Fall Decorating Ideas: Inspired by Leaves

Raking leaves may not be an exciting task, but using leaves in creative ways is always quite fun.  I enjoy fall and the changing colors, so using leaves indoors is a simple way to introduce those seasonal colors into your living space.  Find inspiration in LEAVES!

Super Simple Fall Decorating Ideas

Pin leaves to throw pillows (visit the main site to see more!)

Scatter leaves about.

Use natural elements to create indoor autumn table displays of earthy color.

Display leaves in vintage bottles.

Welcome guests with pumpkins and mums.

Read more about these projects and see other ideas at the 

Fall Decorating Ideas page at Frugal Interior Design.

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Diamond in the Rough: Foreclosed Property

I'm always on the search for great properties, and foreclosures are super ways to get your hands on a home that may otherwise be out of your price range.

I recently happened upon a property that has me considering a move.  I find myself in this predicament a lot lately, as I have been wanting to move for the past year or two now.  Great places disappear quickly if you don't act quickly.  With that in mind, I decided to post some pics of this great property, so I can stare at them and maybe make a decision before it's too late.

Super style.  Yep, the roof leaks and there is some interior damage from it.
Nothing too involved or costly to fix, however.

A great winding driveway!

I love the distance from the main road; it is much needed since the road gets a bit more traffic than I desire.

The proximity to the backyards of neighboring homes.  I always take this in to consideration.  A row of evergreens would surely remedy this view and provide a more cozy, private environment. 

I wanted to make sure the place had cable versus satelite only.  I was impressed with the massive outdoor lighting transformer.

Right side view.  A large rear deck area with built-in bar.  Main "side" entry to home.

Sloped backyard, but nice wooded side of property - both left and right.

The back portion with the skylights is actually a large screened-in room.  French doors connect it to the main home.

The left-side: This is the lone bedroom on the main floor.

More of the screened in room: perfect for family get-togethers and eating "outside" without the hassle of insects!

The cool "cabana area" with built-in tiled bar top.  A super spot for guests to hang.

I love practicality and this built-in bench utilizes this space well. Perfect outdoor seating.

Other side of the bar.  Great lantern-style light over the area which is repeated among the rest of the outdoor lighting.

Inside the screened-in back room.  Love the skylights and fan.

French doors from the screened-in room to the main living area of the home.

Peeking in the main side door: opens to the kitchen/dining area, hallway and lower-level stairway.

Another view: the main great room with its many windows is seen beyond.
Some plaster damage/debris on the floor from the ceiling/roof  leak.

Kitchen: Not huge, but doable.  Needs some updating

More lantern lighting.  I had this style of lighting at my city townhome and always loved the looks of it.

Great Room: Water damage visible on the walls and floor.  How sad.
But this place can be made to shine again with a little effort.

The balcony isn't overly functional.  I could see placing some plants up there...maybe some "hidden" speakers.
It is mostly aesthetic. 

I had to get the awesome over-sized acorn-esque mosaic chandelier in this pic!  How cool is that thing?
I took all of these pics through the windows, so they are not the greatest.  Wow, what a fireplace!
The stone is so-so; not really what I'd choose, but it works with the style of the home.

Blasted screens!  This is the lone bedroom on the main living level.  It is listed as a one bedroom home, but I believe a room in the "basement" has already been converted into a bedroom - or easily could be.

Overlooks farmland.  I love how the home is up away from the main road.  Much more private feeling.

A peek into the bathroom. This herringbone tile pattern runs through the kitchen and hall too.
I actually like the cohesion and style of this flooring throughout.

A view of the left side backyard area.  Nice stacked stone landscaped walls to define areas.

I wanted to be sure to get a good shot of the log and "stone" foundation together.

Nice deck to sit out upon. 

Lots of landscaping potential.

I like this main entry area.  Great specimen shrubs and trees have been chosen already.

Trying to get a feel for what it would be like if I lived here - my truck in the drive!  Plenty of parking area.  No garage but I could see placing a two-door garage right where that grass starts.  It would be convenient to drive straight up into it!

From Tool Chest to Coffee Table

This repurposed tool chest turned coffee table could possibly be the best find I've happened upon at an antique marketplace (when you see the price, you'll understand why). I found it while looking for some old salt-glazed crocks. The weathered and chippy finish of the chest, along with the color, kept pulling me back over to continually check it out. I almost left with the crock alone, yet continually thinking - I should get that chest! So, I turned around and went back for it. 

This wonderful item was marked down from $12 to $7.00. How could you go wrong? The rustic heavy-duty hardware alone was worth that!  The floor of the chest was a bit loose and a corner slightly damaged, but as a coffee table, it was perfect!

Learn more about my "new" coffee table at frugal-interior-design's 

Coffee Table Ideas page!

Other repurposed coffee table photos, like the one below, can be seen there too!

Simple Crate-Style Coffee Table from Scrap Wood

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Driftwood Floating Shelf

We'll call this a driftwood floating shelf, but it's not the typical driftwood that comes to mind.  A nature walk led me to this rustic relic, almost as though it was begging to be discovered and reused in a new, clever manner.

A weathered wooden beam found washed up along a river's edge gets a new use.

I have found and brought home many wonderful pieces of natural driftwood over the years.  In fact, I have some huge pieces in storage that I've yet to use.  If you walk around my home, you'll find various shapes and sizes propped up in corners and even placed upon tabletops as sculptural artist centerpieces.  I have a love for driftwood, there's no denying it.

From time to time, I find actual "man-made" hewn pieces like this - perfect for rustic furniture, fireplace mantels, or other repurpose projects. In fact, this piece got its first use in my home as a decorative doorway lintel!

Rustic driftwood beam used as decorative lintel over an interior doorway.

Despite loving the above look, I really wanted to try my hand at creating a floating shelf.  It wasn't tough; it just required an hour or so of time and the correct hardware.  A nice, simple project that yielded a great look!

This rustic beam works perfectly as a ledge for artwork!

The piece currently resides as the shelf seen above; however, I must confess missing it over that doorway.  I wonder if I'd be lucky enough to happen upon its twin on my next nature walk?  Let's hope for the best!

To see closer views of this piece and to read about the hardware I used to hang it, visit my page on Floating Shelf Ideas!

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