{Jessica Stout Design}: Happy Fall Y'all

Fall has officially arrived (I am a couple of weeks behind), but it definitely feels like Fall now with this cold weather! Especially after just getting back from vacation where it was in the 80's all week.

When it comes to Fall decorating, I typically don't overdue it too much. I feel like it comes and goes so quickly, and before I know it, I am decorating for Christmas! So, I just focus on 2 main areas -- the front porch and my entry way. I am sure to always buy and decorate pumpkins for the front porch. I usually don't carve the pumpkins, it is such a mess! So each year I like to think of a new way to decorate the pumpkins without the carving. And I love to give my entry way a festive new look for the season to greet guests.

Here are the pumpkins just plain -- trying to decide how to paint them still.

The Fall wreath on my door stays simple. Just a craft store wreath ring wrapped in burlap with a black and white bow. Perfect for both Fall and Halloween.

Craft Day has Arrived! (or pumpkin makeover day!)

I like to get together with friends or family throughout the year to do seasonal crafts. This Fall we decided to bring our pumpkins together and we would decorate and paint them together!

I decided to go with a Black & White theme for my pumpkin decorating this year! So a couple of days before, I spray painted 2 pumpkins black and 2 pumpkins white. I just used regular spray paint I had lying around the house. This way, they were nice and dry and ready to be decorated on Craft Day.

Here's how they turned out!! Each one was a little different. So now my porch is festive and fun for Fall and Halloween!

There ended up being 1. Monogram 2. Black & White Chevron 3. Gold Metallic Polka Dots 4. Plain White

Welcome! Come on in!

This is what my entry way normally looks like. Some vintage suitcases, an "M" on a stack of books, a faux plant from Ikea, some iron rings from Crate & Barrel, and my favorite cow picture taken by my photographer at my rehearsal dinner before my wedding.

And this is what it looks like decorated for Fall. Most of this is I already had. Either tucked away in Fall Decor storage or around the house. By just rearranging things within your home periodically, it will feel fresh and new without going out and buying new all the time.

What I did here -- I added the owl. Spray painted an old frame orange and added a free printable from Pinterest that looks like chalk art. This way I can add a new piece of art for Thanksgiving without changing the entire table. I spray painted an empty old frame I had lying around yellow for a pop of fall color. I added a vase of 3 decorative green balls and a large ball of twigs for some natural textures. Some white pumpkins from the Farmer's Market in a large vintage jar were added. And a book was replaced with one with a pop of color. So you can make a big difference in your entry way with just a few things that you probably already have around your home.

While I was at it, I decided to make some Fall banners. I couldn't decide if I wanted a Halloween banner or just a Fall banner that could be left out longer throughout season, so I made one of each. Following Shanty 2 Chic's blog tutorial, along with my own printed chalk board letters and take on the tutorial, I now have 2 great banners to hang around the house!

Making the Fall banner out of burlap and printed letters from my computer. (created on power point)

In the midst of making our homes beautiful, one DIY project at at time, it is the journey of how we get there that is most memorable. Even if it takes a little longer than you planned!