“fall Decorating” | Design Happens

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Faux Halloween Pumpkins: Meet Your New Best Friend

by H. Camille Smith October 10, 2012 8 Comments

When it comes to Halloween pumpkins, I think many of you out there will agree with me when I say that faux can be fabulous. Oh, I know, there are always pumpkin purists who like the squishy sensation of pumpkin innards oozing through their fingertips (You know who you are!) or prefer the look of a real pumpkin or choose real so they can roast the seeds — tasty recipe here, btw — but my personal choice is faux.

Why, you ask? Because, quite honestly, I am a project-aholic. At any given time, I have too many projects started and not enough time to finish them all, so when I buckle down and take the time to bling out a pumpkin, I want my hard work to be displayable for many years to come.

If you’re like me, our Halloween feature is hooking you up with lots of creative ideas for faux pumpkins. Here are 5 of my faves:

For a sophisticated look, add a trendy silhouette:

Coordinate your Halloween decorations to your decor by using scraps of leftover fabric for these decoupage pumpkins:

HGTV How-To: Make a Fall Felt Leaf Wreath

by Kayla Kitts September 4, 2012 6 Comments

This past holiday weekend marked the last (unofficial) days of summer. It may not immediately feel like it, but we’re steadily moving into fall. Soon the weather will cool down, leaves will start changing colors and Halloween and Thanksgiving will be right around the corner before you know it. Since I know many of you like to prepare for the seasons and holidays early, I have a project you can dive into right now. Give your front door autumnal charm with a touch of dark, Halloween flair with this felt leaf wreath. Here’s how:

How to Make a Fall Felt Leaf Wreath

To create this wreath you’ll need: a 24-inch grapevine wreath, wreath hanger, felt in assorted fall colors, double-sided iron-on fusing, craft paper, crow embellishment, fabric glue, fabric pen, scissors and an iron.

After gathering your materials, you’ll start by cutting the leaf templates and fusing the felt with the 10″ x 12″ sheets by ironing the two materials together. Then, you’ll trace each leaf onto the fused felt paper and cut out. To create contrast, fuse one cut-out leaf onto another color and cut out again, leaving approximately 1/8 inch around the back leaf. This will create a stunning two-toned effect once the leaves are on the wreath. Continue this process for 20 to 25 felt leaves.

See Hundreds More Fall and Halloween Ideas

Using fabric glue, attach leaves to the wreath. Add an eery Halloween touch by attaching a spooky embellishment, like this black crow. Hang on the door to welcome guests throughout the season. Get the Full Step-by-Step Instructions >>

More Seasonal Decorating Ideas From Design Happens:

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Creative Ways to Take the Chalkboard Out of the Classroom

by Liz Gray August 4, 2012 11 Comments

Remember the first day of school? You had your new jeans, a fresh notebooks and pencils, and the teacher had a clean, pristine chalkboard on which to write their name and approximately 10,000 other things that would give your hand spasms after a summer filled with lots of swimming, summer camps and pretty much zero note-taking. But I digress.

Even if you’re not headed back to school or off to college, you can still get that first-day feeling this fall by adding chalkboard decor in your home. Best of all, you get to decide what (and how much) you write on the walls, the doors or yes, even the headboard. Check out these creative chalkboard decor ideas from some of our favorite bloggers and designers.

Birdhouse Interior Design - Chalkboard Painted Door

Design by Birdhouse Interior Design

The beauty of chalkboard paint is that if you can paint it, you can write on it. Case in point: When the design team at Birdhouse Interior Design opted not to use an original door in this 1910 farmhouse remodel, they repurposed it as an art piece in the bathroom. It’s coated in chalkboard paint and scrawled with a whimsical Dr. Seuss quote.

Design by Lauren Liess

Designer Lauren Liess transformed her almond-colored fridge into a functional chalkboard perfect for her son’s latest artwork or family grocery lists. I am ready to do this! Want to paint your own refrigerator? Clean thoroughly, then lightly sand before cracking open the chalk paint.

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Freebie Fridays: Win Custom Prints From Snapfish by HP

by Liz Gray August 3, 2012 131 Comments

Update: Congratulations to Christina, our random winner for August! Her fall decor plans? “Printing and framing fall pictures of my 2 1/2 year old grandson,” she says. Check back in September for a brand new giveaway!

Whether you’re decorating your first apartment or just sprucing up your home for fall, we all need inspiring wall art. Plus, most of us also have thousands of great digital photos patiently waiting to be put on display. This month’s giveaway can help with that: We’re giving one of you a $200 gift card to create your own canvas prints from Snapfish by HP.

Snapfish by HP Wall Art

Decorate your dorm room with favorite photos of friends and family, or create an on-trend gallery wall featuring breathtaking vacation photos or family portraits — the choice is yours! Whatever you decide, the photo will be professionally printed on gallery-quality canvas and wrapped around solid wood strechers. You can also add a display frame in one of three colors — black, chocolate or oak — to create a piece of art that really stands out.

To enter for a chance to win this month’s prize, answer our question in the comments below: How will you update your home for fall?

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 9:00 a.m. ET on August 3, 2012 and 12:00 p.m. ET on August 6, 2012. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of prize: $200. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a HGTV, 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932.

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How Are You Decorating for Fall?

by Liz Gray September 28, 2011 9 Comments

Fall is officially here, and along with the cool, crisp air comes the urge to spruce up and bundle up every room.

Fall Decorating Design by Ana Donahue

We polled our amazing Facebook fans and compiled their four best tips for easy, affordable fall decor along with some from our trend-watching arsenal. Get our must-do ideas, then tell us how you’re decorating for fall.

Declutter Before You Decorate
Getting organized might not be the most thrilling part of a fall spruce-up, but it is one of the most important. It’s also pretty darn satisfying: You’ll feel a lot better about being cooped up indoors when you can 1) actually see your cute new throw pillows and 2) find fall clothes and decorations.

Organize what you plan to keep, and get rid of what you no longer need. Facebook fan Carla is planning to donate items to alleviate clutter and highlight her new bedroom accessories. “My bedding will consist of a leopard blanket and newly-purchased red pillows, and the rest of the space will be simple and clutter-free.”

Switch Out the Accents
If you keep your larger pieces neutral, it’s easy and affordable to change the accents every season. Facebook fan Sandy uses her townhome’s neutral walls and furniture as a backdrop for seasonal accessories: “Each season of the year, I switch out all the accents: area rugs, throws, toss pillows and candles. Fall’s colors in my home are russet, gold, rust and dark green,” she says. Even one small change makes a difference: “I put an orange pillow on the sofa – instant autumn!,” says Facebook fan David.