As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin their spectacular transformation, the urge to bring the warmth and beauty of autumn indoors is undeniable. For many, this means a trip to the craft store for faux pumpkins, plastic garlands, and other seasonal decor. But what if the most authentic, beautiful, and budget-friendly fall decorations were already waiting for you just outside your door?
Our Digz Ambassador, Stacy Risenmay (@stacyrisenmay), recently showed us that you don't need to buy new seasonal decor to create a stunning autumn display. By simply "shopping her yard", she gathered a collection of natural treasures to style a simple, elegant, and breathtaking fall mantel.
Let's follow her process and learn how you can forage your own garden for the perfect fall arrangement.
Step 1: Forage for Fiery Foliage
The first and most iconic element of autumn is the foliage. The brilliant reds, vibrant oranges, and golden yellows of changing leaves provide an instant pop of seasonal color that no store-bought item can truly replicate.
Stacy begins her journey by clipping branches from a maple tree, its leaves a fiery mix of red and orange. Using a pair of sharp pruners, she carefully selects branches with the most vibrant colors and interesting shapes.
What to Look For in Your Yard:
- Maples: Known for their classic leaf shape and brilliant red, orange, and yellow hues.
- Oaks: Offer deep reds, russets, and browns with a beautiful lobed leaf structure.
- Birch: Provide a shower of delicate, golden-yellow leaves that can brighten any arrangement.
- Dogwood: Can produce stunning deep red or purple foliage.
Pro Tip: How to Preserve Your Branches
To make your beautiful branches last longer indoors, you can preserve them. Once you've clipped your selections, crush the bottom inch of the stems with a hammer. Then, place them in a vase filled with a solution of one part vegetable glycerin to two parts hot water. Let the branches soak up the solution for several days. This process preserves the leaves' color and flexibility, allowing you to enjoy them for weeks or even months.
Step 2: Harvest Your Homegrown Gourds
Nothing says "fall" quite like pumpkins and squash. While you can buy them at any grocery store, there is a special satisfaction in decorating with gourds you've grown yourself. Stacy heads to her garden to harvest the literal fruits of her labor.
Interestingly, the pumpkins she grew are a unique hybrid of pumpkin and butternut squash! They have the charming, stout shape of a classic pumpkin, but the smooth, tan skin and delicious taste of a butternut squash. This personal touch makes her decor truly one-of-a-kind. She harvests a variety of sizes, which will add visual interest and rhythm to her final mantel display.
Step 3: Add Texture and Complementary Colors
A great design incorporates layers of color and texture. After gathering her red leaves and tan pumpkins, Stacy decides she needs another color to round out her palette. She heads to her "secret garden" to clip branches from a tree with brilliant yellow leaves, which will contrast beautifully with the deeper reds.
Beyond leaves, think about other textural elements you can find. Stacy completes her mantel with a few pinecones, which add a rustic, woodsy feel.
More Natural Treasures to Find:
- Pinecones: A classic fall and winter staple.
- Seed Pods: Look for interesting shapes from plants like poppies, milkweed, or lotus.
- Dried Grasses: Plumes from pampas grass or other ornamental grasses add soft, feathery texture.
- Twigs and Branches: Bare branches from a curly willow or dogwood can add sculptural interest.
- Dried Flower Heads: Hydrangeas and sedum 'Autum Joy' dry beautifully and hold their shape all season long.
The Essential Gear for a Garden Forager
As Stacy demonstrates, foraging in your garden involves clipping thorny branches, handling prickly vines, and getting your hands a little dirty. Protecting your hands is key. Throughout her harvest, Stacy wears her Digz Leather Palm Gloves. They provide the durability needed to handle woody stems and the dexterity required for delicate tasks, ensuring her hands stay safe and clean while she works. Before you head out on your own foraging adventure, make sure you have a comfortable and reliable pair of gloves.
Putting It All Together: The Final Mantel
With her natural treasures gathered, Stacy assembles her mantel.
- The fiery red maple branches are placed in a simple glass case on one end.
- The golden yellow branches are laid artfully on the other end, draping slightly over the edge.
- Her homegrown pumpkins are lined up in the center, arranged by size to create a pleasing rhythm.
- A few pinecones and stacked books add height and texture.
- Finally, tall, elegant, candlesticks complete the cozy, sophisticated look.
The result is a stunning, personal, and completely free fall display that celebrates the beauty of the season. This year, we challenge you to skip the decor asile and take a walk through your own yard. You might be surprised by the treasures you find waiting to be brought inside.
