Rapture Red Door.

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you are aware that something in my home recently got a big dose of color. That color is red. Benjamin Moore, Rapture to be exact. If you guessed that it was going on the front door, you were right!

*side note* I find it highly annoying that my kitchen light is on and you can see it through the window in the door. Although, apparently not annoying enough that I retake the photos.

It's funny, actually. While I do like all colors, if you were to ask me which ones I'm drawn to when decorating my home, I'd answer, white, cream, blues, greys, a little bit of black. But never would I say red. In fact, I think I almost had an aversion to it at one point in time. I may have even called it my least favorite color.

Sometimes however, the home itself can dictate your choices. Since I've bought this home, my mom has insisted that it needed a red door. She liked the green door but has always loved a good red door. She had a point. The house is white, the trim is charcoal grey. Mixed with red, it's just a good combination.

I steered away from it, feeling it was too traditional. I wanted something a little more trendy. Which was why I chose the green and loved it for a while. Then, after stripping it all, I didn't have the heart to put more paint on it after the work of taking it off and considered varnishing it and leaving it au naturel.

While it likely would have looked great, there was still some paint in the nooks and crannies of the door that I wasn't so inclined to get digging out so painting it was brought back on the table. I tossed around a lot of color ideas. I love love love black doors but it just wasn't going to work with the charcoal trim.

We got new house number too. Well, I shouldn't say new, since there hasn't been any at all for the last 5 years. Much to the delivery man's frustrations, I'm sure. I'm just fussy and wanted a more modern number font than I could find at any hardware store. I ended up ordering these ones online and Steph mounted them onto a leftover piece of birch from the beds in the bunk room. I love how it turned out. I'd like to get a new doorbell too!

Fall is the prettiest time for front doors. Bright mums, pumpkins and gourds are just so much fun!

Long story short, I was pretty indecisive about this door but red won out and I am happy with my choice. It's really not a true reflection of what the inside of the home feels like, since I much prefer softer tones versus bursts of color, so it's a little strange to me.

Hey, my mom was right. This house needed a red door.

Sources:
Paint on door: Benjamin Moore Rapture
Paint on trim: Para Paints Weathervane
Wreath: Target (recently on sale)
House Numbers: Amazon

Secrets for Creating a Cozy Home.

It's no secret that fall is my favorite season. It's just so darn pretty. The scenic views around PEI as the leaves are changing are nothing short of amazing. We've had some pretty spectacular sunsets lately too and it all makes me so thankful that I get to live here. Strangely enough, the place I most like to be in the fall is at home. After a summer full of activity and a busy September, I appreciate the time to stay in and enjoy the comforts of home.

Other years, I've decorated my mantel with pumpkins and other fall inspired decor but this year I'm keeping it simple with my decorating. It's more about wrapping up in cozy blankets to watch my shows and the smell of my favorite scented candles that are making my home feel cozy this year.

Here is a round up of some of my favorite accessories that are perfect for cozying up your home as the temperatures start to drop and our hours of daylight fade away.

Lucia Candle in Wild Ginger and Fresh Fig :: The most amazing mild scent. A favorite of mine until I pull out the Frasier Firs around the holidays.

Good Morning Beautiful Mug :: A cheeky fun mug in a pretty script for your morning coffee. You can get handsome too!

MacAusland's Woolen Mills Raw Wool Blanket :: Time to add extra blankets to the bed and have lots of throws around for snuggling up. Made right here on PEI, I've wanted one of these blankets for years and this might be the year that treat myself to one.

Rustic Basket :: Need a spot to store all those cozy throws at arms reach from the couch when reading or watching your favorite shows.

Embroidered Fox Pillow :: Foxes are everywhere again this season in fashion and home decor. The official mascot of fall?

Autumn Essentials Print :: This one is Free, folks! Possibly the cutest free printable I've seen in a while. I'll definitely be printing this one!

Cashmere and Wool Slipper Socks :: I've given these as baby gifts on a few occasions but a pair for myself would be oh so lovely. I always have cold feet.

Ikea Rens Sheepskin Rug :: A tad obsessed with these. Draped over the back of a chair just screams cozy!

Acacia Wood Server :: I crave cheese, cured meats and fresh baguette in the fall. Rustic wooden cutting boards and servers are the perfect way to serve them.

Fall Decor ~ Chinese Lanterns.

I've started a little bit of Fall decor around the house. I always start with some colorful mums and some pumpkins out at the front door and then move to the inside.

When decorating for Fall, I like to keep it simple, using natural, neutral elements. Real pumpkins, gourds, branches, acorns, pinecones and berries. I believe it's more about the way the season makes you feel than the fake leaf garlands and jack-o-lanterns you can pop into your cart and string around your home.

It's time to pull out the cozy blankets and quilts, bake pumpkin muffins and let the sound of classical music flow through the house. Textures and muted colors take center stage. It all just makes you want to snuggle up on the couch with a good book and a cup of tea, latte or hot chocolate, whatever your fancy. 

Yes. That's what I love about Fall. The way it makes me feel.

Know what else I love about Fall? Chinese Lanterns. The ones that I'm lucky to have grow in abundance in my backyard. I picked a big bundle today and make an arrangement in the dining room.

Talk about adding a punch of color. 

Little balls of orange goodness. I seriously love them. (And my 50 mm lens.. can you tell?)

I'm also smitten with white pumpkins. Especially the little ones. I have them scattered around the house. I can't resist them.

One last photo, I swear.

Can't you tell I love Fall? What have you been doing to decorate? Do you use natural elements as well?

Halloween is nearly here!

I'll admit that is forced enthusiasm. I'm not really a big Halloween fan. I just can't get into all the hype. I do love giving out candy and seeing the kids are dressed up at school (pre excessive sugar intake). But finding a costume and getting dressed up kind of stresses me out!
Needless to say, I don't do a whole lot of decorating. I save myself and go all out at Christmas:)

However, here is a collection of simple Halloween decorations I could really get on board with.

This is just plain cute. Love the idea of using the fireplace and the painted pumpkins are adorable.



I just can't resist a white pumpkin.

Tres scary.. :)

More white pumpkins. Plus, candy corn is an inexpensive and fun decoration!



images via yhl

Scary silhouettes..



Shiny and shimmery pumpkins.. what's not to like?

images and projects via martha stewart

 And last but not least, pom pom balls! They are super easy to make for any occasion. I've seen them in pinks, yellows and blues for baby showers and weddings, but I love the idea of black and grey for Halloween! You can find instructions for how to make them here.

Enjoy your decorating! It will be here before we know it!

Houzz - Outrageous Orange

Here I am talking about orange again... it must be the season. I love that the leaves are changing color and that the air smells so crisp. Today, we went to an the Green Gables alpaca farm.. they are pretty adorable! See here:



okay.. this one may actually be a llama but still very cute.
Look at the teeth! They only have them on the bottom!

We also visited a friend of Steph's who lives on a farm. Complete with cattle, a donkey, chickens and baby kitty cats. The weather was sunny and a little cool. My favorite kind of autumn day!

Tomorrow, I am heading out on a field trip with my grade 2 class to an apple orchard. Every year, the trip makes me want to run out and buy pumpkins and gourds, bake apple pies and bring the season's warm palette into my home.
This week, Janell Beals, one of my favorite bloggers, has a great article over at Houzz about the color orange. The photos she collected confirm my belief that using orange when decorating a room can be both dramatic and modern or warm and traditional. Plus, it's fun!



all images via hoozz



You can read her article here or check out her amazing blog here. She is the DIY queen!

Hope you are all enjoying these fall days!