Pumpkin Pizzazz {Fall Decor} and a Dilemma

I'll confess: the nailhead pumpkins floating around the blogosphere this fall speak to me.  I first spied this one on Houzz several weeks ago.

by StrictlySimpleStyle

I added it to my Fall Decor Ideabook right away, (check out the entire ideabook in my sidebar), thinking this would be a cool and easy DIY.  I even went so far as to purchase and spray paint my victim pumpkin for the project.

Remember this larger pumpkin I scored at Wal Mart?

As the weeks ticked by though, I was seeing tons of monogrammed pumpkins all over the blogosphere.  I still liked the idea, but now I wanted something different.  This is where being a preschool teacher {with access to all kinds of die cuts and stencils} comes in handy. :)

Here's what I landed on, and I absolutely l-o-v-e it!

I used a die cut maple leaf, traced around it with a black pen and popped the silver upholstry tacks in place following my outline.  How simple is that?  At first I was worried the silver wouldn't show up against the caramel latte metallic paint, but it's the perfect amount of contrast.

I'm also loving the stem that I left as is: hints of green and a teeny bit of orange.  Try to ignore that little drip mark I missed somehow!

And here it is on it's perch, right at home. 

This little guy was part of set of three I scored at Target a few years back.  Only two have survived...actually one and a half.  This would be the one-- the only one that's fit to be seen at 360 degree angles.  One of the pitfalls of a house full of boys and men.  The antique books belonged to my grandmother.

The pedestal is a retired Southern Living at HOME product-- and a workhorse!  The silver tray was a gift from long ago.

My Fall coffee table vignette.  Simple but perfect.  Someday, I'll show you the whole room, but it's not quite there yet. :)

As for my next decor dilemma, enter my kitchen table.

 Speaking of workhorses!  I've had this table for almost 13 years.  It's the perfect size and shape for my breakfast are and it has a wonderful aged iron open bottom.   Sadly, the finish is in dire need of attention!

Yes, a certain little boy {who shall not remain nameless} practiced writing his name here.  With a somewhat sharp object.  He was also known as "Picasso" for a time when he was mastering his letter J with a crayon on the stairwell to the playroom.  Have one of those in your family? :-)

I've considered painting it, but I think I'll attempt a refinish first.  My kitchen wall color is about to change from a dated Tuscan gold to a nice neutral greige and I'm now thinking the (refurbished) wood finish will be perfect. 

I think a small part of me will miss the little gouges, initials, and craft paint smears.  I'm pretty sure there's some glitter embedded there, too.  A veritable scrapbook of the last 12 years in my kitchen. :)  What's your latest decor dilemma??

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Happy Decorating!