Fall Decor - Hymns & Home https://hymnsandhome.com Modern Cottage Living Sat, 21 Oct 2023 05:58:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://i0.wp.com/hymnsandhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-Website-Icon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Fall Decor - Hymns & Home https://hymnsandhome.com 32 32 207949343 Cottage Style Entryway Makeover – A Before and After Story https://hymnsandhome.com/2023/10/21/cottage-style-entryway-makeover-a-before-and-after-story/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cottage-style-entryway-makeover-a-before-and-after-story https://hymnsandhome.com/2023/10/21/cottage-style-entryway-makeover-a-before-and-after-story/#comments Sat, 21 Oct 2023 05:58:14 +0000 https://hymnsandhome.com/?p=5986 A long time coming, our cottage style entryway is an example of how making your house a home takes time and patience. Join me as I reminisce about how far we've come and share the finished look!

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A long time coming, our cottage style entryway is an example of how making your house a home takes time and patience. Join me as I reminisce about how far we’ve come and share the finished look!

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This is how our entryway looked when we bought our house. Well, okay, not a mess like this – I snagged this picture very quickly one evening before we decided to bust out those wooden screens. It was kind of sporadic and funny actually…

My husband and I had been married a little over a year, I was pregnant with our first child, and we were decorating our Christmas tree in the adjacent living room. We had owned the house for about 1.5 years, having purchased it right before getting married. Neither of us cared much for the screens but we were both working full time and didn’t want to do anything too hasty by ripping things out. But suddenly that December afternoon we decided it would be a great idea then and there to take out those screens. My husband grabbed the sledge hammer and went at it!

This is how our living room originally looked, by the way. That is, after my husband installed the recessed lighting – it used to be much darker in there.

We busted out the screens and it already felt so much better – much more open and light. The wood from the screens ended up being many a garden stake, paint stirring stick, kindling, and more.

The slate floor was in not-so-great condition. It was chipped in some spots and the grout was crumbling in many spots with several large holes. It wasn’t particularly our cup of tea anyway so we had no desire to repair it. Rather, we eventually replaced it a year later with hardwood.

We waited to replace the floor until we did our kitchen renovation, then had the kitchen, living room, and entryway floors all refinished at the same time to match. Additionally, we replaced the baseboards and ceiling fixture and painted the walls.

At this stage we had been living here about 3 years. Projects take time, especially when you have young children, are on a budget, or actually have other things going on in your life besides home remodeling. It stayed this way for several years:

I eventually replaced the small cabinet with a longer table, ditched the coat tree, added an appropriately sized rug for the space, and dressed it up a bit. The wall was still very plain and lacking the character for which I hoped, but it seemed much brighter and fresher.

Dressing the space up for the changing seasons and holidays became a bit more fun, and the “mirror garland” was a new idea with which I enjoyed experimenting. I did my best to work with what I had.

I was still holding out hope that one day we would add an accent wall, but my husband wasn’t completely sold on the idea. At the time of the picture below we had been living here about 7 years.

Finally, for my birthday last Summer, I specifically asked for an accent wall as my gift. My husband and kids surprised me with a little note that stated I would be getting it. Now just to carve out time…

Fast forward to October. My husband had a week off work and lovingly spent several days crafting my long-dreamed-of accent wall. One last photo before the fun begins…

If you’re a details and specs type of person, here are the specs of what he did, as described to me:

  • Since we have textured walls, he used 1/8″ thick masonite (hardboard) as the base so it would be smooth. If you don’t have textured walls you could probably skip that bit.
  • The vertical slats are “mull casing” from Menards – 3/8″ thick x 2″ wide
  • The board on top is a 1″ x 4″ that has been planed to 1/2″ thick (to match the thickness of the masonite + the mull casing), and had a rabbet cut out of it to fit over the mull casing.
  • The pegs were [I believe] wooden Shaker pegs about 3.5″ long, ready made from Menards. Holes for the pegs were formed with a drill press.
  • The bottom board is a 1″ x 6″ planed down to 3/8″ thickness to match up with the mull casing strips.

The panelling was then painted in Benjamin Moore “Van Courtland Blue” (HC-145). The girls and I went and browsed the historic color line from Benjamin Moore one morning and I picked up a sample of the one I felt was most promising (this one!) and I fell in love! (Poor lighting in this photo – you’ll get a more accurate color depiction in a moment).

Then it was wallpaper time! I opted for peel and stick so I wouldn’t have to mess with water and paste and all that. I found this one a number of months ago and bought it in anticipation of this project. It was more brown on cream than I had thought from the website photos (which definitely looked more gray on white), but I decided to go with it anyway and I think it really works.

Accents were added, like vintage crocks from my mom filled with dried bunny tail grass, a vintage quilt, and a stuffed pumpkin…

Cottage style entryway with medium blue gray paneling, floral wallpaper, and seasonal Fall accents.

…this thrifted lamp with a thrifted pleated shade that I re-covered using a thrifted sheet (sense a theme here?), a flow blue plate hung from a velvet ribbon…

Cottage style entryway with medium blue gray paneling, floral wallpaper, and seasonal Fall accents.

…an ironstone basin full of little pumpkins and preserved moss…

Mini orange, white, and green pumpkins atop preserved moss in an antique white ironstone basin.

…Fall hydrangeas dried on the bush in our backyard and placed into an antique ice cream bucket…

Cottage style entryway with medium blue gray paneling, floral wallpaper, and seasonal Fall accents.

…and a thrifted print that I trimmed down to size and taped into a foamboard frame that I’ve had for years.

Cottage style entryway with medium blue gray paneling, floral wallpaper, and seasonal Fall accents.

I love it so much and I’d like to thank my husband for taking the time to do this for me (he really likes it, by the way!). I think it adds so much character and charm to our home and that we will enjoy it for years to come!

You can find the sources for this space (what few there are since most things are thrifted!) linked below. Thanks so much for reading!

Blessings,
Melissa

Sources:

Wall Color: Benjamin Moore “Van Courtland Blue, HC-145”
Wallpaper linked here
Entryway table linked here
Entryway rug linked here (Use code HYMNSANDHOME for additional savings)
Moravian Star Ceiling Fixture linked here

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Charming Fall Entryway Decor with a Luxurious Handmade Garland https://hymnsandhome.com/2022/09/30/charming-fall-entryway-decor-with-a-luxurious-handmade-garland/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=charming-fall-entryway-decor-with-a-luxurious-handmade-garland https://hymnsandhome.com/2022/09/30/charming-fall-entryway-decor-with-a-luxurious-handmade-garland/#respond Sat, 01 Oct 2022 02:58:13 +0000 https://hymnsandhome.com/?p=5312 Join me for a little tour of this year's warm and welcoming Fall entryway decor and learn how I made a luxurious handmade garland to hang on my wall mirror.

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Join me for a little tour of this year’s warm and welcoming Fall entryway decor and learn how I made a luxurious handmade garland to hang on my wall mirror.

This post contains affiliate links for which I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Please click here for more details. I truly appreciate your support!

This year for my Fall entryway decor I really wanted to create a sense of warmth, coziness, and charm while staying true to my desire for simple, uncluttered arrangements. I still like there to be a sense of order to things!

Fall entryway decor - a table with stone lamp, vintage ice cream bucket with Fall stems, a stack of vintage quilts topped with a stuffed pumpkin, an antique wooden toolbox filled with pumpkins and pinecones, and a glass terrarium filled with moss and pumpkins. Above hangs a round mirror adorned with a luxurious Fall garland.
I’ve become a bit obsessed with adding a garland to my entryway decor each season.

In recent years I had played around with some neutral Fall decor, but this year I went for all the warm, cozy Fall colors…and I’m loving it. Personally I think that’s the way Fall is meant to be. It’s the way I used to decorate for Fall before things like Instagram told me it wasn’t in vogue. I say do what pleases you – it’s your home. I’ve finally become confident enough in my own tastes to stick to that philosophy.

Fall Entryway Decor Tour

The Garland

Let’s cut right to the chase – the star of the show, in my opinion – this luxurious garland on the mirror! Ever since I hung a garland on this mirror for Christmas last year, I’ve been a little obsessed with having one on there. The Christmas one got extended into Valentine’s Day with the excuse it was red and the Spring garland got used all through Summer just because I liked it! When I needed one for Fall I hit up the craft store and started picking out bunches of things I liked, not really knowing how it would all come together.

Closeup of the Fall garland with Fall flowers, acorns, dried apple slices, twigs, berries, and so on.
I am absolutely in love with this Fall garland and all its layers and textures.

That’s pretty much my typical system of shopping for florals – I pick whatever looks good knowing I can return what I don’t use as long as I don’t remove the tags. This is because I typically have one or more young children with me and don’t really have the luxury of time for making detailed decisions in the store.

To make the garland…

I started with a base layer of 3 of these stems. I wired them together using floral wire to create my main structure.

I find it the easiest to make my base layer on the floor, hang it on the mirror, then wire the rest of the pieces in while it’s hanging. That gives me the best feel for where I want things.

Next I wired in a mix of these Apple Spray Fall picks and these Orange Spray Fall picks. I alternated them to add interest and fullness. I probably had about 7 of them total.

Finally I cut apart 2 of these bushes and wired in clumps of the flowers wherever it seemed right.

The entire garland is held on the mirror by floral wire connected to command adhesive hooks which are stuck to the outside edge of the frame of the mirror. I have about 5 hooks on there. They are somewhat heavy duty hooks – can hold about a pound apiece I think. Don’t use the mini ones – they can’t hold the weight. Make sure you clean your mirror’s frame and let it dry before applying the hooks, and try not to tug too hard on them when wiring on your garland.

In case you’re wondering, this mirror is from Target. (And you can find that dress here.)

Round mirror adorned with a luxurious garland of pinecones, dried apple slices, acorns, fall flowers, berries, and twigs. Reflection shows the blogger, Melissa, out of focus, taking the photo, with the rest of the living room reflected in the background.
Oh, why hello there! I love the reflection of the piano, painting, and cabinet in this photo.

Moving on to other parts of the Fall entryway decor, we have a fun mix of vintage and new with all sorts of cozy textures.

When you want to create a sense of warmth, mix textures:
Woods, warm metals, paper, linens and knits, natural elements, ceramics, etc.

Vintage items instantly add character to any space. I just love this little wooden toolbox I picked up at an estate sale a few years ago. It works for any season and is great for piling full of natural elements like these mini pumpkins from Trader Joe’s and pinecones from my parents’ backyard.

Closeup of glass and black metal terrarium filled with moss and mini pumpkins, a wooden toolbox with a vase and flowers, pumpkins, pinecones, and vintage books, and just a peak of the Fall garland hanging off the mirror above.
The warmth of woods, metals, and natural elements lends itself so well to an inviting Fall entryway.

I had a few stems left from the garland and put them in that little blue and white vase I picked up at Michael’s last year (sorry, not available online anymore). The blue and white adds a little freshness to all the dark. Lastly I stuck in a few vintage books which are also a great filler in nearly any setting.

Closeup of vintage wooden toolbox filled with mini white pumpkins, pinecones, vintage books, and a little vase of flowers.
Natural elements like pumpkins and pinecones add big textural impact without much effort.

Terrariums, like this one from Hobby Lobby, are a fun item to change out seasonally! To change it over to Fall I layered some moss in the bottom and then simply stacked a few mini pumpkins of varying colors in it. These are real pumpkins but you could certainly use faux. (Fun fact – the bottom right pumpkin grew in our garden this year!)

Glass and black metal terrarium filled with moss and mini pumpkins stacked upon one another.
A terrarium is such a fun way to display seasonal objects.

Speaking of pumpkins, I fell in love with this giant knit pumpkin at Target a few weeks ago. I pretty much stopped buying any new pumpkin related decor, but this one got me with all its big knit texture.

To create height and added texture, I stacked it atop some vintage baby quilts that I’ve found from thrift stores over the last year. The top quilt has Fall colors while the blue and white quilt complements the orange and ties in with the vase on top of the table.

Stack of folded vintage quilts topped with a knit muted orange pumpkin.
Incorporating a variety of textures, including linens and knits, adds plenty of warmth and charm.

A few weeks ago I went to Vintage Market Days and found this old ice cream bucket. I’d been hoping to find one of these for quite a while and was thrilled to find this dreamy white one! What a perfectly charming and rustic way to display any seasonal stems! I filed it with a mix of about 5 (total) of these stems and these stems.

Get the look…

A vintage ice cream bucket filled with Fall stems.
A vintage ice cream bucket is a wonderfully rustic touch for any Fall decor. I found mine at Vintage Market Days of Saint Louis.

Well that pretty well does it for our little tour! Our entryway is small so there’s just room for the table and mirror but it’s fun to dress them up with the seasons.

Fall entryway decor - a table with stone lamp, vintage ice cream bucket with Fall stems, a stack of vintage quilts topped with a stuffed pumpkin, an antique wooden toolbox filled with pumpkins and pinecones, and a glass terrarium filled with moss and pumpkins. Above hangs a round mirror adorned with a luxurious Fall garland.
Eventually I am going to add extra charm to that wall – now I just need my husband on board…

I hope you’ve enjoyed our little Fall Entryway Decor Tour and thanks so much for reading!

Blessings,
Melissa

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My Little Fall Porch + How to Hide Ugly Mum Pots https://hymnsandhome.com/2022/09/16/my-little-fall-porch-how-to-hide-ugly-mum-pots/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-little-fall-porch-how-to-hide-ugly-mum-pots https://hymnsandhome.com/2022/09/16/my-little-fall-porch-how-to-hide-ugly-mum-pots/#respond Fri, 16 Sep 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://hymnsandhome.com/?p=5248 Join me as I decorate my little Fall porch and share 2 simple hacks to make your store-bought mums even cuter!

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Join me as I decorate my little Fall porch and share 2 simple hacks to make your store-bought mums even cuter!

I adore this time of year – the weather hinting at the change of season, apple picking trips, and pumpkin hunting on the horizon. There is so much potential in the months ahead for fun outings, craft projects and decor, and yummy recipes. One of those fun activities is decorating a Fall porch!

This post contains affiliate links for which I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Please click here for more details. I truly appreciate your support!

A stack of flat pumpkins (white, green, and orange) next to a wood bench with various colors of mums and mini pumpkins.
I just love the selection of mums and pumpkins that Trader Joe’s has for my Fall porch!

We have a very small front porch – in fact it’s more like a little concrete block. Even still I love to dress it up with all the mums, pumpkins, and lovely Fall decor! (Don’t ever let your circumstances dampen your creativity – there’s always something you can do with what you have to make it lovely!)

The other day my husband and I hit up a local nursery (shoutout to Thies Farm!) after going on a little lunch date. I picked up a few big mums in beautiful shades of purple and yellow. Then the kids and I visited Trader Joe’s a few days later and picked out a few smaller mums and tiny pumpkins. It’s become a tradition in our house to pick out some little white pumpkins for the kids to paint. I always grab a few for the front porch or around the house too, knowing that in the next few weeks we’ll visit the pumpkin patch for our larger pumpkins.

Tips to Decorate Your Fall Porch

I’ve heard that if you repot your mums into new pots with fresh soil they will last longer. I’ve never tried it, but I could see how that would be true. I don’t, however, have any spare pots large enough nor do I have any potting soil left. So I had to get creative because I really didn’t like the look of those little shiny plastic pots!

Here are 2 hacks for hiding ugly plastic mum pots:

1. Stick the whole thing in a basket, bucket, or crock.

The thrift store is a great place to find containers for your porch. Not only is there usually a great variety of baskets available, but you’re paying such a low fee for them that it’s less catastrophic if they get damaged by weather or [heaven forbid] someone takes them. That’s honestly why I’m a little hesitant to put something like a crock on my porch. We’ve never had anyone take anything like that, but you never know. You know your area best and what you feel comfortable placing outside.

Fall mums in decorative baskets and wrapped in burlap with mini pumpkins on a Fall porch.
I have been using that same large basket for my Fall porch for several years – the bottom is rotted away but you’d never know!

If your mum is too short to stick up over the top of the basket or bucket, put a paver stone, upside down pot, sturdy plastic Tupperware container, or something similar in your basket and set the mum on it. Easy peasy! It instantly dresses up the mum and makes it look very classy!

2. Cover the plastic over with burlap or fabric.

Another way to hide ugly mum pots is to cover them with burlap or fabric. I used a cute sheet from the thrift store this year.

Just cut your fabric or burlap to size – I used pinking shears for a cute zigzag edge – and secure it around the top of your mum pot with a large rubber band. Trim any oddly big corners of fabric. If you don’t have a large enough rubber band you can cut several rubber bands and tie them together into a larger band. (Ask me how I know haha…) You want it to be pretty tight so it holds the material up but not so tight that it’s working its way back down the pot!

Potted Fall mums wrapped in green and white plaid fabric and tied with a burlap bow.
A thrifted sheet makes the sweetest fabric for these Fall mums!

Then cut a length of burlap several inches wide, wrap it around the pot, hiding the rubber band, and tie in a bow. So easy and cute!

Try mixing and matching with the reverse – pots wrapped in burlap and tied with a fabric bow from the material you used on the other pots!

Create interest through grouping and variation.

Our eyes like to see things in groups, especially in odd numbers.

  • Group your mums in odd numbers, vary their heights, and vary their colors within your chosen palette.
  • Line up your little pumpkins in odd numbers on a ledge or bench.
  • Stack your pumpkins in threes (choose flatter pumpkins with no stems for the bottom layers).
  • Occasionally lean a pumpkin up against something else at an angle (mum, bigger pumpkin, bench leg) to create a sense of the unexpected and break up the vertical and horizontal lines.
Mini pumpkins lined up on a brick ledge.
Mini pumpkins all lined up.

When decorating a porch it helps to create height.

I’ve had this little indoor/outdoor bench in my living room for a few years now just sitting there holding a plant. I finally got the idea to try it out on our porch and I love it! It just fits at an angle next to our door and is perfect for holding mums and pumpkins!

  • Use an outdoor-proof bench or chair to display your flowers and pumpkins. Put some items on the bench and some on the ground.
  • Create variation in height by propping up mums inside of baskets and purchasing various sizes of mums.
Small front porch decorated for Fall with mums and pumpkins.
Our simple little concrete stoop all decked out for Fall. Now I just need to make a Fall wreath.

Be mindful of the walking path and keep the door clear.

For everyone’s safety maintain a clear walkway so no one trips. Make sure you can get in and out of the door quickly and safely in the event of an emergency.

Thanks for joining me on my little decorating session!

I just love the orange of the pumpkins with my blue door and shutters! (Door and shutters are painted “Liberty Blue” by Fusion Mineral Paint.) Stay tuned for a Fall wreath very soon – I bought the supplies this morning!

Blessings,
Melissa

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5 Fall Tablescape Tips https://hymnsandhome.com/2021/10/16/5-fall-tablescape-tips/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-fall-tablescape-tips https://hymnsandhome.com/2021/10/16/5-fall-tablescape-tips/#comments Sat, 16 Oct 2021 22:00:51 +0000 https://hymnsandhome.com/?p=3307 A beautiful Fall or Thanksgiving tablescape doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Here are 5 quick tips to help you create one!

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This post contains affiliate links for which I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Please click here for more details. I truly appreciate your support!

A beautiful Fall or Thanksgiving tablescape doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are 5 quick tips to help you create one!

1. Start with the basics.

When I set a table, I always start by laying out the essentials.

First the tablecloth or runner. My two favorite tablecloths of all time are this one and this one (which I used in this tablescape). I love that it’s wrinkle and stain resistant. Unfortunately it’s no longer available, but this black and white one is similar. This one is also super cute!

Next come plates, bowls, utensils, and drink ware. Placing these on the table first ensures there is plenty of room for the necessaries and I’m not trying to squeeze them in as an afterthought.

I prefer to stick with neutral plates, chargers, and drink ware. It is generally accepted that food looks most appealing on white plates (unless you’re serving a meal of all mashed potatoes and white rice I guess! Ha!). Plus, by using all neutral plates and drink ware they can be used for any occasion or season and all you have to do is change out the accents. That’s a real money and space saver! That being said, if you enjoy using seasonally themed plates and have a place to store them, by all means go for it – they’re a lot of fun.

Keep plenty of space around these items on your table.There should be enough room to easily maneuver one’s utensils without the risk of tipping a water glass. Aside from such practical issues, letting the space breathe lends itself to a peaceful atmosphere.

2. Keep it simple.

I like to keep tablescapes simple. An overly cluttered table can detract from the gathering and leave one feeling cramped while trying to eat and visit.

I like simple. Simple projects, uncluttered rooms, and simple recipes all make me happy. Don’t get me wrong – I’m willing to delve into complex projects (chair upholstery, anyone?) and I appreciate intricate details, but it’s refreshing for the soul when something in life is actually just simple.

Don’t let it fool you though – even with “simple” decor you can make a bold statement. Here are a few ideas:

3. Incorporate natural elements.

Adding greenery and nature to just about any decorative setting can make it feel complete!

I’m so thankful to have a Trader Joe’s nearby that offers a large variety of beautiful fresh flowers and foliage at very affordable prices! One bunch of mums is typically $3.99 and filler greenery is $2.99. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s perhaps you have a farmers’ market, a produce or flower stand, or even your own backyard.It’s all about being creative and working with what you have available to you!

Mixing a variety of colors and textures in your flowers and greenery adds interest and can make your arrangement feel more upscale. For my main centerpiece I like to arrange the flowers themselves first in the container, focusing on shaping the arrangement, then stick in filler (greenery) where I feel it fits and complements the flowers.

Get creative with your centerpiece container – here I used an antique crock, but the possibilities are endless!

You can then carry that greenery down onto your table in a freeform fashion. Here I used seeded eucalyptus and scattered fresh pumpkins on top. Keep your accents in odd numbered groupings (3 pumpkins on each side) and mix the sizes and colors for added interest.

Important note! Try to avoid flowers that have extra strong scents that could detract from the smell of the food or aggravate your dining companions’ allergies! Also, some greenery and flowers are not suitable for use in certain situations. For instance, the oils from eucalyptus should not be ingested (can cause seizures), so I would never place the eucalyptus directly on the napkins or have it placed where a stray leaf could fall into someone’s bowl.

Instead, for the napkin accents, I chose to use fresh sage from our garden.

This way the greenery that comes into contact with the napkins is something perfectly safe and edible! If you choose to use something like real pumpkins, like I did, be sure to wash them with some soap and water before placing them on your guests’ napkins. (These white cloth napkins were from Target last year.)

4. Add candlelight for ambiance.

Adding a few candles can easily transition a tablescape from daytime to cozy evening mode.

Big candles aren’t even necessary – keeping them small and scattered about helps keep the focus on your centerpiece, out of your guests’ way, and spreads the warmth around the whole table.

For this tablescape I used little glass baby food jars (I knew I saved those for a reason!) filled with sugar (just plain old granulated sugar), and white candle stubs I had leftover from previous occasions. I tucked in three jars among the pumpkins and eucalyptus on either side of the crock. (Remember, odd numbers work well!) Didn’t cost me a thing – so thrifty!

5. Start with what you already have.

Forcing yourself to use what you already have encourages creativity and resourcefulness, saves money, and reduces clutter.

Obviously for this tablescape I purchased fresh flowers and pumpkins, but they were very affordable and I will not have to store them long term. You could just as easily use faux pumpkins and faux flowers that you could reuse from year to year. Everything else I already had and have used many times before. That’s actually just our everyday silverware as I refuse to have more than one set – ha!

It’s remarkable how different a tablescape can look just by switching things around and incorporating different accents, though – even when you’re reusing some of the same elements each time!

I hope you found these tips inspiring as you create your own Fall or Thanksgiving tablescapes!

Do you enjoy decorating your table for the seasons? Which holiday or season is your favorite? Drop a comment below and let me know!

Found this helpful? Pin it for later or share with a friend!

Blessings,
Melissa

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Dish Cloth Pumpkins https://hymnsandhome.com/2021/09/29/dish-cloth-pumpkins/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dish-cloth-pumpkins https://hymnsandhome.com/2021/09/29/dish-cloth-pumpkins/#comments Wed, 29 Sep 2021 18:00:08 +0000 https://hymnsandhome.com/?p=3205 How to Turn a Simple Cotton Dish Cloth into a Sweet Fall Pumpkin in 5 Minutes with No Sewing

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How to Turn a Simple Cotton Dish Cloth into a Sweet Fall Pumpkin in 5 Minutes with No Sewing

This post contains affiliate links for which I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Please click here for more details. I truly appreciate your support!

White textured pumpkin with cinnamon stick stem and natural twine bow

Sometimes inspiration comes to me in the most random places. My little girl and I were in the kitchen section of Target the other day looking for dish towels my mom wanted. My daughter picked up a pack of white dish cloths that were on the shelf in front of her (I was being brave and letting her walk instead of ride in the cart – she’s 2 1/2). At first I said, “Oh, we don’t need those.” but then quickly discovered I liked how they felt. My mind immediately jumped from “I could use these in the kitchen” to “I bet I could make pumpkins out of these.” Don’t know why – that’s just how my brain works I guess!

The dish clothes I used were a pack of 6 white 100% cotton cloths for about $4. I already had the other supplies in my stash, so it cost me less than a dollar per pumpkin to make! Pretty budget friendly!

White barmop dishcloths from Target - pack of 6

I absolutely adore the look of these pumpkins – the soft, subtly fuzzy texture, the clean white combined with a natural twine and earthy brown cinnamon stick. I feel like they would fit right in with just about any decor.

One of the best parts, in my opinion, is that there is no sewing involved. If you’ve been around here a while you may know I’m not the biggest fan of sewing. I know how to and I”ll do it when necessary, but if I can get away with not sewing, even better! Also a plus – they only take about 5 minutes apiece to make! That’s a huge win in my book as a mom of two (soon three) little ones!

White textured pumpkins with cinnamon stick stems and twine bows on top of a vintage wooden sideboard surrounded by vintage white ironstone

They are not difficult to make, but I’ve indicated some specific folds and have tried to provide clear photos and directions on how to perform those folds. You can certainly reference my Youtube video if that is helpful to you. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll try to help!

Let’s get started on some easy dish cloth pumpkins!

Supplies

Tutorial

1. Lay out the dish cloth “wrong side” up (the side with the seam) and cut off any tags.

Lay the dish cloth wrong side up and trim off any tags.

2. Place a large ball of stuffing in the center of the dish cloth.

Place a large ball of stuffing in the center of the dish cloth.

3. Choose one corner and fold it over slightly; secure with a bead of hot glue.

Choose one corner and fold it over slightly; secure with a bead of hot glue.

4. Take the “pointed” corner (opposite the folded corner) and fold it up and over the ball of stuffing.

Take the "pointed" corner (opposite the folded corner) and fold it up and over the ball of stuffing.

5. Pull the opposite corner (the folded one) taughtly over the pointed corner and secure with a line of hot glue.

Pull the opposite corner (the folded one) taughtly over the pointed corner and secure with a line of hot glue.

6. Take another pointed corner and fold the long sides of it inward, as pictured below, to make it narrower and hold the stuffing in.

Take another pointed corner and fold the long sides of it inward, as pictured below.

7. Fold it up to the top middle of the ball.

Fold it up to the top middle of the ball.

8. Fold the sides of the opposite pointed corner the same way to make it narrower and hold the stuffing in.

Fold the opposite pointed corner the same way.

9. Fold the tip of it over and secure with hot glue.

Fold the tip of it over and secure with hot glue.

10. Fold that section up to the center of the ball and secure with hot glue.

Fold that section up to the center of the ball and secure with hot glue.

11. Cut a long length of twine (enough to wrap around this ball 4 times, plus about 6 inches extra). Place it under the ball and bring the ends up to the middle, leaving one end about 6 inches long and the other end very long.

Cut a long length of twine (enough to wrap around this ball 4 times, plus about 6 inches extra). Place it under the ball and bring the ends up to the middle, leaving one end about 6 inches long and the other end very long.

12. Tie in a double knot. (You should have two lengths of twine coming from this knot – one just a few inches and the other very long.)

Tie in a double knot. (You should have two lengths of twine coming from this knot - one just a few inches and the other very long.)

13. Wrap the twine around the ball again, this time perpendicular to the first wrap. Bring it up to your starting point and slip the long length of twine under the knot.

Wrap the twine around the ball again, this time perpendicular to the first wrap. Bring it up to your starting point and slip the long length of twine under the knot.

14. Secure with a knot, using both the long and the short lengths of twine to tie it.

Secure with a knot, using both the long and the short length of twine to tie it.

From the opposite side, it will now look like this:

(From the opposite side, it will now look like this:)

15. Do the same as before, wrapping the twine around the ball, but this time catty-corner (on the diagonal). Slip under the knot and secure by tying.

Do the same as before, wrapping the twine around the ball, but this time catty-corner (on the diagonal). Slip under the knot and secure by tying.

Looks like this from the opposite side:

(Looks like this from the opposite side:)

16. Now do the same to the opposite corner.

Now do the same to the opposite corner.

17. It should look like this. Cut off the excess twine once knotted.

It should look like this. Cut off the excess twine once knotted.

It will look like this from the opposite side:

It will look like this from the opposite side:

18. With the pumpkin turned “right side up” (knots on the bottom), find the center (in the middle of all the criss-crossed strings). Snip a very small slit in the fabric, being sure not to cut the twine.

With the pumpkin turned "right side up" (knot on the bottom), find the center (in the middle of all the criss-crossed strings). Snip a very small slit in the fabric, being sure not to cut the twine.

19. Place the cinnamon stick into the slit, allowing the strings of twine to go around it on all sides. To secure, add hot glue to the bottom of the stick before inserting.

Place the cinnamon stick into the slit, allowing the strings of twine to go around it on all sides. To make secure, add hot glue to the bottom of the stick before inserting.

20. Take a length of twine and wrap it around the base of the cinnamon stick multiple times – however thick you’d like – leaving enough length on both ends to tie a bow.

Take a length of twine and wrap it around the base of the cinnamon stick multiple times - however thick you'd like - leaving enough length on both ends to tie a bow.

21. Finish with a bow and trim ends to desired length.

Finish with a bow and trim ends to desired length.

All done!

While that probably seemed like a pretty lengthy tutorial, it’s only because I tried to really break it down step by step so there was [hopefully] no confusion. It actually goes really quickly once you know how to do it!

White Fall pumpkins with cinnamon stick stems on a vintage green stepladder

These pumpkins would look adorable all lined up on a shelf or hutch, tucked into a bowl as filler, on a table as part of a Fall tablescape…so many possibilities for them!

I hope you enjoyed this quick, easy, and inexpensive Fall DIY tutorial and that you’ve been inspired to whip up some dish cloth pumpkins of your own!

Blessings,
Melissa

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Dollar Store Pumpkins 3 Easy Ways https://hymnsandhome.com/2021/09/06/dollar-store-pumpkins-3-easy-ways/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dollar-store-pumpkins-3-easy-ways https://hymnsandhome.com/2021/09/06/dollar-store-pumpkins-3-easy-ways/#respond Mon, 06 Sep 2021 14:02:44 +0000 https://hymnsandhome.com/?p=3011 How to transform styrofoam dollar store pumpkins into upscale Fall decor!

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How to transform styrofoam dollar store pumpkins into upscale Fall decor!
orange and red styrofoam dollar store pumpkins

My little girl and I stopped in Dollar Tree the other day while my son was at school. We were in search of Fall craft supplies and Dollar Tree did not disappoint. There were all shapes, sizes, and colors of styrofoam pumpkins, plus a little scarecrow painting kit and a puzzle for my girl.

While the dollar store pumpkins are fun in their own way, I wanted to see if I could come up with some super easy ways to transform them into something a little more upscale. Each of these pumpkin transformations is very quick and uses supplies you may already have on hand (with Rub ‘n Buff maybe the exception).

An easy and subtle way to cozy up your home for Fall is to add various cozy textures throughout your decor – think fuzzy knits, warm metallics, and chunky earthenware. It was this concept that sparked the idea for 3 pumpkins with very different but cozy textures.

Let’s introduce these fun Fall pumpkins!

Pumpkin No. 1 – “The Fluffy”

Fuzzy white pumpkin with a cinnamon stick stem on top of a vintage book

Supplies:

1 Styrofoam Pumpkin
Fuzzy Yarn
Scissors

White School Glue
Foam Brush
Hot Glue Gun / Sticks
Cinnamon Stick

Instructions:

  1. Remove tag and stem from pumpkin.
  2. Use scissors to shred the fuzzy yarn into bits (I did this into a paper bowl). You’ll need a lot, but can always make more as you go.
  3. Coat the pumpkin in school glue using the foam brush.
  4. Cover the sticky pumpkin in yarn shreds until fully covered, adding more glue as needed to “bald spots.”
  5. Once dry, hot glue on strips of yarn as the “ribs” of the pumpkin.
  6. Carve a little slot in the top of the pumpkin and insert the cinnamon stick as the stem.

Pumpkin No. 2 – “The Shiny”

Vintage Gold colored pumpkin on top of a black vintage book

Supplies:

1 Styrofoam Pumpkin
Antique Gold Rub ‘n Buff
Paper Towel or Disposable Cloth

Instructions:

  1. Apply a little of the Rub ‘n Buff to your paper towel or cloth. (A little goes a long way!)
  2. Wipe/massage all over pumpkin. The more you buff the shinier it will be. This stuff is very smelly, so do this in a well ventilated area.
  3. Let dry completely.

Pumpkin No. 3 – “The Chunky” (Concrete)

Chunky gray concrete pumpkin with black stem on top of a vintage book

Supplies:

1 Styrofoam Pumpkin
Gray Acrylic Paint (or Black + White to make your own)
Black Acrylic Paint
Baking Soda
Foam Craft Brush
Small Paint Brush
Bowl for Mixing

Instructions:

  1. Remove tag and stem from pumpkin.
  2. Mix together gray paint (or black + white) and baking soda to make a thick paint. Coat the pumpkin in it.
  3. Add more baking soda to the paint to make it extra lumpy and dab it all over the pumpkin, letting it be chunky in some areas.
  4. Paint the stem black and reattach to the pumpkin once it’s dry.

TIP: For ease of painting, poke a long wooden skewer into the hole where the stem used to be and hold it that way. To let the pumpkin dry, poke the other end of the skewer into a cardboard box or prop it up in a vase or cup so the pumpkin can dry without touching the table!

There you have it – 3 quick and easy upscale pumpkins from dollar store styrofoam pumpkins!

Want to save this for later or share with friends? Pin it!

Dollar store pumpkins 3 easy ways - fluffy, shiny, and chunky

Hope you enjoyed these simple pumpkin DIYs! Alright, I’m off to put on a cardigan and pretend it’s cool outside…

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Easy Fall Wreath Tutorial https://hymnsandhome.com/2021/08/26/easy-fall-wreath-tutorial/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=easy-fall-wreath-tutorial https://hymnsandhome.com/2021/08/26/easy-fall-wreath-tutorial/#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2021 16:48:30 +0000 https://hymnsandhome.com/?p=2921 A beautiful neutral Fall wreath in just 3 simple steps!

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A beautiful neutral Fall wreath in just 3 simple steps!

I enjoy making my own wreaths – I love the creative process, the one of a kind result, and the fact that it often saves money over buying pre-made. With two little kids and being quite pregnant with my third, however, I don’t have a ton of time or energy to put into making a wreath right now. I love how quick and easy this one was to make! It is just 4 layers and 3 steps – it took under 30 minutes to put together!

Bright blue door, neutral Fall wreath with eucalyptus, cat tails, and groups of flowers, hung with black and white gingham ribbon.

From what I have read, tones like deep greens, creamy whites, and earthy browns are trending this Fall, along with mixing textures and plaids/checks in neutral tones. While I don’t purposely jump on trends (I tend to go with whatever I like) I guess this wreath happens to be right on target for this coming Fall season!

I found all the materials for this wreath at Hobby Lobby, so I’ll link those specifically below, but I will also link some pretty variations you might like as well!

Let’s make a wreath!

Supplies

Neutral Fall wreath with eucalyptus, foxtails, and cream flowers on a blue front door

Tutorial

Start with the wreath form as your base.

I find it helpful to turn the wreath form different ways before starting and figure out which side would make the best top. Also determine which areas are lacking body and may need to be filled in a bit more with layers.

Whispy grapevine wreath form

First Wreath Layer – Eucalyptus.

Eucalyptus is such a beautiful, neutral foliage and works for pretty much any wreath! Snip your eucalyptus branches into smaller sections and simply stick them into the wreath form. For added durability, or for pieces that don’t have anywhere to hang on, use floral wire to secure.

Do not make the eucalyptus leaves go all the way to the tips of the wreath form – keep them more to the center ring, otherwise the eucalyptus will hide too much of the “wispiness” of the wreath. Be sure to keep your eucalyptus branches bending in the same direction as the wreath form – in my case it is all bending in a clockwise direction.

Wreath form with eucalyptus branches

Second Wreath Layer – Foxtails

As in the previous step, trim your foxtails into smaller sections and stick them into the wreath form, keeping the bend of the branches in the same direction as the previous layers. Use floral wire to secure as necessary.

In this case, do let the foxtails extend out to the tips of the wreath form in some places. This helps fill out the wreath and draw the eye outward. Be sure to work some of the foxtails close to the inner ring as well!

Wreath form with eucalyptus branches and foxtail flowers

Final Wreath Layer – Creamy Fall Flowers

Although I usually associate peonies with Springtime, these cream colored flowers are also perfectly fitting for Fall! Trim the flowers into individual stems and arrange them in groupings of odd numbers – I chose 2 groupings of 3 flowers each. Try to mix the size of the flowers for visual interest.

Fall wreath with eucalyptus, foxtails, and cream colored peonies

Done! Now let’s hang your wreath with ribbon!

To hang my wreath on my front door, I attached an upside-down command adhesive hook to the interior of my door. I looped the ribbon through the wreath, measuring (eye-balling) how much length I needed, then tied a knot at the end and hung it from the hook. No bulky wreath hanger needed!

Upside down command adhesive hook on back of front door used to hang wreath from ribbon

I hope you have enjoyed this simple little Fall wreath tutorial and are inspired to try one of your own! Remember, the beauty of making something yourself is that everyone’s will be a little different – there is no one right way to make a wreath!

Want to save this for later or share with your friends? Pin it!

Easy Fall Wreath in 3 simple steps - Pinterest pin
Blessings, Melissa - Soli Deo Gloria

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A Thanks-Giving Table https://hymnsandhome.com/2020/11/15/a-thanks-giving-table/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-thanks-giving-table https://hymnsandhome.com/2020/11/15/a-thanks-giving-table/#respond Mon, 16 Nov 2020 00:55:04 +0000 http://hymnsandhome.com/?p=2192 For some, the celebration of Thanksgiving this year may be a gathering of those closest and dearest to them. For others it may be a quieter day of reflection.

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For some, the celebration of Thanksgiving this year may be a gathering of those closest and dearest to them. For others it may be a quieter day of reflection.

No matter what Thanksgiving Day may look like for you this year, I invite you to first remember why we have this day: To give thanks to our Creator and Provider for the blessings He daily and richly provides, and most of all for the salvation He has granted to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

Regardless of your dinner plans, I hope this meaning-filled Thanksgiving table may provide you with inspiration as you read the captions and hymn meditations below.

Candlelight

There is nothing quite like candlelight to bring a sense of coziness, warmth, and peace to a space.

“Light of Light, O Sole-Begotten
Radiance of the Father’s face,
Word made flesh, who lived among us

Full of truth and full of grace,
Shine upon our human darkness;

Pierce the night that shrouds our race.”
– Stephen P. Starke

“Give Thanks Pumpkins”

These easy DIY pumpkins are covered in old hymn pages and adorned with “thankful” hymn titles. The tutorial video can be found in the story highlight “Give Thanks Pumpkins” on my Instagram page.

“Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms
Has blest us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.”

– Martin Rinkart; tr. Catherine Winkworth

Fresh Rosemary & Pinecones

What better elements to add to a Thanksgiving table than items found naturally in creation? Gathered pinecones and rosemary trimmings add visual freshness and a lovely scent to the table. The napkins are tied with simple white kitchen twine.

“For the beauty of the earth, 
For the glory of the skies, 
For the love which from our birth 
Over and around us lies.
Christ, our Lord, to Thee we raise 
This, our hymn of grateful praise.”

– Folliott Sandford Pierpoint

Thrifted Plates & Ribbon

The large plates (by Hearth & Hand), the small ironstone plates, and the lace ribbon were all found at thrift shops. I love to buy second-hand pieces – not only does it save my family some money, but it can help to reduce waste and support the charities that run the shops.

“Father, providing
Food for Your children,
By your wise guiding
Teach us to share
One with another,
So that, rejoicing
With us, all others
May know Your care.”
– Albert F. Bayly

Gifted Items

The crystal water goblets and silver flatware were wedding gifts to my husband and me. The ceramic cake stand was given to me by my mother-in-law one Christmas. I enjoy using these generously gifted pieces not only because I like how they look, but because they bring fond memories and thankfulness for our family and friends.

“For the joy of human love, 
Brother, sister, parent, child, 
Friends on earth, and friends above, 
For all gentle thoughts and mild,

Christ, our Lord, to Thee we raise 
This, our hymn of grateful praise.”

– Folliott Sandford Pierpoint

Whatever Thanksgiving Day may look like for you this year, I pray it is a day filled with reflection upon all that has been given to us and thanks to the Provider of all good things.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” – James 1:17

“Even so, Lord, quickly come,
Bring Thy final harvest home; 
Gather thou thy people in, 
Free from sorrow, free from sin, 
There, forever purified, 
In Thy presence to abide; 
Come, with all Thine angels, come, 
Raise the glorious harvest home.”
– Henry Alford

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DIY Stenciled Door Mat (Without Cricut) https://hymnsandhome.com/2020/10/10/diy-stenciled-door-mat-without-cricut/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=diy-stenciled-door-mat-without-cricut https://hymnsandhome.com/2020/10/10/diy-stenciled-door-mat-without-cricut/#respond Sat, 10 Oct 2020 14:33:02 +0000 http://hymnsandhome.com/?p=2073 The other day I got the urge to make a Reformation door mat. So I did.

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The other day I got the urge to make a Reformation door mat.

So I did. 😉

Immediately what popped into my head was the famous Luther quote, “Here I stand…” which is totally punny for a doormat but also deeply meaningful.

“Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

It is debated whether or not Luther actually said these words – some sources include it and some do not, but ultimately it doesn’t matter. Luther was convinced that we are saved by Grace, through faith in Christ alone, and refused to go against what he knew to be true.

How true it still is for us, as we going through challenging times, facing all sorts of falsehood and opposition to truth. This door mat, for me, is more than just a funny pun (although I enjoy the humor of it too) – it is a reminder to myself, a statement to others, and a request to God that I may always hold fast to the Truth:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Tutorial

Below is the tutorial for this mat, and I’ve included the files for my design. However, you can totally make your own design to say whatever you’d like! No circut machine needed!

If you do have a cricut machine, consider yourself blessed. But if you don’t, like me, this is the old fashioned way.

Supplies:

1 Coir Doormat – this is the one I got from Target. This one from Amazon is similar. Mine is 23 x 35″

Digital Design File – download below or design your own

Card stock or printer paper

Printer

Scissors (Love my Scotch titanium precision scissors!)

Ruler

Masking Tape

Black Sharpie

Small craft paint brush (don’t use your favorite – it’ll never be the same)

Black Acrylic Paint (or Fusion Mineral Paint Coal Black – that also worked well!)

Flex Seal Spray, Clear (optional)

Directions:

  1. Print letters on card stock or paper. Cut out with scissors. If you use my files, they are scaled for use on a 23 x 35 inch mat. If your mat is a different size, simply adjust the scale (percentage) in your printer’s settings when you print. You may have to experiment to see what size works best for your mat.
  1. Use a ruler to find the center of your mat and lay out the letters roughly where you want them. (Can you tell my printer was about to run out of ink?!)
  1. Once positioned, use pieces of masking tape rolled up (like little tubes – so the entire outside is sticky) to secure your stencils to the mat. Make any final adjustments to placement as necessary.
  1. Trace around each letter with black sharpie. You will have to “dab” at the mat to make a mark – just running the sharpie around the letter in one stroke won’t leave a dark enough line.
  1. Using your craft brush and black paint, fill in all the letters up to the edges of your tracing lines. Work the paint down into the coir as much as you can to make the lettering as dark as possible.
  1. Let mat dry completely. You can use it as is, or seal it with the flex seal spray for added durability.

My parents and in-laws both want one now, so I’m working on making more of them!

I hope this has inspired you to create your own personalized door mat!

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Cozy Fall Tablescape https://hymnsandhome.com/2020/09/18/cozy-fall-tablescape/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cozy-fall-tablescape https://hymnsandhome.com/2020/09/18/cozy-fall-tablescape/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2020 20:05:40 +0000 http://hymnsandhome.com/?p=1977 Last year I went very neutral for Fall, but this year I wanted something warmer and cozier. I decided on a woodland theme.

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After last year, which was full of over-buying and over-spending, I promised myself that this year I would use as much of what I already had as possible. In fact, my previous blog post was dedicated to this subject – click here to read more about my change in spending habits and perspective.

Now, there is something you should understand about my tablescapes: They are for fun only. They never get used. We have exactly one table in our house, plus a 3-year-old and a 19-month-old. Tablescapes don’t work for meals – ha! But I enjoy creating them nonetheless, and my husband sweetly hung out with the kids and gave me some time last weekend to create and photograph one.

Last year I went very neutral for Fall, but this year I wanted something warmer and cozier. I decided on a woodland theme. I found a roll of 14″ wide burlap I had on hand and cut it to length to make a runner for our table.

My next step after placing a runner or tablecloth on the table is always to put out the place settings. After all, if people were really going to eat here they should have plenty of room to enjoy their food without knocking over the candles or centerpiece!

We have a few different types of plates in our house, but I decided to go with our everyday white plates for a simple base. I’ve seen a lot of bloggers use lovely gold flatware for Fall and Winter. While that would be beautiful and definitely add to the cozy vibe, we don’t have any gold flatware and I wasn’t about to run out and buy some. We have one set of flatware and we use it for everything. It’s a great versatile set which we received as a wedding gift, and I love it!

The water goblets were also a wedding gift – I hope to actually use them more in the future, but for now they get pulled out only for tablescapes!

I actually bought the green plaid napkins during an after-Christmas sale last year at Hobby Lobby! They may have been labeled as Christmas, but I think they totally work for a cozy woodland Fall theme as well! I can’t find them anywhere online, but these or these would also be super cute. Never stick to seasonal labels – items are much more versatile than stores want you to believe!

I’ve had those tan burlap pumpkins for years – they were a Target dollar spot find. They are no longer available and I couldn’t find a single similar thing to link for you, but I’m sure Target has something in the dollar spot again this year. Or you could snag some real pumpkins and gourds from the grocery store or produce stand. Or you could use something entirely different that you already have!

The dried branches and stems in the center of the table are from a disassembled Homegoods bouquet. I never used it, so I gently pulled it apart and used just the sticks, dried flowers, and curly things (that’s the official term, you know!).

You could go outside and scavenge for branches and stems – free decor! We don’t really have much like that in our yard, and if you don’t either, something like this would work well too. Or change it up – use twigs, pinecones, anything you can find! That’s the real point of this – using what you have and what you can find.

When I first saw these vintage brass candlesticks at the thrift store, they immediately struck me as Fall / Winter. I love their warmth and character.

You may be able to find some at a local thrift store or antique store. I see them around frequently. If you’re looking to buy new, these are really pretty!

My favorite part about this tablescape has to be these little guys…

Who wouldn’t smile with these little critters grinning up at them? They are decorations that were leftover from a woodland-themed baby shower that was thrown for me several years ago when I was expecting my son. They may have been purchased at Joann Fabric or Hobby Lobby. These are a similar concept or this little set of bristle animals is absolutely adorable!

Just for fun, here’s a view of my sideboard for Fall. I changed out a few things from my Spring decor, which was still up until a week ago. Yes, it’s true… Priorities.

I took away the little stool I had previously used as a prop, and replaced it with an antique ironstone pitcher I found on Facebook Marketplace, filled with Fall hydrangeas from our yard. The previous wreath got replaced with a pumpkin and pinecone one I’ve had for a few years.

The vintage butter dish full of little lambs and greenery got re-stuffed with dried moss and little burlap birds, and for good woodland-themed measure, I stuck a tree slice under my ironstone plates.

All topped off with a candle, a few vintage books, and a little white pumpkin.

I didn’t buy a single thing for this entire room, and yet it has never looked exactly like this before.

Always start by shopping your own home and yard.

Look past the seasonal labels that stores put on their products and use them anyway if they fit with your theme. No one will think twice about it, I promise!

Be flexible – if you don’t have what you need to create what you originally intended, go a different route – it will still be great! Don’t get hung up on one vision.

Most of all, cozy and pretty doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple!

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