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YOUR HOME   -   INTERIOR LOOKS
Decor Worth Falling For
Simple, Seasonal Tips to Create your own Autumn Wonderland
November, 2008 - Issue #49
photography by Ted Dayton

It seems like only yesterday that we had the a/c cranked and a smattering of Fourth of July flags posted patriotically about. But multiple calendar pages have turned, and the harvest (and indoor entertaining) season is now upon us. Thanksgiving hosts and cool-weather-lovers, this one's for you.

Let there be (Candle) Light
Make things easy with great pinecone votives, as well as pinecone candles, that add a simple fall look. Simplese 260-3377

One easy way to incorporate fall's sense of warmth is with candles, and nothing surpasses hand-poured botanical candles from Rosy Rings. These magnificent large pillar candles are infused with botanicals around the entire outside. Our favorites for the season are Spicy Apple and Spiced Cranberry. Aside from their beauty, these candles are a highly-fragrant means of bringing fall inside. McKenna & Greene 296-0935

Start with a scented jar candle from Yankee Candle, Beanpod Soy Candles, Woodwick, Archipelago Botanicals or Votivo. Choose a seasonal, traditional fragrance featuring pumpkin, cinnamon or apple - or expand your horizons to include ginger, sage or patchouli. Layer complementary reed diffusers throughout your home for 24-hour flame-free fragrancing. Add beautiful ROOT or Colonial Candle pillars and tapers in the best harvest colors. Finish with tea light and votive holders in shades of brown and amber, and intersperse in groups of three or five, using your preferred fragrance "family." Candleman 257-9420

Add Fabulous Fabrics
Fall texture and color are just a linen set away. Replace the table linen or runner on your dining room/kitchen table, starting at $24. Store your lightweight throws and lay out soft, luxurious faux fur throws on accent chairs, ends of beds and across couches (starting at $69). Put away light-colored pillows and add textured velvets, fur and tapestries in warm tones (starting at $39). Ma Maison 799-7983

The crisp, cool air of fall is your cue to begin creating warm, cozy meals set upon a beautiful fall table. Adding paisley or damask placemats in rich shades of orange, red and brown will provide an instant glow to any table and is an inexpensive way to dress up the room. If your table is large, add a table runner to match. Or skip the placemats and add a fall-colored tablecloth to warm your table and give your dining room an instant fall feel. Tami Smight Interiors 430-0127

There is still time before the holidays to do a few things to get your home "holiday ready" for that big party or out of town guests. First, reupholster (or slipcover ) the sofa; simply updating with a new color or pattern will automatically give your room a new look. Second, select a new duvet, comforter or bedspread for the guest bedroom. It's an affordable way to make a big impact on over-nighters. Lastly, recover those dining chairs. It's an easy DIY project. Three yards of fabric will complete eight chair seats. Coming Home Fabrics 255-5023

Make a Scene
Decorating traditions can start with just a few pieces, combined with your personal touch. Starting with a mantel, bookcase or end table, use Department 56 collectibles - like hand-crafted, lighted villages and individual figurines - to add a thematic, whimsical touch to your home. You can start your decorating for fall by lining the mantel or piano top with some of their fall-oriented buildings and accessories. Pull the cords to the back and sides, then run them down to an outlet. You can further camouflage cords or loose ends with pumpkins, harvest leaves, gourds or lights. Green Thumb International 259-1072

Transform your main living space into a harvest wonderland by adorning tabletops and armoires with seasonal garland, pumpkin and fall decor. For entertaining, leaf appetizer plates presented with complementing fall-colored serving pieces, along with "Be Thankful" wine glasses featured by Lolita, will be a big hit. For a finishing touch, change out year-round art for seasonal prints. Rooms to Roam
259-7890


To make your living space warm and inviting, use your fireplace as a focal point. Decorate it with fall garlands, candlesticks, and add a decorative iron fireplace screen. Above the fireplace, hang a wreath with leaves, berries and miniature pumpkins. You can also use a wreath as a centerpiece on your table; place a fall-scented candle in the center - like Cranberry Orange Spice or Autumn Wreath. Real Deals on Home Decor 753-9033

Think of New England in October - fall leaves and pumpkins! Resin pumpkins that say "Happy Thanksgiving" or "Welcome Friends" give your home or porch that feeling of "glad you're here." Add some potted mums, real or silk, and you are all set. Don't forget little serving pieces that you can put nuts in for the coffee table. Cobblestone Cottage 253-0209

Fall for Flowers
The essential flowers for creating a fall wonderland theme are actually non-flowers; they are branches, leaves, wheat, cattail, cornstalks, pods and fruits. Fall symbolizes the blooming season coming to the end. The use of branches displayed in a rustic container with vibrant sunset-colored leaves of oranges, red, and burgundy are the most dominant items in creating a fall theme. Flower arrangements enhanced with fruit pods and other unique natural finds add texture and interest, thus creating a harvest style with a home spun feel. Acton Country Flowers 269-9326

You can quickly and easily transform your home into a fall wonderland by using miniature pumpkins, as well as fall leaves in rich golds, oranges and browns scattered about your home. Coffee tables, fireplace mantle or dining room tables are good locations. For a bolder fall "statement," fill a tall copper vase or container with fall lilies, cat tails, wheat, and/or sunflowers. Charmaine's Bouquet Canyon Florist,
297-3100


A medley of textures, such as beautiful berries, fall foliage, and autumn accessories create the look of a bountiful harvest. With nature's brilliant colors, here are just a few of the fall flowers that are in season: sun flowers, dahlias, antique hydrangea, yellow and orange lilies, calla lilies, rusty rose hips, coffee beans, green or red viburnum berry, cranberries, rustic bittersweet vine, grains (millet and wheat) and roses (colors include golden apricot, tomato-red, deep yellow, red-orange, tangerine, dark burgundy, coral-orange, burnt-orange, or terra cotta brown). Don't forget fall fruits and vegetables - grapes, gourds, pumpkins, apples, pomegranates and artichokes - for an authentic touch of the season. Also remember to use fall and harvest-oriented containers instead of predictable glass vases; copper or aluminum pails, dark wicker baskets and hollowed out gourds are great fall containers for floral arrangements. Claire's Flowers 286-1284
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