Budget Decorating
(featured column)
5
Easy Fall Updates for the Home, on a Budget!
by
Kathleen Wilson
Fall is a time
of change, so why not take a little time to make some quick, easy and
inexpensive updates to your home, to reflect the spirit of the season! Here are
some great ideas to inspire you to enjoy the season in every part of your home!
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1. Line a pretty bowl or tray with a cloth napkin, and fill with
nature finds… acorns, seed pods, pinecones, or even pretty stones. Now nestle
a small cup or bowl into the center of the larger bowl, fill with water, then
tuck mum, daisy, or sunflower blossoms inside the small cup. A pretty
centerpiece for any table, or even a friendly greeting to set on your front
porch!
2. Pick up some wire edged ribbon from your local discount store in wonderful
fall shades. It doesn’t have to be orange! Golds, greens, browns… any deep
earthy color will do! Now wind your ribbon around your everyday displays for an
immediate autumn boost! Let the ribbon wind and curve naturally in and out of
your decorative objects on mantels, shelves, or the top of armoires or
entertainment centers. Tie a bow with a wavy trail of ribbon around baskets or
display bowls. Even tie your guest towels with it!
3. Make a pretty fall wreath for your front door. Pick up a grapevine or straw
wreath for just a couple of dollars at the craft or discount store, they are
perfect for the season. Take the kids on a nature walk and gather organic
elements for your wreath. Small pieces of driftwood, a tiny birds nest, seed
pods or pretty stones are all great ideas! Always remember to gather
responsibly! Now use your glue gun to attach all the items, and finish with a
pretty fall bow, or wind a silk fall leaf garland around the whole wreath. If
you don’t have a glue gun, twist ties from bread bags can be used to wire the
items on from the back. Hang on your front door, over a fireplace, or over your
bed.
4. Make pressed leaf stained glass! Gather beautiful fall leaves, and press them
under a heavy book between sheets of paper or paper towels. Let dry a few days
to 2 weeks, depending on the leaf. Pick up some wood photo frames from the
dollar shop or discount store. You will need two frames for every stained glass
project. Remove the glass from one of the frames, and save that frame for
another project. Remove the backing of the first frame, and lay the leaves in a
pleasing arrangement, but without overlapping, on the picture frame glass. Place
the second piece of glass over the leaves as a backing, and use the bendable
tabs to secure. Secure a ribbon or chain to the back. Now hang the glasswork in
a window, where the sun can shine through the brilliant colors of fall!
5. Add fabric layers to your tables and shelving to add to the cocooning feel of
the season. Layering fabric is a designer secret to add a rich sense of warmth
and comfort. You can use cloth napkins, fabric leftovers, or finds from the
thrift store or garage sales to build your fabric “wardrobe” on a budget!
Flat sheets work well as tablecloths or curtain panels. Recover dining room
chair seats with some fabric and a staple gun, or sew up a few envelope style
pillow covers for your sofa pillows, to update them for the season.
Simply look for fabric in your color scheme, and always combine a solid color
with patterns to ground the look.
So take a weekend, or even a few evening moments stolen here or there to update
your décor for fall, and celebrate the seasons natural delights!
* * *
Copyright © 2005 by Kathleen Wilson. All
rights reserved.
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