See a Fall Showhouse!
Though most showhouses run in the spring, many showhouse planners opt for the cooler weather of fall when our thoughts again turn to decorating our homes before the holidays and winter.
Most showhouses are charity events to benefit local symphonies or hospitals, and some also include boutiques and lunch or tea rooms that make it a perfect “girls day” out.
We’ve found nearly two dozen show homes running in September and October, and get new information almost daily. Find one near you and gather your friends for a day of design and decorating inspiration
Decorate Your Home With a Fall Wreath
I love walking up to the door of a home and being greeted by a seasonal wreath or other decoration. It shows that the homeowner wants the guest to feel welcome.
Not everyone's home is decorated in a color scheme that coordinates with the golds, oranges, reds, and browns of fall. But no matter what color scheme you've chosen for your home, there are fall colors that will work to decorate your home for the season.
Begin with the front door and go on inside. Before you know it, your home will look warm and welcoming. Our article will give you lots of ideas on how to decorate your home for fall with a beautiful wreath, and provide resources for materials to make your own.
Focus Your Light With Track Lighting
Track lighting has grown up and is sporting some new looks – from nickel finishes and pendant lights to cable systems and pleasing curved track designs.
Though not every homeowner will choose track lighting, there are some instances when it is an excellent choice for a particular room or space. When you want to focus your light on a work area, a desktop, or a work or art, track lighting might just be the answer for you.
Get the scoop on track lighting and find out if this is a type of light fixture you should consider.
A Cheerful, Seasonal Entrance
The calendar still says summer, but with the kids back to school, there's no denying that the seasons are changing. Fall is a season I love.
I replace my soft rose decorated wreath with one that has fall leaves and orange and green plaid ribbon. But you don't need to stop with a wreath for fall outdoor decorating. There are many other wonderful ways to decorate the outside areas of your home with autumn touches.
We’ve pictured 16 of our favorite outdoor fall decorations. Will one of these simple ideas find their way to your home this year?
Fast Fall Decorating Ideas
In the fall, I love decorating with wheat and leaves here and there in my home. I tuck pine cones from the mountains near me into leaves on the mantle. You probably have some ways you bring autumn into your home. These special touches add such a warm feeling on these cooler days. And I’ve found several great ideas and tips to decorate more easily.
I have some plastic storage boxes in my garage full of natural twigs, pine cones, and stems of wheat. Each year I collect more. And I keep the preserved oak leaves and fall ribbons in plastic bags to keep them dust free through the year.
Read up on more fast fall decorating ideas with tips to help you bring the look of fall to your home!
Lighting (mostly) Out of Sight
You might think that everyone has recessed lighting these days. Most new homes now include some recessed lighting in hallways, entryways, or bathrooms. Cans are installed into the ceiling with only a ring and bulb visible to the eye. It’s a simple, uncluttered look that can be used in nearly any room of a new home, as well as in some areas of an older home.
If you live in a more traditional, older home, you might not be sure if recessed lighting is for you. Simple small cans installed under cabinets like these are just one form of recessed lighting that could go in almost any home, regardless of age or style. You can get some basics of recessed lighting in this quick informational feature.
If you've changed out traditional ceiling fixtures for recessed lighting, let us know. We can all benefit from the experience of others.
Use One Great Bowl to Make Lots of Easy Arrangements
One of my favorite things to do in the fall is make a pretty centerpiece for the table using some of the rich colors of autumn – red, gold, green, orange, yellow, and brown.
Often, however, it’s hard to find the time to gather the materials to make something spectacular. That’s why I love this idea. Just take a large bowl – footed or plain – and use it as the base for a “set it and forget it” arrangement that’s both quick and gorgeous.
There are a number of variations on this easy fall centerpiece idea. You’re sure to find one that’s perfect for your décor.
Are you particularly proud of a fall centerpiece that you've put together? Share, please!
Decorate Now to Sell Fast
If you're getting ready to sell you home, you're probably not too excited. Everyone knows that houses are hard to sell and those that do will probably bring a lower price than could have been expected a few years ago. The market is in a real slump and we just have to be patient. But sometimes you just cannot wait. But you can prepare your home to get the best price in the shortest amount of time.
By putting things in order, getting rid of clutter, clearing things out, and freshening things up, you'll be on the road to a quickker sale. Keep things simple and fresh. Get rid of anything that looks fussy or too personal like family photos or your kids' school work stuck to the refrigerator. You'll find some more good tips in our article on Decorating Your Home to Sell.
If you've sold your home recently, did you make some decorating changes to make it happen? Did you repaint the whole house or just touch up dingy areas? Did you have your home staged? Share your secrets with other readers who might be looking for ideas of ways to seal the deal and get buyers to buy.
About.com's Guide to Home Buying and Selling has a good review of the book "Home Staging - The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money," by Barb Schwarz. You'll get some great ideas here, too.
Personalize Your Home with Faux Painting
Do you love the look of the walls in this hallway of the 2008 Pasadena Showcase House? It shows a combination of painting techniques including faux sponge painting and a hand-painted mural.
When I moved into my home, I just had to come up with a solution to cover up the irregular finish on the walls. There were cracks and bumps and I didn't have time to smooth everything out.
That's when I learned to sponge paint and I was thrilled at how well my first efforts camouflaged the wall texture and added depth and color to the space. If I can do it, you can do it!
This faux painting technique is easier than you'd think and can really give your room a professional look. Try it out on a small space first, then move on to a whole wall.
If you've tried faux painting, how did it turn out? Share some of your techniques and tips. We can all use some help! And if you have a particularly wonderful room that you've faux painted, share it with us, please!
Top 10 Decorating Projects for Do-It-Yourselfers
Whether you’re just on a tight budget or are one of those handy people who tackle all sorts of tasks, chances are you’ve done – or will do -- lots of DIY projects for your home.
I know I’ve painted, stapled, glue gunned, built, and sewed more home décor projects than I can even remember! But I was surprised to learn that there are still many DIY projects to conquer. For example, I’ve not yet made a lamp or built my own ottoman, yet these are pretty easy if you know how.
Browse our list of Top DIY Projects and get inspired to create!
Do you have a project that you've done that you feel especially proud of? Tell us about it and send a photo. Do you have a project that was an absolute disaster? Tell us about it! There is so much that we can learn from each other, good or bad.