Looking for easy and simple fall decorating ideas? Here are some creative ways to decorate your space for fall in minutes.
This is what the office looked like when we moved back to the house.
This is where it all began.
That wood desk has heard it all. My stories. My laughter. My tears.
Whenever I had a problem or exciting news or when I just wanted to talk, I’d walk into my dad’s study and plop down across from him on the other side of this desk and share my heart.
I remember when I was sixteen and started my first job at Dairy Queen. I wanted to quit after the first day. I dumped a Blizzard on someone’s car in the drive-through and my ice cream fell off the cone and my apron was not cute and I was sticky and dirty and tired.
I walked into this office and announced I was quitting.
I was done.
I was finished.
My father looked at me over the top of his glasses with a twinkle in his eye and told me something I’ve never forgotten.
“When the going gets tough–the tough get going.”
I’m not sure I’m tough.
But guess what? I’m still going.
I’m still growing and learning new things (like crocheting) and DIY’ing and creating and painting and decorating.
So, in honor of the desk and all the stories it has to tell?
I thought it would be fun to add a little fall to this blue and white space.
// spindle side table // spindle chairs // blue and white rug // similar blue and white curtains //
Just in case you read this blog and you want to picture where I am when I write all my books and stories?
See that chair behind the desk?
(total aside: can I thank you one more time for talking me out of painting that desk?)
Picture a person with a messy bun and glasses and empty coffee mugs, typing away on a laptop.
And now? It’s ready for fall.
// similar blue and white curtains // fall ficus tree //
I didn’t really change up much.
But I decided I had to do something.
The rest of the house is so fall and then I’d walk in here and it felt like July. Do you ever feel like that? Do you add fall all over the house or just in one room?
Me?
It’s like I only plan on decorating the front porch. And then? Somehow, fall and pumpkins and orange and things that smell like apple cider work their way into my heart.
// hooked pumpkin pillow // white spindle chair // blue and white rug // similar blue and white curtains //
There’s a lot of blue and white going on in here and I thought a little bit of orange might pop it out and make it feel a little more like fall.
Look at that pumpkin pillow.
I try and add one fun pillow each season and this one was the winner.
// hooked pumpkin pillow // white spindle chair //
Here’s a close-up of it.
I love punch needle pillows like this. They are just fancier than other pillows—like that cousin who shows up to the family reunion telling everyone how they made it big in cryptocurrency.
The pumpkin pillow is so cute and it’s smaller (10″ x 10″) so it’s the perfect little accent pillow to tuck next to a bigger pillow like this one.
// hooked pumpkin pillow // white spindle chair // blue and white rug // similar blue and white curtains //
// blue and white rug //
This blue and white rug is having a moment.
Look at that pattern.
Remember when I found it and couldn’t decide between the rug in the front room and this rug, so I kept them both and designed the entire office around it? This rug has traveled around the house, and it’s back in the office now.
You all helped me with that decision, too.
What would I do without you?
You can see the blue and white rug here.
// fall ficus tree //
I moved the fall ficus tree from the front room into here to replace the fiddle leaf fig I had here originally and moved that to the front room.
Then I added a few pumpkins and some leaves and that’s it.
Signed, sealed, delivered.
My office is ready for fall.
In retrospect, do you know how happy I am that I didn’t quit my summer job at Dairy Queen?
At the time, it was so hard.
I stood at the counter and watched out the window as my friends drove by on the way to the lake and over to the pool and to parties on those long-ago summer afternoons.
All while I wore an apron and mopped floors and served hamburgers.
But truth?
My dad was so right. Sticking to something you committed to makes you so much stronger. I am the person I am today because of that Dairy Queen summer.
And when the going got tough?
The tough made Blizzards. 🙂
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.
Am I right? I think you added more colors to those 2 gorgeous paintings between the windows! Like more red/rust… and I love it! Much more versatile now than just the bold pink- which I loved- that they were! Always creatively amazing!!
Where did you get the basket that your tree is in? Is it just a straw trash can..I just got a fall maple tree that I put in the sun room and I love it.....
I got it at Magnollia several years ago! They don't have it anymore now in sad news!
I start and think-"I think I'll do less this year" and then the Gods of Fall kind of take over and I do fall in every room...sigh...and then de-Fall just in time for Christmas where I am also going to "do a little less this year"...Yeah-this tough old broad just keeps going...lol. Your office looks lovely--just right and I am so glad you didn't paint the desk although I am a furniture painter, too. xo Diana
It looks so pretty KariAnne. I did less fall decor this year than ever. And I am ready to put it away already. I haven't been myself for about 8 months. Can't shake it. But hopefully Christmas will bring something back for me. Happy Thursday.
Beautiful office! Remodeling and looking for semi flush light fixtures. I believe you have the same one I have been admiring. Can you confirm if it’s Possini Euro Design Modern Ceiling Light Semi Flush Mount Fixture Brushed Nickel 18" Wide Sheer Silver Double Drum? If not, I be grateful if you would provide the information. Thank you!
Yes! That’s the light fixture! I got it at Lamps Plus!
Love this story! I know your dad would be so amazed by the office now. You have done so many things to keep your family’s story alive in this beautiful place. There’s no better legacy to leave for your kids!
Good for you for sticking it out at Dairy Queen. That says alot about who you are today,GO GIRL!
Your office is the sweetest office I have ever seen. It’s so happy and full of life!! Just like you, KariAnne!
Lol we've all had those first day disasters. Mine was getting robbed at the convenience store. Did I quit? no I had tougher days yet to come including a rape. I'm here now stronger mentally than ever at 62.
Btw blue and orange go perfectly together.
I'm sorry that both traumatic experiences that you mentioned happened to you.
You are so strong! I’m so sorry for both of these traumatic experiences. You are such an inspiration!
Welcome to McDonalds may I take your order! My bestie worked across the street at DQ and we compared stories! love the office and i remember i weighed in on that desk! happy friday! Sunshine here in colorado!
KariAnne, you continue to add sunshine to my days and inspire me with your talents. I've become a minimalist when it comes to decorating for the seasons/holidays. You have helped me to pare it down by just adding touches of the season here and there. The pops of Fall colors make me happy! I love your blue and white pumpkin! Could you possibly provide a link for that?? Thank you!
The sweetest post with the prettiest office! Always love your writing, friend!
Your office is a very pretty Fall room. Our memories are the best and yours was a sweet story, thank for sharing.
Ooh, pretty. So, whatcha crocheting????
KariAnne, your office is so pretty with all your touches of fall! How precious are your memories of all the words of wisdom that flowed from behind that desk! I'm sure that each time you sit at your desk, you are thankful to God for your Dad. Your precious Dad was your hero. I love the bond between a Dad and a daughter -- so special and so precious! How I cherish the precious memories I have of my dear and precious Dad.
Blizzards you say? I will take a mini Turtle Pecan Cluster every time. lol. Lovely touches of fall that you've added in your office....
Your office is quite pretty and the fall touches are nice. I wonder if you ever thought of a rug and some other items that would bring more of the desk color into the room. The desk is a wonderful memory, but it is just sitting there like an island in all that blue and white...sometimes another perspective can bring ideas.
I pulled out 8 totes of fall decor. I went through each one and now have only 2 totes! It is only me and hubby now so I kept our favorite things for inside and out. It looks very pretty and easier for me to manage as I get older! Big Hugs
Karianne, Your dad was undoubtedly sweet and understanding. He raised a lovely daughter (along with the help of your mom). 😉 I was in on the voting of whether to paint the desk or not. I'm happy you didn't. It looks wonderful amid the blue and white. 😊💕 Karen B.
It all looks so pretty and so happy! It’s just perfect.
Dairy Queen was my absolute favorite treat as a kid. Sometimes on Friday nights, my parents would get us DQ. I always had a chocolate shake. Now my husband and I go, especially when we're on car trips. He gets a blizzard and I get a chocolate shake. Why mess with perfection? By the way, my parents loved to tell the story about the night there was a banana split special. It was super busy and in the rush, one of the girls behind the counter dropped a banana by mistake. But she had had a bad night, apparently, because she just kicked that banana across the floor as hard as she could. We still laugh about that. Good for you for sticking with it, even on hard days. And good for your dad for those wise words. By the way, what is the link for the branches? I know you've posted it before...I seriously love them! LeAnne
You are so sweet! The branches are all sold out! I'm so sorry! I got them at Hobby Lobby and they may have them at your local store! And we still go to that same Dairy Queen where I used to work all those years ago! Can you believe it? KariAnne