Inspired by Nature and the Harvest

Image from Country Living

With the weather getting chilly and the leaves changing, I'm itching to get my Fall decorations out and get the apartment ready for the season. I haven't had time to work on anything until this week, and this weekend I found some great ideas that inspired me to keep a harvest coloured theme, drawing from the beautiful things around us in nature.

I'm always a sucker for the bright oranges of pumpkins and leaves, so I know I'll be incorporating some of that into whatever I decided to do. This adorable candlebra from Martha Stewart Living is made with little mini pumpkins and tea lights, resting on a horizontally hung vine and leaf wreath. You could even make this into a beautiful table arrangement that will look colourful and bright during the day, but cozy and inviting in the evening as the sun goes down.

Image from Country Living

How about displaying Fall's bounty of gourds and apples, mixed in with pinecones, leaves and beautiful candles in a long wooden planter? I love the idea that these could be things that you already have around your house, pick up on walks onside or find at the local farmer's market.

This tweed table runner looks great with this wooden table. I've been looking at making a new table runner myself, and this is a great look, thats easy to do. (How cute are the little Thanksgiving turkeys too?)

Image from Better Homes and Gardens

Candles holders of varying heights can be turned into great mini pedestals for colourful pumpkins. You can even find some used ones at a secondhand store, dollar store or yard sale and spray paint them black.

Image from Better Homes and Gardens

The warm golds of Autumn's harvest add an inviting glow above this mantle piece. Doesn't it make you want to curl up beside it in an easy chair with a big book?

I loved this idea of using dried corn husks to create a great textured wreath for a mirror or door. The little red branches and yellow toned gourds had some wonderful Fall colour and punch up the long yellow ribbon.

Image from Better Homes and Gardens

Here is a more colourful wreath, using mini pumpkins and gourds with a backdrop of dried leaves. This is a great wreath to stand out on any front door.

Image from Better Homes and Gardens

This is another interesting pumpkin idea really caught my eye - etched designs! Trace an image and then gently scrape the first layer of the pumpkin to give an engraved look.

Image from Better Homes and Gardens

You could also do a repeated design like the pumpkin above, or even a monogram or initials. The possibilities are endless, so go out and great creative!

I'll be posting more pictures throughout the week of what I make for the season, so be sure to check back soon!