3 New Ways to Decorate with Fallen Leaves

Decorating your home for the holidays can be as simple as grabbing fistfuls of leaves from the backyard—seriously. The creators of a San Francisco floral design company called Studio Choo shared with us a sneak peak from their newest collaboration, The Wreath Recipe Book, and their elegant ideas for yard pickings are inspiring enough to make us forget yard work and play in the leaves. Look for clippings from these three tree varieties in your own yard to turn into home decor projects that brings the outdoors in.

Magnolia Leaf

1/8
Decorate with Dried Magnolia Leaf

Magnolia leaves are hardy and look great dried in a garland. The thick, leathery leaves are glossy green on top, but we're more interested in their velvety brown underside.

shutterstock.com

Magnolia Garland

2/8
DIY Fall Garland

A long line of flowers, leaves, and grasses tumbles down the wall in the rusty tones of autumn.

Excerpted from The Wreath Recipe Book by Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2014. Photographs by Paige Green.

Liquidamar Leaf

3/8
Decorating with Dried Liquidambar Leaf

Named for its fragrant, resin-like sap, liquidambar also lives up to its name when you see the golden amber tones of its autumn foliage. Look for branches that still have their star-like seedpod attached for added interest.

shutterstock.com

Liquidambar Wreath

4/8
DIY Fall Wreath

Star-shaped leaves and bright berries form a petite ring of autumnal fireworks.

Excerpted from The Wreath Recipe Book by Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2014. Photographs by Paige Green.

Maple Leaf

5/8
Decorating with Dried Maple Leaves

With its broad, multipoint leaves that turn spectacular shades of red, maple leaves are one of the most iconic autumn trees. Rather than adding flowers to the mix, pair maple with similarly interesting leaves and embrace what autumn is all about.

shutterstock.com

Maple Mobile

6/8
DIY Fall Mobile

Leaves suspended in midair bring autumn indoors in a most literal way. Use whatever leaves and twigs you have on hand to make this easy mobile.

Excerpted from The Wreath Recipe Book by Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2014. Photographs by Paige Green.

More Ideas

7/8
More Ideas

For full instructions to these decor projects and more nature-inspired ideas for your home year-round, check out The Wreath Recipe Book (Artisan Books, $24.95).

Excerpted from The Wreath Recipe Book by Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2014. Photographs by Paige Green.

For more...

8/8

Don't Miss!

1pixel

If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!