Decorating for Fall

<div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The holidays are practically here and I've been in denial. Suddenly the weather is starting to cool down and all the stores have pumpkins out front. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo ssDSC_0515.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/ssDSC_0515.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo hDSC_0512.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/hDSC_0512.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's almost impossible for me and my kids to pass these by and we've amassed quite a collection of mini (and not-so-mini) pumpkins over the past week or two. So I was thrilled when <a href="http://www.glade.com/en" target="_blank">Glade<span style="font-size: xx-small;">®</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>invited me to share a few of my fall decorating tips with you (<i>hoarding justified!</i>). It actually worked out perfectly because I had recently been thinking that that little stretch of hallway by the mudroom is a great place to display holiday decor. I was able to transform the space with a few small projects (like stripping the shelves!) and styling with inexpensive finds (including the newly designed <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/products/sprays/sense-and-spray-automatic-freshener-with-new-360-design" target="_blank">Glade<span style="font-size: xx-small;">®</span> Sense and Spray<span style="font-size: xx-small;">®</span> Automatic Freshener</a>). Now my home looks and smells like it's ready for autumn. Here's how I did it:<br /><a name="more"></a></div><br /><img alt=" photo fall1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/fall1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The shelves used to be painted a really dark brown and the walls were a mid-tone gold color and it felt just a little too dark. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo fDSC_0573.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/fDSC_0573.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used stripper gel to remove the two or three layers of paint, which came off pretty easily and left  behind a primed pine beam. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo IMG_7699.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_7699.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So far I haven't done much with the wood after taking off the paint. I like how the light wood feels brighter and more airy, but I'm not sure I love the distressed look. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo IMG_7702.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_7702.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's fine for now though (kind of works with the fall theme, right?). And either way I won't do too much to the shelves because they'll likely be removed in the big kitchen remodel down the road. A darker gray wash would be easy and pretty though.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0548h.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/DSC_0548h.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo Untitled-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/Untitled-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, as for the decorating, I decided to go to Goodwill to see what they had in the way of vintage wares in golden, warm tones. It was a total jackpot thrifting day. I think most of these were from the same home - they all had a similar look. (you can see more of my finds from that day <a href="http://instagram.com/jennykomenda" target="_blank">here</a>).</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7735.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_7735.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I also stopped into Homegoods to grab a few baskets for the floor. Homegoods is the <i>best</i> place to buy storage baskets.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img alt=" photo eDSC_0506.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/eDSC_0506.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The cute herringbone pattern one is the perfect size for about a month's worth of magazines - anything bigger would just allow for an unwieldy reading pile, and who needs that?</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_7794.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_7794.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The taller basket will be used for umbrellas maybe, once we actually find the box with the umbrellas (!). I spray painted the basket gold, because everything is better gold. (with the exception of fingers).</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_7821.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_7821.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo aaDSC_0494.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aaDSC_0494.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo aDSC_0543.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aDSC_0543.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And speaking of gold/brass, Homegoods is selling a lot of brass things right now - really cool trays and accessories like this brass-inlay dominos box set.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0552.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aDSC_0552.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I mixed my new and old finds together on the shelves and put lots of pumpkins out and some books too. I think it's a good idea to not fill every square inch of shelf space or else it can start to feel like a store display.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo hDSC_0481.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/hDSC_0481.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0537.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/DSC_0537.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love that piece of pottery here on the left.</div><br /><img alt=" photo qDSC_0540.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/qDSC_0540.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I also think it's a good idea to go pretty neutral with the colors on a display shelf. And if something is more colorful, try to group it with items in a similar color family.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0529.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aDSC_0529.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo aDSC_0511.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aDSC_0511.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0526.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aDSC_0526.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo aaDSC_0490.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aaDSC_0490.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Can you spot the freshener below? I love how it just blends in with the decor.</div><br /><img alt=" photo wDSC_0501.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/wDSC_0501.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's the newly designed <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/products/sprays/sense-and-spray-automatic-freshener-with-new-360-design" target="_blank">Sense and Spray<span style="font-size: xx-small;">®</span> Automatic Freshener</a> by <a href="http://www.glade.com/en" target="_blank">Glade<span style="font-size: xx-small;">®</span></a> that sprays every time you walk by.  You set it to spray no more than every 15, 20 or 30 minutes, so it works perfectly in high-traffic areas just like in this hallway by our mudroom. The scent travels all around this side of the house.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aaDSC_0522.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/aaDSC_0522.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You can choose different scents (and in fact, there's a whole line of great, new fragrances), but my hands-down favorite is their <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/fragrances/floral/lavender-and-vanilla" target="_blank">Lavender and Vanilla</a>. It smells <i>really</i> good and it's a more complex scent than you normally find with air fresheners. This is a bit of a side note, but isn't it weird how houses/families have a smell? I'm always wondering if our house has a smell that I'm just used to - the idea stresses me out a little bit to be honest. I think scent is a big part of the experiencing of a home and it is a huge relief for me when visitors comment that our house smells nice. And just like putting out the pumpkins, choosing a warm, inviting scent is the perfect, simple way to welcome guests and to celebrate the season. I just popped in the <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/fragrances/outdoor/cashmere-woods" target="_blank">Cashmere Woods</a> scent yesterday to get the warm, woodsy smell happening, and now it really feels like October! :)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img alt=" photo jDSC_0480.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/jDSC_0480.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And it was downright genius of the makers of <a href="http://www.glade.com/en" target="_blank">Glade<span style="font-size: xx-small;">®</span></a> to design such a pretty diffuser. How far we have come from the days of those scent cone eye sores!</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo ssDSC_0515.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/ssDSC_0515.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">So, tell me, have you started decorating for the holidays yet? Too soon? :) Our old neighbor had a rule where as soon as she saw Halloween stuff in stores she felt she could start listening to CHRISTMAS MUSIC. That is a level of holiday commitment unknown to me! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img alt=" photo Untitled-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/Untitled-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>This post was brought to you in collaboration with </i><a href="http://www.glade.com/en" target="_blank"><i>Glade<span style="font-size: xx-small;">®</span></i></a><i>  Check out their variety of new fragrances <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/fragrances" target="_blank">here</a>. Thank you for supporting LGN sponsors.</i></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

Decorating for Fall

The holidays are practically here and I've been in denial. Suddenly the weather is starting to cool down and all the stores have pumpkin...

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