Sunshine & Farmhouse

This tablescape draws inspiration from sunflowers to celebrate the final days of summer while looking ahead to fall.

- MICHELLE MASTRO

As summer sun wanes and the air turns crisp, sunflowers become the perfect bloom for farmhouse style. Sheila Trapp of Simple Joy at Home uses the flower plentifully in her September tablescapes. With a design perspective rooted in farmhouse, Sheila likes to blend the natural vibes of cottage and French country style, peppering her home with what she sees growing outside: sunflowers.

In September, Sheila grows sunflowers in her cut-flower garden. She then pulls these into bountiful bouquets that she places around her house. Sheila also mixes real flowers with faux to ensure her work lasts several months. "Sunflowers are great for September because they look back at summer as we head toward fall," she says. "I like all the golden hues-they make it feel like summer isn't quite over yet."