Autumn is my favorite season.  The crisp cool nights, the relief from the summer heat, and the colorful fall foliage just reinvigorates my tired soul. Along with my excitement is a strong desire to add some autumn décor to the interior of my home.  I have found as I get older in life,  just adding a few seasonal touches here and there is all I need to make my home full of autumn bliss.
A few pumpkins and/or gourds sitting in a bowl or layered ever so effortlessly on a table top will give a strong suggestion of fall. Even three holiday pumpkin votives in a row sitting on a shelf will make one smile.
Mix and match your pumpkins and gourds with different natural elements such as scented pine cones. I even save broken pumpkin stems that I find scattered in a pumpkin patch. Placed in a cool container or bowl, these stems make for a great autumn display.
When decorating for fall,  one word of caution is that sometimes but not always, real pumpkins and gourds can decay before the end of the season. So replacements may be necessary and if you are worried about damage to your furniture then just use artificial produce. Fake pumpkins and gourds tend to look like what they are…fake. So add pizzazz by just painting with coffee glaze or any dark stain over each artificial fruit. Apply stain, using downward strokes. Don’t forget the stem. Wipe lightly with paper towel to remove excess stain. Allow to dry for 5-6 hours.
You can find many more holiday ideas and how-to’s in my book, “Five Seasons.” Just order it from botanicagardens.com and also from chrisholsen.com or come into Botanica Gardens in Little Rock.
Happy Decorating,
Chris Olsen
 
