Fall Door Decor

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This little bit of Fall Door Decor that I'm sharing with you today is a part of this month's Thrifty Style Team series. And y'all...this entire piece cost me all of $2.99. Ca-ching! Sometimes the thrift store treats me well, and the day I found this old fishing basket was a good one. See how I put together this fall door decor below.

If you're a big fan of the Ballard Designs catalog (I've been reading it since college), then you may have seen a door basket before. They have their own Adirondack Hanging Basket which is around $79. But, I was delighted to create my own for less than $5 with this creel-style basket, paint, and an old wreath that I pulled apart. Fall door decor doesn't have to be costly to be cute. Come see how this thing came together below (you've got to see its before photo). I've got all of my friends' projects linked at the bottom of the post, too.

Fall Door Decor

Truth be told, I had my previous fall wreath in circulation since 2001 (I have a photo of it in the middle of this post). I remember creating it for my little condo that I lived in as a single gal shortly after graduating from college. It's moved five times, had ribbon and extra doodads added to it and taken off of it, and survived a lot of windy Texas front porches. But, its time had come...to move on along to that great wreath heaven in the sky. No worries, I pulled everything off of it (that wasn't faded or falling apart) to re-suse (like any good, thrifty, southern woman does time and time again with old crafts). 

And from that tired, old (falling apart) fall wreath, this new front door basket was born. So, I'm good for at least another 15 years in the fall door decor department, right?

I did add a couple of sprigs of leaves into the mix. I had them leftover from who-knows-what from last fall. I also added in the burnt orange table runner for even more texture (it was purchased for something else entirely and it didn't work out the way I had hoped). The burlap leaves were from my 2016 Christmas Living Room Decor (both on my mantel and tucked into my Christmas tree). You see y'all, craft hoarding always pays off in one way or another. If I could just convince the four guys in my house of that fact.

But this little fishing basket (pictured above in its original state) was where it all started. Lately, the Salvation Army Thrift Store is my go-to for thirfting goodness. They never disappoint. I actually went in that day with the sole purpose of finding a project for this month's Thrifty Style Team series. This basket was high on a shelf, but I knew immediately that it was coming home with me. 

Redoing a Classic

It seems as though this particular basket was always just for decor, and not actual fish (whew!). I started by removing the lid, the fish tassel and the leather straps. I discarded all but the straps. 

From there, it was pretty easy. I just gave it a quick coat of Waverly's Chalk Paint (in Agave). This is my go-to chalk paint. You can see how I painted my kitchen table and chairs with it, too. The chalk paint worked perfectly since it required minimal prep.

After the paint had dried, I hot glued the leather straps back into place. I didn't weave the top one, as it had originally been done. The one on the Ballard Designs site didn't have weaving, and I was trying to duplicate that look. Plus, weaving is time consuming on a basket like this. I also placed the buckle on the front of the basket, because I really liked how it looked. It was originally placed to the back of the basket.

I thought about sanding the piece a bit, but the actual basket was a bit thin and I worried I would've destroyed it in the process. 

My Original Fall Door Decor

Above, in all its autumnal glory, is my 18-year-old wreath that I'd faithfully hung all that time. It honestly wasn't terrible. But all of those berries? They used to be a bright orange and red hue. Some are completely grey now. Even though I didn't use the bow on the fishing basket, I did save it, too...because leopard print, y'all. Everything else was pulled off and put in the new basket (except for the faded berries).

A little hot glue and floral wire went a long way to secure everything in place. 

I really wanted the aqua color to be a nice contrast to all of the oranges that were going into the basket. Plus, I think it will be pretty for a spring door piece, too. 

I added the orange burlap ribbon to hang the basket on, too. I had it in my stash, so again, no cost. I do like to hang my wreaths and front door pieces on Command Hooks. I prefer this Outdoor Bronze Metal Hook from Amazon. It's been on my door for over three years and is still going strong. 

What do you think? Would you ever use an alternate to a wreath on your front door?

And, as usual, my Thrifty Style Team friends have some fantastic (mostly fall-related posts and ideas for you). Be sure to check them all out through the links below.

• Thrifty Spooky Halloween Corner from Redhead Can Decorate
• Framed Mirror Tray from 2 Bees in a Pod
• Step Stool Makeover from Bliss Ranch
• Fall Leaf Candleholders from Chatfield Court
• Thrifty Homemade Candles from Cottage at the Crossroads
• Painting an Antique Cabinet in a Bold Blue from DIY Beautify
• Fall Crafts Using Spray Paint from Duke Manor Farm
• Fishing Basket Turned Fall Door Decor from I Should Be Mopping the Floor
• DIY Hanging Basket from a Placemat from Jennifer Rizzo
• DIY Watercolor Sheet Music Leaves from Postcards from the Ridge
• Tomato Cage Pumpkin from Salvage Sister and Mister
• Embroidery Hoop Halloween Wreath from The Creek Line House
• Vintage Kitchen Counter Step Stool Makeover from The DIY Village
• Halloween Letter Board Ghost from The How To Home
• DIY Halloween Candy Dispenser with Jack O' Lantern Eyes Printable from Unskinny Boppy
• Simple Eucalyptus Garland from What Meegan Makes