Today’s Fifty Two Shades of Shay is a peek inside our rent house! We have decorated for fall over here!
Let me start by saying this…in December when Andrew suggested we sell our house and move into a rental for a year while the new house was being built (and put half of our things in storage), my very first statement was this, “as long as I can still decorate the house for each season and you will shuttle all of my decorations to me from storage”. He agreed…and therefore, I agreed. I don’t mind living in temporary housing…but I want it to feel like home.
Here is my philosophy about decorating for holidays…you should do it whenever it makes YOU happy. I know I tend to decorate early. I decorated my house for fall on August 28 and will most likely decorate my house for Christmas mid-November. If it makes you happy to do it early, then do it. If it makes you happy to wait a while, then that’s great too. In my opinion, it’s a lot of work, so I want to enjoy it as long as I possibly can…so, I do it early. To each her own.
Here are my other thoughts on decorating for fall…
1. I try and put out mostly fall decorations and not Halloween. I feel like this way, I’m getting to celebrate the entire season instead of just one holiday. That being said, you will see some Halloween specific decorations in my house…but I really try and get mostly fall things.
2. I leave everything up past October 31. If I’m going to decorate for Christmas mid-November, then I don’t want to take down everything on November 1 and wait a few weeks until I put my Christmas stuff out. Jack-o-lanterns make us happy in November too, so I don’t mind leaving them out.
3. I don’t host Thanksgiving at my house, so it doesn’t matter to me that on Thanksgiving Day, I have Christmas decor up and not Thanksgiving decor (no one is coming over to see it). That being said, I am very thankful on Thanksgiving for my Christmas stuff being up and my house twinkling, so I think it’s perfectly acceptable to have a tree up on Turkey Day…again, to each her own…this is just how I roll.
4. I have collected fall decorations for 10 years now…I know some of you are going to ask, but I do not remember where I purchased every specific item. If I mention where it was purchased below, then it’s a recent enough purchase where you could run out and get one too. If I don’t mention it below, then I probably got it at Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx, a little boutique, Pier One or some place like that.
Welcome to our one and only fall at the rent house…
I love my front porch at this house because it’s nice and wide. Our last house had a narrow porch. The stone pumpkins look so neat at night lit up with candles. I found them in Joplin at Sandstone Gardens.
I incorporate a lot of candy into my house each time I decorate for a season. Since it’s fall, candy corn flows from every little container I can find. My kids don’t touch it…probably because there is some kind of candy out all the time. Since it’s always out, it doesn’t appeal to them.
This is on my dining room table. At Christmas, I’ll put out red and green M&Ms and at Valentine’s Day, conversation hearts, for Easter, jelly beans, etc. It’s a bright and colorful way to add a little season into everyday objects.
A peek into our family room.
The light was too bright to really show you my garland. I put up garland on the mantle for fall along with some pumpkins.
My kids’ favorite part of fall decorating is when I put out the spook house! It’s a Department 56 Spook House and can play haunting sounds and the little lights flash inside.
I change out my kitchen table place mats, cookbook and candle…and top it off with a big pumpkin.
I love my subway art :). I had a friend of mine make this for me last year. You can find several people on Etsy that can make the same kind of subway art for you too. Just take your favorite printable and have them turn it into a sign.
My kitchen rug makes me happy :). It came from Hobby Lobby.
I found these pumpkin plates at TJ Maxx Home Goods this month! They’re really cute and come in several sizes. I also have out my Gooseberry Patch fall cookbooks (I must admit…I have 9 of them!). I love these little cookbooks!
By my sink, I always have another cookbook, a Circle E Candle and my favorite Williams-Sonoma soap.
I first bought Spiced Chestnut soap when we lived in Michigan 9 years ago. Every time we use it, we think of the Village of Rochester Hills. That was one of my very favorite places to shop and eat. I love Michigan in the fall :).
My coffee bar…the most important spot in my house!
On one side of my stove…
…and then, the other side of my stove…and my most treasured possession…
…two years ago, Sheaffer had someone come into her home and help us make these plates with our kiddos’ hand and foot prints. I have one for fall and one for Christmas. I love these so much!!
I usually have the kids open little gifts on the morning of the first day of school that contain Halloween jammies, Halloween undies and something else special (this year, Pottery Barn Halloween plates), but this year, we let them open their gifts before dinner the day we decorated for fall. It was more fun doing it this way because for one, we weren’t scrambling to get out the door for school and two, they could immediately put their pjs on (which they love to do!).
Waiting to be opened
And then we ended our night in our new Gymboree skeleton jammies which glow in the dark :).
I’m not the only one blogging about fall decorations today… Erika is too!
Erika is showing you inside her new home and her fall inspirations on her blog today! You won’t want to miss this…it’s like Fifty Two Shades of Erika as well :).
And if you’re still looking for some more fall inspiration, don’t forget to check out my fall board on Pinterest. I have more fall there than you would know what to do with!
I also have a delicious assortment of fall recipes on my foodie blog!
And one last thing…tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM, I’ll be cooking in the kitchen at Good Morning Texas! We’re cooking up quick and easy breakfast solutions for busy families!
Speaking of breakfast, this morning on the foodie blog…
Have a great Tuesday!
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Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Your house looks great. But don't think I'm not already dreaming about seeing the decorations in the new house!!!!!! I LOVE those cute little pumpkin plates, what a great find! Hopping over to see Erika's house now!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
And one more thing…..I know if your house were to catch fire, the Thanksgiving and Christmas plates and that subway art fall sign would be the first 3 things that you grab.
Anonymous says
Decorating with candy adds a nice touch! You have mentioned you enjoy pumpkin spice….Target has pumpkin spice flavored M & M's 🙂
Aubrey says
I love fall!!! Our decorations went up this weekend! Ella and Kate were just as excited as I was. They both told their classes about it on Monday morning, but they were in for a bit of a surprise. When my kids said "we decorated our house for fall," no one knew what they meant because Brits don't say fall. After questions and clarification, they finally figured out that my girls meant AUTUMN. In England it's never fall. ONLY AUTUMN. 🙂
Kelly Jo says
Your house is beautiful!
Lynn {A Taste of Country} says
Love this!! I hope to have little traditions like that with a family of my own someday 🙂 Too cute!
Lynn {A Taste of Country} says
Love it!! I hope I'm able to have little traditions like that with a family of my own someday 🙂 Too cute!
jen says
Maybe my favorite post ever!!!! And it fell on my b/d! I loved having a peek with coffee in hand…love all your pretty fall things and the spirit of warmth and coziness that your make for your family! Perfect! Hugs… Ps…hoping you will do an early Christmas peek too 😉
Emily says
Love your tips and I couldn't agree more! What a great idea to give your littles Halloween jams on the first day of school!!!!
Jennifer Cannon says
I have a slight problem with fall! Im addicted to it all!! I go online, print off the 40% coupon that Hobby Lobby always has on their website, ans buy something fall related every week! There's something about the way my house smells and looks for fall that makes it feel so cozy. Your's is beautiful!
Inviting myself to Erikas now 🙂
Love to the shulls!
Jennifer
Katherine says
You've totally inspired me to decorate for fall today. I was holding off because it's still so darn hot, but I've been wanting to decorate since Sept. 1! So today, I'm going to do it because it will make me happy.
Jenny says
Your house looks so cozy! Guess I better get moving and get my fall decor up too. 🙂
Leah says
The one things I'm looking the most forward to with this move is getting in our new place and being able to decorate! Can't wait to check out the pancakes, I made Avery pumpkin pancakes this morning!
Kaylyn Marie says
YAY!! I came specifically to your blog this morning in hopes that I would find a fall inspired post… as I'm sitting in my cubicle (in MN) without a window, I just want to pretend it's fall outside, be cozy and dream about all of the comfort food recipes I can start finally making in my crockpot again! Your house is absolutely adorable- thanks for sharing! I'm glad that you ladies appreciate this season as much as I do!
Happy Fall!
Nicole says
Love your decorations! I feel like you've given me permission to pull out my fall deco too. I live in MI and I totally agree MI falls are the best. The colors are slowly starting to come out. I had a Pumpkin Spice Latte this morning and now your blog, I love fall!!
Tammy Nelson says
Oh Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes sound delicious !!! I don't live near you all but enjoy your morning cooking !!!! Love all your fall decorations 🙂
Anonymous says
Now you have me scavenging Zulily for fall decorations! Just wanted to add that I came across your blog awhile back about traveling with kids. A couple months later we were on a plane to Europe with our 3 year old, you convinced me that it can be done, and be fun. And it was. Thanks! Your blog is so upbeat now I read it most every day!
– Melissa
Jaren says
Loved seeing your beautiful decorations! I must say those lamps add such a beautiful ambiance to a room, just like a candle! I also love how you decorate with your seasonal cookbooks-great idea! The coffee bar is awesome, and those little plates will be forever cherished!
The candy would be robbed away in one night at my house! My oldest daughter seriously ADORES candy!
kristinwithani says
I'm a fan of Fall decorating too! It's my favorite for sure. I am not a fan of decorating for Halloween. It isn't a season, it's a day. Country Living arrived yesterday all Halloween-y. Blech.
Love your home for Fall! I started with mums I hope last a little bit past these 90 degree days in NC and will start with candles and leaves and colors soon!
Blue-Eyed Bride says
SO FUN!! I can't wait until our house is ready and we can decorate for holidays!
Karen says
Love it! You have the same philosophy I do… I decorate because it makes ME happy. I also put Fall stuff out in September and leave it up til the day after Thanksgiving. Then I add in a few things for Halloween and a few things for Thanksgiving. Then the Christmas stuff comes out!
Brooklyn says
Love it! I am definitely going to pick up a few more fall items to decorate with!
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
Those kiddie plates are too cute!!! I usually do some fall projects, but I just can't get there yet this year!!!
Jenna {Real Simple Girl} says
Fall is my absolute favorite!! I just LOVE all your decorations! Now I need to go pick up a few more things and put my stuff out early, too! 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
Sarah Smith says
I love your fall decorations! I tend to buy more "fall" themed instead of Halloween themed for the same reason! And how funny, I wrote a blog post on my fall decorations today also. 'Tis the season!!
Elaine~ Honey Pie Accessories says
Funny Story, but I decorated w/ candy a few years ago and we didn't eat it, so I just put it in a ziploc bag, put it in my storage containers and reused it the next year! Of course, we didn't eat it then either, but it still looked pretty!
Amanda says
Hey Shay,
Just wanted to stop and say hi and thank you because you are truly inspiration! Me and (ironically) my best friend struggle with infertility. Even though we havn't received our blessings yet, your blog is such an encouragment everyday to us! You have inspired me to start my on blog at confessionsofawannabemama.blogspot.com. I know your busy but would love any pointers. I just started so still learning! Also, me and my friend are doing a Scarf Swap Party and will be posting pictures next month when we have it. Thanks Again! God Bless!
Olivia says
Ha….we have the same rug in kitchen! I love this post…always looking for new ideas for decorating. You and Erika "forced" me to make a trip to Hobby Lobby today and pick up a few things. I can't wait to post about it! My house is almost done…nice and cozy!
Unknown says
Wow- your house looks awesome and makes me want to decorate for Fall!
DetroitDuchess says
Your house is inspiring me pull out the decorations.
LOVE the Michigan shoutout! I know where I will be shopping this weekend 🙂
Laura says
I found those stone pumpkins at Home Goods today…only $14.99!!
mel @ the larson lingo says
Your house looks great!! Love your decorations! Fall is my FAVORITE!!!! I am obsessed. And, I am glad we can agree to disagree….I am crazy & can't decorate until the season hits. October 1st for Fall/Harvest/pumpkins. November 1st for Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving for Christmas 😉
Jen says
Just now reading this post…so awesome to find all these others who as addicted to fall as I am! I am TOTALLY guilty of lighting fall candles in the hot Houston summers and pretending it is fall…or when I was pregnant and sweating my tush off one summer, I even lit Christmas candles and played Christmas music to relax. Must've been the hormones!
We just moved to Calgary in January, and I made the mistake of not bringing all of my fall and Halloween decorations…boo 🙁
I always put my fall stuff out on September 1st, add the Halloween touches on October 1st, go back to all fall plus some Thanksgiving on November 1st, and put up Christmas stuff the day after Thanksgiving. It is always so depressing in January when all of the little twinkle lights are gone! I say that the "-er" months are my favorite…September, October, November and December!