The calendar may say that Autumn has arrived, but as usual, Texas begs to differ. Although our temperatures have happily fallen from the 100s to the 90s over the last few weeks, our trees still look as green as ever. It’s not exactly conducive to coming up with new fall decorating ideas.
But, since we pretty much skip the fall altogether down here in Austin, I figured I’d go ahead and give it a shot. This past weekend, my family and I traipsed through the woods for “au naturel” fall decorations. I wanted to decorate my dining room while spending as little as possible.
We found a lot of really big sticks. Sticks that were mossy. Sticks that were forked. Sticks that I carried around for an entire mile. We also found a Copperhead snake, but we just turned around and went the other way when we saw him. Eek!
Using fishing line, I tied some of them together and hung them from 3M command hooks that I stuck to the top of my china cabinet. I tied the pinecones (that my mother-in-law sent me from Minnesota several years ago – no pine trees in Austin!) to the sticks with fishing line, too. I think it looks like a garland, which I love.
I did grab a few pumpkins at the grocery store. Have you heard of Texas pumpkin patches? They are literally pumpkins out in a parking lot with some hay bales around them. I kid you not! I wouldn’t even know what it would be like to go pick my pumpkins out from a real pumpkin patch.
I put some of those pumpkins on my dining table. With some more sticks. And more pinecones. And used more fishing line.
I had a hard time trying to come up with some sort of neutral colored runner for the table. Since I didn’t want to spend much money, I searched my house for something unique to use. When I spied this rug in a closet (I didn’t end up using it in my kids’ bathroom), I knew that it would rock my world as a table runner.
Yep. It does.
To add some height to the table, I added some sticks to a clear glass vase of acorns (that I gathered a few years ago in Alabama). And I used fishing line to tie more pinecones to the sticks.
Seriously, y’all. Sticks + pinecones + fishing line. I’m just going to keep saying it over and over again. Sticks + pinecones + fishing line = love.
If you’re looking for more fall decorating ideas using items from your own backyard, check out these other bloggers! We got together to bring you fall projects and decor to get you inspired for fall – even it it’s still 90-degrees where you are. Ahem, Texas – I’m looking at you.
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Have you decorated for fall yet? Did you use sticks, pinecones and fishing line? 😉
Love this. That lantern is so cool!
nature always seems to provide everything we need…not sure why we go out and get fake stuff when the real stuff is so much better…love your nature decor! Enjoy the rest of your week!
nature always seems to provide everything we need…not sure why we go out and get fake stuff when the real stuff is so much better…love your nature decor! Enjoy the rest of your week!
I love how it looks!!! I love the pinecones on the branches. I am in love with sticks+pinecones+fishing line!
Lindsay!
Awesome job! I love the colors you used to decorate and brilliant idea on the mantle!
So much fun partying with you today!
Happy day to you rock star!
karianne
I did not use any sticks or pinecones or fishing line, but now I am wishing that I did! 🙂 I cannot imagine living in a world without pine cones! Your decor looks great Lindsay. This was such a fun challenge, and I’m honored to join y’all in it!
I LOVE all of this, Lindsay! I haven’t started my fall decorations yet (still too hot in OK too!) but I just gathered some serious inspiration here!
I think your Pinecone sticks are perfect Lindsay!! So creative and it definitely looks like Fall, I’m going to have to try that! Love your gorgeous mirror too!!
xo
Karen
Lindsay it all just looks absolutely beautiful!! I especially love what you did with the branches on your cabinet and wiring the pine cones to them was genius. So fun being apart of this nature challenge with you!!
Vanessa
I love it! It is beautiful!!!
This looks awesome! Love the branches and would never think to hang them that way. They look great! Thanks for the ideas!
Laura
House Envy
Love the color of your walls. What paint color is it?
LOVE the natural look! The table runner/rug runner! Awesome idea! I’m glad you noticed the snake EEK right enough!
Gorgeous! Thanks for all the inspiration, from the amazing mirror (I’m a little obsessed with it, I’ll admit.) to the paint color and the fall accessories are perfection!
Hi Lindsay! Where is that beautiful mirror from?
Hi Lindsey,
This is my first time on your blog. LOVE IT! The lichen-covered sticks are really beautiful in the clear vase with acorns. I absolutely love using natural elements and can’t wait to duplicate the look….I can remember years ago when I first saw lichen on branches and thought it was a disease of some kind…lol. Can’t wait to see more of your great ideas.
Hi Lindsey, was struck by your comment about no pumpkins grown in your neck of the woods. I live in E.Washington (state), an agricultural area and I can tell you, the pumpkins look really cool when they are lying in the dirt just prior to harvest. Big fields dotted with bright orange orbs.
Loved your fall decorating and yes i too would like to know where you got the stunning mirror. Did you make it? Is it made of wood shims? ( tutorial available? LOL)
Gorgeous! I’d love for you to join the Pinworthy Projects party! http://www.atkinsondrive.com/pinworthy-projects-link-party-12/
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Your deco is beautiful. Such great ideas. Where did you get the lantern? I’m looking for something like that for my bedroom.