With the arrival of ciders at coffee shops, pumpkins at grocery stores, and warm-weather apparel in clothing outlets, Fall sure is in the air! As the weather cools and the days get shorter, I start to put away my summer décor and transition our house for the cozier months ahead. Fall often brings to mind the quintessential color palette of reds, oranges, golds, and browns; as well as images of scarecrows, wheat and corn, and other country-classic accessories. While I love Fall more than any other time of year, each time it comes around, I face the same challenge: how do I incorporate Fall colors and textures into my modern, cool-colored décor scheme? After playing around with some neutral colors and warmer textures this year, I finally landed on a way to bring some of that Fall warmth in while still staying true to my house’s overall design!
I started by picking up an assortment of small pumpkins and gourds at our local grocery store (for about $8), as well as a few cans of spray paint in white, ivory, and gold. I specifically chose to use real gourds here, as I played around with faux ones, and they just didn’t give me the authenticity I was going for. Also, as a renter with little storage space, this is an easy and inexpensive solution for bringing in Fall flavor without the long-term clutter that traditional accessories bring!
I taped off the stems on the pumpkins with painter’s tape, and then gave all the pumpkins and gourds a few good coats of spray paint, allowing for sufficient dry time in between. For an ultra-modern look, I recommend using high-gloss and metallic paints when possible!
To bring in a cozier feel, I put away many of our bright accessories and pulled out anything in gold and brass metals and warm wood tones. These two elements paired with solid white turned out to be the ultimate Modern Fall “recipe” that I could use over and over throughout our home.
Since we don’t have a fireplace or mantel in our rental, I decided to create little vignettes throughout our house. In our dining room, summery pots of herbs and flowers were swapped out for some chunky rustic candlesticks and a few of the glossy pumpkins. Textured fabric underneath pulls the whole display together!
Over on our ottoman/coffee table, I filled a glass hurricane with more of my painted gourds (as well as a few store-bought metal ones), and paired them with some ivory candles on vintage brass holders.
The different textures of the metallic pumpkins, glossy gourds, rustic wood, shiny glass, and milky candles make for a really cozy and interesting display!
I also swapped out some of our gauzy, light-weight throws and pillows for a chunky knit afghan and a knit chevron pillow. While all these elements are light in color and true to the modern and fresh vibe of our home, they work together to reflect the cozier nature of the season.
Over in our entranceway, I repeated the same formula to add just a touch of Fall to the space.
A metallic pumpkin, white owl, wood stool, and jute twine all finished off with seasonal blooms from the yard create a simple and understated, yet perfectly Fall display!
Fall decorating doesn’t have to include saturated reds, browns and oranges or country-kitschy accessories. Look first to the style and colors of your home, and then find or create décor that is festive for the season but consistent with your style. In my case, adding some glossy neutral spray paints to Mother Nature’s fall specialties. Pairing them with warm wood tones and metallic accessories brings in all the warmth and coziness of Fall, while working in harmony with my modern, grey-blue-and-white everyday scheme!
Need more Fall décor ideas for your rental? Find lots of great ideas here!