Fall for Romance

This farm cottage in Utah combines fall farmhouse staples with romantic flair for a signature look.

- JILLIAN CHAPMAN

Every home can be a farmhouse haven-even if you don't live on a working farm. That's the case for Emily Traxler, homeowner and blogger at Le Cultivateur. Emily has spent years transforming her suburban home into the space of her dreams. "It was so fun to envision what this house could one day be," she says.

The home is a new build, so Emily knew she needed to add her own style to the builder-grade space. She had a lot of room to add her own flair and make the ambience feel homey. To keep from feeling overwhelmed, Emily has worked at a slow and steady space, transforming each room with DIY projects and her signature aesthetic of farmhouse with romantic cottage touches. "As I created the spaces I liked, I became more confident and daring with my décor," she says.

FALL ENTERTAINING TIPS

Use Emily's top three tips for creating an enjoyable outdoor fall gathering.

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE. Planning any event can cause stress, but keeping the elements simple can help keep it to a minimum. "I like to keep things easy," Emily says. "I don't want to spend so much time and stress getting ready that I don't get to enjoy the actual time together." Some ideas include having the food catered, enlisting guests to bring sides, or using everyday tableware so you don't have to dig out the fancy dishes.