Fall Simmer Pot Recipes That Beat Any Candle
An orange, a few cinnamon sticks, some water on low heat. A fall simmer pot makes the whole house smell like October for about two dollars.

An orange, a few cinnamon sticks, some water on low heat. A fall simmer pot makes the whole house smell like October for about two dollars.

TV above the fireplace? Keep everything below the bottom edge of the screen. A low garland, small pumpkins, short candles. Nothing tall competes with the screen.

Kitchen fall decor belongs on the open shelf and the windowsill, never over the range. One garland, a few pieces of stoneware, a squash. That's the whole look.

The kitchen island is a work surface first. Put fall decor on one board or tray, so when you need the space, you lift it all off in one move.

Whatever's on the mantel usually ends up on the door a week later. This fall hoop wreath is just the mantel garland coiled onto a brass ring, with one velvet ribbon.

Fall living room decor peaks right about now, and most of it is too much. Here the season lives on one tray: a candle, a pumpkin, dried wheat and a book.

Candles in a row at one height look like a restaurant. Mix them: tall tapers in brass, short pillars on plates, tea lights in between.

Three short beeswax pillars on a wooden board. Slide it aside for homework, light it for dinner, and a Tuesday feels like an occasion.

Dry the oranges in a low oven for about three hours, then string them with bay leaves and cinnamon sticks. It smells good for weeks and goes on the Christmas tree in December.

Low enough to see over. That's the only real rule for fall table centerpieces, and a long dough bowl makes it almost automatic.