musings and misadventures: Not a wooden scarecrow!

10.12.2007

Not a wooden scarecrow!

Mr. Dub likes to call me a communist because I'm not fond of holidays. (Also because I am a communist.)

I think I've explained the problem before, but basically I don't like to feel pressured to enjoy a particular day over another. It lacks spontaneity and often lets you down. More often than not, my favorite time of any holiday season isn't the actual holiday but a day long before or after.

But my resistance to seasonal decor isn't really related. Mostly, it has to do with living in an apartment. I mean, how much can you really do with 1,000 square feet before it starts to feel like a craft store? Also, I'm not into the craft store look, though each to her own if you dig raffia and toll painting.

I do decorate a bit for Christmas, but the rest of the holidays go undocumented in my interior ... so it's strange that I'm having a hankering to decorate for fall. Not so much Halloween - although I must clarify that I love and respect many people who love, nay, adore the holiday and its spooky decor. But I do want to do something that says, "The leaves are changing colors, and I just wore a sweater, people!"

But I don't want it to be too crafty. And I don't want it to be too obvious.

Any ideas on modern seasonal decor?

And to help me in my decorating quest, I'm going to ask you to showcase your seasonal side. Link in the comments to your blog, where you can show us all your fall decor (crafty or not) in all its pictorial glory.

Maybe I'll get inspired.

Or maybe I'll start a communist revolution.

27 comments:

Ashby said...: Just add some browns, oranges, yellows, and greens to the decor. It's like getting in touch with your 1970's side, except it only sticks around until Thanksgiving. Add some faux leaves here and there, and maybe a framed pic of Miss Dub in the pumpkins! Happy Fall!; 7:25 AM
acte gratuit said...: I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT!!!

I've been wanting to show off my impeccable style and decorating sense and this is just the opportunity I needed! ;)

click here: http://actegratuit.blogspot.com/2007/10/fall-decor.html

or on my name if that doesn't work.

P.S. I think blowing up that picture of Miss Dub and hanging it would be perfectly adequate!; 8:43 AM
Carina said...: Sorry, I'm like you: don't like the crafty stores, only decorate for Christmas. I just don't have the time, money, patience, or living consciousness to remember any other holiday.

I LIKE Halloween and fall, but can't bear the hassle of changing anything. Do moms who know decorate for fall? I don't know.

Last year I bought some of those mini-gourds and pumpkins for a table centerpiece. I felt so proud of myself. Have I done it again this year? No, too much of a pain. Just the thought of rounding up those gourds every night from where ever El Guille threw them makes me tired.

Maybe next year.; 9:05 AM
stephanie said...: my kids are really worried that miss dub is stuck in the pumpkins and no one is getting her out. personally, i think it is a very cute picture.

as for fall decor, a wreath on my front door is as far as i go.

you can see it in all of its fabulousness here:
http://barefootinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2007/09/finally.html; 9:11 AM
Lacey said...: I also do not love Halloween all that much, I think that it was something that was passed down from my mom. However, despite the lack of fall/halloween decorating I grew up with (and swore I would continue) something in me decided to be a little festive this season. I also don't love to gore and guts and so opted for corn stalks and pumpkins. Simple, easy,a little festive, and actually kind of fun. Pictures posted on my blog http://laceynielson.blogspot.com; 10:27 AM
Leisha Mareth said...: I am the same way. I really have to force myself to do holdiday decor (mainly for my children). I like it in "theory" but the idea of storing something for the remaining 11 months out the year boggles my brain (and storage space!) My mother-in-law rents an entire storage space for her holiday decorations. I would dare say every Christmas decoration I have came from my husband's family (thank heavens my children have something to look forward to!)

I have an entire binder full of modish little holiday decor ideas that I rip out of magazines... I've just never done any of it so I can't link it to my blog. Maybe I will scan a few pages and e-mail them to you.; 11:00 AM
steph said...: uhm. yeah. i'm most definitely NOT into seasonal decorating... i think pumpkins are cool, but i prefer eating bread made by them. i really dislike christmas music, though... like, REALLY dislike. i typically enjoy thanksgiving over the rest... the only expectation one can make is that of plenty o' food, but i definitely don't need a wodden shoe with a corn cob sticking out of it as my center piece.; 11:09 AM
janaya said...: someday i will post pictures of the insanity that is my mother-in-laws home (she is happily married... but let's face it, it's HER home). she puts any shopping mall decor to shame. christmas is her specialty... can we say 18 christmas trees, people?! EIGHTEEN! she has an entire storage room (literally bigger than my apartment... x2) full of christmas trees and various holiday decor. and, as much as i love her home and anticipate how excited my children will be to go to grandma's and see "the North Pole" (oh, and did i mention she changes the decor every month?)... i am not a decorator myself and find the whole ordeal totally nutty. however, each and every year, prior to each and every holiday, i get new decorations (ahem... crafty decor) shoved down my throat. i just can't do it. maybe when i have kids who bring home a handpainted turkey they made to celebrate thanksgiving, i'll put it on my fridge... but nothing from michaels or roberts etc etc. so..... this doesn't resolve your dilemma at all, does it? :) sorry... i needed to rant i guess. haha.

sidenote: i LOVE my mother-in-law. truly.; 11:21 AM
janaya said...: so that whole story isn't quite as entertaining if you don't know that it's my mother-in-law who shoves the crafty decor down my throat... and i just realized i missed that part. :); 11:22 AM
Cichelli said...: Candles. Seasonal colored candles.

Scents. Pumpkin pie and apple pie and warm scents, either with air fresheners or above mentioned candles.

My mom was always so over the top with every holiday -- and tacky, paper decorations taped everywhere. It's made my own philosophy really be, less is more.

I add subtle decorations -- spider shaped votive holders, a tall vase filled with seasonal colored balls, place mats.

But my boys do love those tacky window stickers, so we have them on the window in their bedroom.; 11:27 AM
Natalie said...: I'm with Stephanie - a wreath on the door is the best in decorating - simple and seasonal it does the job with class. The only other stuff (besides Christmas, naturally - that's when I go a little further) I do for holidays center around the tables in my house - coffee table gets seasonal picture books, the kitchen table gets a seasonal place mat under the metal star at always sits there and the sofa table behind the little couch hosts a seasonal garland and a little something small that's holiday coordinated. I agree with you, Mrs. Dub - nothing worse than a house that takes on craft-store qualities.; 11:39 AM
K and A Edgeworth said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 11:57 AM
Anonymous said...: i have my kitchen table done but that's it. i'm a busy college student, what can i say?

edgeworthfamily.blogspot.com; 11:59 AM
sara said...: I'm lucky enough to have a quilting mother who has, this year and last, made each of us the most adorable Halloween wall-hanging. This year it's appliqued, like your mom's been doing lately, which I think is the cutest thing ever. So between my two Halloween hangings, and a little centerpiece of faux pumpkins & leaves that I bought, that's really all I have. I do intend to invest in a few seasons' worth of door wreaths but I haven't gotten around to it. Nearly all holiday decor I have was given to me (including Christmas) so I don't have much.; 12:03 PM
Melanie M. McKinnon said...: i don't decorate, either, so i don't really have any ideas for you except that i totally agree that orange and brown candles that smell like autumn are the way to go.

those are the biggest part of my seasonal decorating. and i have to put a tree up for christmas just for the smell.

i also might have to get a wreath like stephanie c. and something so simple like that is always good for apartment decorating so i reccommend it to you, too.; 12:34 PM
Jen said...: I just have one plain old pumpkin in my front room. But I really loved that picture of baby girl and had to comment on its divine loveliness.; 3:29 PM
kelly said...: i'm one who isn't exactly thrilled with the holidays. i kinda think it's a big pain in the butt to decortae, and frankly, i like my normal decor. so to pack it up and put it way so i can decorate for the holidays seems silly. however, as the mom of two little boys, one in particular who is very fond of pumpkins, and withches and all things holidayish, i find myself buckling to pressure and decorating. i've done lots of cutesy, crafty (but oh so easy) stuff, that i'll probably just throw away when the season is done. but i've done some other nicer, more classic things that can stay up until thanksgiving. i'll do links for the crafty crap, if any one is interested (some i've done, some are just ideas), but here are some other ideas:
wreath on the door... simple and classy. it announces fall is here.

glass vase/ bowl/ hurricane... whatever you have filled with fake or real, mini pumpkin & goards.

a couple years back williams sonoma had a pumpkin shaped touren (is that the right word? basically it's a big big soup serving bowl). i fill that will fall like potporri, and put it on the dining table.

basically anywhere i usually have fake fruit, etc. during the normal year, i replace with pumpkins.

string some fall colored garland through a chandelier, etc.

fall type dish towels. not cheesy ones, but classy ones from williams sonoma.

target sells this candle holders, similar to the pricey ones at sundance. it's glass, but the candle sits up high, leaving a couple of inches of space below. get a fall colored candle and fill the space with fake fall leaves (also at target) or candy corn or halloween m&ms...

and the best fall is here... the fragrance warmers from bath and body works. nothing says fall like a cinnamon or pumpkin-ey scented room.

and for the crafty types:
witches brew
paper pumpkins
garland
loads of other ideas
wow! that was long, now i feel kinda silly.; 7:17 PM
JoJo said...: A tasteful tablecloth resets the tone for holidays without being overbearing (I live in a small apartment, so I don't have much space to work with, either; but for fall, I put a nice orange tablecloth on and it says "fall"). Also... I love the simple but seasonal look of putting an assortment of mini pumpkins, squash, goards, etc., in a nice bowl (or even just out). It's simple and doesn't scream crafty.; 9:59 PM
JoJo said...: I can't believe I actually typed that a tablecloth "says 'fall.'" I think I've been watching too many design shows...; 10:00 PM
Holly said...: I grew up with a mother who loved to decorate for the holidays. All of them.

BUT (big but here with all caps and italics) she has never done any cheesy crafting with the toll painting (unlike some in-laws I know, who may or may not be my in-laws, just in case in some freak accident they come across this comment, which would be odd because they never even look at my blog).

Anyway, I'm already getting too lengthy here. So since I grew up with the holiday decor, I also love to have decorations up for the holidays and this Halloween has been my fave of all my 31 years of existence. I have a few pictures in this post on our main blog.

There is also a Martha Stewart craft that I love, that isn't Halloween-y but rather fall-ish. Here's the link to her site. And here's my attempt at it from last year. I haven't done it yet this year. And sorry if this falls under the "too crafty" category.

I don't know if this will help you, but I thought I'd share anyway.; 10:22 PM
Kate said...: I used to dread Halloween... and now it is one of my favorite times of the year... my kids almost talk more about it than Christmas (kinda sad) So- each year I buy one Halloween or fall decoration to go up and after a couple of years I get rid of some... I love wreaths and think that is the simplest way to decorate... I love the smells (cinnamon & apple) I always have a scent in the air... I love fall!; 10:34 PM
P Daddy said...: 4 adorable pics of Miss Dub and a aqua, teal, and hot pink art deco-cum-Miami mission style bungalow on the blog this week...seems like perfect seasonal decoration to me...only thing better would have been 5 adorable pics of Miss Dub, who, on the verge of a birthday, is the ultimate fall decoration...as long as she graces your home this season, who could want more?; 10:44 PM
go boo boo said...: I agree that the picture of the miss would do dandy.; 8:35 PM
Morgan said...: fall and christmas are the only times of year i decorate, and I love it. If you don't like the crafty look, then you probably won't like the display i did on my kitchen cabinet tops, but i sure love it. take a look if you like!

nateolsonfamily.blogspot.com

ps, such a cute pic of miss dub in the pumpkins!; 9:21 PM
Anonymous said...: I love Fall and Halloween so much that I just embrace the cheesy decor. we've got a light-up candy shop (with ghost employees working feverishly inside,) we've got dangly ghost lights, we've got a witches shoe full of brown and orange m&m's, we've got "BOO" blocks on our dining room table and autumn leaves and twinkle lights on our mantle and I LOVE it all!! And I"d say that about fifty percent of my love comes from the fact that Henry loves it, too. His request to turn on the ghost lights is one of his first utterances of every day. He loves the Henry-sized pumpkin we bought and the gnarly gourds in the basket on the entry table...I only do Halloween and Christmas decor, but for those holidays, I like to lay it on pretty thick. Oh, and I inherited a lot of decor from my grandma (who also happens to be one of my favorite humans ever to have walked this planet earth) so even if they are a bit on the kitschy side, I love them because they came from her. Good luck, Mrs. Dub. I'm sure you'll find your Holiday Chi.
Oh, and a link? here ya go:
http://www.emilyanne.net/?p=232; 1:24 AM
Anonymous said...: I don't know, but those pumpins are REALLY orange! I tend to be sort of a last-minute decorator and I'm sure this has something to do with the fact that my mother needed and ENTIRE ROOM in which to store all of her holiday decortions. You're lucky if we turn the porch light on around here for Halloween.; 10:49 AM
Lindsey from The R House said...: well, better late than never.

right?

http://therhouse.blogspot.com/2007/10/halloween-and-autumn-decor.html; 1:58 PM