Lifestyle Homes

Design trends that will be huge this autumn

THE VErDICTS IN: Cozy fabrics, warm, earthy tones, vintage pieces and private spaces are taking over the autumn design scene.

At the start of 2020, many were forced to reconfigure our homes into multi-multifunctional spaces that could accommodate the needs of working parents and homeschooled children.

However, the novelty of ‘work from home’ has worn off, and we’ve all had a year and a half to adjust to the new normal (oh, what we would give to never use that phrase again).

As a result, the trends we’re seeing for autumn 2021 reflect more permanent changes we’ve made to our homes as a reaction to the pandemic. The central theme? Comfort, convenience and colour.

Here, find five trends that designers predict will be huge for the upcoming season.

1. IN: WARM, EARTHY NEUTRALS

“I think anything with a more earthy and neutral tone is perfect to set the stage for fall,” says Designer Amanda Evans.

Back in September 2020, Behr predicted that Muted Terracotta would be huge this year (and saying they were right would be a vast understatement).

It seems as if the terracotta trend has burgeoned into an entire fall color scheme, composed of warm, earthy tones that basically personify the image of curling up to the fire. “Sandstone is great for adding a more warm and cozy feel to the home, but is also great all year-round.

A radiant autumn orange or Amberglow also creates warmth and blends well with other neutral tones like gray and sand tones,” Evan explains.

And don’t even get us started on the cozy, comfy textures we’re seeing accompany this look (see: number three).

2. IN: URBANE COTTAGE KITCHENS

First, there was cottagecore, then there was cabincore and now, may we present: kitchencore.

While cottagecore’s aesthetic brings more of the “frolicking in a meadow field” vibe, cabincore maintains that English countryside theme with a more rustic feel. As a result, we’re seeing a crossover between both whimsical looks in our kitchens for fall.

“The days of the white shaker kitchen might be in the rearview mirror, thankfully.

Kitchens are still the hub of the house, but now people are taking a less sterile approach... Dark palettes, stained woods, countertop stone with depth and movement, and statement fixtures and hardware are not just more exciting but they’re also more durable and messfriendly than their white counterparts,” explains Scheer.

She also predicts that integrating our kitchen with the rest of the home through “natural materials—cabinets with visible wood grain, interesting countertops, faucets that blend into the counters, and other finishes, rather than standout features (think black counters, black faucet),” will be huge in 2022.

3. IN: PARTITIONS AND ROOM DIVIDERS

It’s no secret that the pandemic has created a seismic shift in the way we view our homes.

rooms that were previously “for guests only” have been transformed into homework stations, and linen closets have become secret hideaways for parents who need “just five minutes” of peace (hang in there everyone, we can almost smell the September freedom).

Nevertheless, one thing is for certain: The need for privacy and solitude has become paramount in our homes (but the need to make sure our children aren’t setting the house on fire is equally important).

As a result, we’re seeing a resurgence of midcentury modern room dividers that allow for the kind of “hands-on privacy” parents are looking for. “We are seeing a push for some separation [while] keeping sight lines to the adjacent rooms.

One solution we have incorporated is decorative partition screens. We have also incorporated serving counters to act as definition between the kitchen and living space,” explains Eddie Maestri, Principal Architect at Maestri Studio.

While bedrooms and bed linens should always be synonymous with the terms “cozy” and “comfortable,” we’re seeing the snuggle levels cranked up even higher for fall.

Designers are looking to bring layers of comfort throughout the entire bedroom this season—and it doesn’t stop with a set of gauzy percale sheets.

“Think linen, rattan, an authentic Moroccan shag with warm touches of color brought in by accessories and throws. This trend can go light or dark, depending on the mood of the space and home,” explains Peltz.

When it comes to styling this look, try “layering curtains and shades, if you have a highly patterned rug that’s a bit too small, add a larger seagrass or neutral under it for instant layering, and adding architectural details, like paneling. For extra punch, add wallpaper above a chair rail,” says Scheer.

5. IN: BRINGING THE OUTDOORS IN

Last but not least, it’s the trend that ties everything together: bringing the outdoors in.

“Covid taught us a lot about how much better life is when we take the time to sit outside…Even though we can move around more freely, I think the indooroutdoor connection is here to stay,” Scheer says. “Bringing nature in doesn’t have to be so literal (read: getting a million plants)— it can mean switching to natural fibers in furnishings (rattan, cane, wicker, wood), fabrics (wool, linen, cotton) and maximizing natural light,” Scheer explains.

Furthermore, in addition to bringing in natural fibers, Farinas has seen an uptick in chinoiserie being incorporated into design, which is a European interpretation of Asian decorative arts and often includes floral motifs and nature-inspired scenes.

You can see it most often in wallpaper panels and ceramics.

All that said, don’t get us wrong: We’re all for adding in house plants too. But this trend is more about bringing outdoor elements inside through furnishings, textures and patterns inspired by nature.

6. IN: FURNISHINGS & VINTAGE DECOR

Between the cottagecore and eclectic modern design trends, this one should come as no surprise: vintage, bespoke and personalized homewares are all the rage for fall 2021.

“I think the pandemic prompted a need to make our spaces not only more functional, but more personal,” says Brittany Farinas, Designer of House of One. And she’s right; in times of uncertainty and chaos, we like to find comfort in the things we know.

For some, that means breaking out their grandmother’s set of colored glassware from the ‘40s.

For others, dusting off old picture frames, candlesticks, vases or even pieces of furniture can bring a sense of security from the past.

Plus, we’ve all picked up a hobby or two during lockdown (birdwatchers and rage gardeners, we’re looking at you), and we want our homes to reflect our unique, “Antique furnishings mixed with more contemporary pieces and a little whimsy go a long way to keep the look from getting too referential,” adds Designer Killy Scheer.

7. OUT: OPEN FLOOR PLANS

We hate to see this one go, but unfortunately, the open floor plan is proving to be less functional as we head into 2021’s fall season.

“The open kitchen/living room concept is definitely out.

With most of us spending a lot more time at home over the past year and a half, we have realized that the open concept may be great for entertaining, but not so much for living…especially if you have small kids,” Maestri explains.

8. OUT: MODERN FARMHOUSE

While at one point, the modern farmhouse was a trend that many of us were eager to jump on, we’re totally behind what’s taking its place in 2021.

“The stark black and white/board and batten look with contemporary fittings and furnishings are being replaced with a softer, more traditional (and authentic) farmhouse style reminiscent of English cottages.

Designers and architects are turning to local materials like limestone with heavy mortar, reclaimed beams and posts, thatched or slate roofs, Dutch doors, and some stucco mixed in for good measure… Those same materials are being used on the interiors, too, adding natural warmth and texture. Soft plasters are applied to walls, wood beams (some natural, some painted) are installed overhead, and floors come in a range of finishes and thicknesses,” Scheer explains.

7 designer secrets for making a home look high-end

SOMEDAY you’ll live in a £10 million estate, but until you make that Jeff Bezos money, there are a few things you can do to make your home look (and feel) a little more luxe. We’re spilling some of the best-kept secrets to creating a more high-end vibe, even if you’re living on a boxed-wine budget.

1. MEMORIZE THE RIGHT-SIZE-LIGHT FORMULA

Changing out your light fixtures is an easy way to upgrade any space, but all too often, you go to the hassle of hanging that pendant light or chandelier, only to step back and realize…it looks dinky.

Several interior designers swear by an easy formula for choosing the right-size light for any room: room length (in feet) + room width (in feet) = diameter of the light fixture (in inches).

So, in that sense, a room that’s 10 feet long and 12 feet wide would add up to 22. You should shop around for lights that are 22 inches in diameter for that space. Easy, right?

2. FOLLOW THE 20/20 RULE

You’ve heard that you should hang your drapes so they practically kiss the ceiling. But how high is that, ideally?

Try mounting your curtain rods 20 inches higher than the top of the window—and 20 inches wider than its edges, says Leia T Ward of LTW Design.

It’ll make your ceilings seem higher and maximize the amount of natural light you get each day.

3. LAYER IN TEXTURE

Bring on the chunky knit throws, linencovered books, velvet pillow covers, stone bowls and greenery—incorporating a variety of textures adds depth and dimension to a room, Ward says. It’s especially effective when you’re dealing with a restrained color palette—it’s what separates a stark neutral room from one that feels elevated and inviting.

4. GO BIG OR…GET IT OUTTA YOUR HOME tables, size matters.

“Big, bold pieces make more of a statement when it comes to accessorizing versus a lot of smaller-scale pieces,” Ward says.

“I love using an oversized wood bowl on top of large coffee table books or a large vase on a console table.”

5. PUT A FEW PIECES ON A (WELL-APPOINTED) PEDESTAL

Another pro tip for styling shelves and countertops: Vary the height of the items you display.

It creates more visual interest, as long as the space isn’t cluttered. And one chic staple Ward swears by to prop things up is Tom Ford by Tom Ford.

As a home stager, it’s her job to style a house so it sells for top dollar, and she’s found that that book tends to fit with a range of aesthetics, is just the right size for stacking and well, looks damn good anywhere you put it. (Of course, if it’s not your style, don’t buy it for the sake of looking cool, but if you’ve been eying it for a while, it might be worth the splurge.)

Autumn is a feast of riches - Pumpkin time!

AuTuMN is a feast of riches when it comes to fresh produce. With the last of summer fruits and plenty of root vegetables coming into season, it’s no wonder autumn is seen as a bountiful season. In fact, it is at this time of year in Pembrokeshire when we celebrate the food grown on the land with the annual Harvest Festival.

This festival, which celebrates successful harvests, has been around since pagan times and is now celebrated in churches and schools around the uK. There are also similar festivals around the world, including the famous Thanksgiving day celebrations in Canada and the uSA.

Figs

Although dried figs are available all year round, there is nothing quite like the taste, texture and flavour of fresh figs. Available from summer throughout autumn, fresh figs have a delicate flavour and sweet aroma. Although they are originally from Asia, this luscious fruit is now grown all across the Mediterranean.

Wonderfully versatile, you can enjoy figs raw or grilled. Try drizzling raw figs with honey and serving with clotted cream for a delicious sweet treat, or add to a salad with Parma ham, goat’s cheese and rocket.

Top tip – figs do not ripen after picking, so unripe figs are to be avoided. To tell if they’re ripe, go for plump examples that feel soft with no bruising or splits. At peak ripeness they may be covered with a light, fuzzy bloom. Keep in the refrigerator and use within a day or two, as they have a short shelf life.

Pears

A quintessential autumn treat, pears come in a range of flavours and textures; and much like apples, there’s thousands of varieties including Conference, Comice, red William and rocha. unlike most fruits, pears actually improve in flavour and texture after they are picked, so always buy under-ripe and then ripen at home. But be careful, as pears are very delicate and can bruise easily when ripe.

Although delicious enjoyed raw, pears are particularly great for dessert. Exceptional when poached with red wine and vanilla, they can also be used in a variety of baking recipes, such as chocolate and pear cake, pear tarte tatin, and sticky pear and ginger cake.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins are quite possibly the poster child for autumn seasonal produce. With it’s hard orange skin, perfect for carving, and sweet flesh, it is the most famous of the squashes.

The British season runs from October to December, and not only are pumpkins great for carving, but they are ‘scarily’ good for you too, as an excellent source of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Once you’ve carved your pumpkin for Halloween, keep the flesh for cooking. You can roast or boil and then mash pumpkin to enjoy as a tasty autumnal side dish, or even use it to make soups or add to stews. And of course, it is ideal for baking a Pumpkin pie! Be sure to serve with lashings of cream.

Plums

Plums can come in many different guises: some sweet, other slightly more tart; for cooking or for eating; and in many different rich hues. However, they do have some common characteristics such as their smooth, richly coloured skin and a hard central stone. In fact, they are the juiciest fruit in the stone family.

Although available all year round, British varieties are in season from mid-August to October. As a late summer fruit with so many different varieties, colour isn’t the best indication of ripeness. ripe plums have a firm flesh that gives a little when it’s gently squeezed, and if you’re planning to use plums in cooking, choose ones that are slightly firmer. Leeks

A member of the garlic and onion family, leeks have a harsh flavour when raw but a much subtler and sweeter flavour when cooked. Incredibly versatile, leeks work well cooked in various recipes or even as a side dish. Only very young leeks are eaten raw.

Leeks are available all year round, but they are definitely at their best from September through to March. When buying, go for small or medium sized leeks, as the larger variety can be tough and woody. Be sure to wash leeks thoroughly before trimming the base and the uppermost part of the leaves. Soil can easily get trapped between the many layers!

A great base for cawl and casseroles, leeks are also delicious served with a homemade cheese sauce as a side dish.

10 ways to help prevent food waste

AT the beginning of the pandemic last year, it was often hard to get hold of our usual go-to ingredients. We found that planning meals in advance can help you avoid missing out, and it also makes it easier to budget and think about how you’re going to use leftovers. Plan your meals for the week – you could try meat-free Mondays, chilli Tuesdays or fishy Fridays – then make a shopping list. This will make you less likely to buy things you don’t need.

You can also use this opportunity to think of alternatives if your preference is out of stock in shops. For example, if you usually cook with beef mince but can’t buy it right now, look for turkey mince instead. You can even replace mince with lentils in many recipes – an excellent alternative source of protein. I haven’t been able to get any tinned tomatoes recently, so instead have been using very ripe tomatoes to make a wonderful homemade sauce. I simply slow-cook with onions, garlic and herbs!

Homemade sauce made with overripe tomatoes

To avoid food waste and make what you have go further, there are lots of things you can do. Here are my top ten tips!

How to keep fruit and veg fresh

1) use fruit or vegetables that are past their best to make juice, smoothies or soup.

2) A handy trick I learnt is wrapping lettuce, carrots, courgettes and other vegetables in kitchen paper and then putting them in plastic bags in the salad compartment of the fridge. They keep fresh for longer this way as the paper stops the condensation from softening the veg and also stops mould.

3) Try keeping the stems of vegetables such as broccoli, celery and asparagus in water to help them stay fresh and crisp.

Carrots and celery can keep fresh for longer if you store them in water

Extra tip: don’t throw fruit and veg away just because they’re past the best before date. They often last much longer, unlike other fresh products such as meat and milk. Check out my video for more tips on this.

Getting creative with leftovers

4) Freeze leftover sauces in ice cube trays and use them to flavour future dishes!

5) use leftover yogurt in a cake or scone mixture instead of milk.

6) Measure out portions of rice, potatoes and pasta so you cook the right amount.

7) Don’t throw potato peelings away! Just sprinkle with pepper, chilli or other spices and crisp them in the oven. Yum!

A tasty snack of crisp potato peelings

8) Make your bread last longer

Bread is a staple in my house, and if it gets a little stale I refresh it by soaking under running water, then reheating on a moderate heat in the oven until crisp and golden. I also like to make garlic bread fingers with the end crusts from a loaf. Simply grill one side, spread with garlic butter, grill again and cut into fingers.

Extra tip: save sandwich crusts in a plastic bag in the freezer until you have enough to make breadcrumbs.

9) Get your 5 A DAY from the freezer

Frozen fruit and vegetables are often cheaper, but just as nutritious as fresh and still count towards your 5 A DAY. Plus, they may be available when fresh stock is limited.

Frozen fruit and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh

Extra tip: chop up fresh herbs and store them in a bag in the freezer for up to 12 months.

10) Canned food can be healthy

Canned or tinned foods are great for reducing food waste as they can be stored for longer. They can also be as healthy as fresh options – just make sure you aim for tinned fruit in juice and avoid fruit in syrup.

Chose tinned or canned fruit or vegetables without added syrup or salt

And don’t limit yourself to tuna and baked beans – especially as they’re unavailable in many shops at the moment. There are lots of fruit (prunes, peaches, pineapple), vegetables (sweetcorn, peas, asparagus), pulses (chickpeas, butter beans, kidney beans) and fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) that can be bought cheaply in tins.

Extra tip: buy fish, beans and pulses in water rather than in oil or with added sugar and salt.