Artistic Lifestyling: Fall

Each September, my mother used to drag out a well-loved, (but kind of tired looking) bundle of Indian corn to hang on the front door. This usually heralded the start of the Fall season. While my mother had a decent artistic flair, I'm kind of shaking my head in wonder at why she would want to use the same display. (Especially when the Indian corn was missing a few more kernels each year!)

Nevertheless, adding a seasonal touch makes our house more inviting, but it's always a good idea to shake things up a bit. So to that end, here are some changes you can make to your entrance that help create a wonderful first impression!

Start at the curb - If you happen to have a rural post, you can dress your mailbox with festive fall decorations, stencil, paint or just use elegant weather-resistant stick-ons. The curb is also a great place to add those beautiful mums!
Dress the door - Unless you live in a Victorian style home, the general rule of thumb on painting the exterior of your home is to use no more than three colors . This might show up in trim colors around windows, a color for shutters and one for the door. If you've got only two colors on the outside of your home, it might be time to choose a new stand out color of paint or stain for your front door. See how the door in the photo really stands out?
Create and hang your beautiful fall wreath and make sure it is completely secured. There is nothing worse than thinking someone has come for a visit, only to find out it's that wreath a-knockin'. Wreath projects are a wonderful tradition to start with your kids. Don't limit yourself to what you see in the craft store customize it. Ask your kids to paint something and add it to your wreath.
If your harvest decor usually includes the requisite pumpkins and gourds, consider something new. A great project for kids are decorative luminaria. Usually luminaria are brought out for the winter holidays, but there is no reason I can think of to wait. Draw vivid pictures on white paper sacks, secure them by pouring sand in the bottom, and add a votive candle. A simple and beautiful project. Luminaria are a wonderful way to light up the night; a thoughtful touch for visiting guests; and this creative lighting plan certainly doesn't look like a runway for circling airplanes!
Finally, ensure your garden beds are tidy, walkways are clear of debris, cracks, dents or chips. Consider resurfacing, adding a new stone or brick veneers or using commercial concrete stains for walkways that have seen better days.

I hope to post some of our own luminaria photos. I'd love to share your photos here and on our website too. Be sure to email me photos of all your projects!

Be Creative!

Lise

Before the cold weather sets in, you'll notice new plants showing up in front of your farmer's market or food store which signals that it's time to plant your Fall flowers and bulbs and make something creative!

Two of my Fall favorites are mums and marigolds. Both of these plants prefer full sun, rich soil and good drainage.

Mums come in a variety of different colors including yellow, white, purple, orange, and pink. For the best design, I find that they make a bold statement when grouped together as a border plant or in combination with existing shrubs.

Marigolds are wonderful when planted in mass and give a wonderful pop of color to your garden beds.

Here is a quick list of last minute gardening tasks before Winter:

Plan your Spring bulb garden. It's usually safe to plant hardy bulbs in late October or early November after the soil has cooled. Hardy bulbs flower in the Spring and include tulips, irises, daffodils and hyacinths.
Plant shrubs and trees now. Be sure to water and mulch well.
Divide any of the perennials that seem to have leveled out on their growth or flowering habits. Though not all varieties should be divided in the fall; it's safe to divide your hostas, daylilies, iris and geraniums.
Rake those leaves and fill your compost pile. Compost from fall leaves doesn't attract as many pests as compost piles filled with kitchen scraps. A good tip for those who don't like furry surprises :-)
Be sure to celebrate with an end of season outdoor gathering. Plan a project for everyone to take part in. Maybe it's a sculpture for your backyard, or stepping stones to keep your feet out of the mud. Whatever the project, make it fun and memorable.
Light up the chiminea, relax and take in the beautiful color of the Fall season.

Enjoy!

Lise