FALL HOME UPDATE : INTERIORS : Ideas for Bringing New Season Indoors

Giving your home a new look for fall can be done on a tight budget if you’re willing to put some time and your creativity to work on the project.

When asked for ideas costing under $100, several North County interior designers offered these tips for do-it-yourself fall decorating:

Add an inviting wreath

Creating a floral wreath for the fireplace or the front door using “wonderful fall leaves” is something designer Lynn Crosby Harland of Del Mar likes to do for her clients.

The wreaths can be created from scratch or built on pre-made grapevines available at import stores for under $20.

“I dry my own flowers,” she said, explaining that almost anything can be dried in a dark closet within two weeks.

Wreaths look great with dried flowers, walnuts, pomegranates (try spraying them gold or bronze), and lots of fall leaves. Apply the arrangement to the wreath with a hot glue gun that can be bought from a craft store.

Even after you buy some beautiful French ribbon for your wreath, you’ll end up with something well under $100 that will last all through the holidays, she said. When the holidays are over, pack it away in the garage to resurrect next year with a fresh ribbon.

Harland also likes to recover throw pillows and suggests trying some of the inexpensive tapestry-looking fabrics on the market today. If a sewing machine is not available, hand-stitch the covers.

Secure the pillowcase-like covers with gold antique buttons at the opening. Or buy iron-on Velcro and sew on some buttons for an ornamental, instead of functional, purpose.

Use the same material to make runners for a dining-room table and buffet. The ensemble will look like a set with matching tassels.

Applying home accessories

“We get tired of wearing the same jewelry with the same dress and that applies to accessories in the home,” said Sharon Stika of Village Interiors in Fallbrook.

Don’t be afraid to experiment, starting with a personal collection or hobby, in giving your home a fall look.

She frequently finds that clients have collections of everything from wine labels to seed packets and simply need help putting them together. Some people don’t realize they have odds and ends that could be the beginning of an interesting collection.

A gardener, said Stika, might have a pitchfork, weather vane and old hand tools that could make a nice wall display in a family room. Seed packets or botanical poster prints can be inexpensively framed and added to the display.

She emphasizes the importance of adding to the display over time, making it an evolutionary project.

“You can take anything that you’re emotionally bonded with and create an exciting display,” she said. “Accessories are what give a house your personality.”

Changing for the season

“I am really into seasonal changes,” said interior designer Laura Birns of Del Mar.

She likes to begin with the bathroom--buy a new set of towels in fall spice colors such as ginger or nutmeg, she suggests.

A 24-inch towel bar that is made to look like an expensive European fixture can be bought for about $12. Add a new cover for the shower bar in a bright plastic that can be coordinated with curtain rings in a contrasting color.

“Pay attention to details,” said Birns. “It’s the little things that make a difference.”

Creating a floor accent piece is perfect for the living room, she said. Old umbrella holders, milk jugs and straw baskets make great containers. If the surface can be painted, Birns likes to apply a granite or sandstone spray.

“There’s about six different stone effects on the market that cost $12.99 a can,” said Birns.

Before adding the floral arrangement, fill the container with wadded newspaper. Then create a fall look with some curly willow, cat tails and colored berries. Moss, wood chips or flat stones can be purchased to cover the newspaper.

Buy an inexpensive floor spotlight for ambience, she said. “Don’t use over a 60 watt light bulb, and be sure to hide the fixture behind the arrangement.”

Painting for fresh outlook

The easiest thing to do--whatever the season--is paint, said interior designer Jane Wolfe of Solana Beach. Old, discolored walls can be repainted, giving a quick fix to a dull room.

Dark rooms can be “opened up” by applying a softer color. For a dramatic effect, choose a strong color. Try simple stencils from a craft shop that can be sketched on a wall in a home office or child’s room; the “masterpiece” is then painted for the final step.

If you’re brave, Wolfe suggests trying your hand at faux finishes--the art of recreating different looks by using sponges, rags, feathers and other non-traditional painting utensils.

Some paint stores will provide free booklets, courtesy of the paint companies, on faux painting. Decide what you want to achieve--an antique or a fantasy effect--then practice the technique on a large piece of Masonite.

Paint the test piece first in a base color. Using a contrasting color and a natural sea sponge (Wolfe’s suggestion for beginners), start dabbing and experimenting on top of the base color. Two similar colors should give a subtle look.