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Hi Everyone. Are you as energized once the weather cools as I am? The season, when behaving as it should i.e. cooler temps outdoors, gives me the same boost of energy I feel in the spring. Maybe even more so. So who do I write to to request a few days of fall? We’re still in the mid-eighties, not exactly sweater weather, she whined.
On of the less showy symbols of the season are acorns. It’s always been a source of beauty to me, whether a collection of the little nuts are displayed in a bowl or embossed on a serving piece.
{These little cuties are from Pottery Barn}
Today I thought I’d share some of the prettiest examples of acorn-adorned bits and pieces I’ve found.
This pottery is wonderful, subtle yet stylish enough to use no matter what the season. I love white dishes, don’t you?
There are 600 species of oak trees world wide. As a result there are a lot of different shapes and sizes of acorns. There is a grove of oak trees in one of our local parks, unfortunately, the acorns that fall are not the rounded kind, the seed pod is elongated and pointy. I prefer the chubby little acorns you see depicted most often. Like the ones in this door embellishment. It looks like it might have been a pediment on a piece of furniture at one time.
The wine coaster above and napkin ring below are favorites, I don’t own them, and I don’t remember where I found these images. If you have information leading me to the source, please drop me a line. Wouldn’t this be a pretty addition to the Thanksgiving table this year?
What would fall be without a smiling squirrel sitting on an acorn the size of a baseball?
The beautifully detailed creamer/sugar bowl and tray are favorites and if I weren’t trying to pare down I’d add it to my Christmas list.
Detailed hardware such as the drawer pull below sometimes makes an ordinary piece of furniture shine. This one looks old, all the better. Try finding more than one of these beauties.
I like this finial, if I had a staircase, I would consider it. I’d like it stained a dark walnut with some distressing, please.
The simple acorn and the oak branch are favorites at the table this time of year. Homemade napkin rings, like this rustic twine piece with the faux acorns is such a great accent…it appears the seed is painted a burnished gold.
Each autumn I use Redfern, my pheasant {thank you, Sarah} and scented candles with a surround of leaves, berries and acorns. My friend Linda W. finds these Cinnamon candles each year, this was a gift that was appreciated for each hour of delicious fragrance it provided us.
Since acorns come from oak trees, this is probably one of my favorite ways to display acorns. This arrangement looks like its been cut fresh from trees, not preserved. So pretty.
This little Etsy frame is so cute, I’m tempted, except it doesn’t appear to have glass or a stand.
Here is a step by step tutorial on how to grow an oak tree from an acorn. If you are willing to do this, it’s clear to me you have way more autumn energy than me! (I’d love to hear your secret if this is the case) 🙂
Do you use nature’s seasonal bounty for your home? I mostly use natural things over the little ghosts, spiders and goblin decorations from the days when the kids were small. There are some really great looking pumpkins available and I even found bittersweet at one of the markets the other day. Happy October, I hope you’re enjoying seasonal weather where you live.
Karen
Sharon @ Roses and Rust said:
Oak trees are my favourite and ours are all starting with their new spring growth at the moment. I love the idea of a bowl full of acorns as decoration. I’m going to file that one away for acorn season. xx Sharon
Karen B. said:
Hi Sharon, Spring is such a beautiful time of the year. I hope your spring is progressing nicely. Our fall has stalled and we’re still in the mid to high eighties! Posting about the season helps. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 7:34 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
We just planted garlic… and the squirrels are busy digging it all up. I guess the soft/overturned soil is their preferred acorn-burying spot?
Love all the photos. (But seriously, I have NEVER seen any acorns that are actually that nice. The caps are always gone.)
Karen B. said:
That actually makes me feel better, I always thought it was because we don’t have the right variety of oak trees in our area that we can’t just gather them on our walk! I did discover you can buy them on eBay. 🙂 The fake ones from Pottery Barn work for me and I don’t have to worry about squirrels breaking in to stock up for the winter.
On Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 8:04 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Vicki said:
Hi Karen- One year I saw the cutest craft for felted acorns with real acorn caps in all these fun colors, and I really wanted to make some. Alas, as you said, I could only find the goofy elongated acorn variety to use. Oh well, it’s hard to improve on Mother Nature, anyway. Love your vignettes.
The wine coaster and napkin ring look like things Tina from The Enchanted Home offers, but I’m not certain. Have a good week!
Karen B. said:
Hi Vicki, I guess the variety of oak tree that grows the cute, chubby round acorns doesn’t grow in my area. At least there are pretty decent looking fake acorns. I’ve seen the felt acorns, they are darling. I too thought about making some…maybe next year. I suspected that the wine coaster and napkin rings might be that company that Tina has shown us. As I recall their items were a little out of my budget. 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your week. xo, Karen
On Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 8:23 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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leslie said:
Karen, Such a beautiful autumn post. I love the sweet little acorns and the table accessories are so pretty. I cannot wait to have a kitchen again and be able to set a seasonal table! (simple pleasures;) Happy Wednesday! xxleslie
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Leslie. I hope your home is nearing it’s completion. I’m sure you are creating a beautiful place, but I’m sure you’re eager to get moved in.
Happy Wednesday to you too!
xo
Karen
Chronica Domus said:
Hello Karen,
I adore oak trees, and they remind me of my childhood home in Kent, where we were surrounded by an oak woodland. The trees were huge, and there were so many of them that if we didn’t sweep up the leaves that fell in the autumn, we would be knee deep in them, literally.
The oaks produced the rounded acorns, unlike the ones I’ve spied in northern California which produce the pointy ones, much like your local trees. Regardless, I adore those too. They are a perfect work of art in miniature, don’t you agree?
I’m waiting for the mercury to fall as we are in the midst of Indian summer. Actually, it may have come to an end after a week as this morning much low fog enveloped the area.
Karen B. said:
Acorns really are one of natures little gems. I love the oak leaf as well. I hope we get some much cooler weather, but it seems to be taking its time. I can picture your area of England…how beautiful. Karen
On Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 10:20 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Linda Coble said:
Karen,
I’ve always loved acorns in any shape or form. They make wonderful displays for fall and winter. I put them in the same category as pine cones (which I also love). The creamer, sugar bowl and tray were beautiful! I’d love to put them on my wish list too. the little squirrel fire on the gigantic acorn was my favorite! Thanks for another great post.
Karen B. said:
Hi Linda, That comical squirrel is mine. I picked it up at Rogers a couple of years ago and it always comes out this time of year. xo, Karen
On Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 12:00 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Kristy Woodson Harvey said:
Love this post, Karen. Will and I might have to get our autumn energy and grow our own oak tree! I remember doing this when I was little! I’m totally with you. Ready as can be for that cool, fall weather. Bring on the jackets! (Now, don’t remind me of this in a month when I’m whining about being cold…) Happy, happy fall, my friend! xo Kristy
Karen B. said:
I think that is the perfect fall project, planting an oak tree with Will. I can remember bringing home a sapling pine from the Christmas tree lot and planting it in the back yard. We ultimately had to take it out since it overgrew for the location. Ha! Who would have guessed? I never get too cold, but we’re talking Southern California…you’ve undoubtedly heard the stories of how it’s always sunny. 🙂 Happy Wednesday, my friend. Karen
On Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 1:19 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Kelly - Talk of the House said:
After seeing your fabulous round up here, I think I like the acorn better than the pumpkin for fall decorating. 🙂 So many of these are precious! And I am blown away by that finial. Like you, if I had a staircase this would certainly be on the newel post. I do use acorns in November with all my brown dead stuff. We collected a large quantity of them last year (the squirrels still had plenty to eat in the woods here.) If I see the fake ones at PB outlet this weekend I may add them to my stock.
Karen B. said:
Kelly, Then nice thing is that the PB acorns look pretty real. I cracked up at your comment about using them with your brown dead stuff in November. 🙂 I do love pumpkins, the stems are what sell me. I wish the market pumpkins were cut with more stem. I now search for the longest/best stems on the pumpkins I buy! P.S. I wish we had a PB outlet nearby. Let me know if you find the acorns. xo, Karen
On Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 8:05 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Tone on Tone Loi Thai said:
Such beautiful ways of incorporating acorns in home decor! I love the ones from the white oak trees in our neighborhood – quite a few this year!! Cheers
Karen B. said:
Loi, I forget that since it is a fruit of sorts, there are probably good years and bad years as far as the crop goes. The squirrels in our area eat the pine cones, which are plentiful, as well as the acorns. Enjoy this coming weekend. xo, Karen
On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 6:47 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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D'Arcy H said:
I love acorns, too–they remind me of my childhood in Wisconsin, where, as I recall, we had the round kind–the perfect symbol of fall. Where I lived near Tacoma, WA, we had Garry oaks, but I don’t recall their acorn shape. A few years ago I “rescued” a Garry oak that was being bonsaied, but he hasn’t produced any acorns yet. Maybe some day!
Karen B. said:
D’Arcy Friends of ours have a place in Big Bear (a mountainous resort area) and they have beautiful oak trees where I’ve gathered and dried the leaves. They make great place cards and dry really nicely. Still, I’ve been there many times in the fall and never seen an acorn. I think between the squirrels and the blue jays, they feast in high fashion! How wonderful to have saved an oak, I’m sure it will repay you in great acorns one day. xo, Karen
On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 8:40 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Leslie Harris aka Gwen Moss said:
HI Karen, what a fun topic. I used to be surrounded by acorns in our other neighborhood…and I think you’ve shown such creative ways to incorporate them into one’s Fall decor. Boy I love that piece on the door. BTW thanks for all the work getting on my darn blog 🙂
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I never know if it’s my computer or something going on at your end but I would want to know so I prefer to err on the side of caution. Afterall, this blogging stuff is of vital importance. 😉 I recently saw a centerpiece arrangement with cut oak branches that still had their leaves and then there were white pumpkins, moss and candles on the table. I’ve printed it as inspiration (read: copy cat). Loved your scary table! Karen
On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 9:02 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Simply Suzannes at Home said:
Hi Karen,
You put together such a beautiful acorn compilation. So much inspiration for Fall decorating. Thanks so much for sharing!
Have a wonderful week,
Suzanne
Karen B. said:
Hi Suzanne,
It’s so nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by.
Enjoy your weekend.
xo
Karen
Kris {Driven by Decor} said:
I love decorating with natural elements too Karen and love all of the acorn inspiration – especially those napkin rings – how beautiful!
Karen B. said:
Hi Kris,
Thank you for stopping by. I’m so happy to have found your site thanks to the wall gallery design project.
This time of year is filled with fun!
Karen
beggingforattention said:
dear karen, a girl after my heart! i too come alive with the onslaught of autumn, down right invigorating!!
what is it about acorns? love them too and find them to be charming. after reading about how to grow acorns, think i am game……if not too late.
one of our landscape clients has a MASSIVE oak in her back yard, with great reaching arms and massive amount of acorns, the chubby ones. my crew goes out there weekly to clear acorns. need any?
xo
debra
ps; crazy for that hardware!
Karen B. said:
Debra, I would love some Illinois acorns! I’ve seen a few tables settings using a few oak tree branches with acorns attached, it made me want to plant an oak tree just to have that beauty available during the fall. 🙂 Let me know if plant one from a seed—I’d be curious if that method actually works. Happy Autumn, my friend. xo, Karen
On Mon, Oct 13, 2014 at 7:40 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Taylor Greenwalt said:
Hi Karen…I wish we were in the Fall feel here…it has been in the 70s…were still in the summer mode…love the idea of using acorns as home decor…
Karen B. said:
Julie, I’ve tried to tell myself it will cool down *someday*! But I would like it to be sooner rather than later. I’ve developed this ridiculous habit of checking the 10 day forecast almost daily in hopes of seeing cooler weather on the horizon. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 6:22 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Gretchen said:
Karen, I loved all the fall vignettes you created in your house. I think I’ll have to stop by Pottery barn to get a bag of their acorns too!
A number of years ago Linda gave me four of those napkin rings. I liked them so much that I bought four more at the Pierre Deux store in Carmel (now closed, sadly)
Karen B. said:
I do love those napkin rings. Good napkin rings can be hard to find and then, sometimes, you find the perfect set and they cost an arm and a leg! 🙂 Karen
On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 8:40 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Gretchen said:
So true, I was happy to only have to buy four!
Karen B. said:
Worth every penny
Sent from my iPad
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cindy hattersley said:
I have to confess I love oakleaf anything! I love that chicken recipe that is your standard…yum…prepared it last weekend!!!
Karen B. said:
Hi Cindy, I’m so happy to meet you. I love your site. That’s great that you are familiar with that recipe too. It’s always tasty this time of year, right? xo, Karen
Sent from my iPad
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Ricki Jill Treleaven said:
Oh, my….I love this post! I love acorns. We have so many of them this year! My grandmother said that it’s a sign we’ll have a very cold winter. The kids in the neighborhood have been collecting them and playing with them in our yard!
xo,
RJ
Karen B. said:
RJ,
Lucky you. The acorns in our neighborhood are not the cute chubby ones, they are pointed at one end. I do love acorns. Happy Fall to you and yours. xo, Karen
On Tue, Oct 21, 2014 at 12:33 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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