In the summer, our natural instinct is to lighten everything up - paler colours, more visual white space and a decidedly pared down environment. Things change. "Fall is about layering up and creating warmth," says Sally Healy, of Calgary-based Sally Healy Design.
It's true that warmer, richer colours signify the season naturally, "but I can take any palette and make it look like fall," says Sally. "It's about the texture and fabric. At this time of year, [fabrics] should be more lush (think velvet) and ribbed and nubbly."
Here are some of Sally's other ideas for injecting that fall feeling into your home decor.
In the living room
Add area rugs. But remember that nothing looks worse than a rug that's too small for a room – it makes the space look busy. To welcome fall, lay a Buffalo or cowhide on top of sisal or another tight rug.
Things don't have to be precious to be special. Cut down branches from your yard and put them in a vase that's filled with leaves and pinecones. It's cheap and fabulous.
Add a beautiful throw to the sofa (wool or fur, preferably) and change the pillows (try chenille, mohair or thick port au soie satin).
Hang more drapery, specifically woolen panels. They're classic and make a space feel comfy. For a less expensive option, you could just hang side panels for anther layer over your existing window treatment.
Warm up your space with painted glass in oxblood red on the back of bookshelves. The reflective sheets are exquisite and cheap.
3 Comments
Most of these suggestions seem to be for a specific space the author had in mind. For example, I'm pretty sure that gold or silver on lamps in the bedroom won't match many peoples bedroom decor.
How about just some autumn leaf, wreathe, candle sticks & fall arrangements on the dinner table?
Hi Kasia, I agree that gold or silver lamps may not work in everyone's bedroom, but the ideas are meant to inspire and can't possibly reflect everyone's home. Hopefully you can use some of the others!