The shameful secret behind my fall porch decor!

 

“What happens on the porch stays on the porch.”

Can you keep a secret?!

Blue Dutch Door with eucalyptus wreath and fall decor

Are you ready for fall?

I’m ready for fall.

I got an early start decorating our front porch and entry for the autumn season.

Last year, we were still amid our landscape renovation when I decorated our porch for fall.

It was all about bold color starting with the wreath on the front door.

This year, I dialed it back with more muted tones inspired by this area rug and this natural doormat.

I couldn’t be more pleased!

Lanterns on brick walkway

Are you ready for my shameful secret?

I don’t want to tell … but I’ve got to give credit where credit is due.

I didn’t decorate the porch.

Guess who did?!

Two adorable decor fairies – Ashley and Gillian – from Eye for Pretty.

You probably follow Nicole’s Eye for Pretty Instagram and design shop.

She lives in a neighboring town.

When I saw she was offering fall porch decorating services  I jumped at the chance and snagged one of the spots.

I sent over photos of our front porch and then waited for the magic to happen.

Before Ashley and Gillian arrived, I swept and wiped down our front porch area.

Then I set out my new, neutral layered rug and mat.

Cleaned my Pottery Barn lantern.

Refreshed my wicker planter with a Julia Jane Boxwood surrounded my amber mums.

And finally, I zhushed the window boxes adding lavender mums and white pumpkins.

Window Box decorated with pumpkins

Did you know mum is short for chrysanthemum?

I didn’t.

It seems like such a BGO (blinding glimpse of the obvious).

Ugh.

Anyhoo … on with the show.

After laying the foundation I waited for the decor fairies to arrive.

They pulled up, jumped out the car and started to unload what appeared to be a gazillion planters and lanterns.

You know me, I’m all about less is more and I admit to being a bit concerned.

But next thing I knew … well, have a look for yourself!

Starting in the driveway, they moved my terra cotta pot to the opposite side of the bench and replaced it with a fabulous wicker planter.

A little lavender, a little white Bacopa, and a couple of pumpkins later … simple perfection.

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Woman sitting on teak bench decorated for fall

On the opposite side, my terra cotta pot is slightly obscured by a cement planter and lantern.

Are the décor fairies trying to tell me something?

I wasn’t sure about the cement planter.

And Jim asked what I thought of it.

Translation: he doesn’t like it.

I said we needed to keep an open mind and sit with it for a day or two.

He never mentioned it again and it’s grown on me.

Teak bench in front of shingled house decorated for fall

Follow the red brick path to the front door and the gals added a couple of lanterns where the path opens up.

They suggested I add a plant and after they left I placed a small pot of black mondo grass to create a grouping of three.

Lanterns on brick path

My large wicker planter, newly potted with boxwood and mums, moved to the far side of the porch alongside a new lantern.

My Instagram buddy, Karen, made this pillow for me shortly after we moved to Snowberry.

For fall and winter I add a throw underneath.

Mine is from Studio McGee’s line at Target and the quality is SO GOOD I want to highlight it.

It comes in cream, tan and gray.

Teak bench on front porch decorated for fall

Scooching over to the left, the decor fairies added two more medium sized planters along side two planters I already had.

Plantings are lavender, Bacpa, English thyme, Euphorbia and mums.

Front Porch bench and blue dutch door decorated for fall

Also, new … the cute little stool.

I added a white mini pumpkin.

Stool and lantern

Do you think the decor fairies would approve?

The lantern to the far left is one of mine and an outdoor decor staple.

Planters – 9

Lanterns – 6

But who’s counting?

Front Porch and blue door decorated or fall

And that leads us to the front door …

First things first, the decor fairies did not like my area rug and doormat combination.

Too much going on.

I couldn’t disagree.

I thought I ordered this doormat which would have worked with the rug.

But, surprise, apparently I ordered this one and it was too much plaid and stripes.

The rug they brought was slipped underneath my mat and order was restored.

Blue dutch door with eucalyptus wreath

Remember the eucalyptus and lambs ear wreath I ordered?

I wrote about it here and here.

Tragically, it didn’t arrive in time.

I had every intention of waiting for it and then Ashley and Gillian pulled this one from the car.

Fresh eucalyptus with luxurious, long streamer ribbon in cream, beige, and mustard.

I was a goner.

It’s truly the piece de resistance.

Eucalyptus wreath on blue dutch door

When the décor fairies departed, I added flameless candles to the lanterns.

I’m partial to Restoration Hardware’s indoor/outdoor flameless pillar candles.

It looks like they’re no longer available.

What?!

Have no fear, the décor fairies tipped me off to these flameless candles, sold in a pack of three in varying heights.

Exhausted from all my hard work (wink wink) I was at last able to sit down with a Chandon Garden Spritz and a few magazines to gaze upon my lovely fall porch.

Wine glass flowers and magazines on teak table

To put your mind at ease, the eucalyptus and lambs ear wreath arrived within a couple of days and it’s every bit as fabulous as I expected.

I’m saving it for the holidays.

Stay tuned.

Herb pot and mini pumpkin

Divider Graphic

So, there you have it, Snowberry’s front porch and entry decorated for fall.

Thank you Eye for Pretty, thank you Ashley, thank you Gillian for showing me how to reimagine my exterior décor.

Sometimes less is just less and a little more can be amazing!

PIN THIS POST ~

Fall Porch Pin Collage

Follow me on Pinterest for more fun fall and seasonal decor inspiration!

Divider Graphic

As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.

Woman sitting on porch bench with coffee

Cheers from Snowberry!

SHOP THE LOOK ~

 

Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by Monica Vargas Photography.

 

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    • Thank you, Paula.I love this the of year, warm days, cool evening … lots of opportunity to enjoy being outdoors. xo

    • In sad news, I haven’t turned them on at night – yet -because it’s been so darned cold. I need to do a test run for Halloween night! xo

    • I know, right?! It was a stroke of good luck when I caught their IG story otherwise I would remain ignorant of decor fairies. And that would be a shame. xo

  • I’m a ‘less is more’ type gIrl myself and I would have been a nervous wreck having someone else come decorate for me too (no matter how fabulous they are).
    It looks amazing (as always) Juliet!
    Happy SpRucing,
    ~scarlett

    • Scarlett … about a minute after I signed up I went into a panic. Then I decided how fun to try something new and get another set of pro eyes on the space. So happy with how it turned out. Now if I can just find holiday decor fairies to work their magic. Life would be good! xo

  • Oh wow, it looks amazing. The fairies did an amazing job. I love it all. I really like that they mixed in some wicker with the concrete planters. Great job.

    • Thanks, Elizabeth … if it wasn’t so darned cold all of a sudden I’d be out there every night. Hope we have trick or treaters this year to enjoy the lantern lit path! xo

  • Can’t wait to see the new wreath for the holidays. It’s gorgeous! In the meantime, your Fall porch is quietly bEautiful.ly serene.

    • The new wreath is so so good! I may have to change out the bow … when I decide a color scheme for the holidays. I don’t want to rush the next couple of months … but looking forward to Dec. 1 and the changing of the wreath! xo

  • Your decorations are lovely! Can you please tell me where you bought your bench? It is exactly what I’m looking for to put in our entryway.

    • Hi Carolyn … the teak bench is from Terra Outdoor. The driveway bench is 6′ and the porch bench is 5′. We love them! xo

  • Hi Juliet,
    Let me trY this again!
    YOur porch looks great, no surprise there! Everything always looks perfect and pulled together. Nice job on BRINGING in thOse touches of Fall!
    I like seeing you in some of the photos, too.
    It finally really feels like fall, trees are dropping theIr leaves and we lit a fire last night!
    Pumpkin pie is up next!
    XO heidi

  • Juliet – your porch turned out beautifully. I too have the problem of sometimes being too minimal. I feel like am a pendulum swaying between too much or too little. You sure hit the sweet spot perfectly with your porch! It is always nice to have a fresh set of eyes involved!

  • They did a fab job! I am a fan of terra cotta so i am on board with the pots 🙂 i liked seeing the view from the bench area. i forget how charming your house is with the shake & shutters.

  • Hi, I’m Juliet … welcome to Make Mine a Spritzer where we talk about all things home décor, classic style and more! I’m so happy you’re here!

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