If you are wondering how to create a fall inspired tray with a coastal vibe, well… it’s simple! All you need are three important elements: Foliage, pumpkins, and absolutely anything that reflects a love of the sea!
Autumn is here in all its splendor and I am ever so grateful! In anticipation of its arrival, the main floor of my home has been decorated for months already!
The problem is, fall fever is here too and I want nothing more than to be outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Because of that, the lower level in this house has been in a sort of limbo. It seems I needed a little push to finally finish. That came in the form of an invitation that I was thrilled to accept.
Autumn on a Tray Blog Tour
Today I’m joining a group of incredibly talented bloggers for the ” Autumn on a Tray Blog Tour. ” The tour is the inspiration of our hostess, Katherine of Katherine’s Corner. She is the hostess with the mostest creative ideas so be sure to stop by her blog for a visit!
If you’re coming over from The Painted Apron, welcome! Jenna is so creative and her tray designs are gorgeous, aren’t they?
She is definitely a tough act to follow but I’ll try!
A Fall Inspired Tray with a Coastal Vibe
The main level of my home is decorated with traditional fall colors in every shade of red, orange, and gold imaginable.
I love it all but I had a very different vision in mind for the downstairs family room.
My goal was to create a tray that reflected both the season and our love of the sea. I wanted to include all the elements of fall but with the soothing colors of the ocean taking center stage so to speak.
What Color is Fall
While the upstairs rooms change constantly with the colors of each new season, the lower level stays the same all year long. Our intense love of the ocean is very much reflected there. That being said, I wanted to add a a few seasonal touches and a tray is the perfect way to do that!
But… what color is fall really? Growing up in Ohio, it was the orange of the oaks and the reds of the maple. Here in Colorado, it’s the gold of the changing aspen trees. Out on the west coast where we spend a lot of our time, while the palm trees stay the same, the ocean does not. The sunlight hitting the water in the autumn months is different. The hues of blue and green in the waves are different.
So what color is fall? Well… whatever color you want it to be! I chose blue.
With that decision made, I gathered all my pieces together and went to work!
Fall Foliage
I started by adding a few neutral branches of fall leaves. Light colors with tones of tan and green.
They provided the perfect nesting spot for some pretty knit pumpkins in shades of blue and turquoise.
Pumpkins
I love pumpkins of every color, shape, and size. Finding these earlier in the season, I knew I had to have them! I was patting myself on the back for the purchase as I put this tray together.
Can you have too many pumpkins? I think not! So I added a few more to balance things out on the opposite side of the tray. Different styles and textures bring so much to the overall look.
Autumn on the Sea
Although the pumpkins and leaves provide a great base for an autumn style tray, they do little to bring in the coastal vibe I’m going for.
I created this printable last year for my daughter’s San Diego home. Growing up boating on the ocean, it is her happy place.
Using a rustic nautical frame, it’s the perfect addition to bring a coastal feel to the tray. The warmth of a candle on a navy pillar holder works here as well.
Just to make sure the tray does more than reflect a love of the color blue, I added a starfish to bring the coastal theme home!
This tray will be the focal point of my coastal style room.
It fits in perfectly and I’m happy with the end result!
Phew! It’s a good thing I put this tray together because otherwise no one would know that, here in this home, our love of the ocean is a part of our very souls!
Although, Flipper might have given it away I think!
Thank you for joining me today! Next up on the “Autumn on a Tray” tour is Sandra from Dinner at Eight. I know you’re going to love her classic style!
Tour Participants
My Home of All Seasons
Happy Fall Y’all!
Such a fun way to decorate for the season! I love how you used blues, greens, and golds too. They go together really well and feel like a fresh way to celebrate fall. Hope your weekend is a fun one, CoCo
Thank you Coco! Someday I will be close to the sea again and I’ll be taking this with me. Happy Saturday!
I love this coastal vibe ( smile) . Pinned and thank you for joining the fun for the autumn on a tray blog tour. Hugs!
Thank you Katherine! Such a fun tour and I’m grateful to be included!
What a lovely way to combine Fall with your love of the sea! The soft blues and gold touches you’ve chosen to combine with a star shell and Sea print do create a coastal feel, especially with the boat sailing by! It’s so nice to be on this blog tour with you~
Thank you Jenna! I absolutely loved all your designs and I’m happy to be on this tour with you too!
Denise, I love your different take on this beautiful fall tray. Have fun! I love the soft colors of your pumpkins, too. The coastal vibe is just perfect and such a unique way of decorating. Happy weekend and happy Fall!
Thanks so much Theresa! It fits in with all the coastal decor that we both love. Have a great weekend and thanks again for stopping by!
Denise I think you added the perfect twist to a fall tray with your costal inspiration. It’s beautiful with the blues and greens both in the pumpkins, print and the greenery.
I can relate to feeling good about using new purchases. I feel the same when recently purchased items don’t sit on a shelf for months before being used.
So happy you were able to join in on this fun hop!
Happy fall,
hugs,
Rachelle
Thank you Rachelle. I was so glad to be a part of this tour with all of you! So many great ideas for future displays. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for coming by.
Love love love coastal anything! It’s so perfect for Fall, too. The boat is the best. Hope you are enjoying Fall yourself. Best wishes, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Thanks Linda! My coastal rooms remind of wonderful trips in the past and big dreams for a future by the sea! Have a wonderful weekend!
Fall is as much a state of mind as a season. I love that you chose to design a tray that reflects your favorite state of mind. The colors are beautiful, the textures invite touching them! Thanks for sharing a coastal way of experiencing fall.
Thank you Sandra. What a great way to look at it and very true! My love for the sea is as much about the laid back attitude I have when I’m there as it is about the ocean itself. Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing the tour with me! Have a great week ahead!
Hi Denise. I love your tray especially since I grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I love the coastal vibe! It has been so much fun being on the tour with you.
Thanks Christine. I love all things coastal yet there is no water to speak of anywhere near me.
Cape Cod! That has been on my bucket list for years! With our daughter in San Diego, we go west every chance we get but maybe someday. Great touring with you too! Have a great week!
I really like your coastal themed Autumn tray! Blue is one of my favorite colors so my eyes were drawn immediately to those lovely blue toned pumpkins and candleholder. All so pretty!
Thank you Debbie. Blue is a favorite of mine too and I was so thrilled to find those pumpkins! Fun tour and thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great week.
Denise, It strikes me a little funny that while I may have missed this over the weekend, the reason I did was because I was out there on the sea! After a short cruise, I am happy to come and see your beautiful fall tray with its nod to your love of the sea! I love those two little fabric pumpkins you picked up early, the colors are perfect! The sailboat is a nice little addition to tuck in next to your tray, too! Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!
Oh Chloe! Lucky you! I hope you had a wonderful time and I hope you found the peace I always find there! Thanks so much for stopping by and I appreciate the kind words. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Really pretty, Denise. I love the pale colors you used. Calming. It’s what I crave right now. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Thank you Rita! I was just heading over to see if you’ve posted new house pictures! I’ve been under the weather for awhile now and I feel like I’ve missed a lot! Glad you came by and I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.