One of my favorite things about Fall is decorating with natural elements . . . like leaves, bare branches, gourds, pumpkins, nuts, and corn.
Bittersweet is also a beautiful natural Fall treasure.
I've always admired bittersweet, but have had a difficult time finding it here in Southern California.
So when I saw a large galvanized bucket brimming with REAL bittersweet branches in a shop while vacationing recently in Colorado, I knew that this was my chance to have some.
I immediately fell in love with their incredibly bright berries and gnarled branches.
I envisioned them in our living room . . .
weaving in and out of pumpkins on our mantle,
and perched on our bookcase next to stone and white porcelain.
And as we move deeper into Fall, and closer to Thanksgiving, I'll put away our Halloween decor and transform our entire home into a Fall wonderland.
The top of our mantle will change, yet again. I envision creating a garland made of this bittersweet for the armoire in our dining room; paired with mercury glass . . . deep, rich autumn hues . . . it will be a warm and beautiful site.
The top of our mantle will change, yet again. I envision creating a garland made of this bittersweet for the armoire in our dining room; paired with mercury glass . . . deep, rich autumn hues . . . it will be a warm and beautiful site.
So many things become beautiful
when you really look.
~ Lauren Oliver
LET'S STAY in touch!
Hi Suzanne, Your Fall décor is beautiful and I appreciate you sharing it at the Open House party.
ReplyDeletexx,
Sherry
Thanks so much, Sherry!
DeleteI'm new to your site as well . . . and enjoy all that I see.
So happy you came by.
Have a beautiful weekend,
Suzanne
Wow, what a beautiful Fall mantle! Love the pumpkins and their soft colors, very pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Jane!
DeleteHappy, happy Fall!
Suzanne
Gorgeous mantel! I didn't think all natural elements could look so "perfect"! I don't think I've ever seen bittersweet in real life - always the faux kind. I really like how you've placed it amongst the pumpkins. The wreath on your mirror is the perfect backdrop. Your photography has captured the "feeling" of your décor beautifully. Visiting from Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings.
ReplyDeleteDD
Bittersweet is beautiful! It's the perfect addition to fall decor & I love how you pointed out you can use it for Thanksgiving decorating as well. Have a great night!
ReplyDeleteI love how you decorated with natural materials. I hope you'll join my Fall Pinterest Link Up: http://my-heart-lives-here.blogspot.com/2013/10/fall-pinterest-link-up.html
ReplyDeleteOh I love the bittersweet and the soft colors of your pumpkins, Such a lovely combination. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI LOVE bittersweet!! Just picked up a bunch recently to use in decorating. Did you know that you can spray it with hairspray to keep the little buds from dropping off? It darkens it a little bit but they stay a lot longer. Visiting from The Scoop!
ReplyDeleteHi AnnMarie!
DeleteThanks so much for coming by!
I WISH I knew of that tip before boarding an airplane with two HUGE bunches of bittersweet!! I had them wrapped in tissue paper, and still lost several buds, even though I was incredibly careful.
Thank you again for the GREAT tip!
Come back and visit again soon.
Happy Fall,
Suzanne
Beautiful fall decor, I love all the natural elements and those wonderful pumpkins! I wish bittersweet grew here in South Florida! Gorgeous
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Brenda!
DeleteYou might be able to find it at large Farmers' Markets. Hope you find some . . . Bittersweet is quite beautiful.
Happy, Happy Fall,
SUzanne
Beautiful! I love everything about it.. those pumpkins and bittersweet are perfect. Stopping over from Minimalist.
ReplyDeleteHi Beverly,
DeleteSo happy you came by!
Have a beautiful week,
Suzanne
Your Fall touches are so pretty, I love the bittersweet!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
Thank you, Cindy!
DeleteHope you come by again soon,
Suzanne
i just love those interesting looking pumpkins! they look so pretty stacked together.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, I love Bittersweet! Don't find it here. The closest thing is the Pyracantha bush. Super thorny, but I have gathered it from time to time. Everything looks lovely with your added pops of orange! I too am ready to put away the Halloween and bring out Thanksgiving blessings. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Your bittersweet is beautiful. It is hard to find even here in Ohio. I mostly see it at flea markets and then it is very expensive and in bunches - not the beautiful long vines you have. It looks just lovely on your mantel with the pumpkins.
ReplyDeleteCindy
Thanks you so much, Cindy!
DeleteSo happy you came by, and hope you come by again soon.
Have a beautiful week,
Suzanne
These branches look so beautiful on your mantle. I adore the huge pumpkins in different colours.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Miss Maple.
DeleteHappy, Happy Fall,
Suzanne
Suzanne, I missed this post earlier. Bittersweet is definitely a part of our fall decor each year. I have to purchase it in the floral department of our grocery store or sometimes I find it at Round Top Antique Week if I go early. Bittersweet = Autumn for me. '-)
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
DeleteSo happy you came by!
Bittersweet is hard to find! I think I might stop by my local florist and see if I can order through her. What a great idea! I feel so lucky to have some, and have enjoyed it so very much!
Hope you come back again soon.
Happy, Happy Fall,
Suzanne
Suzanne, I LOVE your bittersweet and fall decor! I am a huge fan of bittersweet and haven't seen any for ages. Sometimes you can find it the farmer's markets but it is expensive. Last weekend I actually was fortunate enough to find vine growing in the wild and I cut quite a bit off. It is drying now but I will be either making a wreath or using it somehow in my fall decorating next years! I just wrote a post about it on my blog, Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words.
There's something so special about bittersweet. And the fact that it's hard to find, makes it even more special. I think it's so neat that you found some in the wild! One of my followers taught me that spraying the berries with hairspray will help keep them intact. I hope that tip helps yours last for years to come.
Hope you come back again soon.
Happy Fall,
Suzanne
LOVE using bittersweet, what a gorgeous compliment to your decor. You know you can keep it for next year. Just put it in a trash bag and stash it in a dry place, you'll be able to use it again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Debra!
DeleteA follower shared with me that you can also spray the branches with hairpray to help keep the berries in tact. I love all the great tips I get from all of you.
So happy you came by!
Have a great week,
Suzanne
You totally amaze me every time I come to visit you! Your style is FABULOUS and Stunning! Love it here and always love to see you each Friday!!! : ) hugs...
ReplyDelete