As summer gasps its last, we are noticing many changes. Although they start stealthily and subtly, they will soon seem sudden and stark (as in, “geez, it’s only 6:30, and already, it’stark!”). With the leaves, and the temperatures, dropping, some people are beginning to retreat to the indoors; but that’s a terrible waste. This is one of the most beautiful periods of the year, and there’s no cause to hide inside, as, even in colder regions, there’s still plenty of time for outdoor living. That means that there’s no need to rush outdoor furniture into storage, either.
No matter what it’s made from, it can easily take the fall weather. So, just leave those porch chairs and outdoor sofas where they are, and sit back, relax, and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. While you’re at it, you’ll find the inspiration for some spectacular outdoor décor in the kaleidoscope of autumn’s colors, and the materials for creating it in its many fruits, flowers, and vegetables.
Chief among these, obviously, is the pumpkin, which has long been the reigning symbol of the season. Its uses are myriad, and extend well beyond its role as a jack-o-lantern. That’s one of many Halloween decorations, anyway, which are completely different from fall adornments. Indeed, the latter are natural, and can include nearly anything that is now growing wild.
Some of the most popular of these, besides pumpkins, are leaves, twigs, vines, corn stalks, hay bales, berries, acorns, and fall flowers, especially mums. They can be used separately, or combined, in countless ways, to create any kind of display, focal point, or accent piece, from whimsical, to elegant. Of course, since pumpkins can be incorporated into any ornamental piece, you can’t have too many of them. Luckily, at this time of the year, there are more than enough of them for everyone. You’ll find them at farmers’ markets, supermarkets, and hundreds of pumpkin patches, where you can pick them fresh.
In fact, choosing your pumpkins is as much fun as using them. Make a day of it, and go on an outing, visiting roadside stands, nurseries, and farms. Get a whole bunch of them, in all sizes, along with cornstalks, bales of hay, straw, Indian corn, and the many other types of gourds that are available. Place pumpkins along your porch railings and steps, and use them with leaves, twigs, acorns, and berries, to make centerpieces for your outdoor dining tables. You can even use smaller pumpkins to make candle holders. Stack up some hay bales and pumpkins around outdoor lampposts, and put fall wreaths and Indian corn on your front door.
The possibilities for making fall decorations are endless, so get out there and celebrate this magnificent, yet fleeting, season. Deck out your porch, patio, and gazebo, and have some fun outdoor get-togethers. To make things even more festive, dress up your porch swings, gliders, and Adirondack chairs with some outdoor furniture cushions and throw pillows that feature gold, crimson, burgundy, yellow, russet, and brown.
Tags: accent piece, fall flowers, fall weather, farmers markets, flowers and vegetables, gorgeous scenery, halloween decorations, hay bales, jack o lantern, pumpkin patches