stencil | Karen's Up on the Hill

Things are already starting to fall from the trees up here on the hill. It won’t be long before the leaves start to change colors and come down as well. And pumpkins are being sold at the farmers markets, making it hard to resist getting a start on a little change of decor.

This time last year, we were in the process of moving, so when I pulled my things down from the attic, there wasn’t much to work with. I needed to get creative.

This Fall, for the kitchen table centerpiece, I wanted something large.

I have had this lantern for years, but it has always been used outside on one porch or another. It was really beat up, & a bit rusty and dirty from sitting out in all kinds of weather. I took it apart, cleaned it up and gave it a fresh coat of spray paint. Now, it’s like new again.

Perfect.

To fill up the tray, I used hydrangeas I dried this summer, some bits of the fall leaves & what nots I did have, and some cardboard pumpkins that I bought at the craft store for about $1 each, then spray painted white. A centerpiece for just a couple of dollars.

For the wall, I made an attempt at drawing a pumpkin on a chalk board….

The credenza got a new lamp (just because it was time) and a simple display of pumpkins. Some real, some with a faux vintage look. I picked them up at last weekends Barn Market.

The Den got a few touches as well. A foam orange pumpkin that I already had, got painted white with Annie Sloan paint. And a few other elements were added to keep the look more neutral in this room.

The living room got pops of the oranges & reds that dominate the Autumn season. It feels super cozy when I get the warm, scented candles burning too.

I really wanted a pillow for the season (I love me some pillows), so I pulled a small white linen cover that I wasn’t using out of the closet, and stenciled it. I just used tape for a straight line & a fine point sharpie.. Really easy & free.

The apples on the fireplace mantel were replaced with small pumpkins.

I wasn’t looking for glitter pumpkins, but that was all I could find in the size I needed. A little bit glam for me, but I like them anyway.

I also stuck some Bittersweet berry branches in my willow wreath.

My boxwood wreath on the hutch was replaced with an old front door wreath I already had.

I stenciled another pillow for a chair in the kitchen. It’s not fancy, but it’s festive!

And the hall bathroom got a small touch of its own on the window ledge.

Silk leaves tied to mason jars, filled with acorns. Super simple.

So those are my first Fall pieces for the house. I hope you enjoyed them. And I hope this helps get the folks like me, who are dreading the winter, to get in the spirit and look forward to the few months of Autumn ahead.

Karen