Design Hints

Invite the fall season onto your property with a leafy tableau like the one that marks Cindy and Brit Hancock's front door in Petal, Mississippi. Follow Cindy's guidance to get the vibe, which fuses real and faux elements.

1. Cut a small tree or long branch that can arch over your entry, and secure it against the exterior wall. Drill holes into the wood's upper portion and insert thin branches until you reach the desired fullness. Tuck gold and orange leaf picks into the branches.

2. Hang a pair of matching lanterns on brackets and top one with faux leaves and a loopy bow. Insert battery-operated pillar candles that have a built-in timer for automatic atmosphere at dusk.

3. Dress the front door with a wreath of artificial leaves dotted with pinecones, and lay a pumpkin-themed mat on the floor. Surround potted chrysanthemums with pumpkins of varying colors and textures. Prop the front row of pumpkins on their sides for textural interest.