The Curated Life No. 54

Discover simple home decor ideas, style tips, and seasonal inspiration through The Curated Life…your guide to living beautifully every day.

There is a shift that happens in September, quiet at first, then impossible to miss. The air turns crisp, the leaves begin to turn, and the weekends settle into the easy rhythm of football season and soup for dinner. Before the month is through, the first day of fall arrives and summer is behind us for good. Take these weeks slowly, and enjoy the comfort of a season made for coming home.

fall mantel decor wood dough bowl under tv

1.) The FOLLOW-UP FILE

Last week when I shared the long dough bowl on our mantel, there were a lot of questions about the pieces I used to put it together. Keep in mind that I had most of these items on hand. Before you order anything, look through your own fall decorations to see if you already have something that will work for your arrangement. I’ll be sharing our whole space on Sunday, so please stay tuned for that.

40 inch long dough bowl
30 inch long dough bowl
faux pomegranate stems (see these stems in another arrangement HERE)
blueberry stems
faux hops
faux mums

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“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.” ~Stanley Horowitz

3.) AUTUMN comfort

We just finished a long weekend, and I have been slowly adding fall decor around our spaces. As I worked, I found myself wanting a little encouragement, and a simmer pot felt like the answer. I gathered a few simple things: rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and orange slices. Once everything warms on the stove, the gentle scent fills the kitchen, and for me there is no better way to welcome fall. It was exactly the encouragement I needed.

stovetop potpourri in pan with handle on gas stove

4.) Gather & Savor

Nothing says fall to me quite like a good pot of soup, and this one has become a favorite in our house. Chicken Florentine Soup is rich and creamy, made with tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a smooth, savory broth. I gave it a fresh update recently, and it still comes together in one pot without a long list of steps. The kitchen fills with the scent of the season while it cooks. It is another gentle way to welcome the season, and I think you will love every spoonful.

5.) THINGS WORTH MENTIONING

What you might have missed: Last weekend moved along at a gentle pace, with a bit of fall woven through. On Saturday I sent my updated guide on how to preserve pumpkins and gourds, a good one to tuck away until the season is in full swing. Then on Sunday I shared an old fashioned apple crumble, my take on apple crisp made without oats.
Coming this weekend: On Saturday I am sharing a collection of fall centerpiece ideas, gathered for you to pull from as you set your own table. Then on Sunday, as mentioned above, I am opening the doors to our living room and kitchen. Fall has arrived at its own pace this year, a few touches here and there, and both rooms have finally settled into the look I was hoping for. This is the post I have been most looking forward to, and I hope you will come along to see it.