WAITING ON AUTUMN

Around this time of year, I am usually getting antsy to start digging through my boxes of fall decor—and even perusing the stores for a few new things—in preparation for switching up my vignettes for the upcoming autumn months. I’m finding, though, that my mindset is a bit different at the moment and I’m not quite prepared to say goodbye to warm summer days and fun outdoor events in favor of cool, crisp weather and more time spent indoors. The summer of 2020 was such an anomaly, and everyday life as we knew it was temporarily derailed, so I am taking full advantage of participating in as many of the activities that summer 2021 has to offer for as long as I can.

However, I will say that I am looking forward to the impending return of my favorite fall festivities, too, since those were missing from last year’s social calendar. Lively Oktoberfest celebrations, apple- and pumpkin-picking excursions, seeing the neighborhood streets come alive with happy trick-or-treaters, and a jubilant Thanksgiving Day spent with my entire family are just a few of the pastimes I am so grateful to be able to experience once again!

When I am ready to welcome the beauty and blessings of the fall season, I’ll have plenty of decorating ideas within these pages to help motivate me. Take, for instance, our four featured homes, which boast a cornucopia of indoor and outdoor harvesttime displays. Additionally, a creative Maine DIYer transforms her corner lot into a landscape full of whimsy, and a resourceful Missouri couple share their ranch home’s remarkable before-and-after makeover. Plus, Country Sampler stylist René Haines shows how to put together an enchanting tablescape that will last from early autumn to Halloween to Thanksgiving, with just a few inexpensive and simple changes of decor.

No matter when the fall decorating spirit strikes you, we hope this month’s issue will provide plenty of inspiration that lasts the entire season!