The Magic of Fall

This DIYed Idaho home has the perfect blend of rich tones, vintage finds and soft textures for the autumn months.

- EMILY IRBY

Sometimes you can find your dream home. Other times, you have to build it. That was the case for blogger Emily Barlow of Handmade Farmhouse. When she and her husband Shaun began their search for the perfect home, they wanted one where they could put down roots and raise their three children amid plenty of open space in Pocatello, Idaho. But they found little success on the housing market. "We were looking for a home and didn't have any luck finding one, so we decided to build it," Emily says.

Fortunately, Shaun has experience in construction, and after long days and nights of hard work over the course of 20 months, they had a finished home that was suited to their exact needs, built with their own hands. "We didn't roof it, and we didn't lay the foundation, but everything else we did ourselves," Emily says.

THE PERFECT BASE

Many of Emily's design choices continue to pay off as she decorates her home through the changing seasons. Her kitchen has a crisp white base for her vintage farmhouse décor, which allows her to easily redecorate as the days get chillier. She brings in rich warm tones and seasonal produce, such as displays of pumpkins from her own garden patch and bright red apples picked by her and her children from local orchards. "I wanted something that would remain neutral," Emily says. "I can switch out décor and flowers or add pillows, chair cushions and runners to add bold colors for the holiday season."

DECORATING WITH PUMPKINS

Five tips for decorating with fall's finest natural ornament.

1. USE AS CENTERPIECES. A large pumpkin (or several) in the middle of your tablescape anchors the look and provides a beautiful base for arranging the rest of your décor around the main attraction.