How to Decorate using Alternative Fall Colors

No one was more shocked than I when I learned many people in this world are not completely and totally besotted with the orange, russet, and terra cotta colors of fall.  But when I actually stopped to think about it, I realized it might be a good challenge for me to create a few ideas on how to decorate using alternative fall colors.  (Or, to be blunt, not using orange.)  So here I am with 4 ideas for creating vignettes using alternative fall colors. These are all staged on my dining room table, but can be easily used on a coffee table, a sideboard, atop a chest of drawers, or even a mantel!

I have set-up 4 vignettes using different options for fall colors; one uses the red and green of pears, one incorporates just white ceramic ware and a sheaf of wheat, the 3rd incorporates late-summer hydrangeas, and the last one uses shades of teal, green, and eucalyptus.

Red and Green Pears

The most effort involved in this vignette was running to the grocery store for red and green pears.  I mixed them in with my set of Pottery Barn pears, pulled out my faithful (and standard) fall topiary, and added a couple of candles for balance. The runner is perfectly neutral, gets used year round, and most importantly does not compete with the rich colors of the pears.

White Ceramic Ware

I consider white ceramic ware a classic design element. (Read my post about it here!) It can be used year round, and fall is no exception. I collect white ceramic ware, focusing mostly on white pitchers and white fruits and vegetables. Using a perfectly normal, everyday brown tray, I corralled a white pitcher, a white squash, and a white pumpkin along with a couple of vegetables.  The sheaf of wheat brings in the fall element.  I kept this one deliberately simple and subtle; not all fall displays need to make a bold statement!

Late-Summer Hydrangeas

This one took me out of my ‘color-comfort-zone’. I love my neutrals and rich colors; pastels and pinks just do not spin my bowtie. Nonetheless, this was a joy to create.  I snatched these hydrangeas from my backyard just in the nick of time.  I played with cake pedestals and white pitchers, and added in pine cones and the Pottery Barn pears.  (Maybe I should have just called this whole post “fall decorating with pears”.)    Of the 4 vignettes I created, this one truly does live up to the ‘alternative fall colors’ title!

Shades of Teal, Green and Eucalyptus

The inspiration for this vignette came while we were at Hobby Lobby.  I had been keeping an eye open for eucalyptus leaves, and was delighted to not just find them, but to also see the sign indicating a price discount. (I carefully clutched carried them as I followed Sailor around discovering an amazing amount of fishing-related tchotchkes that he simply could not live without.) I typically only use this tray in the spring or summertime, because of its aqua color.  The teal pumpkin came from Michael’s last year, and I remember thinking back then,”I hope I can figure out how to use  teal pumpkins!”  I added in the eucalyptus leaves and candles, and there you have it!

Even if you are over-the-moon crazy about the orange colors of fall, I hope these photos have given you some ideas for different ways to style your home for fall.  And if you are in the ‘not-s0-much-in-love-with-orange’ camp, then I truly hope one or two of these color combinations inspire you in some way to create the feel of fall warmth in your home.

For more posts about decorating for fall, please go here and here.  But I am warning you: these posts DO contain orange!

From our home to yours~

Kristine

I am sharing at these link parties:

My Soulful Home  //  Across the Blvd  //  Finding Silver Pennies  //  Marilyn’s Treats  //

I Should be Mopping the Kitchen Floor  // Waste Not Wednesday // A Stroll Thru Life

Jodie Fitz.com  //  Designthusiasm  

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