When pumpkins start appearing, we really know that summer is over and fall (or Autumn, as the rest of the world refers to it) is here. This presents a first opportunity to actually begin what will be a long season of decorating. At Parterre, those hefty favorites just begged to be stacked atop each other, interspersed with button mums and backed with long branches of Japanese  maples…which also stood guard on each side of the front door and clipped hornbeam columns.

Pumpkins (and gourds…I have trouble telling them apart) with their wonderful range of colors, funky shapes and large scale are truly a decorator’s dream. It takes next to no time to assemble an appealing collection; in any set of clusters, or stacks, or line-ups — or even a tumble of all shapes and sizes — they always make a welcome addition. This year we went all out, creating vignettes at the front door (feature image at top), the side door into the mud room (below) and finally, the pair of urns at the entrance to the front courtyard.

The combinations are endless.. .and creating them is a great way to spend a luscious, crisp fall day. After the designing episode, we decided we needed to have a tailgate picnic to enjoy our efforts. Any excuse for a party!

The two urns at the entrance to the front courtyard each had their own selection and arrangements.

Happy fall decorating!