Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out
  • Design Ideas
  • Entertaining
  • Outdoor/Garden
  • Lifestyle
  • C&B Project House
  • Shopping
  • Brand Ambassador
  • Wish List
45K
314K
15K
Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out
Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out
  • Design Ideas
  • Entertaining
  • Outdoor/Garden
  • Lifestyle
  • C&B Project House
  • Shopping
  • Brand Ambassador
  • Wish List
White, dried pumpkins and gourds displayed as home decor.
  • Crafts
  • Design Ideas

How to Dry Pumpkins and Gourds

  • November 5, 2019
  • Written and Photographed by Melinda Graham
Total
148
Shares
23
0
125

Pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn are the calling cards of autumn. These signs of the harvest have been widely used as decorations throughout history. Big orange pumpkins on the porch, brightly colored dried yellow corn hanging on the door and bowls of green gourds on the dining room table are all vibrant and lovely, but what if those colors don’t suit your décor? Here’s an easy way to dry pumpkins and keep the tradition alive while maintaining your personal style.

Wire cage filled with dried, cream colored pumpkins placed around a cottage as decor next to a shelf and an urn of dried flowers.
Find creative ways to display them in your cottage, like this metal cage to show them as a collection.

Drying Gourds:

1. Rinse off dirt and debris from the gourd, then disinfect the rind with a diluted bleach solution or distilled vinegar. Wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Find a dark, cool, dry and well-ventilated place to dry the gourds (damp rooms can cause the gourds to rot). Place them on a wire drying rack for proper air circulation, making sure the gourds do not touch. If possible, use fans to dry them more efficiently.
3. You can speed up the drying time by piercing the bottom of the gourds with a nail or a small drill bit. Place a paper or plastic sheet below the drying rack to protect the floor from drippings. Rotate the gourds from time to time and inspect them for signs of mold. Discard any gourds that begin to show signs of rot.
4. The gourds have dried completely when you hear seeds rattling inside when you shake them. The entire process can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the type of gourd and the air conditions.

White, dried pumpkins and gourds displayed as home decor.
Place them all over the house as a cohesive element that grounds the space.

Painting Gourds:

1. Gourds are fragile when dry and should be handled with care.
2. Gently sand the shell of the gourd with steel wool. Clean with a dry cloth or remove dust with a clean, dry paintbrush. Fill any nail holes with a tiny amount of spackle. Allow to dry, then gently sand and wipe clean.
3. For a natural look, paint the exterior with a clear, matte polyurethane paint or spray paint.
4. For a shabby-cottage look, paint the entire surface with a coat of matte, cream acrylic paint or house paint. Let dry then lightly white-wash using a pure white paint. Let dry, then sand the surface for a “distressed” appearance.

Crafting station for drying and decorating pumpkins steel wool, hammer, nails and paint brushes.
Gather up your tools in one place and get crafty.

Tips to remember:

1. It is important to display gourds in a dry place. If introduced to moisture (like in a bathroom or outdoors) they could rot.
2. Store dried gourds in an air-tight container in a cool, dry, dark space (closets are ideal). Add silica packets to the container to keep moisture at bay.
3. If a gourd rots, discard it immediately before any others are ruined.
4. Clean the gourds gently with a dry cloth when needed.

Centerpiece with bowl of walnuts, green vase of red dahlias, a golden fox and a white pumpkin.
Photo by: Bret Gum

Want more simply beautiful ideas? Check out this post on Painted Pumpkins for a Pretty Fall Porch. 

Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration! 

Total
148
Shares
Share 23
Tweet 0
Pin it 125
Related Topics
  • Autumn
  • decor
  • dried pumpkins
  • Fall
  • gourds
  • home decor
  • indian corn
  • Pumpkin
Melinda Graham

Previous Article
Bookshelves filled with art, aqua colored glass bottles and vintage books.
  • Design Ideas

Adding English Country Charm to Your Spaces

  • November 5, 2019
  • Written by Lynn Fong
View Post
Next Article
christmas tree in a white room
  • Design Ideas

How to Pick the Perfect Spot for the Christmas Tree

  • November 6, 2019
  • Written by Jickie Torres
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Design Ideas
  • Shopping

3 Day Blinds’ 3 Window Styling Upgrades

  • Anya Murphy
  • January 17, 2023
A couple plays with two small children with a tent in a playroom.
View Post
  • BEDROOM
  • Design Ideas
  • DIY
  • Renovation
  • Shopping

Lori Beds: Real Wood, Real Sustainability, Real Functionality

  • Written by Anya Murphy
  • Photographs by Lori Beds
  • December 21, 2022
View Post
  • Christmas
  • Decorating
  • Design Ideas
  • Featured
  • Lifestyle

A Hand-Painted Focal Point

  • Written by Marissa Moldoch
  • Photography and Styling by Shelley Donnelly
  • December 12, 2022
View Post
  • Design Ideas
  • KITCHEN

Restoring a Country Cottage Home

  • Kelly McMaster
  • November 18, 2022
View Post
  • Design Ideas
  • Entertaining
  • Lifestyle

Modern Cottage Living

  • Written by Marissa Moldoch
  • Photographed and Styled by Melissa Kalbfleisch
  • October 13, 2022
View Post
  • Design Ideas

Colorful Creations in Louisville, Kentucky

  • Written by Marissa Moldoch
  • Photography and Styling by Courtney Wafzig
  • September 26, 2022
View Post
  • Design Ideas
  • Lifestyle

Curb Appeal: Ivey Creek Cottage

  • Written by Kelly McMaster
  • Photography by Mike Antonio
  • August 15, 2022
Black, white, and tan dining area that includes a fireplace
View Post
  • Design Ideas
  • Lifestyle

A Modern Beach Home in Newport Beach, California

  • Written by Marissa Moldoch and Cori Laatsch
  • Designed by Mindy Laven
  • Photographed by Christopher Lee Foto
  • August 9, 2022

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive the best of cottage style directly in your inbox!

  • 3 Day Blinds’ 3 Window Styling Upgrades

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive the best of cottage style directly in your inbox!

Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Newsletter
  • Do Not Share My Personal Info
Copyright © 2023 Cottages & Bungalows

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

We use cookies to optimise our website and give you the best experience on our website. ACCEPTREAD MORE
X