Autumn, Design & Décor, Living with Style, Seasonal


Fall Decorating 2021: Part 2

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Last week’s blog “Fall Decorating 2021: Part 1” highlighted fall decorations for the outdoors, including the front door and other chosen spots around the grounds of Parterre. Today, I’m focusing my fall decorating enthusiasm on the interiors of the house. Buoyed by the bounty of the dahlias that especially love this time frame in the Cutting Garden…

and some roadside leaf foraging whose colors matched the dahlias so well, I decided to dress up the salon mantel (sometimes we have to remind ourselves that the main fireplace in the house is not just for Christmas).

Gingko branches, with their large fruits and yellow edges, provided a green contrast to the otherwise golden and russet scene on the marble surface. It’s all a bit “flopsy topsy” but sometimes I love the look, especially in the fall, of a more casual arrangement.

with bittersweet swags for an additional detail.

Before leaving this main room in the house, I took advantage of the mild weather and some plants that were still happily blooming…and looking well, despite the recent wind storms. Large-leafed ‘Sum and Substance’ hostas, with their vibrant chartreuse shade, are perfectly scaled to make a fitting statement in the black iron urn on the salon table.

As a counterpoint to the large hosta leaves, a bouquet of diminutive spinach fronds repeat the greens in the Italian settee’s fabric. I love the surprise detail that shows up in this particular delicate glass bud vase…the leaves’ red veins and stems form a perfect red focus in the curved area of the vase.

Sometimes we forget that pumpkins are such wonderful vehicles for fall floral arrangements. This year I was smitten with the luscious celadon shade that presents additional opportunities for horticultural selections. Here the shade works as a neutral for a bright combo of mums, sunflowers, and goldenrod in the library.

But this year, by a bit of serendipity, scattered around the property were spots of light orchid and soft purple hydrangeas, smoky pink dahlias, deep plum and azure blue salvia…so perfect to pair with celadon. The crowning glory for this arrangement is the begonia leaves with their soft celadon shades. I realize this is not very fall-ish but when Mother Nature speaks, it’s best to listen up!

And to close, a “still life” vignette for the guest room; it’s opportunities like this that make me happy that I have saved myriad colors of fabrics in all shapes and sizes…of course, one just happens to be the perfect shade of celadon.

Here’s to a color-filled fall…

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About Bettie Bearden Pardee

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer (The Parterre Bench), national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100 America's Best Party Hosts", she was also the host and creative producer of "The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House".

12 thoughts on “Fall Decorating 2021: Part 2

  1. Dear Bettie,
    I think your fireplace mantle arrangements are exquisite.
    Cheers,
    Marie

  2. You have outdone yourself, dear Bettie. And that is no easy to do! All are lovely – the celadon my most favorite! Happy Thursday🧡💚💛🤎

  3. Hi Bettie,
    Fellow SGC member Marilee shared your blog with the Floral Design Committee today! I’m so happy that you’ll have some new followers. I love your pink and celadon arrangements here. The fabric on the settee is one of my favorites! Debby

  4. Mouth watering “eye candy.” I have looked at these beautiful tableaux over and over. Saving this blog!

  5. Hi Bettie, all so lovely! How do you treat the outsides of the pumpkins? I assume they are carved to remove pulp and seeds? Thanks for letting me know.
    Cassandra

  6. Bettie, this is your best ever – the Hosta leaf one is what I wish I had thought to do and that begonia leaf set in a mix of delights in the celadon pumpkin sings with creativity…………….your artist eye working overtime!! sue

  7. Everything is so beautiful, but I really love your bittersweet swag. What a wonderful idea. Your mantle is so charming!

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