Phase 2 of The House Behind The Trees ~ The downstairs #TeelsBuildaHouse

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So we are starting the downstairs ... I HATE to say basement because we had a basement in our old home, where you opened a door and went down stairs separated from anything else. It was a finished basement complete with a bedroom, craft room, family/game room and we spent a lot of time there ~ our oldest son moved down there in jr high and stayed through high school ... until we finished the master suite in the attic then he moved back up to the bedroom floor with his brother and sister.  So here our downstairs is open to the rest of the house, you can see through to the outside from the top of the stairs going down because we have a wall of windows down there as well.  We really didn't plan to have a kiddo down there but since we are having to do a switch-a-roo with rooms (I'll explain later) he is moving home soon and will be downstairs. Anyhoo, our downstairs will house our main family room, our middle sons room, a full bath and kitchenette.  I thought it would be fun ...
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It's Around the Corner, FALL....... So Try These Easy Front Entry Decorating Ideas To Spruce Up Your Home

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While browsing around the web looking for some simple Fall pick me up decorating ideas (I don't do much for fall because I do WAY to much at Christmas) I found these cute ideas. They appear easy, cute and cheap so I wanted to share just in case someone else is looking for some fresh new ideas!

Easy-Carve Pumpkins
These pumpkins get a mod makeover from geometric cutouts in different sizes and patterns. Just hollow out the pumpkins, then stencil on your designs. Cut out each square with a pumpkin carving saw and arrange on your front porch. For a country-chic look, rest pumpkins on an antique wooden chair or bench.

Vintage Garden Fork with Corn Husks
This is so simple and I love it! Give second life to a vintage find by hanging an old pitchfork on your fall door. Wire dried husks of corn on the prongs so you can remove them later if you like. Use two long nailheads to hang the pitchfork to your door. You may need to add extra nails or use wire to ensure that the pitchfork is extra-secure if you're placing it on an often-used door.

Cozy Fall Mum Wreath

Warm up your fall porch with an easy-to-make wreath. To make, press spider mums with 1-inch stems into a foam wreath. The blooms will last a few days, especially if you spritz them with water a few times. Finish the look by hanging with a plaid scarf.

Antique Key Fall Pumpkins
These key-encrusted pale pumpkins are the perfect addition to a natural-color fall entry. To get the look, arrange four pumpkins on a side table, and spell "fall" using antique keys secured with long straight pins. I have tons of these keys because I am an antique lover and have things around here that no one would ever imagine one having, let alone me =)

Pumpkins on a Chair
This year, carve personalized pumpkins to welcome your friends and family to your home. Buy a small, medium, and large pumpkin, then etch your monogram into each one. Try using different fonts and styles for a fun fall touch. Rest your masterpieces on an old chair or stool to show off your work.

Living Monogram Wreath
LOVE this but you will have to use some man tools =) Give your front entry a bold accent for fall with a living monogram wreath. Construct a letter form from 2-inch cedar boards, a plywood back, and chicken wire. Spray-paint the form a bold color, then fill with sphagnum peat moss and succulents. Add hooks to the back of the letter to make it easy to remove, clean, and add new plants.

Decorative Door Bucket
Seasonal freshness comes courtesy of live hydrangea and hypericum in this hanging bucket. Simply attach a decorative hook to your door and hang an antique bucket filled with water and the fall blooms. The seasonal display stays fresh for a few days -- enough time for your big fall gathering or for greeting unexpected fall guests.

Glimmering Harvest Wreath
Add shine to a traditional harvest wreath with a touch of metallic paint. Divide purchased dried wheat into three groups. Lightly brush each group with a different color of paint (we chose gold, copper, and brass). Let dry, then tuck the stalks into a purchased wheat wreath, starting from the inside and working outward. Complete your creation by attaching a handwritten welcome to the wreath with hot glue.

Flowering Pumpkin Decoration
Add quick color to a fall decorating staple with chrysanthemums. To make, purchase 40-50 florist's vials (available at crafts supply stores). Cut a band of holes at different heights and about 1 inch apart around the middle of the pumpkin with a small sharp knife. Fill the vials with water and replace the rubber stoppers, then push the vials into the holes so they are just below the surface of the pumpkin. Cut your chrysanthemum flowers so they have 2-inch stems and remove the leaves. Give your pumpkin a floral border by inserting one or two flowers into each vial (the flowers should be big enough to cover the holes). TIP: In place of chrysanthemums, you can use thistles, wild asters, or faded hydrangeas.

Fall Front Entry with Paper Lanterns
Use orange paper lanterns as an inexpensive and easy way to decorate your front entry for fall. To re-create this look, affix smaller lanterns in various shades of orange to bamboo stakes using light-color string; put the stakes in planters on either side of the door. Continue to add symmetry with pumpkins in various sizes piled below the elevated planters. Make the look wow-worthy with a larger-than-life orange paper lantern hung from the center of the front entry.

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