Front Porch, Fall Style
September 30, 2009
The temperatures have dropped. A cold front is on its way. The wind is blowing the leaves off the trees. It’s officially fall in my town.
With that in mind, I’m so glad the old saying about rebuking unnecessary ornamentation specifically names the lily, and only the lily. I thank thee Shakespeare. Because I’ve gone ahead and gilded my pumpkins. Well, actually, I’ve enhanced their already natural beauty with a golden glaze. Then I stacked them high and tied them with copper ribbon.
I made a few other decorative upgrades as well. Here’s the autumn front porch tour.
A few months ago, I invested in some urns that were the perfect size, just not the right color for me. So I freshened up my fiberglass with some white spray paint to achieve a high end look. During the summer, I also purchased some gorgeous gardenia trees that lived happily on my porch until just a few weeks ago, when one perished, for some unknown reason. Its mate, still flourishing, has been transplanted to a large pot in the backyard where it will live this winter.
So what was a girl to do with empty urns? Why fill them with fall pumpkins, of course !
I found some ridiculously gorgeous Cinderellas at the local Whole Foods for an uncharacteristically low price. My dear friend Staci from South Dakota once renamed ‘Whole Foods’ as ‘Whole Paycheck’ and it has stuck with me ever since.
Anyway, the pumpkins were on sale, two for $12 dollars, and they came home with me to receive the royal treatment. Other varieties I picked up at a quick stop at the local pumpkin patch. I enhanced some of the Cinderellas with some bronze metallic glaze that’s been sitting in my craft cabinet. The same glaze I used for these fall leaves on canvas.
I dipped my brush in the paint, then wiped most of it off until the brush was almost dry. Then with my dry brush, I glazed the edges of the pumpkins. It took about five minutes. No, maybe four minutes. Total. For all the pumpkins. But I work fast.
I gave the deep orange Cinderella a full body glaze. Wait. Doesn’t that sound like something you get at a day spa? Let me rephrase. How about this: I gave her highlights. And with these kind of curves, I’ve just nicknamed her J. Lo.
But I gave the white versions a stripe like treatment, focusing most of the paint in the ridges. Yes, this is a real pumpkin. It is not a fake. Despite its fake golden glaze. Come November, she will magically transform into a soup.
Then I gingerly stacked my pumpkins, sculpture style. Of course, they insisted on some copper ribbon to go with their golden glaze. Royals are so demanding.
Next, I displayed some other varieties on the neighboring benches.
I embellished some of them as if I was giving them as a gift. A gift to my family. Awwwh, shucks. How sweet.
For their bedding, I chose dry grasses with plum tones instead of the traditional hay bale.
And this is my new best friend. What should his name be?
I splurged on a new rug from Pier One because I couldn’t resist these colors or this pattern.
I added some faux leaves garland around the front door, to add to my existing wreath that I recycled from last year.
I’m obsessed with these plum tones right now.
Then I planted in pots some mums, kale, and the most amazing deep purple basil.
Have you ever seen this kind of basil before? It’s called ‘Dark Opal Basil’ – it’s completely new to me. It’s gorgeous. And when it matures, it will soon be in my salad.
And who can resist a medley of fall squash and corn. Not me.
You sweet little sweet dumpling you.
Strawberry corn. It pops, so I’ve heard.
So here’s the front porch, all dolled up for fall.
I only have one problem. This pesky little critter, who in all likelihood will send at least one of these princesses tumbling very soon. But that’s his job. He’s three.
I’m not kidding when I say it took mere minutes to highlight these pumpkins with a golden glaze.
But you could go all out and gild your gourds like this, as seen in Country Living.
If you love this version of gilded pumpkins, learn how to do it yourself right here.
Whether they’re golden, gilded, princessy or just plain. Pumpkins are simply one of my favorite things.
What say you?
Tags: autumn
Beautiful. You are inspiring me to get to grips with the front of my house here in the UK. It’s not traditional, but hey! I’m going to have a go anyway!
I’m decorating my front entrance this weekend! And I might just have to do the golden glaze on my own pumpkins. Great idea, thanks for sharing.
Okay, here’s my “to do” list for tomorrow:
1. Copy Centsational Girl’s porch.
Fabulous. Just fabulous. I’m going to find me some glaze and get to glazin’.
Hey, I have a bench, I can get pumpkins, If I can find that glaze I’m doing me some painting! Love how this looks.
Your front porch is just so Fall prefect… love love everything… I will have to try the gold glaze on some pumpkins,, they are just gorgeous…. love your blog too…. have a great week
Hugs;
Alaura
Bonita decoración con las calabazas, so creative.
Just gorgeous!
Very nice! I have the same style front door and never can decide if it is okay to hang a wreath on the door. I suppose your post proves, that only is it okay, it looks great!
Love the gilded pumpkins and I am madly in love with with white pumpkins this year.
You’ve been on a roll all year……..one gorgeous idea after the next…..btw, LOVE that rug!
Very Beautiful. Love the dried grasses instead of hay .
Debra
Beautiful!
Wow! I am in love with your porch, your pumpkins, your rug, it’s all gorgeous! Awesome job!
I have an award for you on my blog!
Love every single bit of it! Just gorgeous & so inviting.
Beautiful!!!
Just beautiful! Mr. S was right: lilies need no gilding. But other botanicals? Why not? These look great!
One of my favorite things about my house is the front porch. I do so love a front porch. Sounds like you do, too. And yours looks so inviting! Autumn in Northern CA–must be absolutely gorgeous. Stop by Imparting Grace sometime for a taste of North Carolina. I’d love to have you visit.
It looks SO good! I’ve got to get myself motivated to do the same!
What a classy setting. Everything you do is absolutely lovely.
Girl, your imagination never stops! These are beautiful. I have enjoyed your blog so much. How the heck do you have time to do all you do? Can I have some of what you’re taking? LOL…
Your porch is sooo pretty. Love it.
You’ve sure inspired me to decorate for fall now! I love your creative and beautiful ideas! Thank you! Have a great weekend!
What a cute idea!! Soooo neat…if only I could get my front porch to look so CLaSSy!!! Congrats on being featured!
Wow, you certainly put me to shame!!! My neighbours are lucky if my windows are clean.
Happy SITS day!!!!!
LBM xxxxxxxxx
What a beautiful display!
I have found my weekend project! Thanks for sharing!
I love, love, love your fall decor. What great ideas!!! Things I never thought of that make it look great and are actually DIY worthy!!
What a GREAT idea. I’ll definitely be giving this a try!
FABULOUS!!! happy SITS day–off to look around more!
All about curb appeal baby! Love your ideas you are inspirational. Happy Friday SITS day!
We are planning to decorate for fall this weekend! I love these ideas!
Hi http://www.greedygirlsguide.com stopping by from SITS
This a great idea I love the pumpkins I have a front porch that right now is showcasing dead plants I think this week I’ll dress it up Thanks again for the great ideas
The pumpkin topiaries are absolutel beautiful. Love your crisp, colorful front door. Happy Fall!
Your front porch is beautiful! The colors and theme is fantastic! Hope you have a happy SITS day!
Love the pumpkins!
Oh I love pumpkins and I love your ideas..I will be stealing them from you…lol Stopping in from SITS have a great one!
People like you are awe-inspiring lol. I would never have been able to do this but you put so many pictures it’s hard to resist attempting! How cute!
Ah, Kate! When do you sleep, girl! What a beautiful job with your Fall decor, so welcoming. Love, love your gilded pumpkins.
Most Incredible design! Seriously, Martha better watch out…Kate’s in the house.
Oh wow. I can totally see why the SITS gals love ya!! Your creativity is fantastic!! i am now a follower!
Love it! You’ve boosted my inspiration to halloweenicize my porch this Sunday! Happy October!
Jenn @ rookno17.blogspot.com
This is GORGEOUS! At first I couldn’t believe that these weren’t pictures you’d scanned in from a magazine.
Love it. Inspires me to want to do somethign to my front porch area today. Happy SITS day.
Gorgeous stuff! Congrats on being FB at SITS today!
LOVE all of these! Thanks again for the wonderful ideas!
)
great way to decorate for the season! happy SITS
Wow– so gorgeous! Thanks for the great ideas! So glad you were featured on SITS– you’re a new fave!
Gorgeous! You have motivated me to spend this weekend decorating for Fall – thank you!
I found you through SITS!
I love your ideas your front porch looks great. You have inspired me on this cold day to go and decorate for fall. Happy SITS Day!!!
Fall is so much fun, I just love all of the flowers, plants and decor!
Those are the fanciest pumpkins I ever saw!
Happy SITS Day!
If I wasn’t blogging so much, I might find time to put up the boxes of Fall decorations my husband took down for me a week ago. Sigh. You inspired me to try to get it done today though. I’m a Northern California girl too…new to blogging. Come by and see me…Holly at lifelaughlatte.blogspot.com