Tap Nature: Bring Outdoors In for Centerpieces and Arrangements

Whenever I hear the saying ”feather your nest," a New England autumn comes to mind. The expression refers to the practice of birds adding a soft lining to their nests to add comfort while setting upon their eggs. When the leaves start turning and falling and there is a nip in the air, we turn indoors (to our nests) looking for cozy comfort.

Fall is my favorite time of the year and one of the easiest seasons to decorate for. Luckily, Mother Nature provides many natural accessories for us.

• Filling baskets or wooden bowls with pinecones, apples, nuts or gourds announces the arrival of fall.

• Display vases of dried flowers or branches of colorful leaves.

• Wrap a grapevine around a doorway or window.

• Hang colorful Indian corn on your door or under the mantel.

• Make a centerpiece for your dining table by carving out the center of several pumpkins for a spectacular vase filled with colorful fall flowers.

• Fill tall glass vases or cylinders with apples and pears and top with a votive candle or a wreath of bittersweet.

• Tie a length of raffia around cloth napkins and tuck a colorful fall leaf in for a unique napkin ring.

• Wrap a pillar candle with cinnamon sticks held in place by a raffia bow. Cluster several on a tray with pinecones and acorns for a natural display.

You might want to take it a step further by addressing your furniture, window treatments and artwork as well.

• Redirect your focus onto the fireplace by arranging your furniture for a front row seat by the fire.

• Consider using warmer, richer hues to echo the autumn foliage. Reflect that in your table coverings, slipcovers, pillows and linens.

• Add layers to your rooms- area rugs over bare floors, a chenille throw on an armchair and a valance over lace curtains.

• Using candles is a sure way to fend off the chill in the air and add a woodsy or spicy smell.

• Decorate your mantle or side table with a collection of wooden boxes, copper or brass pieces.

• Set up old board games such as checkers or chess sets to remind you to slow down and relax.

• Use books as accessories. Create a vignette grouping old books with an interesting bookend and a favorite teacup.

• Or stack several books on an end table and place an accessory on top to give it more importance.

• Exchange botanical prints and watercolors for oil paintings or darker colored plates.

• Appeal to all of your senses and bake a pie or apple cobbler to add a wonderful aroma to your home and give your taste buds a treat!

Sometimes we need to stop and observe nature. Follow the example of the birds and feather your nest for fall and make your home a place of comfort.
 

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