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September 19, 2008
Posted by: Penny at 2:49 pm
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There is nothing better when the weather starts cooling down than sitting in front of a cozy fireplace. A cup of tea, a good decorating book, a roaring fire and a warm throw sets the stage for an enjoyable afternoon.
Now is the time to take the summer decor off the mantel and dress it for fall. Your fall decorations can last through Thanksgiving if they are not Halloween themed.
On my fall mantel this year, I have place stained gourds, a fall leaf garland, some iron birds, a nest and some miniature Indian Corn.
Every thing is done in colors of golds, browns, rusts and wines to coordinate with my home color scheme. The colors of the decoration mimic the colors of the fall leaves outside.
You can purchase dried gourds at your local farmers market. They are very easy to stain. First, you clean them with a damp rag. When they are clean and dry, simply wipe your color choice of wood stain (I used Minwax) on with a paper towel. Keep adding layers until you get the depth of color you are looking for. Let dry according to manufacturers instuctions. Pick several shapes and sizes of gourds for an interesting collection.
Do you have any fall decorating secrets you would like to share? I would love to hear about them.�
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1. The gourds are beautiful! I’m definitely going to try that- no mantel, but I’m sure I will find a spot somewhere!
by Bettsi — 9/19/08 at 4:21 pm #
2. Dear Penny,
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely mantel.
I love to decorate with apothacary jars of different shapes and heights…I have filled mine with acorns (real & glass) and some straw “pumpkins” I got at HomeGoods.
I love this site…inspiring to say the least!
Warm Regards,
Susie
by Susie — 9/19/08 at 9:42 pm #
3. Penny, The mantle is perfect for fall! I love gourds, I’m growing some along the fence this year. Originally, I had planned to paint them, but now I’m thinking of staining them instead. Your post makes me yearn for the first cold snap, so I can build a raging fire!
by Nola — 9/19/08 at 11:03 pm #
4. Penny,
I love your tip of staining dried gourds! I have some that are quite dull from years past and I am going to do this! Thanks!
by Miss Sandy — 9/19/08 at 11:09 pm #
5. Great article, Penny! Short, sweet, right to the point with cleaver ideas and colorful photos.
by Meggie — 9/19/08 at 11:46 pm #
6. Oh I can’t wait until it is cool enough here in CA to have a fire going in the fireplace.
We are still having hot weather so it’s to soon here.
My living room colors are perfect for the lovely colors of fall though. I have started a little bit on the Fall decorating.
I just love the great things they have at Home Goods and TJ Maxx. My favorite stores. In fact, just yesterday I picked up a few more fall itmes from Home Goods. I will be putting them up the first week of Oct.
You have a great fireplace and matel and it looks so warm and cozy.
Hugs,
Joanne
by Joanne — 9/20/08 at 12:23 am #
7. I love it. came here from your blog t5o what it was all about.
Must say atumn has it’s advantages. Colour wise and candle light wise…*smile*
Eva
by Eva — 9/20/08 at 5:29 am #
8. Sorry but I missunderstood that I should have sent an autumn picture. Here it is.
Eva
by Eva — 9/20/08 at 5:32 am #
9. Your mantel looks lovely, Penny. I had not thought about staining gourds, but I will definitely follow your direction. I think we are heading over to the Farmer’s Market later today.
by Beverly — 9/20/08 at 6:52 am #
10. Penny I love Home Goods it is my favorite store. I don’t go often because the nearest one is 30 miles away. So when I do go I spend a lot of time there so I don’t miss anything.
Thank-you for
by Ginger — 9/20/08 at 6:58 am #
11. Now I have heard about doing this, but didn’t know the process. I’ll be adding some treated gourds and pumpkins to my decor thanks to your post. Your mantel looks beautiful!
by Vee — 9/20/08 at 7:53 am #
12. What a greeat article..and a beautiful mantel! I love seeing what you have done:>)
by Kathy — 9/20/08 at 8:11 am #
13. Penny,
Love the idea for staining gourds. That is definitely on my list now.
Congrats on your new blogging post.
by Stacey — 9/20/08 at 10:07 am #
14. Very pretty Penny. I like decorating in those colors since they match my house. I love those colors all year. Autumn is my favorite season!
by Brenda — 9/20/08 at 5:48 pm #
15. I love what you did with the gourds. I really am a sumer girl, but the fall is all about decorating. I like that everything can be kept up for months!
Looking forward to more ideas. I will be lsearching for a few gourds next weekend.
denise
by denise — 9/21/08 at 12:55 pm #
16. Penny – loved your tips w/ the gourds – I’m going to have to “stain” some for the log cabin!
by Shelley — 9/21/08 at 7:32 pm #
17. Beautiful job!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
by kari and kijsa — 9/22/08 at 12:06 am #
18. Beautiful Penny! I love gourds and pumpkins and heavy ornamental birds. Perfect for making the cooler house feel cozy!
by Rosie — 9/22/08 at 4:11 am #
19. Your decorations are just lovely, Penny. I love the colors you are using.
bj
by bj — 9/22/08 at 7:39 am #
20. Hi Penny
Beautiful ideas! I didn’t know you could buy dried gourds, so I’ll have to see if they have any at our local market.
hugs,
rue
by rue — 9/22/08 at 9:51 am #
21. Hi Penny! Mac grew goards this year, and I’m going to make bird houses of them, great idea for protecting them with stain (I love minwax). We also do dishrag goards (loufa) every year…would you like some seed? Or do you have them already?
hugs
Sandi
by Sandi — 9/22/08 at 10:52 am #
22. Beautiful as always, Penny. God Bless, Patty
by patty — 9/22/08 at 11:15 pm #
23. Your mantel is so warm and inviting. I do love those gourds. What a great idea to stain them. I’ll have to try it. Mimi
by Mimi — 9/23/08 at 12:04 am #
24. Great post Penny and your pictures are fabulous. Makes me want to run downstairs and rearrange the mantel.
Janet
by janet — 9/23/08 at 4:35 pm #
25. Love your fireplace! Thanks for the gourd staining directions. I would love to find some that shape!
Hugs,
Cathie
by Catherine — 9/24/08 at 11:34 am #
26. Penny,
What a super idea. I love the look. I love your blog and congrats on this
new blogging post.
Thanks,
Robin
by Robin — 9/25/08 at 3:27 pm #
27. Love your fall mantlescape…just puts me in the mood for some cider and a good book! You have some great ideas here!
Santamaker
by santamaker — 9/25/08 at 9:59 pm #
28. Hi Penny
What a great post. I’ll have to trystaining gourds sometime. They look beautiful
by rhondi — 9/27/08 at 4:05 pm #
29. I found it! I remember seeing instructions on finishing these beautiful gourds. Did you spray a varnish over them after the stain? Your ideas are very inspiring…thank you for that!
Congrats on your new placement! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE TJMaxx…we don’t have Home Goods here.
~Donna
by Donna@designson47thstreet — 10/30/08 at 10:59 am #