my frugal mindset.
Would you believe that the large vase I used was once a humble plastic pickle jar? Yes, it's true! I simply gave this repurposed item a new lease on life with a coat of spray paint. To add a rustic touch, I wrapped a ribbon around the top of our "vase" and allowed it to cascade naturally.
Then, I adorned the vase with eucalyptus leaf bunches and some rust-colored faux flowers from Jo Ann Fabric, resulting in a look I wholeheartedly embraced. I'm contemplating whether to transform another plastic pickle jar - perhaps a coat of black paint or a different transformation? Suggestions are welcome!
Next, I brought out our Dollar Tree pumpkin, which found its place atop a stack of books from a barn sale I attended some time ago. Though I haven't had the chance to explore these books yet. I'm hopeful that downtime for reading is on the horizon.
A simple fall pick adorns the top of the books, along with a gold finial I stumbled upon at a barn sale in the past. Unfortunately, I missed my favorite barn sale this year, which left me longing for those unique finds. A few faux leaves later, I decided this arrangement was just right for me today.
Occasionally, I like to incorporate unconventional items into my decor, prompting some to wonder about my choices. This time, I introduced our green utility box, which I suspect served as a cash box in a previous life, onto our buffet. I paired it with a stoneware pinecone platter that belonged to my grandmother, a sentimental piece with a special place in my heart, despite it's chips.
A small glass tree also found its way into this display, though it might be a tad difficult to spot in the photo. To freshen up its appearance, I wrapped it in pip berries. My husband and I collected these glass trees during our wedding planning days, originally intending to use them as table decor. Plans changed last-minute, leaving us with a collection of these charming glass trees.
Even a vintage folding ruler made its way into the arrangement. As I've mentioned before, my focus is on creating vignettes that evoke personal emotions rather than conforming to external expectations. It's been years since I stopped decorating for others; now, I decorate with items that I love, items that tell a story, or items collected during our various adventures.
Of course, no dining room wall would be complete without our beloved WWII artillery basket. Its permanent residence on this wall is a testament to my deep affection for it. As you can see, I've opted for a more muted approach compared to my usually decorations. Simplifying has made cleaning a breeze, a true time-saver!
Currently, I'm on a mission to downsize our home - we have accumulated too much "stuff". While we'll keep items that hold sentimental value or have a special place in our hearts, the rest will find a new home in a booth at our local market, Peddler's Junction in Lancaster, Ohio. Our booth (L22) won't be overly large, as simplicity suits me best right now.
We recently celebrated Grandma's 101st birthday. It was heartwarming to see her again after some time. She has taken up jewelry making, specifically bracelets, as a new hobby at her nursing home. For her birthday, I gifted her glass beads, and I'm eagerly anticipating the creative pieces she'll craft. It's a heartwarming connection, celebrating family and creativity in the most unexpected ways.
As we usher in the beauty of autumn, let this post inspire you to rethink your fall decor. Remember, it's not about how much you have but the heartwarming stories and cherished pieces that make your space uniquely yours. Share your own fall decor journey with us, and let's celebrate the cozy simplicity of the season together.
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Cara
So many beautiful Fall ideas, Cara! I love all the different vignettes you created and how you incoporated all the leaves and the different flowers too. They're both really pretty and feel like the perfect way to celebrate the season. We did a spooky home tour this year and I can't believe it's already time to take everything down and decorate for Christmas. Sending you hugs as you save for the last days of spooky season and transition to thanksgiving, CoCo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much CoCo. You know, orange is not usually my thing, but I did incorporate it a little bit here. I am more of a pink and blush gal, like yourself. Ahhh... Christmas! I typically have it all up by now, but this year, we are having a minimalist Christmas around here. We will be in the throws of a renovation when Christmas rolls around, and I decided clearing the dust from all of my Christmas things is not something I really want to do. I cannot wait to see what you come up with this year, I am always so in love with all of your decor, you are so talented CoCo! I enjoyed your spooky decor this year!
ReplyDeleteI definitely go for less is more when it comes to adding seasonal decor, but then I get stuck for ideas and inspiration! I love the suggestions and ideas here and I am going to look at incorporating some of these!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Molly! I thank you for your kind words, I enjoy decorating our home, but here lately, the less is more approach has me thinking differently about what all we bring into our home. I am so happy to hear you were inspired today.
DeleteThat pickle jar looks amazing, Cara! I love how you've decorated, using the things that are special to you and you already have around your home. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ann! I should have taken a photo of the before, it was awful, but I am loving it these days! I cannot seem to throw these items into the trash and let the landfill keep gathering more and more. I am thinking I will have to give the second jar the same look for a matching pair.
DeleteOh Cara! I hear ya. I agree these days less his more appeals to me too. I love everything you've done in your home for the season and it's so wonderful to have you back around here friend. Happy Halloween! XO- MaryJo
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you again too MaryJo! This less is more is really the way to go these days. I find I have more time to do the things I want to do, less cleaning, and who doesn't love that? I hope you have a Happy Halloween, I am looking forward to hopping over to see what you have in store for me. :)
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