8 Ways to Decorate Now for Fall

While the sun is still out full force here in Southern California, there is a tiny, little snap in the air in the evenings. I can't get the fall season out of my mind, it's my absolute favorite! There is magic in autumn, maybe its the promise of joyful gathering with family and friends. Or the rich, warm colors and textures of autumn, luxurious and comforting at the same time. Here are eight things to do right now in your home. Eight things that will inspire you to use your antiques as part of your seasonal decorating, every day objects too. Let's get ready for Autumn! 1. MAKE EVERYDAY ITEMS LOOK LIKE FALL. It's easy to style a little vignette for fall. I use my French antique glass jars to display seasonal elements. Just a few weeks ago one had shells in it, now it showcases beautiful autumnal potpourri. A little bouquet of hydrangeas from the garden in fall colors that are on the verge of drying, an antique French book and a faux studded lemon make this little corner whisper "autumn". 2. CHANGE YOUR MANTEL. Your mantel doesn't always have to be over the top busy and creative, you know what looks good on your mantel, use pieces that you love. When I'm not ready to change all the way over for fall at home, I often use fresh greens as a transitional way to display the beginning of the season. Here, fresh green pears are nestled in an antique marble pedestal bowl, flanked by a wicker vase with cuttings from a bush that grows in our garden. To transition this for fall, all that is needed is a few pumpkins, some votives and my fall mantel will be done! 3. SET A FALL TABLE. It's no secret that I have a passion for dishes! I use them not only to set the table, but stacks of them as decor. I don't have many full sets, instead I prefer to buy different dinner, salad, and dessert plates to mix and match. While antique dishes are my favorite, these, designed by Cote Table in France, are so charming on my country French table. Each plate is a slightly different color, just a fraction, as they are all hand painted. This table has soothing, natural elements for both the glasses, dishes, and centerpiece. I'll share more about the table and the dinner party we'll be hosting tonight in the next post! 6. MAKE A STUNNING CENTERPIECE. A centerpiece can be anything you love at any given moment. Here, an antique French zinc body pitcher holds {faux} willow branches. It's fun to use your every day items for a centerpiece, be creative! 4. BUY FALL COLORED FRESH FLOWERS. Nothing brings in the glory of the next season better than a bouquet of fresh, beautiful flowers. Use greens from your garden to nestle your arrangement in the vase, and add a drop or two of bleach to the water to keep it crystal clear. 5. DISPLAY FALL POTPOURRI ALL OVER THE HOUSE. This antique French bowl holds a seasonal potpourri {my current favorite is our Chateau Loire Potpourri} with a sprinkling of autumnal elements such as miniature faux pumpkins, a few leaves that may have fallen off a seasonal wreath all look beautiful. 7. SWITCH TO AUTUMN COLORED PLANTS. Now is a good time to rotate your summer plants to the back patio, and display some of fall's glorious colors. The jewel tone of this plant from the garden center just says "AUTUMN" don't you think? 8. GATHER ALL YOUR FALL DECORATING PIECES IN ONE PLACE. If you plan on slowly adding autumn touches to your home, it's helpful to make a list of what you want to use, what you want to buy for this season's decorations, and what you need to get rid of. Donate, or give away, anything still perfectly usable that you want to replace. It's a treat for your decor, and all who visit your home, to add a new treasure or two to display for the coming season, and to add to your collection. Sometimes you need only one decorative antique piece to spark your imagination and give your room a whole different look for the fall season. I hope this post inspired you! Remember to pin some of these images to your Pinterest boards, and sign up to get my blogposts in your email inbox so as not to miss any. Next time I'll show you more of my country French table and the dinner party. Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com.