Le Petit Chateau: Welcoming fall into your home

To say we are spoiled in the northwest is an understatement. Our Indian Summers, with clear skies, crisp air, and orange and yellow blaze create the backdrop to the most gorgeous days!

Crisp fall days in the Apple State!

Yesterday was one such day, and I couldn't help but spend the day unpacking our plaid throws, blankets and autumnal items from storage.

Just like your wardrobe, interiors can change to reflect the season. If you're thinking of bringing fall indoors, consider adding any (or all) of these tried and true autumnal elements!

no. 1 PLAID

no. 2 THROWS AND BLANKETS

no. 3 GOURDS, PINECONES, BRANCHES, WOOD

no. 4 RATTAN AND WICKER

no. 5 FOWL AND ANTLERS

no. 6 CANDLELIGHT

no. 7 BAKE

no. 1 PLAID - I grew up in a suburb of Portland, Oregon and Pendelton Woolen Mills (just across the Columbia River from us) was everywhere in our home - from coat to throw, pillow to blanket, we were covered. I have inherited some from my mom, found more at vintage stores, and even purchased some new.

When I traveled to Scotland a number of years ago, I fell in love with the lambswool and cashmere plaids I found in Elgin. To say I am slightly addicted to plaid is an understatement.

Johnstons of Elgin - Reversible Tweed Lambswool Throw

There are lots of ways to use plaid in your home -

Stacked like art

as upholstery fabric

as a tablecloth

in the kitchen - plaid dish towels from The Weed Patch Country Store

tossed about

fabric for throw pillows

and bedding

no. 2 THROWS AND BLANKETS - I love the idea of 'killing two birds with one stone' by utilizing plaid with throws and blankets, but sometimes you want cozy without the impact of a plaid.

Chunky Cotton -

Chunky Throws and Blankets scream COZY!

Chunky cotton used for bedding

Oh my! I would sleep all day!

Reversible cable knit and fleece make ideal throws in our TV room.

Adding a vibrant orange throw (with a pillow that nods to the girls' Canadian background)
offers so much punch, that there's little need for anything else!

and of course - soft, creamy neutrals can often make a
bigger statement then its brighter hued brothers!

Quilts - I'm not sure there is anything that says 'American Harvest' like a vintage quilt. My sister-in-law, Sharon quilts, as did my Grandma Fanny - I treasure their works!

Gorgeous American and European Quilts

Squash Blossom Pattern - such beautiful colors to build around!

Quilts used as bedding add warmth and charm!

Fur - A fur throw adds instant warmth to any interior decor - it is one item that can read rustic AND glamorous, making it an ideal element for any interior.

Found just about everywhere, fur throws and blankets add cozy glamour!

no. 3 GOURDS, PINECONES, BRANCHES, WOOD

Gourds - they are so 'fall obvious' that I tend to overlook them most year. I don't love bright orange so I use the muted, more neutral colored gourds and ghost pumpkins - they work better in my decor. There is no question, however, that a vibrant orange pumpkin screams Fall! So, I use orange sugar pumpkins on my porch the week leading up to Halloween - making sure to chuck them at midnight.

I prefer to decorate with the more muted gourds.

You cannot deny the impact of the traditional bright orange pumpkin,
especially when mixed, as in nature with the more muted one!

Pinecones - last weekend, my daughter and I drove over to the Roslyn Cemetery. If you haven't explored that cemetery, I highly recommend a trip over (it is on the list of National Historic Cemeteries). I digress, we went over because that's where you can find the most gorgeous sugar cones two layers thick. We were a bit early this year, but we did come home with two baskets full, including a few critters still hiding in my car - eew!

a fun DIY craft project - fall inspired ribbon (plaid of course),
sugar cones, berries and leaves - tada! A happy greeting

Tossed in a wooden bowl with a candle - so simple!
(use faux candles or place in a glass/ceramic container and never unattended)

Three pinecones and a few fallen leaves dresses up this vintage milk pitcher -
usually used for spring blossoms!

Branches - such a versatile element - branches add height, fill in corners and bring rustic nature to a room.

Bring fall color in with snips from your garden

Add a subtle fall feeling with branches

Branches add the perfect touch in a guest bedroom -
fills in the corner and adds impact to a minimalist room.

Wood - my oldest brother was a sawyer (yes, he wore plaid) and is an avid hunter (he lives in Northern Idaho and before you say anything, his hunting is like us going to the grocery store). I spend a weekend in October hunting with David and the best group of guys you can imagine. I admit, I hike - they hunt. While hiking the backwoods of Northern Idaho, I come across birch bark and old wood that makes fall decorating a piece of cake.

Wood cut into chargers is perfect for a fall table.

Floral arrangements I created for an annual dinner for the homeless
using birch bark my brother sent.

Any one of these wooden items, or all, make a great addition to fall decorating!

no. 4 RATTAN AND WICKER

Whether used outside or in, nothing says rustic charm quite like rattan and wicker. It is my 'go-to' item because it adds texture and interest.

Use outside, instead of a pot.

Charming with brunches and berries tucked inside.

Where else are you going to stack those throws?

Not everyone loves this look (I certainly do!), but it definitely adds rustic warmth
and can easily shift to summers at the beach!

My theory - 'you can never have too many baskets' - they work hard in my home -
in fact, my trash can happens to be a wicker basket!

No. 5 FOWL AND ANTLERS

If you want to add some authenticity to your decor, try using hunting elements. Some people are turned off by the subject, I love it. Here are some ideas -

BIRDS AND FOWL -
Prints

Audubon Turkey

Vignettes using china, ceramics and other details like feathers

A pretty china pattern.

Love the ceramic birds mixed with the green Majolica plates.

Love this simple arrangement using feathers, bird seed and nuts - cleaver!

ANTLERS -

Not everyone is into the recent antler movement, and honestly, I'm not sure how I feel, but I did pick up some beautiful antlers while shopping in Port Townsend a few weeks ago. I am excited to use them in my Thanksgiving dinner centerpiece!

Whatever side of the fence you are on (remember, antlers are shed by the male and regrow the following year), these ideas convey the outdoorsy side of fall.

Used with pumpkins, nuts and pinecones!

A proper fall welcome.

Spray painted and tucked on a shelf!

Love the muted color palette.

Love this simple vignette!

Neat idea to use tree branches as antlers.

and of course, using china with a hunting theme!'

I love this Woodland pattern - every animal is bordered in an acorn design.

no. 6 CANDLELIGHT
Whether using pillars or tapers, real or faux, candlelight is like the icing of any cake - it creates a warm, cozy atmosphere like nothing else can.

Adding nuts (acorns are my favorite) to a glass container
makes decorating with candles a breeze.

Fun to use cake stands and tiered serving pieces in the kitchen.

Use apples, mini pumpkins, and gourds to create a glowing centerpiece!

Soft white tapers makes this vignette glow!

Wrapping burlap and plaid around a mason jar
creates the perfect outdoorsy candleholder!

no. 7 BAKE

Noting can be more welcoming than filling your home with the smells and flavors of fall. This recipe for Pumpkin Bread is truly the best. It fills the house, and its inhabitants, with love!