Fall decor has arrived, and with it comes the most gorgeous gourds.
Pumpkins and gourds are one of the most widely recognized symbols of fall in North America and have been featured in outdoor and indoor decor for centuries. A symbol of a bountiful harvest, these versatile beauties can add a seasonal touch to any room.
Here are a few ways we’ve incorporated pumpkins and gourds into our fall decor:
Monochrome moments
Sprinkling a collection of white gourds throughout the living room lends the spirit of autumn without overpowering the initial design and flow of the space. A single pumpkin on a coffee table definitely is a stately look, and as the kids are saying these days, it’s “a vibe.”
The aesthetic makes the most impact in larger quantities. In a beautiful shelving display, monochromatic gourds placed at differing sight levels move your eye throughout the entire piece, while complementing the neutral elements that already were at play. Adding a collection of gourds of varying size on the coffee table pulls the theme to the center of the room, giving it depth.
Rustic elegance
Nothing beats the beautiful hues that this season brings. Rich golds, vibrant oranges, deep reds, each of them beg for attention. We want you to feel the fall opulence, so we decked out our beautiful gazebo — we’ve nicknamed it the Pumpkin Palace — for the occasion.
We paired mountains of pumpkins and fall decor with a few supporting roles. The
black-and-white buffalo check pattern is a perfect nod to autumn, and brass elements like candlesticks fit in perfectly with the rainbow of colors. This look is perfect for those who aren’t afraid to go all-in in seasonal decorating.
Bountiful harvest
We can’t resist bringing the beauty of the season to our tabletops, where we’ve paired pumpkin-shaped soup tureens (a good tureen is a must for fall) with elegant seasonal place settings and an autumnal plaid runner for a tabletop that is inviting and warm. Warm wood tones anchor the design and lend to the unassuming element.
Incorporating gourds into fall decor
Instead of just placing your gourds on your coffee table or strewing them about randomly through your space, think like a designer and take the opportunity to get a little creative. With some thought and purposeful placement, fall squashes will look totally chic. I love the idea of adding them to a cloche or turning your mantel into a pumpkin patch.
At just a few dollars a piece, you’ll want to stock up on plenty. Remember, these scrumptious squash make the most impact in design when used in groupings. (We recommend grouping in odd numbers.)
Whether you incorporate them into your spooky Halloween decorations or you arrange them in a lovely Thanksgiving cornucopia, they’ll look festive all season long.
Katie Laughridge writes for Tribune News Service.