I have had four kids fly the coop in the last two weeks—everyone is leaving for college or moving into their own places. I miss them, of course, but I’m also excited. Finally I can reclaim space and get organized. With five kids in the house all summer, things felt chaotic. Now I’m ready to sss…lll…oooo…wwww down and enjoy a slower pace.
It’s been a hectic year of moving family into and out of homes, apartments and dorms while getting a new church underway. I’m ready to curl up with a good book and hibernate a bit. Most of my “nesting” has been practical—clearing out rooms and unpacking—rather than full-on seasonal decorating. Still, I’ve made a few small changes that make the house feel like fall.
I hung my apple wreath on the front porch last week and this week I filled a container with pine cones. That little touch feels much more autumnal and offers a cheerful greeting at the door.
I want my home to feel like a cozy, slightly quirky seaside cottage—even in winter—the kind of place you curl up in during a storm. I keep a coastal vibe year-round but adapt it to the Northwest seasons by layering warmth in cooler months and simplifying in summer. The home should reflect the season without losing its personality.
I also bought a new entry mat—one of my simple must-haves. I avoid grungy mats and prefer something fresh that complements the doorstep. Next I’ll fill an iron kettle by the door with a fall element—perhaps white pumpkins or a stack of firewood.
While unpacking boxes from our move in January, I found a favorite quote from The Lord of the Rings that we usually hang near the front door. For now it sits on the entry table and always makes me smile—it captures my love of cozying up and feeling safe at home.
I swapped out summery branches for twiggy fall stems from Pier One. They have bright green thistle-like buds that add a cheerful pop of color. I’ll keep these through Thanksgiving, then replace them with bare, sparkly branches for the holiday season.
I picked up fall-scented candles at Target, and they came with small button embellishments on stretchy strings. Rather than leave them on the candles, I removed the buttons and used one to add a little charm to a glass entry vase with twigs. The button warmed the glass and gave the arrangement a bit of personality.
The lighting in the photo isn’t great, but I swapped summer shells for bright green faux apples in an apothecary jar. I used faux ones because real apples can spoil quickly with a lid on. I also hung a few colorful bird plates on the wall to add a playful touch.
I haven’t done much wall decorating yet because if we end up staying here long-term I plan to change the paint. The current pink undertone makes everything look a little pinker than intended. I’m dreaming of creamy white painted paneling to bring back some of the classic wood-paneled warmth I loved in our previous home.
I received adhesive chalkboard sheets from Wall Candy Arts and turned one into a simple “leftovers” board using an old frame and some sticky-backed picture hangers. In fall I cook more from scratch and often have odds and ends in the fridge; writing what’s available encourages someone to eat the leftovers. The chalkboard surface is smooth and enjoyable to use.
Finally, I tackled a long-postponed painting project. This photo shows an undercoat—I’ve already applied the top coat and will finish with sanding and a final coat tomorrow. The change is dramatic compared to the before photo, and I’ll share more once it’s complete. How are your projects coming along? It’s never too late to start.