Flair FALL

Ready for a fall fête? Jessica shares her top five tips for getting your guests in the fall frame of mind.

" There's nothing like waking up and walking through your home and being greeted by beautiful fall details everywhere you look.”

1. HELLO PUMPKIN. Use autumnal squashes to make centerpieces or to decorate your porch stairs. They come in different sizes and colors, so opt for a variety.

2. CALL FOR COZY. Create a quaint environment with candles and fresh fall flowers. Put candlesticks in gold tapers and nestle flowers in baskets or galvanized tins.

3. TEXTURIZE. Chunky throw blankets in plaid prints and earth tones say fall,

and will help your guests ward off October chills in comfort and style.

4. FALL FOODS. Anything pumpkin or pumpkin spice-flavored is a must. Also, piping hot cider garnished with cinnamon sticks, and hot foods like stews will warm guests from the inside out.

5. LAYERING LINENS. Think in layers when it comes to your tablecloths and

linens. Layered linens add a sense of depth and fall fun to your table décor.

“Farmhouse style has always been a love of mine. It reminds me of my family’s homestead and brings me back to those memories,” she says. “I always combine the farmhouse style with a cottage aesthetic. I love my vintage décor more than any others because of the memories, but I always like to bring in a big floral for a pop of color.”

For the past four years, Jessica has lived in a home in Conover, North Carolina, with her fiancé and dogs, and has been filling it with her signature farmhouse-cottage look. As autumn approaches, she emphasizes the cozy factor already part of the farm-cottage décor genre and turns her home into a beautiful fall escape.

A huge project in the living room was the rock wall surrounding the fireplace. When Jessica and her fiancé moved into the home, the wall was such an unsightly color that she would never share it in photos. She says, “I took the leap and painted it white, and what a difference it made to this space.” Then she stumbled on this green-tone antique sign and knew it would work perfectly over the fireplace for fall.

(left) Jessica’s office came together after “hours of scrolling on Pinterest. I saw a range of designs I liked, made a collage of them in my head and put my own spin on them.” One of the details tailored specifically for her is the extra-long desk. “It has enough room for me to spread my design papers out at one time,” she says.