Topiary, Two Ways to Transition to Fall

August used to be my least favorite month of the year... well, OK, maybe it's still my least favorite month but that's only because I'm not a fan of the heat that August usually brings with it. We're having a week or two here in SW Missouri that feels like the middle of September, in the low 80's and some rain, and that is a wonderful reprieve. We've had summers that we had no rain whatsoever and the temps were over 100 for days. But in the last few years since blogging, I've realized that August can be one of my favorite months...

... because August can be the month I get to think up and plan some new ways to decorate for Fall. Does that sound like someone who has too much time on their hands? maybe. But you all know how much I love Autumn and love to decorate for it, so it's become my time to gather ideas and enjoy the preparation time. 

This urn is a Pottery Barn purchase of 5 or 6 years ago, and honestly, it's one of my decor pieces that is a real staple... like I use it all the time, every season, kind of staple. It's not heavy, but it is some kind of metal that has been layered with paint and distressed and made to look like iron with rust. I remember when I spotted it at the store and told my husband to grab it, he about had a cow thinking of hauling it around for the rest of the shopping trip. When he lifted it up he was so grateful that he wasn't looking at a 20 pound load of fun for the rest of the afternoon.

It's just the right size to sit on my coffee table, entry console, or as a centerpiece on the Dining Room table. It's perfect for a big pumpkin, large ivy or in this case a Topiary dressed for Fall. I had had some faux paperwhites in here with a grape vine twig wreath around it since first of the year, but now I'm wanting to bring out some deeper harvest colors and thought it needed a little change up. 

I started with one of my pair of topiaries I've had since our older daughter was married back in 1998; gosh, forever in decorating years. The topiary forms are in petite pots that I usually use by themselves, but lately I've been stashing them inside larger urns for a bigger impact. Sorry, this is a horribly blurred photo, but you can see what I mean. I just nestled the original pot inside the larger urn and used some moss to cover up the evidence. 

I wanted something "Fallish" without going full on crazy, so I decided to use a fruit garland I've had for years as the "something" around the base.

Golds, deep Greens, dark Reds... These are the colors I love to use as an accent in late Summer and early Fall; and please notice there are no pumpkins or Fall leaves in the mix. just fruit, for all you who cannot stand any Fall decor photos before September 1. Just letting you know I understand your sensitivity and don't want to upset your thoughts on late vacations to the beach or pool parties. tehe. 

After putting this together I thought that maybe I could come up with another look; something that might be a little more "late Summer" by using my favorite late Summer flowers of Hydrangeas and Sunflowers/ Brown-Eyed Susans.

I wanted to make the actual Topiary ball a little fuller, so I used a few pieces of twig garland loosely wrapped around to give it a little extra oomph. 

This is such a hard little area to photograph, since it's behind the stairway. It's just a little jog/shortcut to the kitchen hallway, but it's just big enough to use the smallish concrete column for a floral vignette. 

So the Hydrangea version is what I'm using right now, that way I can enjoy the deep muted colors of the faux Hydrangeas and still have another easy idea for a quick change to Fall once the calender rolls around to September. 

You can get a little peek at the new fabric length tablerunner

I have going on for "Pre-Fall". I'll share that with you next week,

but it's perfect for bringing out those colors of Late Summer.

Here are a few other versions of the PB Urn from past decorating seasons...

Nature Inspired Urn for Autumn

Hope you're having a wonderful Weekend.

What are you all up to this coming week?

xoxo,

joining in here:

Sundays at Home at Love of Home

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Inspiration Monday at Refresh Restyle

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

The Scoop at Worthing Court

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Share Your Style at The Essence of Home

FFAEE at Rattlebridge Farm

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush