Lifestyle and entertaining guru Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, author of four books including her most recent, Tablescapes: Setting the Table with Style, relishes decorating for fall.
“I love to make a big tall dramatic bouquet from branches for my entrance hall and then use leaves in my table centerpiece,” she says. “I mix the leaves with store-bought flowers that are a bit more formal.”
More fall decorating tips
Check out these other autumn decorating tips from Whitman:
Spray paint gourds in a shade that matches your table setting.
Branches and leaves from your backyard are a great place to start when working on a floral arrangement or centerpiece.
Candles are a must for fall entertaining. Place scented candles in powder rooms and at the home entrance, but at the table, use unscented candles at different heights.
Make sure a fire is going in the fireplace before guests arrive so the room is extra warm and cozy.
Want more ideas for the table based on designer tips? Click here for more suggestions.
Autumn floral arrangements
Decorating with flowers and outdoor greenery is a great way to bring the outdoors in. Kate Law, a floral expert with ProFlowers, recommends taking a walk outside and picking up fallen buckeyes or pinecones to add an extra touch to mantels and tables. Nothing in nature is off limits: Even wild grasses like wheat grass can be cut to create a fall arrangement in the house.
Tuck a leaf or two into each guest’s napkin ring to add color to a dull table.
Groups of mini pumpkins make for a great, easy centerpiece. Or pile them in a pretty bowl to create a nice accent around the house.
Chrysanthemums (cut stems or potted plants) add a lot of color indoors or out. Place large pots of these fall mums at your doorstep to create a welcoming fall environment for your guests.
According to the Color Marketing Group, Mardi Grape is “a sophisticated crossover between brown, purple, and gray.” Says CMG President James Martin: “Purple has been with us for a while now, but the big story today is that we’re seeing purple as a neutral for the very first time. This purple is browner and grayer, a neutral we can love long-term.”
With these suggestions, your home will be ready for autumn. Who knows? You may even be inspired to update every room in your home!
Decorate your home for autumn
By Lisa Martin
Lifestyle and entertaining guru Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, author of four books including her most recent, Tablescapes: Setting the Table with Style, relishes decorating for fall.
“I love to make a big tall dramatic bouquet from branches for my entrance hall and then use leaves in my table centerpiece,” she says. “I mix the leaves with store-bought flowers that are a bit more formal.”
More fall decorating tips
Check out these other autumn decorating tips from Whitman:
Want more ideas for the table based on designer tips? Click here for more suggestions.
Autumn floral arrangements
Decorating with flowers and outdoor greenery is a great way to bring the outdoors in. Kate Law, a floral expert with ProFlowers, recommends taking a walk outside and picking up fallen buckeyes or pinecones to add an extra touch to mantels and tables. Nothing in nature is off limits: Even wild grasses like wheat grass can be cut to create a fall arrangement in the house.
Trendy fall colors
One of the most obvious ways to spice up your interior for fall is to add items with an autumn palette, including one of the season’s trendiest colors: Mardi Grape.
According to the Color Marketing Group, Mardi Grape is “a sophisticated crossover between brown, purple, and gray.” Says CMG President James Martin: “Purple has been with us for a while now, but the big story today is that we’re seeing purple as a neutral for the very first time. This purple is browner and grayer, a neutral we can love long-term.”
With these suggestions, your home will be ready for autumn. Who knows? You may even be inspired to update every room in your home!