Fall Style at Home, Part 1: The Front Porch

Front porch decorated for fallAs the days grow shorter and back-to-school ads abound, I find myself hit with a strong nesting urge this time of year. Nevermind it’s still creeping into the high ’80’s in Charlotte, and will do so well into October. I long for cable-knit sweaters, flickering firelight and the savory smells of home-baked goodness. But just because we’re still wearing sandals in the Carolinas doesn’t mean we can’t relish the change of season. A few simple and stylish updates at home will help usher in autumn and allow that mental shift of gears in readiness for the winter ahead. In this 3-part series on style tips for fall, I’m starting with the front porch.

It’s the first thing visitors see, and it welcomes you home after a long day, so the front porch is a good place to start with fall decorating. Fresh flowers, pumpkins and a seasonal wreath add a dose of color and style to your entry, with plenty of DIY potential as well as some locally sourced options shown here.

Pumpkin potted mums

Mums are a popular fall flower because they withstand the cold really well. Add a home-made pumpkin planter and even better! Photo courtesy of The Painted Cottage Online, of Ocean Isle, NC.

Glazed pumpkins

Front porch idea

Making a fall wreath, DIY guide

Acorn and berry wreath

Fabric Wreath by SnapDragonDecor

Here’s a fun fabric wreath by SnapDragonDecor of Greenville, NC (photo courtesy of Etsy.com).

Design Carolina's own fall wreath

My attempt at DIY: nothing fancy, just a simple wreath with basic materials from the craft store. I pulled it out of storage and hung it up today to officially welcome the start of fall.

Our family is headed out to the mountains of western NC for the weekend, where I’m sure to find more autumnal inspiration. Stay tuned for my next post when I’ll share some sources and ideas for easy accessory updates inside the home. Have a safe and happy Labor Day everyone!