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Wednesday, October 5, 2016

How To NOT OVER DECORATE For FALL!

   Keep It Simple, Keep it Natural

GOAL:

To add texture and warmth with the additions of a few Autumn touches.


There are copious amounts of Fall home tours going around blog land right now and it is a great way to get ideas and inspiration that you might apply to your own home.

I have seen the:

THE GOOD 
THE NOT SO GOOD
&
WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD THEY DO THAT? 

 There is nothing worse than when a home's decor looks as if it should have price tags on everything. Also remember not everything requires a bow!!

Of course it is all subjective, and I am a self-proclaimed a less is more, big is better kind of gal when it comes to decor. 

If you are a more is more kind of gal, please don't take offense to my methods, it is just what works for me and what I'd like to share with you today.

 My perspective comes from let's keep it simple and natural as possible.

Seasonal decorating can be tricky because it is so easy to get carried away. 

We have so many offerings out there, and social media and the internet has opened up so many opportunities in the decorating world.

The very first thing you need to do is to remove all the accessories in your room so you have a clean slate. 

Then slowly move the larger additions you would like to add, and create your layers, always keeping in mind less is more, and you don't have to have everything you own out all at once. 

I have a few guidelines that I use when doing seasonal decorating.

1. Keep it simple
2. Use natural elements whenever possible
3. Choose 3 different areas in your home to decorate.
4. Just like on the stage, there should only be one star in a room 
5. Repeat elements to give continuity to your home, I like to use 2- 3 main elements in my Fall decor.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE 

 :


Tone on Tone  ornamental Kale and white pumpkins♥♥♥:
 via

My home


USE NATURAL ELEMENTS

Antler and White Pumpkin Tablescape:


 :


 :


CHOOSE THREE DIFFERENT AREAS TO DECORATE


ENTRY:

Wheat bundle.....did you know that wheat is a symbol for prosperity?  I hope each and every person who sees this is blessed with great prosperity!!:




Dining Room Bench - Fall - Rustic and Woven:

MANTEL

I am going to show you a little contrast here. The first mantel is what I would call simple, natural and tasteful Fall decor. The second mantel is in the, "Let's put a price tag on this stuff and sell it!"





The Don't Do This!!
You will notice the only thing natural in this arrangement are the candles. They could have saved themselves so much money and work by doing something simple and natural.

Cozy:
 If you need a little help in doing your mantel I have a step by step blog post that can help you out. 


THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE STAR IN THE ROOM

What I mean by this is if you have a dining room attached to your kitchen decide where you will put the Fall decor, the table , island or counters. If you have Fall decor everywhere, the eye will be bouncing around the room and not be able to relax and enjoy the view.

The same for your living room or Great room. If you want the mantel to be the focal point then you should keep the coffee table and end tables very simple.

Remember to always enter your room and stand back to see if the eye flows seamlessly or if you have moments of jumping around from one area to another. Your home should have a flow and continuity.



Sharing one of my favorite signs again from @charlie.and.ella. dining room:


Of course these are all just guidelines and methods that I have found that work for me over the years.  
Nothing in design is ever in cement or an absolute.
Use your own discretion and keep in mind at all times the look and feel you want your home to have. 
Keep in mind........
You will have to put away ALL the stuff you put out in order to do your Christmas decorating. Ho-Hum sigh!! That just might be what puts a limit on the more is more look!!

 
 

5 comments:

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Love this....Through the years I have learned to "tone down" ... When I decorated my mantel this year, I kept it simple...working around the items that seem to be there all the time .. and is my favorite Fall mantel I have done...I love all of this inspiration here...And must say that I love the style of Loi of Tone on Tone. Simply elegant!

designchic said...

I totally agree, Kathysue and no one does fall like Loi Thai! Love the images you showcased and the simplicity of the kitchen counter with the white pumpkins...gorgeous! Happy Wednesday!

Donnamae said...

Right there with you Kathysue. I'm not a froufrou kind of gal...so my decorating is more on the simpler side. But as you said....each to their own. You showed some great examples. Enjoy your day! ;)

Bettye said...

This was very helpful. I tend to need specific tips (like one star in the room) rather than more vague suggestions. I love the simplicity in the pictures on the post.
Bettye@TheDecoratorBee

Mary said...

I did up my mantel, an arrangement on my dining table, and a wreath on the front door. That's all. But now you've got me giving my entry the side-eye.