Fall Window Box

Fall is my favorite season to decorate.  The rich colors in nature and the bountiful pumpkins, gourds, mums and kales available everywhere just make it so easy to bring fall’s flourishes into your home décor.  When temperatures start to dip a bit, it’s time to start entertaining outside again.  Near our patio table we have a window box that is filled with annuals all summer.  By now the flowers are spent and ready for a refresh.  A no-maintenace window box bursting with fall’s bounty is what I set out to create.    No mums, grasses or kale were used to avoid having to water or deadhead.  I foraged dried seed heads and bark,  right in the yard;  got a bag of mixed gourds at the supermarket; gathered various rattan spheres,  silk fall branches, some waxed artichokes and moss from my craft supplies, and set to work.  To bring interest to window boxes think of adding an element of surprise.  I created 3 looks for the same window box with a lantern, a rattan pumpkin and a acorn sculpture. Here is how it all came together:

I left trailing sedums from the summer to create a base layer.

My first look was with the apple shaped lantern. I just started playing around with the fresh gourds and spheres.

For height, I inserted a bundle of pheasant feathers and some silk branches and a cone made out of birch bark that I filled with moss.

A silk bird in autumn colors is perched on the lantern, I hung a fall wreath on the window above the window box and added the seed pods and moss. Layering is what helps create a lush arangement with lots of interest for the eye to discover.

Substituting the lantern with a rattan pumpkin creates a different look.

A cozy nook to read during still beautiful fall afternoons.

These shutters are a salvage find and were added to make this back window a focal point near our outdoor dining table.

3 rd look: adding a giant acorn sculpture which I lay on a piece of oak bark. Although the gourds are stacked, there is no glue necessary. This planter is in a sheltered area. If your box will be more exposed to the elements, especially wind, you might want to use some hot glue.

This was the same window box last fall. 

Which look do you like best?  I like the lantern one myself!  A simple stunning fall display which was created for $9 in a few minutes.  And the best part, no maintemance needed and the gourds can be composted and won’t require storage.  Happy fall!