Text by Bethany Adams
Robbie Mahlman first dipped her toes into the world of Instagram in 2018, in the wake of a breast cancer diagnosis and a new role as an empty nester. Years later, things are looking brighter, and her creative outlet has blossomed into something beautiful, allowing her to share vibrant seasonal inspiration with her growing following. Take a few cues from a handful of her favorite fall porch displays and welcome the season with an extra touch of harvest cheer. To see more of Robbie’s décor, visit her on Instagram at @homehydrangea.
“For the front porch and the front door, wreaths are my biggest inspiration,” homeowner Robbie Mahlman says, noting she’s really only a fan of traditional options. She sources everywhere from small makers to big-box stores to her own creativity, and she often fashions the rest of the design around the wreath she’s using at the moment. When building your look from a focal piece, find items that will complement both its colors and textures well.
Robbie’s must-haves for a fall porch? “Pumpkins and mums,” she says. Rather than seek out particular pumpkin varieties, she looks for interesting and eye-catching options. “And once I select that, I build from there,” she says. Elegant white beauties or striped stunners like the American Tondo are fun companions for the ever-classic orange pumpkin.
Going against the flow when it comes to the advice of many designers, Robbie finds herself drawn to symmetry in her displays. Topiaries, stacked pumpkins, and colorful plants all come in pairs, creating a balanced path to the door.
While mums are a personal favorite of Robbie’s, she admits they’re fickle. Careful watering and deadheading are essential to helping mums flourish through the season. For added interest and a dash of originality, elements like coleus and heuchera—which come in a wide range of shades and textures—offer intriguing contrast with more traditional touches.
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