KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – Easy Fall Decorating Ideas In and Out
Put a pot of Mums on each step leading to your front door. They bloom in sun or shade. Keep them blooming longer by watering when dry and removing spent flowers. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes and will bloom till the hard frost.
Paint or etch your house number or name in a pumpkin. Put it on top of a display of heirloom pumpkins and large gourds. These are available now in grocery stores and home centers. They come in a wide variety of colors, textures and interesting shapes. Mix colors or go monochromatic.
Find some wide flat pumpkins in unusual colors. Place these on your buffet table as platforms for serving dishes. Different sizes will show an interesting display on the table. You can also use mini pumpkins for candle holders. Hollow out a hole and melt a little candle wax to hold them firmly. You can use larger pumpkins and top with candles in mason jars for illumination along a walkway or stairs. There are many paint effects to use on the jars for a shimmery look.
Hollow out a large flat pumpkin to use as a planter. Line with plastic and fill with potting soil. Vary the plants. Mix herbs and flowers for an interesting fall feel. If you don’t want to have a growing plant just use florist foam and buy fresh cut fall flowers to make your arrangement.
Paint different sizes of pumpkins. Use gold and black paint for a shimmery classy effect or bright poster paints for kids. Craft stores have pumpkins in many colors to use for your displays also. Duct tape comes in many colors and patterns now. Let the kids go crazy decorating! Do a rectangular pattern, stripes or circles. Make faces or scary designs. Do a cool mummy with white tape.
Stud oranges with cloves in interesting patterns and tie with raffia. Arrange in a large bowl for a fragrant centerpiece. Use oranges along with other fall themed fruits like apples and pomegranates. These will smell nice and last in a nice crystal bowl centerpiece for several days.
Make a pumpkin tower. Find three pumpkins in graduating sizes in different colors. Use a large footed dish or planter for the stack. Place sphagnum moss in between to steady them and give contrast.
Simple is often best. Use a large vase and fill with colorful branches of fall leaves. This makes a lovely centerpiece with great height.
For a simple centerpiece use interesting and colorful gourds. They last forever and are so interesting, mix with orange and white mini pumpkins. Use a rustic canvas or burlap runner down the length of the table. Line the runner with small gourds in different shapes and sizes.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
