Leaf Press, Anthropologie Autumn Window Display

INSIDE : Learn how to make these simple DIY leaf press leaves for a fun autumn hanging display, inspired and created during an Anthropologie window workshop.  

This post may contain affiliate links.  See full disclosure here.

Last month, I participated in my first ever Anthropologie window display workshops and it was such fun!  I had heard about these events and was told to check their website.  Well, living in a state with only ONE Anthropologie, there was a very limited local Anthro online community.

One day this summer, while browsing their lovely store I just asked someone at the front and was put on a “list”.  Fast forward six months and an email invitation arrived in my in-box.  Today, I will be sharing the simple Leaf Press, Anthropologie Autumn Window Display we created together!

 

What supplies do I need to make a Pressed Leaf Display?

Paint Brush
Acrylic Paints, colors of your choice
Leaves gathered from your backyard
Tissue Paper
Clear Contact Paper

How to make an easy Pressed Leaf:

Prior to us arriving, the creative team at Anthropologie had taken different fall colors of tissue paper and placed clear contact paper overtop of them.  They then used a cutting press to cut out the shapes of the leaves, but this could easily be done with scissors.  Anthro was cutting and planning to hang thousands of leaves, so mass cutting was important.

As the public, our job was simple.  We brushed acrylic paint onto our real leaf and then put the “tissue paper leaf” overtop and applied a little pressure.  No need for perfection, it was meant to look natural and organic.

After we made about a dozen of a color or a particular leaf pattern, we just switched colors or leaves.

I loved the colors they choose for this project. And you may recognize that gold leaf in the upper right hand corner.  I asked to take it home when we finished and turned it into a fun little autumn sign project which you can check out on my fall home tour.

After about two hours of this and me asking 87 million questions about Anthropologie’s creative team for as much behind the scene info I could squeeze out of them, we finished the workshop.

I think they probably made an additional 1,000 leaves but it was fun to help even just a little bit.  A week or so later, I stopped by to see the final Fall window display completed and I fell in love!

In typical amazing Anthro style, they mixed up the traditional fall scene.  They suspended cut up tree branches with yarn and then hung the DIY painted leaves from there.  They do simple massing so well.

Would these not be the most stunning photo backdrop for a Fall or even Halloween party?!!!

I just accepted an invitation next week for their winter display and I can’t wait!

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, be sure to ask at your local Anthropologie store.  They love the community interaction!SaveSave