I’m so excited today to introduce you to Mariella of Splendor in Spanglish – the blog. She is one of our 11 contributors to join us over the holiday season to bring you ideas for blissfully celebrating the holidays with your family. And what better way to kick it off with some fall decorating ideas! Enjoy!
Quick Glance
- Natural elements like pumpkins, branches, and seasonal flowers are the foundation of smart fall decor.
- A gold spray paint and painter’s tape technique can transform plain pumpkins into glamorous statement pieces in about two hours.
- Bar carts and wooden bars are often-overlooked surfaces that benefit enormously from seasonal styling.
- Varying the heights of your decor pieces creates better visual impact than placing everything at the same level.
- Local farmers’ markets and grocery stores are reliable, affordable sources for seasonal decor materials.
- You do not need a big budget to create beautiful, cohesive autumn displays in your home.
Hello everyone!
I’m Mariella author of Splendor in Spanglish – the blog; and I’m thrilled to be here in A Blissful Nest! Rebekah very kindly invited me to share some of my favorite tips for the holidays with you, so obviously we will be talking festive and fun and gold! 🙂
When it comes to decorating, I always like to work with nature. Flowers, branches, fruit or in this case, pumpkins! I found these guys at the farmers market and couldn’t resist bringing them home. They are the cutest! and I immediately knew I was going to make them glam and gold. Oh yes!
DO IT YOURSELF!
To get the look you will need the basics: a) painters tape, and b) gold spray paint (you can use your favorite kind, but I truly recommend this one) Cover the pumpkins with tape, leaving exposed only the parts you want to be gold. Then spray! Make sure you do this outdoors, you don’t want fumes all over your house. And have fun with the designs! Options are endless 🙂
My pumpkins were ready and dry in about 2 hours. And then the styling began!
These guys are the perfect decoration piece for a bar or a bar cart – so IN these days. We own a classic wooden bar that needed some love and attention lately.
Using my gold pumpkins I created a useful surface for us to mix our cocktails when we come back from work. Fall cocktails anyone? I thought so! 🙂
To make the bar look like it’s ready to go I placed liquor and glasses on one of my favorite trays and included the basic for cocktail mixing (shaker, stirring spoon, bar towel and fancy straws – obviously)
Then, I placed the pumpkins around using different heights. This will have a nicer visual impact on your decor. I added candles, and seasonal flowers for extra beauty. Don’t you love the pop of deep purple on these ones? I found them at my local supermarket. Not bad, huh?
Things to Know
- Farmers markets are one of the best sources for unique, affordable pumpkins and seasonal flowers that you will not find in chain stores.
- Painter’s tape is the key tool for creating clean geometric patterns on spray-painted pumpkins. Without it, designs look uneven.
- Always spray paint outdoors. Fumes from spray paint indoors are a serious health and fire risk.
- Deep purple or burgundy flowers paired with gold tones create a rich, jewel-toned palette that photographs especially well.
- Pumpkins dry fully after spray painting in roughly two hours under normal conditions, making this a same-day project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to buy pumpkins for fall decorating?
Farmers’ markets are your best option for variety and value when shopping for decorative pumpkins. They often carry unique shapes, colors, and sizes that can add more interest to your fall displays.
How long does spray-painted pumpkin decor last?
A spray-painted pumpkin kept indoors can last several weeks before showing signs of softening or decay. Keep it away from direct sunlight and humidity to help extend its life.
Can I use artificial pumpkins for the gold spray paint DIY?
Yes, foam or faux pumpkins work extremely well with spray paint and will last indefinitely. They are also easy to store and reuse for your fall decor year after year.
What colors work best alongside gold in a fall decor palette?
Deep purple, burgundy, ivory, and forest green all pair beautifully with gold tones in fall displays. These rich colors create an elegant seasonal palette without relying on traditional orange and black.
Do I need a bar cart specifically, or can I style other surfaces the same way?
Any flat surface with enough depth works well for this type of seasonal vignette styling. Try a sideboard, kitchen island, coffee table, or fireplace mantel using a tray, varied heights, and seasonal accents.
So here you have it! An easy DIY fall decor for your bar! My advice is to always use what you have in hand. Don’t hesitate to find inspiration and beauty at the farmers market, your local shops or even your own pantry! Get creative and DIY! The more you try, the better you get at it. Promise!
Hope you guys liked my styling 🙂 I would LOVE to hear your comments and personal experiences with your fall decor! And why not, share a couple of cocktails with you.
Thanks so much to A Blissful Nest for having me over! It’s such a pleasure to be part of this fab initiative. Besos! xx.
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You did such a great job! I love how all the colors worked well together.
Thanks so much, Jacqui! I LOVE this dark wall. It makes all colors pop.
Janine! Thanks so much!! 🙂 Those flowers wear amazing! They lasted for about 2 weeks at home, and I found them at Trader Joe’s!
Mariella,
Wonderful blog post! Gorgeous Halloween decor, I loved everything! The purple flowers were such a nice touch and I loved how everything looked amazing with the black! Great idea and perfect presentation! Bravo!!!
Mariella, I have a bar cart in my basement that I usually bring up for parties, but this is making me think I need it in my life everyday!! Great to me you, you have a gift for beautiful styling and photography!!
Thanks so much for that comment, Pam! <3 You do need one everyday! haha! Even some sparkling water is a fab treat when arriving home #treatyourself
Mariella your styling is gorgeous!! Great post!!
Oh thanks so much Sheree! You are so kind 🙂 xx.
Love, love, love! When’s the party? 🙂
Anytime! 🙂
This was such a fun project! Can’t wait to see what the dream team come up with 🙂
Thanks for hosting, Rebekah!
LOVE this setup. It is so chic and grownup! Makes we want to throw an adult cocktail party!
Thanks so much Tanya! I love holiday parties, they can be so warm and welcoming. Hope you enjoy that cocktail party!
Looks great! Love the glam look! My takeaway, I need a bar cart! 🙂
Bar carts are so fun! 🙂