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The Wreath Coach

ORR LAKE COTTAGE

Layered furnishings for a midcentury cottage on Orr Lake: warm textiles, cushioned window seats and calm, light-filled bedrooms made for slow weekends. An interior decorating project by Vanessa Monardo.


  • Window seat with ochre cushions, a throw and a leafy indoor plant
  • Bedroom with white bedding, ochre cushions and a round wall mirror
  • Bed styled with layered brown and cream patterned cushions
  • Grey window bench with cream and ochre cushions above a black patterned rug
  • White mudroom with built-in bench, mirrors and black patterned floor tile
  • Grey sectional sofa styled with layered white and grey cushions
  • White bathroom vanity with a wide mirror and small potted plant
  • Bedroom with white bedding and mustard cushions on a grey upholstered bed
  • Bedroom with a black upholstered headboard, white duvet and bench
  • Another angle of a bedroom with a black headboard and white bedding
  • Turquoise bedroom with a grey bed and patterned bedding
  • Small attic bedroom with a grey bed, white bedding and bedside lamps
  • Bedroom with an exposed brick accent wall and neutral bedding
  • Second view of a bedroom with a brick wall and neutral bedding

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It’s chicken pot pie season – there’s no such thin It’s chicken pot pie season - there’s no such thing as left overs πŸ˜…
This pumpkin topiary might be my favourite fall pl This pumpkin topiary might be my favourite fall planter DIY πŸŽƒπŸŒΏ

I turned 3 simple foam pumpkins, a copper pipe and a few supplies into a custom stacked pumpkin feature for our @miraclegrocanada fall planter.

It’s such an easy way to add height, personality and a little whimsy to your fall containers β€” and you can reuse the topiary year after year!

Comment DIY PUMPKIN for the full video tutorial!
Sometimes your new fall decor is just waiting for Sometimes your new fall decor is just waiting for you right outside! πŸ‚πŸŽƒ

I found the perfect little pumpkin stack and decided to add a little extra flair using what I already had on hand. I grabbed some floral wire and created tiny crowns from the crunchy leaves on my lawn. 🍁

I tucked a larger crown between the largest and medium pumpkin, then a smaller one between the medium and small pumpkinβ€”and voilΓ ! The cutest whimsical fall pumpkin stack, with no extra plastic decor needed.

Sometimes the best finishing touches are right in your own backyard. 🀎
Starting early means you’re much more likely to ge Starting early means you’re much more likely to get the holiday decor you actually want! πŸŽ„βœ¨

These are some of my favourites β€” and I know several of them sold out last year. They’re just too good to risk missing!

If you see something you love, I’d grab it now rather than waiting until the holiday rush. 🎁

Comment β€œHOLIDAY BUYS” and I’ll send you all the links! πŸ‘‡πŸ»
If you’re decorating your front porch for fall, th If you’re decorating your front porch for fall, this is your sign to head to Pingles! πŸ‚πŸŽƒ

Their fall porch packages make decorating so easy, with two sizes to choose from depending on the size of your porch β€” small or large.

We grabbed the large package, which came with super tall cornstalks, a hay bale, gorgeous mums and some of the biggest pumpkins! πŸ™ŒπŸ» Plus, there are lots of extras you can add to customize your package even more.

We loaded it all up, brought it home and styled our front porch for the perfect fall look! 🍁

Want to see the full package, more details and how we styled our porch? Comment β€œPORCH PACKAGE” and I’ll send you the link to the full video! πŸ‘‡πŸ»
Works like a charm! I’ve spray it on and around Works like a charm! 

I’ve spray it on and around my 
Pumpkins πŸŽƒ 
Cornstalks 🌿 
And even plants! πŸͺ΄ (especially spring bulbs) and it keeps them away! No harm done βœ”οΈ
πŸ‚ Come with me to Pingle’s Farm for the ultimate f πŸ‚ Come with me to Pingle’s Farm for the ultimate fall day!

The Harvest Festival is in full swing, and there is SO much to see, eat and do. From the sea of mums, cabbages and fall plants to the pick-your-own flower fields, sunflower patch and wagon ride, it’s such a beautiful way to spend a fall day.

And the food… 😍 From the cutest sugar cookies to a caramel apple coffee topped with a deep-fried apple hand pie β€” I was very well fed πŸ˜‚πŸŽ

If you’re planning a visit, here’s what’s happening right now:

πŸŽƒ The Pumpkin Patch opens September 26! Traditional pumpkins will be available for picking in the field, plus 15+ varieties of specialty pumpkins available for purchase.

🌸 The cut flower fields are still looking beautiful and should have another week or so, but they can change quickly depending on the weather β€” so visit soon!

🍎 PYO apples are in full swing, with 8–9 varieties currently available for picking, and over 10 varieties throughout the season as they become available.

πŸ“ Fall strawberries are also in full swing!

πŸ“ Pingle’s Farm Market
1805 Taunton Rd, Hampton, ON L0B 1J0

Save this for your next fall outing! πŸ‚

Watch our full video tour - comment β€˜Pingles Day’  for the link! 

#PinglesFarm #HarvestFestival #Applepicking #OntarioFall #PumpkinPatch
A fiery autumn design πŸ‚πŸ”₯ A rich mix of burnt oran A fiery autumn design πŸ‚πŸ”₯

A rich mix of burnt orange and moody maroon, layered with Japanese forest grass, feathery celosia, vibrant magnolia and deep-toned petunias for a fall display that feels dramatic, warm and full of texture.

The perfect combination to carry your planters beautifully through the fall season.
Fall Festivities πŸ‚πŸŽƒπŸŒΏ Outfit links comment β€˜FALL S Fall Festivities πŸ‚πŸŽƒπŸŒΏ

Outfit links comment β€˜FALL SKIRT’
Simmer pot season is so here, and for an easy tran Simmer pot season is so here, and for an easy transition from summer to fall try this clean and fresh combo 

πŸ‹Lemon Slices 
πŸ’œLavender Sprigs 4-6 or more depending how strong your like it 
🌿Rosemary sprigs (add more as desired) 

For the link to the full video and this cute little simmer pot comment SIMMER LINK
The summer months are great for installing planter The summer months are great for installing planters and working outdoors but once that crisp air hits and the transition to holiday decorating starts ouff it is not for the faint of heart!
The trick to making your pumpkins and gourds last The trick to making your pumpkins and gourds last longer outside? It’s really all in the prep work. πŸŽƒ

Here are a few things I do to help prevent premature rotting:

1. **Start with firm pumpkins & gourds.**
 If they already have soft spots, signs of damage, or mold, they’re not going to last nearly as long.

2. **Clean them first.**
 Remove dirt and debris with water, then disinfect the surface with a diluted bleach solution or white vinegar to help reduce surface mold and bacteria.

3. **Add a protectant.**
 You can also use a product like Wilt-Pruf to help protect the surface and extend their decorative life.

4. **Keep them off the ground.**
 Try placing pumpkins and gourds on wood, a riser, or another dry surface rather than directly on soil or concrete. Less moisture underneath = less opportunity for rot!

A little prep work can make a BIG difference in how long your fall display lasts. πŸ‚πŸŽƒ
I know, I know… we literally just hit the first da I know, I know… we literally just hit the first day of fall. πŸ˜‚ But as a professional who works in holiday decorating, the ONE thing I’ve learned is that being proactive is the best way to make sure you actually get what you want for the holidays.

The good stuff starts coming out NOW. And if you wait until November or December to start shopping, there’s a very real chance your favourite pieces, colours, greenery and decor will already be gone.

And if you’re ordering online? Don’t forget about extended shipping times as we get closer to Christmas.

So consider this your sign: **plan now. Order now. Book now.**

Future you will be VERY happy when December rolls around and you’re enjoying the holidays instead of frantically trying to find everything you need. πŸ˜‰πŸŽ„
Unpopular opinion: **BUY THE MUMS.** πŸ˜‚πŸŒΈ I keep se Unpopular opinion: **BUY THE MUMS.** πŸ˜‚πŸŒΈ

I keep seeing designers saying, β€œDon’t buy mums… they’re just going to die anyway.”

Respectfully… I disagree. πŸ™ƒ

Mums are a fall staple for a reason. They give you BIG colour, instant curb appeal, and that cozy fall feeling. And if they make you happy? Buy the dang mums. πŸ‚

The problem isn’t the mums β€” it’s that a lot of people don’t know how to care for them properly.

With the right care, you can keep your mums looking beautiful for weeks and enjoy them all season long.

So I want to know… are you pro-mum or anti-mum? πŸ‘€πŸ‘‡
Looking for a fresh fall arrangement combo? Try th Looking for a fresh fall arrangement combo? Try this! πŸ‚

Dinosaur kale brings such a fun texture, with a cool blue-green undertone that adds a softer feel to a traditional fall palette.

Coral bells add depth with their dark, fluttering leaves, while purple ornamental peppers give a modern twist to the traditional reds, yellows and oranges we usually see this time of year.

The salmon mums bring in a fresh pop of colour that pairs beautifully with the deep purple, and the celosia adds even more texture. While celosia is often vibrant and bold, this muted shade feels calm and unexpected for fall.

And to tie everything together, this cabbage picks up on the cool blue undertone of the kale, with subtle purple veining that echoes the coral bells.

A little colour theory goes a long way when creating a planter that feels intentional. πŸŒΏπŸ‚
The perfect fall centerpiece for your planters πŸŽƒπŸ‚ The perfect fall centerpiece for your planters πŸŽƒπŸ‚

We turned a few foam pumpkins and a copper pipe into this fun pumpkin topiary, then filled each pumpkin with Miracle-Gro Potting Mix before planting a mix of pansies, cabbage and mums.

I love using a good potting mix as the foundation for my seasonal planters β€” it helps give everything a great start while creating that full, cozy fall look I’m after. 🀎

A little creativity, a mix of seasonal plants and the right foundation can completely transform a planter!
Burgundy and wine for fall πŸ‚ Comment BURGUNDY FA Burgundy and wine for fall πŸ‚ 

Comment BURGUNDY FALL for the links
It’s fall- the concept is the more pumpkins the be It’s fall- the concept is the more pumpkins the better πŸ˜‰
Fall is here at @lazar.bakery πŸ‚ Fall is here at @lazar.bakery πŸ‚
Searching for fun new items to put into our fall p Searching for fun new items to put into our fall planters is always a must! Fall is a great time to start mixing in faux items to make your planters pop that much more! 

Here are some favs I’ve found this year! Comment FALL FLORALS for some links to everything I bought!
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A little seasonal inspiration.

Planter ideas, practical tips and new collections from Vanessa.

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