By: Gail Bicknell ASID, CAPS, Owner, Interior Designer, Fair Street Interiors
Fall brings cooler temperatures and crisp days. The bright greens of summer fade into the deeper hues of fall before giving way to the explosion of russets, reds, and browns. Many of us like our homes to reflect this beautiful change of seasons. We hang a wreath on the front door, put pumpkins on our front steps, and welcome the coming of autumn and winter. Clients often ask me how to bring the seasonal transition indoors. There are so many ways to do just that!
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If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, you can start with your mantle. I love to use stacks of old books for variations in height. If you don’t have beautiful aged books in colors that work, (who does?), borrow a trick from elementary school and cover them! A simple black and white print gift wrap, newsprint, or even brown paper will do the trick. Get out your scissors and tape and go to work! Look in your cupboards for forgotten candle sticks or pillars, trays, or bowls you can repurpose. Maybe add a basket or plate for texture and buy a few candles. Don’t worry about it being perfect or symmetrical, just stack and move things until you get a nice balance of height and color. You’ll probably be amazed by what you have right in your home.
Cooler weather means cozier interiors, so add textiles and textures to bring your home to life. A new area rug, toss pillows in a rich tapestry, velvet or rustic colors, a soft woven throw in a chunky cable stitch, soft cashmere or alpaca to curl up with can make any corner seasonally cozy. Throws add texture and instant comfort to any gathering space. Toss pillows are one of the most economical and easy changes you can make in a room. Three or four new toss pillows can add color and pattern in minutes. If you want to go a bit further, add a new chair or pair of ottomans in rich brown, black, or rust leather.
Accessories in metals such as copper, bronze, and brass add warmth. Woods of any color, bleached to dark, are organic and inviting. In today’s marketplace, we’re seeing a lot of rattan, wovens, and caning, in everything from furniture to tabletop accessories. A wood or woven tray with an assortment of pumpkins and gourds could be the perfect addition to a coffee table. Lamps in richly colored ceramics, metals, or woods will bring the look and feel of the outside in.
I love to use stems and branches in my holiday decorating. Head outside with your garden clippers and take a look; you might be surprised by what you’ll find in your own backyard! To add height and a little drama, a vase filled with seasonal branches, real or faux, will create interest in any room. And don’t forget pumpkins, gourds, squashes, cranberries, and apples. Clippings of boxwood or colorful leaves, rope, and pinecones are also great to use for fall decor. A simple wood or brass bowl full of red or green apples can be a simple and beautiful way to bring the season into your home.
Photo Credit: Kim Cornelison
Finally, candles are a must to bring in the scents of the season. Pumpkin, cinnamon, fig, and spice scents, or dusty sandalwood, gingerbread, and evergreen make your home cozy and inviting. Light your candles, enjoy the warm glow and comforting scent and wrap up in a cozy throw with a good book. We’re so lucky to live in a place where we can enjoy the changing seasons. Make the most of it!
Gail Bicknell is an interior designer who has worked in furniture and design for more than 20 years. She founded Fair Street Interiors in 2017. Gail holds degrees in Interior Design, Marketing, Entrepreneurship/Gerontology, and is an ASID Allied Member and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Visit fairstreetinteriors.squarespace.com for more information. 