I have friends- you know who you are- who have already put out their pumpkins and fall decorations! They have their sweaters ready and can’t wait for the temperature to drop. I am still in the mindset of shorts and tank tops……. but I know it’s coming. So, I decided with a little help from my friends- yes, the same friends- to give you tips on decorating your kitchen for the fall season. No design ideas this time, just my opinions. Please sip on your hot apple cider while I reminisce for a few minutes.
Growing up my mother always had a set of canisters sitting on the counter. It consisted of 4 ceramic containers that were for flour, sugar, tea and coffee. She had two sets; one was white and was used most of the year. The other set showed up on the counter in late September or early October. It was a special set that she had made herself in ceramic class. This fall set of canisters were each in the shape of a mushroom. The lids were orange, and the base had multicolored leaves painted on it. Her entire house was beige or white, so these canisters really stood out! When the mushroom canisters made their way to the kitchen, we knew that sweater weather was upon us. The special canisters would disappear on December 1st when the Christmas decorations started showing up. The white ones were then on display. She would tie silver ribbon around the top for the Christmas season. This memory was brought back to me very vividly last week. I was browsing through the home décor section of TJ Maxx. For fall there were bright mushroom covered accent pillows and mushroom shaped candlesticks. Then later, while I was waiting for my name to be called in Crackle Barrel- you guessed it- I saw mushrooms for fall and for Christmas! Mushroom ornaments in every size — but not orange — they were sparkly and shiny gold! I just chuckled and smiled remembering my mother’s bright canisters. She was a woman before her time!
Back to my assignment. Fall colors can very quickly brighten up a kitchen when used in a variety of ways. Nothing says fall quite like an orange pumpkin sitting on the counter or a wreath saturated in the colors of gold, burgundy, and greens hanging on the door. The use of gourds and apples in a basket set the stage for pumpkin spice scents. A table centerpiece with candles arranged on a wooden cutting board with leaves scattered around brings fall from outdoors to the confines of your kitchen. Dish cloths and hand towels in the colors of fall are a simple way of adding a little pizazz. Who doesn’t love the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon while a roaring fire warms up the room.
For me fall signals the end of wearing my flip flops, and it makes me a little sad. I tend to decorate for fall with muted shades of teal, terracotta and cream. I am the opposite of my mother because I love color in my home, but not so much for the fall season. I will admit that I was not a fan of my mothers’ bright mushroom canisters, but I wish I could go back and see them one last time. I wish I could smell the scent of her pumpkin pie right out of the oven. She knew it was my favorite and always saved me a piece. I purchased a small silver and light blue mushroom for my kitchen. I smile every time I walk by. I am getting prepared for fall.
So, however you wish to decorate for fall — go for it — and make some memories! Put a smile on your face and warmth in your soul. Get ready and dust off your scarecrows because sweater weather is coming!
Remember if you need help with your new custom designed kitchen or bathroom, just stop by the Ideal Cabinets Roanoke location and ask for Becky, or call and make an appointment with the mushroom lady.
