Switch It Up for Fall EASY WAYS TO TRANSITION YOUR DÉCOR by Sandra Jones
The shifting of the seasons changes the way we live. Crisp days means we swap out sundresses for sweaters and nightly barbecues for dinners braised low and slow in the oven. But just as we change with the arrival of autumn, so too should our home décor. No need to make it expensive or complicated, just a few additions can amp up the coziness of your cocoon for the cooler months ahead. Start at the front door By now the summer flowers have faded and even the fall mums are looking sad. Say sayonara to bright blooms in your porch pots and turn to the foliage of fall for inspiration. Both indoors and out, all-season greenery and even bare branches pruned from your yard can form the structure for a natural container arrangement. Tall grasses are another great option to add movement and muted colour. As autumn turns to winter, introduce holly, branches with berries, or evergreen boughs and some battery-operated twinkle lights to ‘urn’ your way into the festive season. Shorter daylight hours mean we’re naturally drawn to the light. Draw your visitors in with a series of hurricane lanterns up the walkway or on the front step. For safety sake, use battery-operated candles so you can enjoy all the flicker but none of the real flame. And, as a final punctuation mark to let guests know they’ve arrived, hang a new seasonal wreath on the front door. No need for kitsch, today’s wreaths play up the beauty of natural materials from grapevine twigs to eucalyptus and magnolia leaves. Pick yours up ready-made or shop the craft store and create your own one-of-a-kind statement. Make your great room… great! This room gets a workout during the cooler months. It’s where that late-day glass of wine is sipped, friends and family gather and the Netflix binging happens. Pay extra attention to this important space by introducing comfort and coziness through texture. While many often look to fall colours to create warmth, texture can have just as much of an impact. Put away the light cottons and linens and instead think velvet, chunky knits, and nubby wool blends for throw pillows on sofas and chairs. Layer in a faux fur throw for a little extra luxe. Next take a look at what’s on your coffee table and bookshelves. Is it the same family artifacts that have been perched there for years? Now’s the time to switch it up and you can start by shopping your own cupboards. Lurking in the hidden depths are often treasures that deserve to be enjoyed in the light of day. Instead of clear glass items, look for coloured glass or pottery in amber, rust or grays. Bring in sculptural items made of wood, metal or even woven materials to pack another punch of textural appeal. Stack a few favourite coffee table books and don’t forget the candles – nothing adds more warmth than the flicker of a flame. And if you’re still in yard clean-up mode, fill a beautiful bowl with pinecones, gourds, or buy nuts in the shell from grocery store bulk bins. Gather ‘round the kitchen The kitchen is always the heart of the home but cooler months mean the warmth of this room is like a magnet for friends and family. Accessories here are utilitarian but can also be beautiful. On counters or kitchen islands, try wooden boards or bowls laden with seasonal fruit such as apples or pears, a vanilla-scented kitchen 11 PASSIONS PASSIONS || FALL FALL 2019 2019