Add a Splash of Color

Let's shake up the room with color! This beautiful crimson vase can really warm up a room. Just add a few fall leaves, a couple sunflowers and red berries to accent.

Now I'm the first one to admit I prefer the sweet aroma of fresh flowers and often have them around my house especially when entertaining, however, silks can make a beautiful arrangement like this (especially since sunflowers aren't very fragrant)!

So next time you are looking for a flower vase, try a bold pop of color to accent your room!

This gorgeous vase with the ruffled collar is the Cinnabar Vase by Southern Living at Home.

Until next time ...

How to Get the Products I Use

It's fun to decorate and I try to do it simply with style, fun and without breaking the bank. I will mention where I find the products used in styling the design, however, I will tell you that the foundation for most products are from Southern Living at Home. I am a Southern Living at Home Director and I absolutely LOVE their products. They are beautiful, durable, and so versatile. If ever you see a piece you've just "gotta have", e-mail me at cindy.keszler@gmail.com and reference the journal entry date and topic, your name and phone number and I'll do my best to get it for you right away.

Until next time ...

Got Gourds?

Decorating doesn't have to be expensive! There are lots of farmers markets around, a roadside stand but even your local Wal-Mart will have gourds and pumpkins this time of year. Sometimes at the market if you purchase a large pumpkin they will even "throw" in a few gourds if your lucky. Here I have smallish pumpkin and a variety of gourds. I had a few extra leaves and a couple fall picks left over from decorating my fall tree Note to self: always save your left overs! Label a box with the season or holiday to put them in - you never know when they might come in handy.)

You can use any tray or platter you have in your home. Place a taller pedestal type stand on the tray to place your small pumpkin and gourds. I placed various shaped gourds on the tray, inserted leaves and a couple fall picks with acorns and berries and ta da! You could toss in some pinecones and whole nuts like walnuts & pecans for a different look. It make a beautiful arrangement for any dining room buffet table. Depending on the size of your platters, this could be arranged and placed on a sofa table or coffee table in the family room. Think BIG - how about a larger display on an entry table in the foyer?


Until next time ...

Fall is Here!

Don'tcha just love fall, the air is crisp and ahh, those leaves, those beautiful leaves in deep yellows, crimson reds and deep orange falling to the ground. Why not bring the beauty of leaves inside to enjoy during this season!

I saw a picture of this beautifully decorated tree a friend had done and thought to myself, November is approaching why not pull out your small artificial tree or buy a small evergreen at your local hardware store - you can plant it when the holidays are over and then enjoy it for years to come. Decorations don't have to be expensive. Go to your local dollar store or Michaels Crafts for artificial leaves, fall picks and ribbon or buy 4 ft. lengths of artificial grapevine & fall leaves for @ $5 at Big Lots. Place gourds around the base. Can't you just see this in your entry foyer or in the corner of your dining room?

The tree in this photo is displayed sitting in the Entertaining Bucket by Southern Living at Home.

Check back to see more fall ideas. Until then ...