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A Touch Of Grace

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By B.C. MANION | The Tampa Tribune,

Published: October 19, 2007

It may not say fall outside, but it's easy enough to shout it inside.

Pick up a basket of live chrysanthemums to sit by the front door — they're inexpensive and available in all their flaming glory at local garden centers.

Take down the painting that hangs all year in the foyer and replace it temporarily with a graphic print of golden fall leaves.

Burn a spice-scented candle.

"Changing decor doesn't have to be hard and does not have to be expensive — just use your imagination," says Pamela Valentine, boutique specialist for Robb & Stucky Interiors at International Plaza in Tampa.

"If I were setting a fall table now, and I wanted to do something fairly quickly, I'd probably go down to the fabric store and I'd buy myself some really shimmery rust and gold ribbons, and I'd tie them up to make napkin rings. And I'd take some leaves from a craft store and just throw them up in the air and let them fall where they will."

The hot home decor trends work perfectly for fall decorating. Bring the outside in with botanical patterns, knobby textures such as wood and colors borrowed from nature, suggest the interior designers and industry experts who map trends for Levolor Kirsch.

Sage and olive are good autumn colors, Valentine says. "When you add a little chocolate or you add a little harvest gold to your sage, right away you have an autumn palette."

Poke around in the backs of closets and cabinets. You may find pieces you forgot about you can put to use in new and unusual ways, Valentine says.

"Take a nice piece of pottery. Fill it with apples or pears. Not only does it look good and say fall, but it makes the house smell good."

A foyer floor mat, entry lighting, guest towels and wood accent pieces can help set a tone for fall, says Laura Daily, vice president of merchandising for Ballard Designs, which has a store at International Plaza.

Graceful touches are more effective than a full-on Indian corn and scarecrow assault, warns Jason Iacovino, manager of HomeGoods in Brandon.

"You don't have to redecorate the whole room," he says. "Keep it simple."

Here are a few items available locally to help kick-start your autumn.

Harvest Table Setting

Shimmering gold paired with cream is an elegant fall look for the table. This setting includes a gold leaf mat ($45) and napkin ring ($20). The Capiz Shell charger ($50) sets off a gold embellished salad plate ($280 for four) and ceramic pieces ($9 to $21 each).

Robb & Stucky Interiors, International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa

Gold Leaf Garland

For a simple, outdoorsy flourish, drape this leafy garland ($40) around a footboard, along stairway banisters or on a mantel.

Robb & Stucky Interiors, International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa

Wreath Centerpiece

Warm rusts and golds with a touch of green quickly add autumn color to the dining room ($16.99). Add candles and you can pretend you're warding off a crisp October chill.

HomeGoods, 1945 Lumsden Road, Brandon

Go Gourd Crazy

Nature-inspired gourds of straw, woods and silks add a stylish twist to decor purchased in the produce section of the supermarket ($12.99 to $29.99).

HomeGoods, 1945 Lumsden Road, Brandon

Twig Tray and Spheres

Three wooden spheres resting in a twig tray made from birch and willow, fashioned to resemble a bird's nest, effectively bring the outdoors in. The hollow balls are made of polished shesham wood and come in a set of three ($39.50). The trays also come in a set of three, with the largest having a diameter of 191/2 inches ($89.50).

Ballard Designs, International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa

West Lake Table Lamp

Warm up the living room with a lamp crafted from hardwood and topped with a cream linen shade ($289). It can accommodate a three-way lightbulb.

Ballard Designs, International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 259-7150 or bmanion@tampatrib.com.

HOLIDAY TABLE TOUR

WHAT: Pamela Valentine of Robb & Stucky Interiors will share advice for holiday decorating and show off a "Fall Dinner for Four," "Hanukkah Table for Six," cozy "Christmas Morning for Four" and intimate "New Year's Eve for Two."

WHEN: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. today

WHERE: Robb & Stucky Interiors, International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa

HOW MUCH: Free; reserve a spot by calling (813) 319-6707.

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