Design Spotlight: Exterior Design for Fall with Angie Sullivan!

Angie Sullivan recently vamped up the curb appeal of her 70's rambler.  She added a front porch, a garage addition, and beautiful curved sidewalk and curbing.  These areas have become a hot bed for seasonal design.  Angie accessorized her planter boxes with Autumn leave foliage and pumpkins.  Planter boxes are a simple element that can add sack loads of appeal and provide endless seasonal décor possibilities; not to mention, they add bulk to windows and make them appear larger.  A welcoming new door is flanked and swagged with pumpkins and netting.  Hanging on a stylish ribbon, Angie suspended berry wreaths in the middle of each of her windows. 

 Tip: If you can't find the quantity and quality of wreath that you desire...  Take your cue from Angie.  She found white berry wreaths and spray painted them her desired color.  This allows Angie to refresh them with a dusting of paint at the beginning of each fall season. 

Angie's playful designs fueled the spirit of competition in her brother and neighbor, Scotty.  He styled his front stoop by adding warm tones in the way of a pillow and throw to his wicker rocker.  A simple arrangement of sunflowers in a vintage green glass canister polish off the wicker table.  

Design Psychie: Feelings of Fall

The leaves start falling, the temperature is changing, you can definitely tell, Fall is in the air. It just so happens this is one of my favorite seasons! I can't help but get a little excited to carve pumpkins, wear sweaters and enjoy some cooler weather.  But also with Fall comes a change in the colors that surround us. Take a look at these two panels of colors. Which one "feels" more like fall to you?

The second one, right?! Its because during the cooler months or as temperatures become cooler we tend to gravitate towards colors with a warmer undertone. It has a opposites attract method.

Red, yellow and orange tend to be the most common "warm tones" and any other color that has red or yellow as its undertone makes it a warm tone. For example look at that shade of green in the center of the second panel. It was far more yellow in it than blue, making it a warm green and not a cool green.

So why warm colors? Here are some of the emotional affects warm colors have on us:

Red:

• gentle
• warmth
• comfort
• life

Yellow:

• happiness
• laughter
• cheery
• warmth
• optimism

 Orange:

• warmth
• wealth prosperity
• sophistication
• change

So I say thank you to warm tones, for creating such positive feelings.  No wonder I like Fall so much!

Living Easy: Transitioning Your Porch For The Season.

Happy Fall...  In a good way!  Welcome to my porch.  This is one of my favorite places to relax, especially during the Autumn months.  I veg out on this pillow-stuffed bench and watch my kids play in the yard, all while enjoying the crisp fall air.  Front porches should offer an extension of your living space no matter the size.  My porch is only 12 feet by 4 and a half feet, small yet functional; and it all started with removing the railing from the front of the porch.  Think outside of the box when you're styling your porch.  I chose thrift store finds for majority of the furniture and accessories.  Thrift shops are perfect for outfitting out door spaces because the price is right and you don't need to stress over wear and tear.  The bench is the only piece that was purchased new, hundred buckaroos at Lowe's.  Otherwise, everything else was less than a fifty dollar investment from local second hand stores.  This principle applies to Holiday décor as well.  I added Autumn hues in the form of pillows, wreath, etc.; additionally, thrift store finds.  This will transition throughout the season.  I will add Halloween elements in October and replace them with Harvest elements in November.  If you start with a grounding base, it makes the change simple, especially as we enter the business of the holidays.

Before: Summer

After: Fall

Here's a helpful tip for hanging wreaths during the holiday season: Install an adhesive hook upside down on the inside of your door, near the top.  This allows you to use a variety of ribbon to transition with the holidays.  Simply make a basic knot and slip it over the hook.  Drape the ribbon over the top of your door and tie your wreath on the outside.  This is stylish and allows you to avoid nailing into your door or sustaining damage from wreath hooks scrapping on you door.  Ta-duh!!!

Chandelier Update

Many of you may recognize this chandelier from a previous post.  It has become one of my favorite elements in my house for accessorizing.  As you can tell, the blue burlap ribbon that I had been using as a shade, had become tired.  I wanted some refreshment without a lot of fuss.  I happened upon these mini clothes pins at a local grocery store and my idea was born!  Book pages have become a hot accoutrement in DIY projects recently, so why not.  A thrift store book with interesting pictures and quotes...  Voila!  A whole new look for 5 dollars; perfect for ushering in Autumn.

Trends We Love: D.I.Y. Fall Decor

Here are 5 easy projects you can easily do yourself!

1. A Knob Coat Rack

2. A Fall Wreath

3. Leaf Candles

4. Lace Table Runner

5. Burlap Bed Skirt

1. A Knob Coat Rack:

 Simply choose some drawer knobs, I found some great antique ones and some from a local craft store to get my combination. I then measured and drilled holes in a wood plaque. Screw in the knobs and TADA! 15 min later and you have a great piece that can hold; mittens, hats or scarves and the weather cools.

2. Fall Wreath:

Pre-made wreaths can be anywhere from $40 or more, however most craft stores will carry the items you need to make your own amazing wreath for under $20. First choose a base for your wreath, in this case I chose a twig circular bundle. Then choose your fall foliage. A mixture of flowers, berries and leaves will created a beautiful arrangement. Just take a walk outside for some inspiration. The pine cones, flowers and foliage could be great additions to your wreath. Then decide what saying you want on your pumpkins. I chose the word "welcome" and then used a paint pen to write it across the pumpkins. The best part about this project is you can move pieces around until you get the look you want. Chose some great coordinating ribbon and attach it to your door.

3. Leaf Candles

All you need is some foliage, basic candles and some mod podge. Score up the area on the candle you will be attaching the leaves too. That way they will adhere better. Apply the leaves with some mod podge. And there you are! A little something extra for your home.

4.Drop Cloth Table Runner

Cut a strip for a table cloth about 18" x 65". Hem the sides and then apply some lace to the edges. Fold in the ends and sew a 1/2" hem on the ends. Now you have a table runner that is easy to clean and looks great too.

5. Burlap Bed Skirt

Burlap is a great organic material, perfect for fall. Measure the diameter of you your bed and and the height from the top of the box spring down. Cut your burlap accordingly. Sew a line across the bottom to prevent fraying. apply Velcro to the top and to the box spring ( this allows you to easily change your bed skirt without having to lift a heavy mattress.) Adhere your bed skirt and now you have a new look for the new season!

There you go! Now you get D.I.Y-ing with some new looks for this Fall!

Check Out Whats Coming This September!