Porches and patios are getting ready to be covered in warm autumn colors and greet all things pumpkin season. Autumn moved on into Northern California this week- there is a chill in the air in the mornings, warm sunny days and leaves starting to fall- and last night we lit the first fire in the fire pit. So, I am thinking about porches, patios and all things pumpkin- and today for Friday Favorites- it is all about inspiration. With ideas for autumn porch decorations for whenever you venture outside to start stacking pumpkins.

Autumn Porch – Pile on the pumpkins

The best accessory for indoors and outdoors for autumn? Pumpkins of course. And the more the merrier! I love to pile the pumpkins on the steps, on the decks and anywhere I can get away with adding a few (or a few dozen).

Tip: Use several size and shapes of pumpkins to create a charming look. From small baby boo’s to large traditional and squatty flat pumpkins too.

Add a pop of color

One of my favorite ways to deck the halls for autumn is to bring in rich warm pops of color. For this styling by the barn, I kept the pumpkins neutral- but brought in a colorful maple tree and wreath.

Tip: Use rich golden yellows, burgundy, shades of red, amber and orange and olive to bring a warm feeling for fall.

Set a Wreath on a chair

For a unique look- why not set a wreath on a chair on the porch? Grapevine wreaths are not just for hanging on the door or above the mantel.

Tip: A vintage chair on the porch is a perfect place for stacking pumpkins or setting a wreath for a charming welcome.

Stack in two or more

Find a few pumpkins that are flat enough to stack on on top of the other. I love to use the heirloom variety and tuck a couple stacks here and there among larger and smaller pumpkins.

Place your chairs around a fire pit

A fire to warm up by is not on the agenda currently since it hot yet. But it won’t be long before we are enjoying the crisp air and cozy fire in the evening. Get ready for those autumn nights by the fire by setting up your fire pit area now.

Tip: Place your chairs around the fire pit to create a spot to sit and visit with friends and family. Fill a basket with throws to grab as needed and stack some firewood nearby so you can easily add to the fire.

Add autumn blooms

Especially for early autumn decor, bring in some of those blooms and mingle them with your pumpkins. These purple blooms are allium- but you can use any type of flower and color that inspires you.

Bring on the twinkle

Those twinkling trees aren’t just for Christmas – we enjoy the ambiance they bring all year long. And for autumn- I like to add some more colorful trees in as well to bring out that rosy glow.

You can see more of this patio styling HERE

Cabbages & Lanterns

This porch is probably my most favorite autumn porch. Those brown cinderella pumpkins, charming lanterns and potted cabbages on the steps were such a pretty look.

Tip: Mix in potted cabbages and add a warm glow with lanterns to give pumpkin covered porches a storybook charm kind of look.

Fill a planter

I also filled these metal urns with clipped foliage and placed a pumpkin on the top. For this look- I used eucalyptus but you can use any foliage or even a potted plant if you prefer. If you are concerned about the weight of a pumpkin- swap a real one with a faux lightweight pumpkin.

Get the Look

Autumn Wreath | Autumn LED Tree | Lanterns | Orange Berry Wreath | Faux Cabbage | Adirondack Chairs | Fire Pit | Plaid Throw | Faux Orange Pumpkins | Faux White Pumpkins | Faux Eucalyptus Greens

*Some Affiliate Links

Stay tuned for this years first autumn porch look coming your way next week. Happy Friday Favorites all!

The post 9 Beautiful ways to Decorate Your Porch for autumn appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Autumn Centerpieces

So, while I am working on a neutral autumn table that is perfect for Thanksgiving and is coming your way – today we are looking back at 5 ideas for a quick, easy, under 20 minutes centerpiece ideas for autumn tables.

#2. Magnolia and roses

This is an oldie but goody- one of your favorites and another one that can be achieved with fresh garland or faux garland.  
I simply tucked a few pale blooms into the garland to add a touch of softness.
Even better? If you use faux garlands and flowers- you can also repurpose this garland for  Thanksgiving and Christmas tables.
Oh- and this one has a secret…

See more Here 

#3. Bold and Beautiful

Walking on the wild side over here…
but I am quickly becoming obsessed with moody color palettes and more bold for autumn this year.
And this garland and wreath from autumn past are one of the reasons.

Gold and bold

Bold in a different way, Gold is king for me all year long. I love to use anything and everything mixed with golds, brass and copper.

#5.  Moody & Dramatic

Well, if I am not going bold- I might be a bit dramatic and moody.
I have definitely been accused of being both.
I just don’t see it… haha-
but pretty sure if you ask my mom about my teenage years
she will ask you to sit down and put your feet up awhile
and tell you stories. haha.
But hey-  at least I grew out of that teenage  phase
and now moody and dramatic has to do with decor.

The post 20 minute decorating- 5 ideas for easy autumn centerpieces appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Autumn Mantel

For Friday Favorites this week- it is alllll about autumn and cozy natural elements. Whether gathering up fall branches and leaves or a basketful of acorns- nature provides an abundance of inspiration and elements to use for seasonal stylings.

Start with pumpkins

I started with several of those chunky heirloom pumpkins in various sizes.

With their muted color, they created the warm autumn ambiance I was looking for.

Add dried florals

Bring in those dried florals. Or faux florals. Or fresh florals. Any kind of flowers you would like to use will work for this simple look. I have a couple vases full of dried florals that were foraged from the garden currently- and I am absolutely loving the soft look the bring- so they were my first choice.

Bring in the candles

For a bit of ambiance and a cozy feeling- bring in the candles.

I placed a few candles to the outsides of the pumpkins to add that warm glow. You can’t tell from the angle of the photos- but they are far away from where the arrangement sits when they are lit. Something to note- when using a dried floral arrangement make sure to keep any real candles or flames far away from it. Even better – use realistic faux candles for worry free ambiance or don’t light the candles at all.

Add a few Acorns or enjoy as is

I didn’t add any acorns to this mantel- but did incorporate them on another one and love the look. I will share that mantel and a few more style tips soon.

What do you think of this simple autumn mantel styling?

Get the Look

Happy Wednesday all.

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Wheat & Roses

There is something about that beautiful soft hue that wheat has. It makes me think of golden fields, saturated sunsets and fresh air. I took those inspirations and created this arrangements using wheat, dried flowers and roses.

Wheat Bunches

It started with 2 bunches of dried wheat. You can find dried wheat wherever dried and preserved flowers are sold-here is a big bunch of them you an order online as well. I then added dried chrysanthemums & dried roses.

You can use whatever type of flowers you would like-but since I have bunches and bunches of dried roses- they are favorites to use. Since this was for a special table styling for the evening, I simply tucked about a dozen large blush roses in for a fresh touch.

Of course, you would not leave fresh roses in an arrangement like this all the time- they will wilt. If you wanted to create the look and have it last all season long- use faux roses in their place.

After tying together – I searched for the perfect ribbon to finish this arrangement. I love how this blush ribbon dangles just enough.

On the Mantel or Table

I love this beautiful arrangement on the table for a simple, natural feeling centerpiece. With a few scattered brown pears and dried fruit it creates a charming focal point without taking up too much room.

But it also works beautifully on the mantel for a simple elegant autumn look.

A few blush candles, books and scattering of autumn harvest fruit and it is perfect. Of course- make sure you set your candles farther away from any dried flowers or arrangements for safety- or use faux candles for no worries. These candles are set to the side- and to the front of the mantel to make sure they are nowhere near the arrangement. Fire safety first always folks- don’t leave them unattended either.

Workshop

Since sharing this morning- lots of requests for a detailed how-to on creating this already-I will try to put together a workshop for this.

Shop the Look

Dried Wheat | Dried Chrysanthemums | Roses | Blush Ribbon | Dried Oranges | Brass Candlesticks | Blush Taper Candles

Don’t miss the floral arrangements my friends are sharing today too. Happy Sunday all.

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The post Wheat & Roses Autumn Floral Arrangement appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Autumn just gets me in a mood. Rich deep colors like aubergine and pomegranate. Faded neutrals like oak leaves and heirloom pumpkins. And a whole lot of candlelight ambiance to warm everything up even more. So what better place to share a foraged, moody autumn mantel than up against the black fireplace and bookshelf backdrop out in the cottage? Even more mood is even better.

Today is the first of several stylings you will see out in the cottage this season- I am playing with different looks to give you several ideas for your own home. So, maybe 5 or 6 mantel ideas out here? Too many? Not enough? Let me know and I will work on them.

Moody Foraged Autumn Mantel- Wander & Gather

The first and biggest inspiration for this mantel styling was simply wandering. We went out on a walk and I started gathering up branches with leaves that had fallen in the recent rain. I also gathered up acorns and smaller branches with leaves for placing on the mantel. And then I wandered and gathered up elements I had on hand to complete the look.

A Natural Autumn Centerpiece for the mantel

I created the centerpiece by mixing the foraged branches with some of the preserved I already had on hand. It is a big one folks- and I am in love with the whole natural elegance it has.

Safety Tip and Secret- These branches are not completely filling this copper pot even though it looks like it. In the back I have several small logs that are keeping the branches to the front- and keeping the pot from falling over. Why did I do that? Because I do have real candles on the mantel as well- I needed to make sure that they were nowhere near the dried leaves. The candles are against the wall- and the arrangement pieces are actually leaning and branching out about a foot forward- rather than over the candles. Safety first at all times! A good option would be to use faux taper candles if you are not able to make sure the branches are safely further away.

I also placed just a couple chunky heirloom pumpkins tucked in with the branches.

Warm Autumn touches with Brass and Copper

A huge warmth on the mantel- bringing in those warm metals like brass and copper. The candlesticks are vintage- as is the kettle – linking a few options for the look.

Autumn Ambiance In the Firebox

The firebox here is a faux one currently- and so, how do you add that warm ambiance and glow if there is no fire? A few tricks here- you can use string LED lights in the firebox to warm it up and also use candles. I chose these faux birch candles and stacked them at different heights among the birch logs.

These are outdoor lanterns and are super heavy cast iron and a little weathered and worn from the elements- but I love to bring them indoors and use them inside the house too. Just a couple scattered about on the sides of the fireplace mantel does the trick and adds another layer of charm and character.

Autumn Foraged Beauty

What do you think of how this foraged mantel styling turned out?

I am in love with it. And even though I will be sharing several more ideas- this one just might be staying all season long out in the cottage. Stay tuned for the next look coming your way soon.

Get the Cozy Autumn Look

Brass Candlesticks | Birch Candles | Copper Pot

For more ideas for autumn mantel stylings- take a peek at this post. Happy decorating all.

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And that means front porches, doors and walkways are getting a bit of autumn cheer. From wreaths and garlands to plump pumpkins, to corn stalks, autumn leaves and even a touch of spooky that might be appearing for Halloween.

I know that this year, you might be thinking about not doing too much decor wise-since those trick or treaters probably won’t be coming by- and the holiday guests may be only virtual.

But I think more than ever you should get out all that decor and deck your halls for autumn and the holidays- for you and your family to enjoy. We all need that bit of seasonal cheer this year. And by decorating outdoors- like our windows, porches and patios- we are sharing a bit of that cheer with our neighbors- even from a distance.

Today is about a few ideas & tips for decorating those outdoors areas and adding that cozy charm this holiday season.

Create a charming backdrop

A simple way to add a bit of charm to your patio for a socially distanced evening is to use outdoor LED trees or lights to add a little layer of magic. This is also perfect for decorating the front porch or patio- simply place those trees on the porch and string lights on the deck for a similar effect.

And the best part- these twinkling trees will last right on through the Christmas decorating season- so you can leave them up and simply change your pumpkins for Christmas touches. (And don’t forget to add those twinkles inside your windows- the charm of those lights in the window is irresistible.)

Use Flickering Lanterns

I love to use lanterns on the steps, on the deck, on the patio and in the yard. Fill them with LED candles that turn on and off on timers- and they are also adding ambiance without any daily attention.

Add Cornstalks for a simple natural look

Cornstalks are so fun to bring out for autumn and Thanksgiving decor. The best part- they are inexpensive and can be easily disposed of when you are done with them. (We will be giving them to the goats and chickens to enjoy) I love to use them on both sides of the door to create a charming ‘welcome’ but they are also perfect for places like the garage or adding to a light pole in your walkway.

Pumpkins on the path

Line your walkways and paths with pumpkins as a beautiful & warm welcome. If you don’t want to use real pumpkins- faux pumpkins are a perfect alternative and will give you the same look.

Add ambiance to your windows

An often overlooked place for seasonal decor- the windows. We have window boxes on almost every window at our house- and so spring and summer they are overflowing with greens and flowers. But come autumn – they start to look a little sparse. A perfect solution is to add a garland to them.

But you can do this even if you don’t have window boxes- and over on the Balsam Hill Blog– I am sharing ideas for decorating your windows for autumn and Christmas. From two ways to use garland- to twinkling trees and flickering LED candles.

Shop the looks I shared below- and see more looks and tips at the Balsam Hill Blog – happy Monday all.

Autumn Wreath & Garland– The foliage that I used is already SOLD OUT – I am linking a similar look.

Window LED Candles

Twinkling Trees

Lanterns

Disclosure- I work with Balsam Hill but all opinions & love of all things Balsam Hill are my own.

The post How to add charming seasonal ambiance outdoors appeared first on French Country Cottage.

And for autumn and the holidays- candles, cozy and magic are on repeat. That twinkle light, chandelier and candle ambiance is a favorite thing over here and I will admit that I add a sprinkle of that pixie dust wherever I can.

Today it is all about autumn by cozy candlelight and ambiance. And I am sharing a few photos of one of the spaces that was in my newest book. And today for our Seasons of Home Tour- I am sharing a few cozy ambiance styling tips from this setting that you can use to create that ambiance in your own home.

The Barn Celebration

One of my favorite stylings in the book- this barn celebration was so much fun to put together. It started with those pumpkins & that eucalyptus & olive garland and then it was time to layer on the ambiance with candles and cozy.

Tip: Use several different size & heights of candles to create layers of ambiance.

I tucked several different size and heights of candles in among the pumpkins on the front porch to create a cozy warm glow as guests walk up towards the barn.

Tip: On the table- I like to use different size, height and styles of a similar candlestick. For this table – I focused on all vintage brass in varying styles.

Inside the barn, it is all about the centerpiece. For this styling- I brought out the vintage candlesticks that I have been collecting for several years. Don’t be afraid to mix and mingle candlesticks in different styles and ages- you can keep them feeling very unified with the same finish.

Tip: Wax drips on candlesticks are a favorite thing- to protect your tabletop- you can place your candlestick on a small vintage plate or place a piece of wax paper underneath it

I love those drippy wax candles and candlestick covered in layers of wax. They create a warm feeling and also a reminder of gatherings past as the colors layer over each one.

Tip: Use a dimmer switch if you have one – or change some or all of your light bulbs for a little bit lower wattage to create a cozy glow in your room.

Think beyond candles when creating a space filled with ambiance. Chandeliers, strands of twinkle lights and even twinkling LED trees in the backdrop will all add a warm cozy feeling.

As always with candles- safety first. Don’t leave them unattended or use them in an area that isn’t safe to burn candles. Right now- we are not burning candles or lighting a fire in our fire pit because of high fire danger during fire season in California. But those LED trees are twinkling away safely- and you can always use LED candles in place of real as well.

And for more- pick up a copy of my new book- French Country Cottage Inspired Gatherings.

Don’t miss all the cozy ambiance my friends are sharing today too.

Ella Claire & Co. | French Country Cottage | Handmade Farmhouse | Dear Lillie

Inspired by Charm | Zevy Joy | City Farmhouse | Craftberry Bush

The post Cozy autumn by candlelight appeared first on French Country Cottage.

This arrangement was such a fun one to create and SO EASY. So today I am breaking down just what inspired me, what is included & how to create a dried flower arrangement of your own with 5 simple tips.

What I used:

Dried Hollyhock Stems

Wild Grass Clippings

Pampas Grass

Dried Oak Leaves on branches

Dried Baby’s Breath

Dried Larkspur

Dried Millet

A handful of dried white roses

Where I started

Whenever I say that- I think of The Sound Of Music.

‘Let’s start at the very beginning… a very good place to start’ – sorry if now you are singing along haha.

Basically, I started by stepping outside and doing a bit of wandering to see what was drying beautifully in the garden and yard. I started gathering up different things and found that I seemed to be drawn to a common thing- rich golden tones and lots of texture.

#1. See what inspires you

One simple dried up bloom in the garden that I absolutely loved the look of what the big kick off for the look.

Hollyhock stalks.

Normally you would let those hollyhocks dry, drop their seeds and then cut them and toss them. But I fell in love with the texture and detail these seeds have- and the way those stalks look.

To note: They will make a bit of a mess dropping their seeds if you clip them before they have opened and dropped them already. I just tidied those seeds up and tossed them back into the garden.

#2. Find a color or texture you love – and layer

One of the tips for this arrangement was finding the color and texture that spoke to me- and then layering it on.

For example- since this is a natural, neutral autumn look- it is all about shades of golds, yellows and whites- and lots of those shades with lots of texture. Wheat, grasses, millet, corn, pampas grass, etc.- they all have a lovely similar shade and unique texture that add interest without being visually busy.

#3. Add an accent just a tad off the rest of the colors

When creating a monotone or neutral look – keeping those elements all within a similar shade or tone is key- but adding something in that is a tad off is a good thing. In this case- it was dried oak leaves.

You can see they add a warm rich brown tone to this – and that beautiful hue adds so much to the overall finished look- but since it is just a tad off color wise- it doesn’t stand out and take center stage. Each of these elements, colors and bits play a key role in creating the overall layers of lovely look.

#4. Go big (or go small)

I love that this arrangement has so much height and width to it- and I think since it is a neutral color- adding that height and width really gives it a feeling of importance and more presence on the table.

You can create a similar look inside a smaller vase and with less oomph- it will be beautiful as well. But I do think the fun thing with this one is that is slightly oversize and unexpected.

#5. Don’t be afraid to add something store bought into the mix

Though this is almost all gathered up from our yard- I also added something I found at HomeGoods awhile back.

Pampas grass is a hugely popular natural element and it was absolutely perfect for filling in areas with that feathery soft look. There are several styles, colors, sizes etc of this and many other natural grasses and dried florals you could add in as well to create your own unique look.

A few ideas?

Nigella Pods

Lotus pods

Dried golden eucalyptus

Preserved leaves

Bare Branches

Dried hydrangeas

And many, many others. Just think outside the box when creating.

And for these French linen custom,slipcovers- They will be officially launching in the next week here on the blog. If you want to be able to do a bit early bird shopping to make sure you grab some- Don’t miss signing up for the sale emails- Thursday is the LAST DAY to get on the Early Bird list.

You can sign up to shop early HERE

NOTE: Of course- anytime you are using any flowers-fresh or dried- know what you are using and touching and be mindful of any that might be poisonous to pets or children and don’t use them. I would also recommend wearing gloves to keep anything that might be harmful or irritating off your skin.

What do you think of how this turned out?

I hope it inspires you to look at those dried up elements in your garden in a different way.

Happy Wednesday all.

The post 5 tips for creating a dried autumn arrangement appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Autumn is cozy season.

Chunky blankets, cups of warm cider, candles and a cozy fire in the fireplace. And home truly is our haven this year with spending so much more time right at home instead of traveling

And this year, that cozy feeling has inspired me more than ever to create a place that inspires & nurtures and surrounds us with warmth and beauty this season. So today we are in the dining room- and I’m sharing a few tips for creating that same feeling in your own home.

Harvest & Garden Bounty

There are several methods to my madness when styling a room for the seasons- and with autumn being all about harvest and pumpkin season- I focused on those two things for this simple look.

While I love bold beautiful pumpkins outdoors- I am not usually a huge fan of bringing that bold orange color inside. But I also don’t always just want white or pastel shades of pumpkins- and these muddy orange /brown heirloom pumpkins are some of my favorites indoors and out.

Tip: Bring those muddy orange pumpkins inside for a bit of color while staying on the softer side of autumn .

Tip: Scatter pumpkins down the center of the table for a rustic centerpiece.

Create a Gathered Arrangement

For the flowers- I wanted something that was full of natural beauty.

This arrangement was inspired but the simple beautiful shades of golden grasses, brown leaves and faded whites. I wandered into the garden and clipped some of the things that were dried and then foraged branches that had fallen off of the oak trees. I have a tutorial sharing more about how to put this together coming soon- stay tuned.

Tip: Forage your garden and yard to find dried elements that inspire you and create a gathered arrangement for autumn

Candles for cozy

This is a simple one for autumn- I love to bring out all those candles and enjoy that lovely warmth and ambiance they bring to the room. They truly do make everything feel more magical and inspired.

Coming your way

Stay tuned for all the details and how to create this arrangement and also- about these brand new linen chair slipcovers. Save the date- and subscribe for early bird purchase access.

Don’t miss what my friends are sharing this week:

Ella Claire & Co. | French Country Cottage | Handmade Farmhouse | Inspired by Charm

City Farmhouse | Zevy Joy | Dear Lillie Studio | Craftberry Bush

The post Simple autumn dining room appeared first on French Country Cottage.

One of my favorite ways to decorate for autumn is to use foraged natural elements. Things like grasses, branches and leaves and dried flowers are perfect for bringing a touch of nature indoors and create that cozy autumn feeling we all love.

I created this foraged arrangement for Inspired Gatherings by doing one simple thing- just wandering outside to see what inspired me.

I found simple bits like oak leaves, golden grasses and dried flowers from the garden. I added some dried wheat & millet, craspedia and burgundy leaves & also a bit of what I had in an arrangement in the house- white roses and eucalyptus.

On the Table in Inspired Gatherings

I placed the arrangement on the table in a copper pot and scattered a bit of fruit to create a centerpiece. It was such a fun gathered goodness autumn centerpiece for the table.

And when I was done with the photos- I brought it indoors and placed in on the mantel for a touch of autumn indoors.

On the mantel

A few princess pumpkins along with pears and figs scattered on the mantel created a simple mantel styling.

I love the little golden pop of yellow that the craspedia brings.

Simple and sweet and such an easy way to decorate for autumn inexpensively and by using all that natural beauty that nature provides.

You can see more in Inspired Gatherings- and don’t miss all the beautiful inspiration that my friends are sharing today too!

Ella Claire & Co. | Dear Lillie | Boxwood Avenue | French Country Cottage

Inspired by Charm | Craftberry Bush | City Farmhouse | Zevy Joy

The post Foraged natural autumn decorating appeared first on French Country Cottage.