Ah, fall. Cooler temperatures, cozy scarves, and pumpkin spice–everything.
This year, I want to be conservative with my finances and my space, but still fully relish this delightful season. If you also watched Marie Kondo’s Netflix special and were inspired to de-clutter, you’ve learned to thoughtfully consider what you add to your life and home. So, here’s to embracing the season . . . while being financially savvy and mindful of how much inventory I’m signing up to store at the season’s end.
1. Multiple Uses: 
Invest in items that work for more than one season. These pine cones reflect autumn, but they’ll also support Christmas and winter displays. (And are free for those of you fortunate enough to live near pine trees!) Evergreen topiaries can be dressed for any occasion. Bowls or trays in neutral colors or a material that coordinates with your style (think: wood, brass, silver, copper, mercury glass, galvanized tin, etc) can flow from one season to the next by changing what you put inside. So, shop with flexibility in mind.
2. Embellish Existing Elements: 
This teapot of greens gets a few autumn colored companions (from the Dollar Tree), and it’s ready for the season.
Most of the year, the wreath below adds some much needed green to my desert spaces. By wrapping a beaded garland around it and adding some leaves, it says, “Hello, Harvest!”
Find a wreath with a basic, non-season-specific leaf for your base. Add garlands, floral picks, or ribbons appropriate for the season, and you also put to work Tip #1!
3. Repeat after me: Repetition!
One of the reasons store displays or magazine spreads look so pulled together is because they employ the design principle of repetition to create theme and a defined style. You can do that! 
Find an inexpensive item you can tuck in and around your more unique pieces to pull them all together. Pine cones, acorns, pumpkins, ribbons, tea lights—there are so many options. In your home store or online look for “vase fillers.” These bagged beauties specialize in small but abundant pieces that naturally repeat. And repetition reveals intentionality in your design.
4. Color Cues:
Consider using the colors already present in a room to translate the season. Fall isn’t restricted to yellow, orange, and brown anymore. You can find autumn-themed treasures in every color scheme these days. The result is a harmonious environment that echoes the season, without shouting it. How does this save money? When you coordinate with your current color scheme, it’s easier to pull from inventory you already have to support your theme.
In this white and gray example from my dining room, I’m using place mats, plates, napkins, napkin rings, and a tray that are put to work year round. The pine cones, acorns, and mini pumpkins are the only season-specific items (and small, taboot), but they pack plenty of punch by gathering them into a central focus point.
It is possible to scimp on purchases without scimping on joy! Now where’s that apple cider . . .
Happy Fall!
Easter is such a lovely occasion! It heralds new life and all that is good and right and possible. (Insert contented sigh here.)
However, I’m always delighted when I discover new ways to use pieces I already own. Obviously, this is the more economical option (three cheers for free!), but more importantly, it tells a story. At just a glance, I’m reminded of special people and moments, and my family is surrounded by heritage. What’s not to love?
How about “vintage” memories? My mother-in-law gave my daughter this adorable little bunny when she was just a toddler. We couldn’t part with him even after she outgrew him, so we added him to our Easter collection and get to enjoy his floppy little self year after year.
Tears and tantrums probably lined either side of this photo shoot, but these moments: priceless!
What is meaningful to you about Easter? Or Passover? Spring? New beginnings? Most holidays came into existence with the sole purpose of reminding us what is important–of truths that transcend the daily grind. Relish that significance in your decor.
If you’re alarmed by what you find, remember the plethora of shades that color represents. For example, I do NOT have fond feelings toward crayon orange (the color opposite blue on the color wheel), but I wouldn’t mind a cheerful coral coming to visit. A few inexpensive accessories in this new color give the room a little more punch.
A new lamp is a great option too, but if it’s in good shape, just change the shade. [Note: Know which kind of shade your lamp accepts BEFORE you go shopping. (ie. a harp, spider, clip-on, etc.) It will save you lots of frustration.]
what you currently have. There are even light bulbs that have a dimmer switch (right on the bulb, so nothing to install!) for rooms that require task and mood lighting.
Have you read the studies that suggest people who consistently spend 30 minutes outside live happier lives? I think nature speaks to a primal need for beauty etched on our souls. A simple bouquet of flowers–real or quality artificials–have a surprising capacity to evoke happiness. If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, they usually have beautiful flowers and plants at very reasonable prices.