Outdoor decor: bring on the magic of fall with simple, natural decorations using squash, persimmons, berries, and leaves

Sunset, Oct, 2006 by Irene Edwards

WHEN THE SEASONAL bounty is this gorgeous, it's best to leave well enough alone. That's the thinking behind these casual arrangements of pumpkins and squash in their fresh-from-the-vine state, assembled in minutes at the Apple Farm in Philo, California. Mixed with leaves, berries, and fruits clipped from the garden (or readily available at florists and grocery stores), plump pumpkins and winter squash dress up a porch or patio table to set the mood for fall entertaining. On the following pages, we show a few of our favorite squash family members--twisty stems, knobby surfaces, and all.

Pumpkin tabletop

Position your arrangement at one corner of the table for a more casual look.

CREATE A BASE Start with a trio of standard pumpkins (odd numbers create a more pleasing display).

PLAY WITH TEXTURE AND SCALE A miniature 'Munchkin' pumpkin at one end provides visual contrast. Two kinds of rose hips resemble miniature pumpkins.

TUCK IN FRINGE Birch twigs with leaves attached surround the central display.

Squash for decorating

Nine charming varieties for your tabletop

These instant arrangements set the mood for fall entertaining

Garden harvest A weathered wood farm table provides the perfect backdrop for this grouping.

ADD HEIGHT A terracotta bowl forms the base, elevating a mound of persimmons above the rest of the arrangement.

CONTRAST SHAPES Persimmon leaves and branches jut out at various angles, breaking up the roundness of the fruit.

CONTRAST COLOR Creamy acorn squash provides the finishing touch.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY THAYER ALLYSON GOWDY

STYLING BY KAREN BATES