Can I be completely honest here?
Completely fall transparent.
A couple of weeks ago, my incredibly talented and artistic and extraordinarily patient friend Ashley called me up and asked me if I wanted to do a home tour. She told it me we really should be decorating for fall. She told me it would be fun. She told me she’d invite some friends like Carmel and Melissa and Kelli and Kristi and Courtney.
I could hear the sweet smile in her voice.
I could hear her encouragement.
And this is the part of the story where I want so much to tell you I was sweet right back. I want to tell you that I was happy and excited and full of joy to decorate for fall. I want to tell you I said YES in all capital letters.
(total fall post aside: does anyone else get capitol and capital mixed up? Or is it just me?)
But truth?
In the middle of that phone call?
I literally rolled my September eyes.
Decorate for fall I thought?
Seriously?
Go up into the attic where it is a hundred zillion degrees and pull down all the fall totes and unpack the pumpkins and the leaves and the trees and the signs and the acorns and the pine cones?
And start decorating?
Just thinking about it exhausted me.
I wondered if anyone would notice if I didn’t decorate.
I wondered if I could just distract all of you and tell stories until Christmas.
But here’s the thing.
I’m a blogger.
Decorating is my thing.
And I’m a blogger who lives in a new (old) house that really hadn’t been introduced to fall yet. We moved in last Thanksgiving and kind of skipped the acorns and the pine cones. It might be fun I told myself.
You got this, I said.
Show this house how fall is done.
And so it was that this weekend I found myself surrounded by all things fall.
And then?
Something amazing happened.
Something wonderful and incredible and awesome and unexpected showed up.
72 degree weather.
And when I unpacked the boxes I discovered something else.
Something I had completely forgotten about.
When we moved—I ORGANIZED ALL THE FALL.
Can you even?
I had tossed or donated all the stuff I never used and carefully packed away all the rest. There were only five totes and they were filled to the brim with all of my favorites.
There were wood pumpkins I used on the porch at the farmhouse and the straw pumpkins from the dining room last year and orange pumpkins that I spray painted white and wool felted pine cones.
And on and on and on.
I was so happy.
All my eye-rolling disappeared in an instant.
This was fall.
I was in my new (old) house. I was lucky enough to have five tubs of amazing, one-of-a-kind fall decorations.
The house was LITERALLY WAITING FOR ME.
And the best part?
The twins helped me decorate. I promised them a Miss America party if they’d help me get the house ready. We layered in pumpkins and leaves and wood branches. We filled baskets with pumpkins. We cut out book pages leaves and created a display on the hutch in the entry. We didn’t buy anything new. We just used what we had and there was exactly enough. Those five tubs filled the house with fall.
Not too much.
Just enough to add a whisper of fall to each room.
I have so much more fall to show you.
But I’ve already added 24 fall pictures to this post.
#calmdownwithyourfallkarianne
And yes. This post is about pumpkins and book page leaves and acorns and wood trees. But if you look closely and read between the fall decorating lines there’s so much more to the story.
Because sometimes the things that we don’t want to do?
The things we are dreading?
The things we put off because it seems overwhelming?
Are the very things that can fill our hearts with joy.
#lifelessonsfromabasketofpumpkins
Be brave.
Be bold.
Now go forth and decorate.
And if these 24 pictures weren’t enough and you want a little more fall from some of my incredibly talented friends?
Be sure and check out:
Ashley from the Handmade Home’s Tour
Courtney from French Country Cottage’s Tour
Melissa from the Inspired Room’s Tour
Carmel from Our Fifth House’s Tour
Kelli and Kristi from Lolly Jane’s Tour
Wow. Just. Wow. I'll be back to check out all your past postings soon...
Hi KariAnne, I love your new old house! All of the white in the house is beautiful! I’m the gal who asked you about your cool beige hutch! Anyway, my fall decorations are in containers I just pulled out in the garage! And even here in Southern California, where it’s been hot for weeks, now this week has brought 78 degrees and some cloudy mornings as I live on the coast. It’s fall weather for sure! And can you say how you put your book-pages fall leaves together for the garlands? Are they just glued together or are the on a ribbon or string? I love them! Thanks! Liz
Elizabeth, I'm going to do an entire tutorial on the hutch. It was SO EASY. Basically I just used tape! Happy day friend! karianne
Your touches of Fall are wonderful. I always start decorating for Fall early cause it doesn't last long enough for me:0 I am just about done. I was done, but decided to change the mantle:) Have a beautiful day!
I can not even believe all you have accomplished in less than a year. It is mind boggling really. No one would even blink if you said "I am fricking exhausted and taking a break". We did that one holiday season, went to the virgin Islands for Christmas, skipped the hoopla, and on Christmas day I was sitting by a pool listening to a steel pan band while beautiful ladies put out a buffet. A wonderful memory. So, back to fall, I love what you did and the subtle but pretty accents.I love the look of less even though I seem incapable of doing it. :)
I had to wear a light jacket on my morning walk in Franklin, TN!
Lucky. I live close to Chattanooga and it was 73 and muggy when I went out for my run this morning. It made for a sweaty run. :D
love your fall!! And your extra! boost of encouragement. Hope that your and the twins got to watch your favorite Miss America be crowned!!
I hope you know how inspiring and encouraging you are. If I wore your beautiful red lipstick( I’m working myself back up to that fabulous look!), I’d smear your sweet cheek with a big red sister kiss. You bless me always, make me realize life is happening, ENJOY IT!!
I'm always blessed by your honesty.
LOVE it all!!! Do you remember where you got the little wooden trees?
Cathy, Yes! I got them last year at Michael's! Hope this helps! karianne
thank you.
me, too. Love!
Here in upstate New York, we went from a heat index (high temp plus extreme humidity) of 100 sunny degrees to 55 and a cold heavy rain in 24 hours! I'm definitely suddenly thinking fall. Karianne, your home is lovely at all times. One of the things I enjoy about your blog and decorating is that your home looks real, like a place people actually live, and not a designer show room.
I couldn't possibly love this story any more Karianne! I felt the very same way just a few weeks ago. Fall is my very favourite, but I just wasn't ready to let go of those last few days of Summer ... and then the days grew colder and school started up and I found myself craving all things cozy! Happy Fall my friend!
You are an absolute delight. You make me giggle as I read your post and grin with anticipation when you post shows up. Thank you, I needed that!!!
It is all simply beautiful...and I want to make some of those book page leaves!
What a wonderful and inspiring post! I tend to do the September eye roll as well because I have a hard time saying goodbye to summer each year. But when those cooler temps come, I am ready! Your home is so beautiful and so inviting with just the perfect fall touches throughout. Shelley
I am so in love with your new (old) house and I love your fall. Can't wait to see more. Every room is always such a delight.
As always, the prettiest of every single blog. Perfect!
Oh, it’s like a big exhale! It’s calm and comfy and so soothing. It makes my soul sigh. And inspired me to get the bright summer stuff put away and pull out my fall favorites!
First of all, yes, I do get 'capital' and 'capitol' mixed up, and maybe a few other words if I'm honest. A lot! Glad I'm not alone in that. Secondly, I get so many ideas and inspirations from your posts so I'm so happy you had the 72 degree weather and the foresight to organize your Fall decorating bins when you moved. Yay, you! And lastly, I love your new (old) house with the touches of Fall. So beautiful!
Loving everything about your Fall tour! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Ah it was 65 degrees in CT and I decorated for Fall too on Saturday I love how the house looks.
I LOVE your house! It's so gorgeous and lovely but welcoming and warm. Will you adopt me so I can live there? (and by "me" I really mean "me, my husband, my baby and my dog")
You certainly told your house what's up for fall, NAILED IT! It's beautiful, Karianne! Happy fall to you, wish we could take a home tour IRL ;) XOXO
Capitol/ Capital....just happened last week to me!😜 I love your Fall tinged House. I’m excited to be reading and seeing and pinning Fall but, it’s still kinda hard when your highs are 105ish. Boooo!! I’m doing it though and you’ve given me the kick in the pants to start. So, thank you again for the inspiration 🍁
KariAnne, I like the words “a whisper of Fall”, makes me rethink the decorating thing. This year I am “slowly Falling” and enjoying it!
It's gorgeous and simple and I love it. When can I come awkwardly stay with you? HAHAHA! ;} LOVE
Lovely and simply Karianne! Can't wait to see what else comes along for fall in your sweet new/old house. My house is about half fall-half summer (identity crisis, haha). I started on the living room after finishing the front porch but the kitchen and dining is in a state of not knowing what season it really is....but by this weekend I think it will know, because I'm going all "fall boss" on it!
Thank you for inviting me in. . . . it is just like you. . . filled w/light, love & life! When we moved back to TX after 43 yrs. abroad I did no decorating for 2 seasons---fall & Christmas. I was mentally & physically exhausted---as it turned out we were in isolation over Christmas & the entire month, w/a tummy infection that was highly contagious & difficult to get rid of---so God was in the details of sparing me in more ways than I could count. Had I done a lot of preparations I would have had a "pity party!" To see everything in light of God's provisions is not always easy up-front---but as we look back we can evidence His loving grace. Thank you for using your gifting to bless others (w/me in that "others").
I loved this post! Decorating with your twins had to be the best part of it all! I can't wait to see what you do at Christmas!
I hoping & hoping your gonna show us how to make that Leaf Book Page Garland...??? Oh please...
I too want to know how you did the leaves . . . LOVE THEM !!! AND . . . love your home and all your talents ! Thank you for sharing :)
But what on earth is a MIss America party (I raised boys...or wolves, as some have suggested)?
It's just so lovely, friend. I bet my house sometimes dreams of what it would be like to grow up to be as grand and charming as yours. What a special place you have been able to return to. It must feel like such a gift to be HOME again. I love it! Also, its fun to be on this fall tour with you today!! xoxo
Your house is always so beautiful. I love how you’ve decorated it for Fall. I am now definitely inspired to get my Fall stuff out and decorate! Happy Fall! 🍂🍁
I have to tell you, I had been feeling the exact same way until just a few hours before I read your post. I had just gone through a tote and placed a few things around! And this weather!?sweltering heat and humidity! Thanks for the extra nudge to continue on! 🍁🍂🍁🍂
We’re enjoying the cooler weather too (here a little closer to Dallas) ... so I’ve felt the nudge to get moving, too. My decorating will also be pretty minimal, since I’ve also been feeling a need to simplify! In one recent short spurt of organizing, I ran across a stash of vintage books from thrifts/shops so “MY” leaf garland (haha!) will have a slight brownish tinge, but I MUST copy you and make one! How soon will you post details ~ maybe even leaf patterns?!? Thanks for knowing we’d want to make them! Lpve everything about your new/old/family house ~ your energy is amazing ~ not to mention your talent and skill ... kj
karianne i'm obsessed with those white glass pumpkins, if you can remember where you bought? also, do you have your house colors in a blog that may have missed? I love, love the wall color because I can't tell if the light is changing the hue or it is shades of the same base color. I have 4 gallons of paint ready to put on walls but I keep taking them in to lighten because i'm going for the look on your walls, at the dismay of my family getting rid of the mossy green on my kitch/DR walls in attempt to lighten up the rooms. and thanks for the kick in the rear to retrieve my own fall bins!
I think you made the new (old) house very happy and cozy with all of the new (old) fall decor!! Love, love!!! xoxo
Wow. I love your fall style.
KariAnne, what lovely "whispers of Fall" you have done! Everything is gorgeous! You always do such a wonderful job of all your décor. And, to have your twins help you was great! Sit back and enjoy! Have a great rest of the week! Thanks, once again, for sharing your wonderful decorating posts with us! Blessings!
Gorgeous! and just right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love your fall style! The book page leaves are just so gorgeous!
Sometimes Just a whisper of Fall is all we need! As always my dear friend, it's just simply gorgeous! I love this new (old) home. Thanks for showing us around again.
Your decorations are beautiful! Could you share the paint color you used in your foyer area? It actually looks as if you used that color throughout, but pictures can be deceiving. I would love to paint that color in my home.
Rita, Yes! It's called SW Sandbar. The same paint color is in the office and the hallway. The bathroom is SW Repose Gray and the trim is SW Extra White! Hope this helps friend! karianne
I feel the same...(eye-rolling, uninspired)....must. fight. through. it. :)
I love the whimsy in your " storytelling" :) the playfulness of your style and your " let's keep this decorating" passion in check. These dwellings are our homes and "I" think that our homes should display our personality. You and I could be good pals- decorating shenanigans and all :) Love your home.
You have definitely shown your new old house how fall is done, and it looks amazing! Thank you so much for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope your week is going well!
Where are the thin wood trees from?
Beautiful!! I love the book page leaves....will you show us how to make them?! Also, I'd love to snag a copy of the print ("your home is a reflection of who you are") that you have hanging in your stairwell. Will you share the details of where I can get it? Thanks so much for opening your beautiful home and sharing it with us!
You precious girl! I just discovered you via Carol of The Red Painted Cottage (Or Painted Red - I never keep it straight.) Anyway, I can tell you and I are friends already! Yes, I love this fall tour. but even more important is the following. I am working and working on prying my husband out of our big home to a smaller cottage home. Yesterday I at least got him into a model through a realtor’s Open House. You know the look of today -gray, white. Decorwise itwas lovely BUT I have a home filled with oak, cherry, all sorts of wood and most of it is family pieces much too nice to paint. (Just like your chest in the window.) Already your log helps me see how I can lighten up and still be traditional. I will be following you. Now back to trying to ever win on the move!
You home looks beautiful Karianne as it always does. Looks like you have settled right back in to life here in Texas!:)