DSG Dressed In Fall Colors

Autumn evokes so many warm feelings of abundance and the rich colors of changing leaves are an obvious choice for decorating home and hearth. Here is a sampling of how Design Style Guide artists catch the fleeting essence of autumn's leaves in their art and designs.


Let's begin our tour with this lovely photographic print from Ara133 Photography. I chose this particular photograph (out of a whole host of beautiful fall photographs) for its simplicity and starkness. The white background gives the illusion of a painting instead of a photograph, but with the depth and detail characteristic of photography!



This gorgeous table runner from Cranberry is a case in point, right down to the maple leave beaded fringe. But it doesn't stop at leaves, as her table decor selection covers every season and holiday.

This delightful original painting by Debra Linker, entitled Yellow Leaf, captures the color change up close and seems to possess the power of illumination.


I absolutely love this pillow cover from Umber Dove. It is aptly named The Tree Hugger and I love the play of tree trunk and tree ring and leaf design and, though the color is a bit more subtle than some of my other choices, I couldn't resist giving it a spotlight!

I must admit I have a thing for coasters of all kinds right now and these lovelies from Teresa's Ceramics struck my fancy. I love how the leaves are in mid-change and how they seem to be "fossilized" in the irregular-shaped ceramic squares.


Finally, I discovered this brilliant pair of etched copper maple leaf wall tiles from Copper Leaf Studios and decided that no parade of autumn leaf decor would be complete without a touch of shimmery, rich, warm copper!

Read More

The UnExpected - Deck

It's hot. At least in the northern hemisphere. And at my apartment, absolutely every moment possible is spent outside on our little deck. Beautiful with the sounds of birds and a huge maple that brushes down onto one corner and plenty of plants in beautiful glazed pots. But why do we so often leave the decorating to those pots. Here are some unexpected choices for making the outside, another room of your home.

whirligig pillow set
from enhabiten

Wonderful crisp clean colors and each pillow is filled with buckwheat hulls and lavender which can only add more soft sounds and scents to our outdoor space (ideal if plants are not possible). Plus each pillow (and you get two) is 9" x 14.5" - a perfect size to toss into your 'deck bag' and bring inside.

It's only natural - large tree tote
from cipolla

Deck bag? Grab a great bag like this linen and cotton tote to bring your outdoor decor easily in and out in inclement weather and you'll never be more than 30 seconds away from bliss.


pale palmera leaf metal artwork
from CopperLeafStudios

Perfect to set the mood of a relaxing space, a pairing of these amazing zinc images would make any space. Nestle them close to the house, under an overhang for protection (avoid rain and bring indoors in the winter), and they will evoke the sounds of a pond anywhere they hang.


small oval dish
from DishfulsofDoodles

An abstract celebration of natural forms makes this dish ideal for the center of the table. With my pockets always full of pebbles and shells I've collected from the shore, this platter provides a stylish way to display such found natural treasures.

These ideas can so easily transform your deck into a haven for every spare moment. Your space is really yours now, with all your great design sense added and quite frankly, I'm not sure you'll be able to get your friends to go home. But hey, that's the price to pay for great design. Might as well bring them some lemonade.

Celadon Green Tumbler Serving Set
from juditavill

Enjoy.

P.S. Show us what you can do with your outdoor space - post a link to your photo in a comment!

Read More