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Featuring our foyer at the Sutton Place house, these simple foyer decorating ideas for fall use both velvet pumpkins and real pumpkins. Includes tips for arranging and how to add interest & texture.
One of the easiest ways to add a simple touch of autumn to your decor is to sprinkle pumpkins around. It adds even more charm if they land in pairs, or small groups. With that in mind, today I’m welcoming you to my little foyer, all decorated and ready for fall.
The perfect way to begin is to plop some pumpkins on a stairway, if you have one. I gathered up all the neutral faux pumpkins I had and placed them on the first four treads of our stairs. Since I didn’t want to replace the blue striped rug I added this summer, I combined a few blue pumpkins with the neutral ones.
Next I turned my attention to the only other surface in our foyer, a small chest of drawers. Sometimes I like to go with a very simple look, and other times I feel like making a statement. I had picked up more white pumpkins at a local farm market, so I gathered them up and went to work on a statement-maker arrangement. I used a tureen and tray that I already had, so my only expenses were the pumpkins and two stems of lambs ear…and the pumpkins set me back a whopping $8.00!
White Pumpkin Arrangement Supplies
- Some sort of tray. It can be any shape and any size.
- A riser to put in the center of the tray: a tureen, a cake stand or pedestal, an urn or pot.
- One larger pumpkin and several smaller pumpkins.
- Pieces of greenery.
This arrangement is a bit heavy when it’s finished, so it’s best to place the tray where you want it and assemble it there. (For photography purposes, I put it together in my dining room.) Place the riser piece in the center of the tray. Add the largest pumpkin and surround it with small pieces of greenery.
The next step is to surround the centerpiece with smaller pumpkins. There is really no rhyme or reason to placing the pumpkins. Mix up the sizes and turn a few of the pumpkins on their sides. Last, nestle pieces of greenery around the pumpkins. Just stick the greenery in the spaces between the pumpkins to fill in the gaps.
I love the way this turned out…and it took literally ten minutes. I used an easy trick to preserve all the pumpkins, so they should last until I’m ready to put up Christmas decorations.
Foyer Decorating Ideas for Fall Sources
Water hyacinth tray | Lambs ear stems | Tureen (similar) | Grain sack tote | Velvet pumpkins | Drop cloth pumpkins (no longer available) | Striped rug | Paint colors | Ceiling light | Mirror & chest are inherited.
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Dear Ann,
Something is wrong😔. After leaving my comments about your beautiful display on the tray with the pumpkins, I stopped receiving your emails…. Please Help 😊
I looked into this and sent you an email!
What are those cute little frilly flowers on some of the white pumpkins on your stairway? Can’t really see how they are made, but really like the idea.
Ann, I love the beautiful arrangement of pumpkins on your tray in your entryway! I especially love the greenery that you added! I can’t wait to make mine! I love all of your great decorating ideas AND your easy and delicious recipe! Originally from Michigan, and now in California, it’s like going back home for a visit when I read your emails. Thank you so much.❤️
I’d always prefer real, but the deer and squirrels eat them, so faux it is for the porch. Love your parade of pumpkins on the stairs!
Your front entry is so pleasant to look at! Simple, but lovely. Liking the blue very much!
Ann, I’m your biggest fan. Everything you do is tasteful, attainable and timeless. But directing readers to a 2018 blog hop is a miss for me.
I’m team whatever looks good. Generally I go with real yet that isn’t always practical. Keep the happy coming!
I love your velvet pumpkins! I am definitely going to add some of those to my pumpkin collection! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us!
I have an abundance of Lamb’s Ears! I love the way you’ve used them with the pumpkins. How long will they last after they’re cut. Do you put them in water?
The lamb’s ear is actually not real…I cut up some faux stems I picked up at Hobby Lobby!
I love velvet pumpkins & have a few in my collection. I’m going minimalist fall decor this year with only a very few touches here and there. My velvet pumpkins made the cut however, they’re prominently displayed on our mantel. Yours are so cute on the staircase – great inspiration.
Love the blue pumpkins, where did you find these?
Hi Marcia…the blue pumpkins are Hot Skwash and can be purchased here: http://www.lovefeastshop.com/hot-skwash/. They are a little pricey, but I found a handmade seller on Amazon and I believe she has blue velvet. If not, she may take custom orders. Here is my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2QEnB8a
Love the blue pumpkins on your steps! One of my favorite colors.
I love the beautiful white and blue pumpkin “gathering” on your staircase. It is striking in it’s simplicity.
Ann, what a fun way to display pumpkins! Love the pumpkins on the stairs, so darn cute!!
xoxo
kim & lacey
An alternative to fabric pumpkins is to look for gourds that are dried. When I go to “pumpkin patches” I usually find some that are dry or very close to being dried. There are lots of different shapes and once fully dried & cleaned, the gourds can be decorated. I have one that is apple shaped, so I painted it red. On other gourds, I used shoe polish to give them a darker color as well as a shine. Of course, if you check the internet for gourd art, you’ll be surprised at the detail some people carve & paint.
I’ve added going to Hobby Lobby to get some of those lambs ears stems since they make such beautiful arrangements.
Love the pumpkin display, very simple, but elegant.
Jo
Such a lovely ideas!
Lovely pumpkin display and I love the simplicity of the display on the stairs. Jean
Oh I love the pumpkins trailing down the stairs Ann and I so wish I could do this! However, our stairs are so narrow no one would fit once I decorated them, haha! And your tray idea with all the neutral pumpkins is so cute – definitely up my alley;)
Thanks so much for joining us Ann – and happy fall!
Sheila
xo
Ann, such a gorgeous way to display pumpkins!! I love your centerpieces, but also loving the bits on the stairs too… :-) I need to start pulling out some of my neutral pumpkins, so you’ve inspired me!
Love all the pumpkins especially the ones with the natural stems.
Love those blue pumpkins on your stairs!! Where did you find them? Just darling!!
Hi Dawn,
The blue pumpkins are Hot Skwash and can be purchased here: http://www.lovefeastshop.com/hot-skwash/. They are a little pricey, but I found a handmade seller on Amazon and I believe she has blue velvet. If not, she may take custom orders. Here is my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2QEnB8a
Ann, I love your website and your beautiful ideas. I always look forward to seeing what you are doing next!