Autumn is my favorite season, and one of the reasons for this is the humble pumpkin. I cannot express how utterly obsessed I am with pumpkins. Oh, how I wish they were available year ’round so I could tuck them in every nook and cranny, but I guess if they were available every day of the year then they wouldn’t be as magical and special as they are.

I have been so excited to see all of the amazing and unique ways in which pumpkins are being used over the past few years, as magazines and blogs have gone beyond the standard orange model (not that it’s not great, too) and explored the realm of more unusual pumpkins, both in shape and color. It’s ridiculously cool how versatile pumpkins are! Here are just a few of my favorite ideas for decorating with pumpkins in ways that are pure autumn.

Above, clockwise from top left: Pale pumpkins painted with stripes to match your dinnerware (via BHG); mini pumpkin centerpieces for a subtle, autumnal vibe (via Martha Stewart) ; a gorgeous array of pumpkins and gourds creates a still life pumpkin centerpiece (via Country Living); One Too Many variety pumpkins are used, along with handmade leaves and tendrils, in this beautiful autumn centerpiece (via Martha Stewart); cloches and cake stands together with a subdued pumpkin palette are quite elegant (via Country Living); learn about a few of the unusual varieties of pumpkins (the fairytale and cinderella are two of my favorites!) over at Sunset; small terra cotta pots serve as the perfect base to display mini pumpkins, while vibrant burgundy dahlias create a stunning pop of color (via BHG); clever painted pumpkins in stripes, plaid, and polka dots (via BHG).