Oh Autumn. How I love you so. You with your cozy lattes, crisp leaves and amazing colours. Let me celebrate by making you a wreath. And then keeping it for myself and hanging it on my door.

I made a wreath.

me no likey.

no thanks.

blech.

Sigh. I didn’t like any of them. Nothing was working for me. I didn’t have enough of the large flowers to make a nice full wreath and all the imbalanced designs just weren’t doing it for me.

So I decided to back to Michaels and bought another pot of the larger ones. They were still on 50% off but I was able to use an additional 25% off coupon that week. Nice!

To attach them to the wreath frame I simply glue gunned each one on. Here is a little animated gif of it all coming together…

After I secured both the large and small flowers on, I was done!

Here are a few close ups. I love the colours. Autumn has the best colour palette!

And that’s it! Easy and festive.

My love affair with Autumn continues.

Have you made any wreaths lately? What is your favourite season? Are you obsessed with Autumn’s colour palette like I am?

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!

    

If you were to walk in our front door right now, this is what you’d see.

But then you’d see my sitting at the dining room table in my pajamas (on my laptop) and quickly turn and leave (good choice).

So, to save you the awkwardness of walking out on me in my t-shirt and pajama bottoms I’ll break down the little autumn decorating party that Chace (my three year old) and I threw tonight (no hats, no games, no cake = lame party in the mind of a toddler). Woops. Better like next time Chacey.

The inspiraton was this awesome subway art (downloadable here from eighteen 25) that I simply framed (VERY simply) in a frame I had on hand. I say ‘very simply’ as you will see it doesn’t quite fit right but I kind of like that sliver of creamy matt. It plays off the gold text. I also like the fact that the frame is a bit beaten up – nice and rustic.

I actually used another one of Eighteen 25’s amazing subway art creations back on my Christmas mantel last year too. Love them!

Then I simply put out an assortment of Autumn coloured candles. You should smell it in here (too bad you left so quickly). It smells like Pumpkin Pie and Spice Latte had a baby and named it Harvest Apple. I could make a joke here about a kid named Apple but I did that last time. Awkward. What’s up with that?

To add some texture, I took some small frames I had on hand and thought, hey, I could make these into candle coasters!

So I trimmed up some scrapbook paper…

Removed the backs of the frames (so they would lay flat) and added the paper behind the glass. Allow my assistant to demonstrate…

When we were done, this is how the other one looked.

You may have noticed, but our front hall table is actually an old sewing machine that I got with my dad back at an auction 11 years ago (and restained here). At that same auction I also got an old crockery jug that worked nicely with the little vignette I was creating.

Looking back at the door you see my wreath and cool black bamboo. The black bamboo is a gift from Chef Kev’s co-worker Ellen (Thanks Ellen!) who thought of me while helping her daughter cut some down. So sweet!

My helper assisted in assembling the bamboo. Note the different pair of pajamas than seen in the picture above. We are potty training. Say no more.

I made the wreath a few years back by twisting together two long faux berry garlands that I bought at Michaels (craft store).

And a few pictures of it all lit and glowy. Since you ran out so quick and all…

So what about you? Done any completely free entry way makeovers lately? Started your Autumn decorating? Had a helper who burned through two pairs of PJ’s like it was nobody’s bidness? Do share!

Linking to:

Cherished Bliss

If you see a 5’3″ girl out there with brown curly hair and a goofy perma-grin it’s probably me. Why am I smiling? Because it is almost FALL! I love Autumn. My absolute favourite season of the year. As a westcoastie rain lover who is allergic to the sun (seriously – I get a major rash) I am so over summer by about June 22.

But alas – September is here! Yay! And with that, cooler weather, raindrops and time to decorate my mantel for FALL!

 Pulling back a bit…

After painting the mantel black last summer, decorating for Fall has had a fun new spin on it. I did a  slightly more rustic look last year so wanted something fresh and crisp this time ’round.

First I pulled out anything I thought may work and lined ‘er up on the couch.

Then I began by hanging the wreath that I made last year. I’ve never been a fan of the ‘traditional’ fake leaf and poppuri type fall wreaths so decided to make my own simpler version.

Then I focussed on the two ‘anchors’ – the white tree trunk vases which I filled with some funky things that looked like pussy willows on steroids who had gotten their hair dyed. I found them for $6 at Pier One! Score.

To make the steroid willows stand up straight (versus splaying out and flopping to the vase edges) I did a simple scotch tape grid – like I did here and here.

Then I layered in the other elements…

My large orange glass pumpkin (which has an opening in back for a candle)…

Serenity Now
The Life of Faith

Lil’ Mrs. Tori
Cherished Bliss
Centsational Girl

Autumn is in the air! … and now it’s also in my living room.

Having recently painted (and fallen in love) with our (now) black mantel I could not wait to decorate it for Fall. And yes, I’ve fallen for it (ha ha, get it). No? Oh. Please just pretend you did (and sorry for the bad joke).

Anyway, here she is all decorated up niiiice (well, I think so anyway but I’m no professional…).

Since it’s a bit of far shot and the mirror is somewhat distracting let me zoom in to show the fun Autumnal elements!

The best part (well, in my opinion anyway) is that aside from the wreath which I just made (small supplies cost) everything else was FREE as I already had it on hand. I literally just brought it all out, dumped ‘er on the couch and began assembling until I was satisfied!

I got this glass pumpkin a few years back and have always loved it. I designed the mantel with it in mind and chose most of my colours playing off the ‘vibe’ that Mr. Pumpk was putting out. In the back is an opening for a tea light holder which adds a nice warm glow when lit.

I took some of the moss that I bought for the wreath (tutorial to follow in an upcoming post) and used it throughout the arrangement to tie my little vignettes into the wreath focal point.

I love the cozy relaxed nature that my ‘old’ and used candles offer. Having been lit in the past, they are all slouchy and organic. I love how they add to the warmth of this whole display.

Here is a close up of the right hand side. Those two frames were given to me by a coworker who was cleaning out her basement and thought I might like them. YES please! I have something in mind for the large one but before I paint it, it was the perfect hue for this display. The smaller bamboo one had no picture in it but I loved the wood that was simply the inside of the back. I left it this way as it added yet another texture. I personally think layering and texture are the keys to an interesting mantel (or any display really).

Here is the focal point wreath I made and as mentioned, I will have a follow up tutorial post. Not satisfied with the standard ‘Autumn wreath” (bright orange fake leaves and overly rustic) I decided to make my own! I wanted something simple and graphic and am really happy with how this turned out. And it was SO easy to make. Yay for easy.

Here is close up of the wreath. You can see the moss used here which I mimicked through the candles and other elements.

And here are a few nighttime shots with everything lit and aglow. YAY FOR AUTUMN!

Oh, and it SMELLS like Autumn in here too as these candles have the perfect Fall spicy scent. Love it.

Guess what is back? Hint: it’s creamy, smooth and full of Autumn goodness. Yes! It’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Season and this morning I enjoyed my first taste of the year.