It’s Fall Y’all! Home Decor Ideas
We’re rather convinced that fall in Texas is incredible! Let’s face it… Friday Night Lights, College Football, warm afternoons, cool evenings, and all those spicy colors. Schools are well underway in North Texas, and we’re all at the point of settling into our routines.
All these activities are fun-filled family moments outside of the home, but with the recent cooler temperatures and settled schedules, its time to think of how to turn your home into your favorite fall retreat.
This blog is all about CURB APPEAL! That front porch, door and drive can set the stage for some amazing decorating fun for the entire family.
Curb Appeal... Yes please!
Your welcoming set up begins your pallette to welcome trick-or-treaters, and sets the stage for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. Your fall front porch is fun to create, and can be done on a relatively inexpensive budget. Natural elements create the inspiration for most of your fall outdoor decor, with pumpkins, corn stalks, and hay bales. From the contemporary home to the traditional, these basic materials are universal when thinking fall.
Pumpkins and Gourds become one of the most used decorating items for the fall. From September to November, pumpkins are easy to transform with the fall holidays. If treated with care, pumpkins of various sizes and colors can be a back drop to mums, lanterns, etc. that last the season long.
Think of it this way, you can create a feast for the eyes with the variety of pumpkins and gourds available at your local farmer’s market or grocery store. Layering colors from pure white to a deep orange; and continuing your decorating with the huge variety of shapes.
Pumpkin.. gourd what’s the difference? Gourds are mostly used for decorative or practical purposes, but not so much for eating. On the other hand, pumpkins are not only ornamental, they’re edible, too. Pumpkin pie anyone? YUM!
Thinking of the variety of themes you can create with your chosen Cucurbita, can be a great way to express your family’s personality to the neighborhood. Rouge Vif D’Etampes is one of our favorites. This heirloom variety makes you think of Cinderella’s carriage, and also comes in a variety of colors. Interestingly enough, this French originated variety was brought to the US by the W. Atlee Burpee seed company, and it’s also edible and is a traditionally used as the gold standard for French soup stocks. Our team’s homes also have used the Baby Boo pumpkin both on tables inside and on their porches, due to its pure and creamy white color.
Once October rolls around, you can choose to keep your pumpkins in their natural color, or paint a few to get into the Halloween groove.
TIP: Carving pumpkins reduce the lifespan of a pumpkin for your decor. And if you’re like us, you’ve got kids with very busy schedules that you need to work around in helping them to create their jack-o-lantern. An uncarved pumpkin will last 2-3 months– particularly if you keep them out of direct sunlight and the rain. BUT, those carved pumpkins can rot fairly quickly, particularly when you don’t take action steps to help preserve your project. Check out the steps below from Real Simple.com
Preserve a Pumpkin With Bleach
Create a Bleach Solution
Start by filling a bucket with 3 gallons of water and 3 teaspoons of bleach, then use a funnel (optional but handy) to carefully pour some of that solution into a spray bottle.
Adjust the amount of your solution depending on the size of your bucket as well as the number and sizes of the pumpkins you have to preserve. However, stick to a ratio of 1 gallon of water to 1 teaspoon of bleach.
Clean the Outside Surface
Spray the outside of the pumpkin with the bleach solution, and then let the pumpkin dry fully. This step sterilizes and kills bacteria on the pumpkin’s exterior, slowing its decay. If you opt not to carve your pumpkin, skip to Step 4.
Clean the Inside Surface and Carve
Before carving your pumpkin, cut it open, scoop out the innards, and spray the inside with the bleach solution. Let the pumpkin dry fully before carving, and save the seeds for roasting!
Once your cleaned pumpkin is dry, inside and out, proceed with carving using your favorite spooky pumpkin stencils or your own creative design.
Soak and Dry
Submerge a carved pumpkin into the bucket with the bleach solution and submerge it for at least 2 minutes. Remember to soak the top!
An uncarved pumpkin floats, so stir it around a little to ensure all surfaces are submerged in the bleach solution for at least 2 minutes. We recommend soaking it right-side-up for 2 minutes, then turning it upside-down for another 2 minutes to make sure its outside is fully soaked.
Dry Thoroughly
Once thoroughly soaked, remove the pumpkin and let it air-dry on paper towels. Pour the remaining soaking solution in the bucket down the drain, but keep the solution in your spray bottle for later.
Spray It Daily
For maximum longevity, spray your pumpkin daily with the bleach solution. This step helps to prevent your pumpkin from drying up and shriveling and limits the growth of bacteria. If you run out of bleach, simply make more by mixing a few drops of bleach with water.
Mum's The Word!
Nothing gives all the fall feels quite like mums! Whether you keep them potted or when they’ve been planted in your flower beds, mums in the fall add tons of color opportunities to your home’s curb appeal.
According to various polls, yellow is the most popular mum color in the US, but why stop there when you can find gorgeous bronzes, creams or browns.
TIP: Mums are an easy plant to care for, but if you want color all season long there are a few things you can do.
- Choose the right plant. Not all mums are created for lasting color like your goal. You need to look for a plant with more buds than open flowers; it will last longer, and the repotting process will be less traumatic for a plant not yet in full bloom.
- Repotting your plant will also help. When you purchase your plants, they typically have a very compact root ball, which inhibits growth.
- Hydration isn’t just for your skin! Mums like to have a really good soak after they’re replanted, and then check them regularly to be sure the soil is damp. Dry soil will lead to a dead plant.
The Wreaths Say It All!
When thinking of curb appeal, don’t forget your front door! Wreaths of all different sizes are fun fall additions to express your family’s ID.
In the fall, dried wreaths of natural materials like leaves or grapevine are very popular, and can be gorgeous used plain or with ribbon. One thing we see a lot of in the fall are homeowners shouting their school spirit, with themed wreaths for their favorite teams.
You Can Do it!
We’ve talked about it, now let’s do it! If you’re like us, these ideas get the creativity flowing, but actually doing it is another thing. (insert a smile here) We get it.. we really do!
This is your year to create your fall front porch, and express your love of all things for the season.
And as always, if you’re thinking of making a move give Seay Realty Group a call. We’re here to help! 214-636-8485
