Amber for Autumn Decorating

Where did the year go?  Summer is coming to a close and the colors of the new season are beginning to take over.  Blazing yellow, rusty orange, and amber-hued leaves have begun littering the property like confetti at the hand of Mother Nature.  The leaves always create a wonderful story-board of color for inspiration throughout the home.  I couldn't help but realize how perfectly my vintage amber bottles embrace the colors of Autumn.

Welcoming the new season can be as simple as pulling out some earthy, color-appropriate items and accents you already own.  Move some things around for a fresh look.  Combine like-colored items to make a statement. You don't have to spend much, if anything at all, to give your home a warm, cozy look as the crisp, cool air begins moving in.  So, here's to FALL'S harvest of color!

For the LOVE of Vintage Amber Bottles . . . 

A pair of old, amber detergent bottles on a console.

An amber bottle collection makes a grand statement.

Hand-towels and soaps introduce the colors of the season with ease.

More amber bottles and color-appropriate accents dot this bathroom's decor.

Authentically-rusted metal items fit seamlessly into the mix.

A new set of Autumn-inspired towels is quick and easy!
Seasonal dish towels for the kitchen, do the same trick (or treat)!

For more quick and easy, budget-friendly ideas,

visit my page on Fall Decorating. 

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Someday Crafts - Whatever Goes Wednesday

Winter Squash?

No, your eyes are not deceiving you.  I took these pictures on January 3, 2012.  I keep seeing posts about people wondering how to decorate for Winter once they take down their holiday decor.  I say "decorate with pumpkins and gourds!"  Well, not really.  Why can't I part with these little guys?  They have been sitting quietly in their bowl in a somewhat hidden kitchen counter-top location, minding their business as the hub-bub of the holidays have come and gone.  Possibly feeling a little heartache and resentment toward the evergreen cuttings that have taken residence in their place for the past month.

So, a little experiment . . .

Well, it's a nice contrast but something just doesn't look right.  I guess our minds tell us that pumpkins and evergreen don't mix.  (I feel like I'm giving a public service announcement).  

So, what should I do with these buggers?  I can't throw them out just yet.  One gourd did dry out on its own which makes me want to dry the other ones out by some means.  I'll have to look into this.

In the meantime, a question.  When do you de-decorate for the holidays?  When do you undo all you did for Christmas?  My grandmother used to say that the tree and decorations stay up till the "Wise men reach Bethlehem".  I can't remember if that's a Tuesday or a Thursday. ;-)  (kidding)

As of now, everything is still up indoors and out and as you can see, even Autumn items are lingering.  What is socially responsible?  Perhaps I'll at least unplug the timer for the topiary lights outdoors.  "SIGH"  

Grapevine Galore!

Heavy Grapevine Creates An Entry Arch (see below)

The freak, Winter storm that hit the Northeastern U.S. over Halloween weekend created quite a mess of downed trees and damaged shrubs.  One such tree was a Mulberry tree in my pasture.  Unbeknownst to me, it had a mass of grapevine throughout its upper limbs, making it top-heavy and too weak to hold the weight of the wet snow.  The tree will be greatly missed but the grapevine mess found within has been put to good use.

The bramble of branches and vine in the pasture is seen at lower left.

Some of these I have posted before but I think I'm done playing with vine for awhile.  You can see various ways I have incorporated it decoratively around the property.  Nothing like free, decorative, raw materials from nature.

A new arch for the wild Clematis to cling to next year

Branch and vine add a nice touch to this stone column entry

Quirky, organic, entry art until the holiday decor gets placed.

And my week ago project of creating an arch for a front door entry.  I created one years ago for a prior residence but from much smaller and more pliable grapevine.  This was thick and heavy-duty.  It was kind of neat to work with . . . twisting, weaving, intertwining and braiding it as best I could to form the shape.  It took me about an hour to complete.  A few pieces of jute twine are wound in certain sections to assist in holding its shape.

Miniature Christmas lights always look super strewn through grapevine

Hope your holiday decorating plans are well underway!


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Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

Free Front Porch Art

The October snow storm created a mess around the property, but sometimes beauty can be made from wreckage. While cleaning up one of my fallen Mulberry trees, I saved numerous branches that were entwined with grapevine. This tree was just embedded with the vine; more than met the eye until the poor thing fell and had to be removed. Besides keeping some unique branches, many sections of large grapevine were saved and have already been meshed or braided to create an ornate entry arch (stay tuned for pics!)

I was trying to determine where to place my unique branches and also HOW to display them. It hit me all of a sudden to REUSE the REPURPOSED chimney toppers (pots) that I had used this Summer as decorative planters on my back deck. I put all of the outdoor stuff away a week or so back and had the chimney pots tucked away for Winter. I pulled one back out and used it as the base for the branches. I placed unique rocks and stones within the pot to support the branches. Viola! Instant FREE Art. It looks a bit like a modern art installation, yet keeping with the organic vibe I prefer. Various leaves, already gathered in the corner and strewn upon the porch were simply picked up and placed around the base for an Autumn touch.

Hmmmm, I'm liking this look so much I'm wondering if I'll replace it in a month with the lit evergreen trees typically displayed for the upcoming Holiday season.  It may have to become an indoor installation!

Update: The evergreens trees typically placed here, did not make an appearance during the 2011 holiday season. I liked the chimney pot so much I added a little holiday cheer to the ensemble.


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Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Nite Special

Branch Arch Entry and Snow for Halloween!

Well it's been a rather interesting few days here in Pennsylvania. A freak snowfall created havoc for most of the area and of course around the property. Numerous trees fell (in safe spots thankfully) however one, large tree did manage to fall right across the entire road which is a bit scary to think about.

Numerous shrubs and decorative trees couldn't bear the weight of the heavy snow and succumbed, flattened and broken beyond "repair". My favorite crepe myrtle which I beamed about a few months back in one of my posts, split apart like a toothpick. Saturday evening the power went out and it was a cold night. It came back up surprisingly early around noon the next day, (compared to the 5 days it was out during hurricane Lee) however others nearby are still without power.

Sunday involved cutting many of the damaged shrubs way back. The property looks so open and I miss all the interest it had. Two large mulberry trees also fell and will surely be missed as they anchored the property so nicely. I have quite a bit of clean-up to do and will be getting on with it shortly. I did however want to share a small change I did amid the wreckage.

Guardians Standing Post At The Front Entry

The Lions Have Decided To Hibernate This Winter

I decided to take my entry beasts down.  The right one needs some repair and I knew one more Winter of freezing temps may do it in.  I took them down and replaced them with some colorful mums in the old concrete planters I used to have in their place.  I'm liking this "reverted look" again.  The large branch was a spur of the moment idea.  Adjacent to this location I had that branch standing upright from an old, hollowed tree stump with wild clematis growing all over it.  The snow weight brought the whole ensemble over.  I was going to toss the branch out of frustration but it is just too neat to not use some how.  I really love the way it heads my stone entry now.  I've since added another unique, smaller section to the center of that limb that is triangle shaped to make a keystone of sorts.  I have it jute-twined on.  Perhaps I'll snap a photo of it at some point.  For now I want the snow to melt and Autumn to return (what's left of it).

It was a bit sad to see children trick-or-treating last night in the snow; sidewalks not shoveled yet and just dangerous conditions, plus it was a bit cold.  Definitely a Halloween to remember! (or perhaps one I'd like to forget)

Empty Candle Jars For Frugal Fall Decor

 Empty glass candle jars are great items to reuse and repurpose for home decor.  I have mentioned many ways I've reused them before throughout the frugal website.  I recently stopped at Dollar Tree to pick up a few frugal decor accessories and was amazed at some of the things I found.

Some neat finds for a dollar.  I was especially impressed
with the moss roll which I have not used yet.  

I immediately knew the perfect container for many of these items would be some glass jars.  I had two old candle jars that I have been saving.  They however were not yet cleaned.  Do the following to help with your candle jar clean-out process.  Place your jars in the freezer.  I actually left mine in for about 5 days as this project kept getting pushed back further and further.  The wax will become brittle in most cases as any moisture within it freezes.  Once removed, cautiously break up the wax with a sturdy butter knife.  It's best to press down into the wax while the candle jar is on a secure and sturdy surface, such as wooden butcher block for instance.  It should pop out fairly easy in smaller pieces.  Tip:  You can save your old candle wax and melt it down and use old cookie presses to make wax molds for decorative purposes.  The wax can also just be simmered on a stovetop for a lovely light fragrance on a cold day - "Thanks for the "REUSE" ideas Mom." 

Jars Removed From Freezer

Cutting Out The Wax

Saving The Wax For Another Use (in an empty, clean, tuna can)

The Clean Jars, Ready To Go

You may also want to pop off the plastic lid retainer if you elect to use the lids.  It provides a cleaner, less "ex-candle jar" look.  Use EXTREME caution when removing them.  Slide a butter knife or wide-end, flat screw driver between the plastic ring and the glass and slowly pry it upward.  You can also slightly turn your tool in a circular fashion to start slowly lifting the plastic from the base.  This is a safer method and one I would recommend.  They sometimes come off very easy and other times may be problematic.  Please take your time.

Now clean your jar.  I first use a dry papertowel to remove any black creosote-type residue from around the inside of the jar.  Then use an old scubbie sponge with some dish detergent and warm-to-hot water to clean out the inside of the jar. ( I have a few old sponges dedicated for craft project clean-ups such as this.)

Allow the jar to dry and I suggest wiping the inside with a dry papertowel again.  The rough surface will help remove any waxy streaks you may have missed with the sponge.

Next, fill the jar with your chosen materials.  I used my Dollar Tree finds.  You could also fill them with birdseed, sunflower seeds with the shell, lentils, acorns, mixed nuts, various outdoor seed pods, various found tree nuts, found Pine, colorful tree leaves, long Fir Pine needles (I'm doing this as some of mine Firs have recently shed a  nice amount of needles in a burnt yellow-orange "Fall" color.)

Dollar Tree gourds, moss and Pine cones fill the large jars.
Small, fallen, colorful leaves fill the small jar.

Placed Upon The Coffee-table

Flat-bottom Pine cones placed on top of the lids as
Decorative Fall Finials

So, what do you think?  A pretty good "variation of theme" table display for a mere $4.00.  The jars could be considered free since they were repurposed from their initial use.  Do you have other ways to fill your candle jars?  Tell me about it!  It could be for other seasons or other home uses too! Visit my page on fall crafts for more, easy and frugal ideas.



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Simple Autumn-Inspired Pillows

While outside sweeping up leaves, I happened upon a nice, large oak leaf.  Often if I find a nice leaf I will bring it indoors to use in an arrangement for the holidays.  Perhaps frame it, place a few together on top of a book on the coffeetable, etc.  The uses are limitless.

For whatever reason, I immediately thought it would be a quick, festive addition to a few of my throw pillows.  I at first had simply tied the leaf on with a piece of jute twine.  I liked that minimalist look quite a bit.  I ended up experimenting with the ends of the jute twine to give them a bit more interest.  In keeping with the organic appeal and season, I chose to hot-glue some small pine cones and a few other dried berry elements found in some old potpourri.  I also went outside and found a small oak branch bundle and broke off a few of the tips where the acorns normally would grow.  They look like small twigs with a bud at the end.  All of the elements combined created a nice decorative touch.  If you decide to do something similar, look around at all the neat seasonal items you can apply to the ends of your jute twine.  Keep some of the pillows with plain jute twine (no embellishments) so as to achieve a more casual, less complicated look.  You could also experiment with hot-gluing leaves of different size or style on top of each other.  Just place a small dab or two on the back and  stick them together.  I may elect to do this and then tie it up with the plain jute.  A nice variation of theme.

Most of all, have fun!

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In My Own Style

Pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns - Ideas For Your Holiday Decorating

Whether you love a scary jack-o-lantern face or prefer a pumpkin in its unaltered state, visit the new Pumpkin Decorating Ideas page at the Frugal Interior Design website.  I have compiled a few simple ideas to get you thinking more about how you display your pumpkins, as well as some tips to help along the way.

I also mention a few child-friendly pumpkin decorating ideas so the little ones can safely help prepare for the holiday.  Of course a really fun adventure could simply be allowing them to pick their own pumpkins from the local pumpkin patch as my nephew is seen doing below.

"Wait daddy, this pumpkin is weighing down my wagon already!"

"Here's a good one!"

As always, have fun, be safe and Happy Decorating!

Inverted Tree Trunk Roots Display Pumpkins

I was trying to come up with a different way to display some pumpkins at my front entry.  I had done pumpkins on straw bales a few times before and toyed with placing a bunch of them inside large tin buckets (with some drilled drain holes of course).  I also inverted the buckets to place some on top and some around the base.  The look of the silver metal with the pumpkin colors was fine but I sort of wanted a more organic look.

While glancing around my property, I noticed one of the dead tree trunks I had previously dug out of the ground in the Spring and had placed strategically in a landscape bed as a decorative element.  I immediately got the idea to use the crooks of the roots to cradle the pumpkins.  Luckily for me I have two of these trunks/roots which I dug up.  Who knew they would become multipurpose?  I snatched that one from another landscaped area and messed around with their orientation until I had them setting just right to display the pumpkins.  I was quite pleased with the result.  I however wish they had more vertical height to get more pumpkins setting higher.  Regardless, the look is what I was after and has garnered positive comments by visitors.  Do you have any unique ideas for displaying pumpkins at your entries?    

Classy Pumpkin Ideas

Perhaps Jack-O-Lanterns are your style or perhaps simple, unaltered, festive pumpkins sitting down your front porch steps strikes your fancy.  Regardless of whether you go fun, fancy or somewhere in between, it's always interesting to see design ideas developed by others.  In this instance, engraving pumpkins.  Look at this incredible, yet simplistic design.  I love how the inner orange color contrasts so sharply against this pumpkin's unique, green skin!

Photo courtesy Jill Kirchner Simpson, CountryLiving.com

  

The idea is to match your pumpkin to your patterns and other design motifs found in your home;  in this case, the plate upon which the pumpkin sits.  I was impressed with many of the engraved/embossed pumpkins shown.  

A linoleum-cutting tool set, quoted at less than $10.00 at many art stores created this look.  Hmmmm, I'm suddenly feeling the urge to purchase a set to give my hand a try at this.  As always, use extreme caution when working with knives or any other sharp object as you design your pumpkins or carve those jack-o-lanterns!  I found this Linoleum Cutter Tool Set at Amazon for under $15.00.

Don't forget the "cutting the pumpkin open at the bottom" trick instead of creating a lid if you decide to fully clean and illuminate one of your designs.  I have never gone this route but see it as a smart option to eliminate the shrinking, "caving-in" lid that often develops.

Do you have some clever pumpkin decorating ideas of your own?  Share them!

Bottles, Bottles, Bottles

I have a thing for old bottles;  all types, shapes, sizes, colors.  Clear glass ones with the "haze of age" are very cool.  Deep amber-colored ones are a favorite as well.  Mixing them with old, rusty implements and weathered-wood items really produces a cohesive, yet casually-comfortable look.  One that you can not replicate with newly manufactured items.

While walking through a small pine forest, gathering pine cones for autumn decorating, I stepped on a small bottle half buried in the soft, loamy soil.  I pulled it out and was impressed by its rich, earthy color; highly appropriate for Autumn and especially my bathroom.  Upon further investigation I saw it was a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer bottle.  Now I don't know if Pabst still produces beer in these bottles (I'm hoping not as that makes it all the more special) but I figured despite the bottle's original purpose, the shape and color were worthy of becoming new decor.

So, what do you think?  This bathroom has lots of rust colors with terracotta-colored accented tiles.  I love the size and shape, especially paired with the once lone, vintage medicinal bottle of the same color.  Carefully fashion custom corks to fit from wine bottle corks for a more authentic, rustic look.  I think the "beer reference" would be lost to anyone viewing this bottle now.  Nothing like free finds that incorporate so well with your personal design aesthetic.  Here's hoping you stubble upon some neat bottles while you too are digging around for pine cones!

Simple Fall Crafts For The Home

Are you in a creative mood today?  Do you have items like empty soup cans, jute twine, pine cones and a glue gun around your home?  If so, you are in luck.  Many of the craft projects I've assembled cost little to nothing to make.  I'm sure you could develop your own "takes" on these Fall Craft Ideas to make them fit your personal aesthetic or decorating needs.  If you like what you see, join the blog to stay up to date with future ideas that I will be sharing!  Thanks for visiting!

Cans Become Can-dle Holders and Jars Become Decorative Lanterns

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