Sunday, October 4, 2009

Fall decor for the outdoors!


I hope you all had a lovely fall weekend!! We did -- it included just about all of my favorites of this season, which I'll tell you more about tomorrow. I am truly in fall nesting mode right now, and I love it!

Every year I have more and more fun decorating the outdoors of our home for the different holidays and seasons. The front door and porch is my favorite area, but this year, because we made our deck so livable, I threw a little out there too.

For now, just a simple collection of white and mini pumpkins, along with my 49 cent Ball jars, is plenty to add a touch of fall out back:
I'd like to do a couple more things out there, but for now it's lovely just as is. :)

For our front window boxes, I added some "faux" (sounds sooo much better thank fake, doesn't it?) pumpkins, as well as some real ones. The little ones last forever and always get me well into the Christmas season. (That would be 12:01 a.m., November 27th, in case you didn't know.):
The mums are looking just a tad bit droopy right now!

For the front porch, I have found a set up that works every year and I think I'm gonna stick to it. First, corn stalks for $5.99 each (you can find at most nurseries right now):
Next, some GORG mums...
Aren't they the most beautiful color you've ever seen?

Next, the tried and true front door container, which I showed you here:
And this is what you get:

Add a brand spankin' new flag, and some pumpkins, and you are set!
Our front porch is TEENY. I mean, teeny tiny itty bitty eetsy weensy. I dream of a gorgeous expanse of porch, but just because it's small doesn't mean it can't be beautiful my Squee-zays.

Stalks, mums and pumpkins, and your front porch will be the talk of the neighborhood (in a good way), even if it's teeny! Sigh. I love driving up to our house and seeing this...
Although it appears only a size two woman can walk through the middle, there really is plenty of room. And Halloween night, I move the planters and pumpkins so those precious goblins and ghouls can actually get up to our door, costumes and all. ;)

How do you dress up your front porch for fall?

81 thrifties said (comment here):

lkjatl said...

Love all the fall decor! I am so ready to break out the pumpkins, beautiful foliage and such...but, been super busy transforming our entertainment center in the family room! Going from white to a yummy chocolate/black...it will be gorg when done. If only the paint would dry quicker...sigh...

sarah @ realestatestyle said...

I love the corn stalks, and those mums are the best color! We were in Lowe's today, and almost bought some, but just didn't love any of the basic colors. I will have to keep looking for these!

Sharlotte said...

Your home decor looks so festive! I love all the white pumpkins and Ball jars w/sand and tea lights! Your front porch is so very inviting! Thanks for sharing!

Ashley said...

Your front porch is gorgeous! I've only been married for 1.5 year(s?) and last year we lived in a pretty crummy neighborhood, so no outdoor decorations for us. Now that we live in a better area, I'm all ready to decorate. This is some great inspiration. Thanks for sharing with us.

The Whispering Creek House said...

I am getting ready for a harvest party and just finished my pumpkin chandlier come and see it!

Tootsie said...

very nice!

TidyMom said...

Love it Sarah!! I finally got our outside done this weekend too! Luckily we live near farms - hubby got my cornstalk for $1 because he cut them himself!! - can't beat that!! We tied them together and put 2 bunches on the porch too!

I'm working on pictures, hope to have next week - maybe I'll get that new wall pocket ready for my front door by then too!!

Happy Fall!
~TidyMom

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

It looks fantastic! How do I dress up my porch for fall? Come take I look. Seriously. I'd LOVE it if you visited me Sarah! http://bethcrabtreehunter.blogspot.com/2009/10/welcome-to-my-humble-abode-come-on-in.html

Sarah Ann said...

I really love the idea of the corn stalks. They look great! I also like the pumpkins in the window box- I think I may do that with mine!

ScrapinShana said...

Wow! This is stunning! What a beautiful welcoming for your visitors! Everything you do is wonderful and so inspiring =)

LG said...

Way WAY jealous of those window boxes! They look awesome. Also love the ghost pumpkins!

Mama Thompson said...

I have been nervous busting out the (real) pumpkins yet, because the weather has been so warm...but this weekend it has turned and looks to be staying cool, so I am so excited that this week I can finally get to the front porch decor...thanks for sharing your porch! Mine is also small and I have been debating a few ideas, and yours really helped!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I usually think of cornstalks as so cheesy - but yours look beautiful! Love the mums!

BLJ Graves Studio said...

Love what you have done with your front porch. Our front porch is teeny tiny too, you have inspired me. :-)

Linda/"Mom" said...

* Just "found" your blog and enjoyed it immensely~~~ great "projects", ideas and such a F*U*N atmosphere, too!!!

Many, many thanks! ~~~ "I villlll be baaaccckkkK!"~~~

Warmly,
Linda in AZ *

Beth said...

I love it! I would do the exact same thing IF I didn't live in an apartment building. I would have to hire a guard to stand watch over my goodies to keep the thiefs away. Sigh.

tinahead81 said...

soooo pretty! now i need to get my butt movin' i'm too cheap to buy the corn stalks this year, but i've got the mums out, and a few little things will be on there way out there!

Shelia said...

Hi Sarah! I love all of your Fallness of pun'kins. Your porch may be small, but you've got it dressed up for Fall to the hilt! I love it.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

~ RM said...

OH, it looks so inviting and 'fallish"! I love those planters...

Craig, Blair and Turbo Skousen said...

I love your outdoor decor! We just have some small pumpkins outside on our columns, which I fully expect to be smashed every morning. So far, so good!

Isabella & Max Rooms said...

The entry is just so inviting, I'm becoming convinced this is worth while! I have never really gotten into decorating the outside of our house, too many years in apartments I guess!!
Janell

Kamee said...

Ok, you just proved it. I have a tiny front porch and don't do much with it because I thought I couldn't thank you for giving me an example to go by. You Rock!!!

Jenglamgirl said...

beautiful, and classy, love all of it. Can you please tell me where you got your Welcome viynl sign?

Marsha's Mpressions said...

Love it! Warm and welcoming!

Miss Mustard Seed said...

It looks great! So warm and inviting. Thanks for sharing it with us.

tardevil said...

Those mums are gorgeous! Love how your front porch turned out! Love the pumpkins on all the steps. Would love to do that at my house, but now I have to decide if I want to spend that much $$ b/c I have a lot of steps. My landing is small like yours though.

Tracy Suzanne said...

Oh my goodness, Sarah. What a beautiful display. The mums are gorgeous. I had wanted to do a display in my windowboxes with pumpkins and squash. It's so hot here right now I don't know how well they would last. Last year I decorated for the grandkids who aren't here this year so I will probably go back to a more simple and elegant look like yours.
Hugs...Tracy

Sara said...

LOVE it!! can't wait to get my porch spiffied up!!! happy sunday!

Renee said...

LOVE your front porch! My set up is different or I would steal...er, I mean borrow...your idea down to the last pumpkin. Thanks for the inspiration.

littledaisymay said...

LOVE it!

Renee said...

The corn stalks work so well in that space! Very nice tasteful decorations (unlike some of my neighbors)!

Denise said...

I love your fall decor, can I ask where you got your 'welcome' sign on the door, was it from one of the online sites? I remember seeing on someone's blog a place that did custom ones and they had 'You're Home' printed for the door leading from their garage... that's what I'm after.

Melissa Miller said...

Love it all Sarah!

That is one gorgeous and unique Mum color! I have a Fall Mum porch post up right now. Take a look when you can!

Many Blessings and Happy Fall!
~Melissa :)

KatieJ said...

LOVE it- thanks for sharing all your great ideas!

The DIY Show Off said...

Beautiful outdoor decor. I love the simplicity of your white pumpkins and mason jars. My window boxes are sad indeed. If it would just stop raining long enough for me to get festive outdoors, all would be well.

Have a great week!

Roeshel

Cereal In My Stiletto said...

If your front porch is teeny tiny, than that must make mine minuscule! Seriously... what I wouldn't give for one.. just one extra foot of space! Boo hoo. Yours looks GREAT!

mommynoodles said...

Love your porch! So cute! I cracked up out loud about the size two woman going up the steps.Before I read that part,all I could think was,looks like you have to turn sideways to walk up the steps!! lol lol
Natalie,

Debra @ Common Ground said...

Hi Sarah, I just found your blog and I love your front porch...so warm and inviting! I'm a mum-aholic myself. Just joined you as a follower, come by for a visit when you can, I have a give-away going on!
Debra

Clean and Classic Interiors said...

It looks so welcoming! I love the flower boxes too! Your own little (I mean mini) pumpkin patch right outside your window!

Aubree @ The Weathered Cottage said...

ugh. this is so gorgeous! i want to do something similar, we too have a tiny front porch. like just stairs and that's it. we shall see what i come up with as this is our first halloween in our first home! thanks for the inspiration.

Lisa Anne said...

It looks so good.

come and join my craft swap.

http://smellthecoffeelisa.blogspot.com

It's going on the entire month of october, people are in the process of creating their crafts so you can link up whenever.

Cupcake Mama said...

The mini pumpkins in the window box are so cute! We don't have a good spot for a window box at my house :(
My 2 wee ones are so proud of the little goblin I made for our front porch - fun and not scary at all! check it out!
http://cupcakedaze.blogspot.com/2009/10/fun-easy-not-so-scary-ghost.html

Holly said...

Mums, check. Pumpkins, check. Front door floral hanging container, tomorrow's to-do.
Your porch looks very welcoming!

jenjen said...

So so pretty. I love the jars of sand and candles. Your front door is beautiful!

XOXO
Jen

Alicia said...

Once again a lovely post and beautiful pictures. I've nominated you for an award at my blog. Enjoy!

Lisa B. said...

I love your front porch!! Thanks for sharing all your beautiful ideas!!

Lisa B.

SouthernGalsBoutique said...

I love your front porch!!! I have yet to drag my fall items out!! The flu bug has hit our house, I'm hoping to really start pulling it out this week!

Erin, Nick and Merrick said...

I LOVE the stalks! Will have to go find some now!
I gave you a shout out on my blog and showed my kitchen redo with new chair rail inspired by you!! :)

Swan Family said...

AWESOME! I love your ideas! Thanks for posting this...I've been stuck on what to do for the front porch area!

Nadir @ Hodgepodge said...

I looooooove the front porch! So enviting!

Renee' said...

I love the fall decor . . . but my favorite thing about your front door is the painted "Welcome." What a fabulous idea!

Heather said...

I love, love, love your front porch! I've been reading your blog over the last week or so and have become so inspired to really get working around my house.

This weekend I started to revamp a OLD bench I have in my house. I tried painting it SEVERAL years ago and didn't like the way it turned out. I'm redoing it now for real. It's been repainted and now I am going to cushion the seat. I'll post pics when I'm done.

Perhaps I'll also have to do something with my front porch. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Felicia said...

Your porch may be teeny tiny but has a big impact! It's gorgeous!!

Marla said...

Very tasteful porch. Love the elegance.

Desires of the Heart said...

Sarah, Your front porch is just GORGEOUS! Great ideas with the canning jars. You are very talented and I always enjoy your blog, although this is the first time I have commented. Have a great day! Linda

SilvanArt said...

Beautiful autumn decor! I love fall, and it's so fun to see what people do to celebrate it! :)

Lettered Cottage said...

Lovin' the fab Fall decor Sarah! So pretty!

Kevin and Layla :-)

Wilhelmiina said...

Magnificent and mighty, I love it :)

Wilhelmiina from finland

Amy@My Front Porch said...

Love it -- especially the cornstalks!

christine's cottage garden home said...

Love your entry! I'm in the same process at my house. I just love the fall season. Check out my fall decor at
http://christinescottagegardenhome.blogspot.com/

Connie said...

Everything looks so inviting! Fall is a beautiful time for decorating.

Richella said...

Sarah, your porch may be small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in spirit! I love that you go all out on this space, and I think it looks terrific! So much better than if you just put a planter and a couple of tiny pumpkins. . . it would be so easy to say "That's really all I have room to do," but then you miss out on all this gorgeousness. Well done!

I have fun with my front porch for fall, too--come take a look at my "Autumn Inspiration" post if you have a chance. I have one jack-o-lantern that's probably nearly the same age as you (or the same age as you look in your photos, anyway).

Have a great day!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Amen to the 12:01 am on Nov. 27th! ;) We are two like minds.

I love what you've done on your front porch. We don't have a front porch...more like a small "stoop" area, and I haven't done anything with it yet. I do have a Fall garden flag for the flower bed, and I potted some white mums...need more though. I'll get my Fall arrangement for the front door down soon.

I really like the little pumpkins in the window box. :)

Life As Kristin said...

I'll have to send you pictures of mine but yours is fan-freakin-tastic. That's purdy in my vernacular.

Sharon said...

Love your decorated front porch .... especially all the little pumpkins in the window box. Very festive.

Raks said...

That's really nice. Just a suggestion, getting rid of that iron grills will make your porch even bigger.

Courtney said...

so pretty!! I am loving the white pumpkins, I think my new favorite I need to add to my decor!

Cathy said...

Well, my front door doesn't look half as great as yours, but I'm not quite as good at decorating as you are. But for what it's worth, here's my attempt at Fall decorating.
http://tnstayinthecarmom.blogspot.com/2009/09/fabulous-fall.html

Missy (Two Little Monkeys) said...

Beautiful!!! So festive! I love your Fall decorations! I painted a few fall signs and can not wait to get started decorating.

Melissa Miller said...

Hey girl! Thanks for your sweet visit. I just wanted to let you know that the red pathway pavers are made of recycled rubber tires from Lowes. They also come in other colors. They are definitely green and thrifty at a few bucks a piece! Yay!

~Have a great day. ~Melissa :)

Life As Kristin said...

I adore your blog! I'm now a follower with Twitter. Thanks for showing us you don't need to spend a fortune to have a great looking casa.

PS: In LURVE with the corn stalks. I'm wishing I had some right. about. now.

Susie from Bienvenue said...

Your small porch sure has a big punch! I love it! Just goes to show it does not matter the size of the space it's how you decorate it!! Happy Fall~

Shannon said...

Hello, gorgeous!

millisa said...

looks awesome! (as usual) :)

Marcy Tate said...

I love the white pumpkins and the way you put the pumpkins on the porch steps.

Lizzy said...

I voted!! you are in first place ,goodluck and cant wait to see what you do with the gift card.
~Lizzy

Kelly @ Dare to be Domestic said...

Your front door is SO welcoming - makes me want to come over - knock on the door and have cider! ;)

{ L } said...

Ok, your front porch is officially my favorite one I've seen!! Well done.

tanner25 said...

great ideas. thanks for sharing.

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Wow, it looks beautiful! I'm FINALLY getting around to decorating my porch for fall so I started poking around for inspiration pics It finally occurred to me that I should do a Roundup f beautiful fall decor and I'll be including a link to you if you don't mind.

Mono said...

I love the flowers on the front door! So colorful. You can also hang a wind spinner with a flag center instead of simply putting a flag. Cool isn't it? :)