fall, front door, door, fall decor, door decor, home decor

A few weeks ago I asked my local followers if any of them would like me to photograph their front door decorated for the fall season. Only a few replied, and one of those was Tina, an early and consistent follower of The Front Door Project.

Tina lives in Waterbury, CT with her husband Don, about half an hour from West Hartford. She and I have communicated for quite some time now so I was more than happy to make the trip to see what kind of door she had in store for me. Little did I know the treat that awaited me.

gardening, landscape design, home decor, garden
This chair looks so inviting with its pillow and cozy blanket throw.

When I pulled into the driveway the rich purple door came into focus right away. The vibrant hue was striking against the oranges and golds of fall with her creative arrangement of planted urns and door decor. Tina came outside to join me as I began to photograph her door.

I immediately began to appreciate Tina’s imagination as I realized that she created the door decor herself with a wire basket full of natural elements from around her yard which she freshens up periodically throughout the season. The urn plantings are store-bought, but she added the cornstalk fringe “skirt” to add further interest – who would have thought?!

pumpkin decorating, pumpkin, fall, fall decor, fall decorating
Pumpkin decorated for fall with coordinating purple paint.

As I finished photographing the door and she and I continued to talk, I started to notice other charming elements in her front yard. According to Tina, her yard and garden are no different from her interior spaces and she ensures that no matter where you look there is something to see.

With her education and work experience in interior design, she applies the same techniques as she does inside by creating outdoor vignettes composed of different elements, such as plants, furniture and statuary.

mums, daisies, gardening, garden design, flowers
Joyful daisies still blooming in fall partner with rich rust colored mums.

A self-proclaimed expert at DIY, Tina is no stranger to living on a budget and thinks that good design is accessible to everyone with smart shopping and creativity. Those fancy green pumpkins that are so trendy these days? Tina painted an orange one green and called it a day. You would never know the difference!

Her entire yard is covered in a carpet of orange leaves and pine needles contributing to the overall effect. Adirondack chairs painted in different colors are sprinkled about the property just begging you to take a seat.

planter, statuary, garden, garden design, fall decor, fall, flowers
This little girl overlooks the garden. Mums look sweet in the little terra-cotta planter.

Even though some plants are past their prime, somehow it all works together seamlessly to create the perfect seasonal display. Dried plants look sculptural against the brighter green leaves of the daisies and the brightly colored mums.

We continued our conversation in Tina’s kitchen, warming up a bit with our second cup of coffee for the day. As I scanned the room, my eyes leapt from one display to the next. Tina has a way of combining sets of everyday objects that somehow elevates them to art.

bench, garden, garden design, vignette, mums
A time-worn garden bench holds a display including a brick with her husbands initials.

Tina’s husband Don made an appearance, and as he entered the kitchen Tina introduced him as her “miracle man”. She explained that he had just returned to work after an extended absence due to a cancer diagnosis.

Out of work for well over two years during treatment and recovery, Tina and Don are both happy to be getting back to some semblance of normal. He hopes to put in his last few years before retirement without further disruption, although Tina has a way to go before she can join him.

fall, adirondack chair, pumpkin, fall decor
Painted Adirondack chairs provide a perfect contrast to the orange carpet of leaves.

Tina likes to jump in the car and go exploring (sounds familiar!) and oftentimes Don joins her. One of her favorite spots to escape to is Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield, CT, a quiet and peaceful place to walk and enjoy the scenery as well as the Cotswald-like architecture of the former estate on the property.

She has dreams of growing her interior design business Creative Design Group, finishing some of those home improvement projects that were put on hold due to Don’s illness and ultimately having the time to see and do more when she retires down the road.

screen door, porch, door, fall decor
Charming porch entry with more fall decor and the sound of bubbling water from the wall fountain.

Meeting Tina and Don reminds me that a house is much more than its front door. It is the people inside that bring a house to life.

Tina has a gift with her eye for arranging things and an infectious energy for “getting things done”, but she and Don are also a powerful example of a couple surviving tough times and moving forward together to achieve their goals. I’m grateful to have met them!


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10 Comments

  1. Hi Deb, as usual, you did a great job with this post and the photos are great! I am honored and humbled by your kind words and, that without even taking notes, you remembered so many details! You truly have a gift for this! I do love sharing our little piece of paradise with folks, so glad you enjoyed it! Many thanks to the lovely ladies that commented on our place too!

    1. Thank you so much Tina! It was a great experience for me both to get to know you and to wander around your garden. I can only imagine what it must look like in the spring and summer! When I came to visit I was just intending to take a photo of your door and chat for a bit, but I couldn’t resist doing something more when I saw everything else!

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