You can tell that autumn is fast approaching here in New England when the foliage around us slowly turns to shades of amber and scarlet, the temperature starts to cool, and animals prepare for the winter ahead. During this transitionary season, we love to bring nature inside and decorate with dried flowers and foliage!

Here are three ‘Fleurette-approved’ tips for decorating with dried stems…

1. Dried Wreaths

Wreaths aren’t just for winter! A beautiful wreath in neutral colors is a wonderful way to adorn a room for fall. Instead of the usual locations like windows or doors, try hanging one on a wall in your home like a piece of art or in the foyer above a credenza. What about displaying a wreath in your living room by some fall candles?

2. Pillar Candle Ring

This stunning scented pillar candle is perfect for fall, with dried wheat incorporated into the wax! We decorated it by creating a crown with dried flowers and foliage, then used a terracotta plant saucer as a base. The saucer not only creates a little frame for the crown but will also catch the drips of the candle to protect the surface below it.

To make your own dried candle ring, collect some stems in your garden then hang them to dry or stop by Les Fleurs to take a look at the variety of dried and preserved flowers and foliage we have in the shop. If you can’t make it to Andover, your local farmer’s market may offer a selection of dried bunches.

Here’s a simple tutorial on how to dry your own flowers:

Gather flowers in small bundles and tie them each together with an elastic band.
Turn upside-down and hang each bunch a few inches apart, preferably in a dry, dark room.
Let dry for 2-4 weeks and enjoy!

3. Stems in a Showpiece Vase

Another way to add a touch of fall to a room is with a showpiece vase. The simplest tip is to find beautiful stems like these burgundy maple leaves and prop them in a vintage container. Here we used an antique French demijohn bottle. Take a look around your home through the pieces you’ve collected – maybe you’ll find the perfect stoneware crock, vintage bottle or ironstone pitcher you can turn into a vessel for your dried fall display!