Decorating With Gourds

When I think of Fall, I think of its warm rich colors of red, orange, yellow and brown. It's no mystery where the classic earthy colors of the season come from; just look out the window at the natural world around you. Leaves are changing color to intense reds, oranges and yellows become vivid, to more subdued browns.

The produce of the season crops up in all kinds of rich tones as well; the deep orange of the pumpkin, lively apple reds and greens, gourds and squash in all sorts of shades and patterns of deep greens and buttery neutrals. Go to any farmer's market and you'll find decorative Indian corn with its pale yellow and dark red, brown, and black kernels. Simply adding a variety of any of these items to the interior as well as the exterior of your home will immediately give it a splash of Fall.



Wicker or paper mache cornucopias are just a couple of items that may be used for decorations around the home as well. Some of these even look like the real thing! You can group them in three's of varying sizes or simply place one here and there around the house for a splash of color. You can find real gourds at the grocery store or at a vegetable/farmer's market. The decoration possibilities are endless.


Let’s not forget the pumpkin. It is a kind of gourd but more traditional. Pumpkins are, perhaps, the stars of Fall decor with their orange flair. Here are some ideas: Simply adding various sizes of pumpkins to a window sill can provide seasonal appeal. From jack-o-lanterns to hollowed-out pumpkins filled with potpourri, pumpkins are a simple way to add Autumn accents to any room of the home as well as the patio and porch. Trade your regular planters for a few iron plant cages; fill them with small pumpkins and colorful ornamental gourds for a great new look beside the front door.

Put large pumpkins in flower beds or along side them. Buy more than 1 pumpkin and arrange them along the driveway or around the front porch. You don't have to carve them, just place them outside. Why not “plant” your Fall flowers in a pumpkin? Just clean out the pumpkin, place a potted Fall flower arrangement inside the pumpkin. This looks so cute.

Any way you choose to use your gourd, they are sure to add that touch of Fall to your outside decorations as well as for your inside decor.



Image of gourds:
url:http://www.umassvegetable.org/images/soils_crops_pest_mgt/crop/pumpkin1.jpg


Image of pumpkin:
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