Of all the seasonal redecorating opportunities out there go, fall is almost always one of the loveliest. Everything about it just feels so good. The deep, rich colors of the trees and fall skies are a delight, and the textures of nature — from crisp foliage and soft grasses — inspire all the comforting textures with which we fill our homes.
So are you ready? Set? Get cozy.
Fall demands sumptuous pillows, as well as tones both vibrant and earthy. And for menswear-inspired patterns. That includes the likes of Ralph Lauren Home’s Althea Throw Pillow ($250 on ralphlauren.com). With its structured plaid patterns and leather-knotted buttons, it works on beds as well as it does on sofas.
Also irresistibly soft — and also pretty in plaid — is the Lambswool Pillow Cover ($99 on williams-sonoma.com). The luxurious accent pillow takes traditional patterns and modernizes them into a new multicolored configuration in yarn-dyed wool in a twill weave.
The comfort zone certainly doesn’t end there. Find more lambswool action in the Lambswool Throw ($229 on rejuvenation.com) in Multi Lambswool, woven by artisans at one of Ireland’s oldest weaving mills. The nature-inspired block pattern is a kaleidoscope of perfect fall colors— overlapping squares of beet, rust, tomato, gray, and ochre. The tassel-fringed blanket lights up a room, with all the glorious colors of an autumn sunset.
In that same vein is The Horizon Throw ($159 on roomandboard.com). This design is absolutely stunning to look at and wrap yourself up in — I love it in Terracotta, in a plaid melding tangerines, aquas, and dark persimmon. It’s woven by Elvang, a small Danish team that works directly with Peruvian farmers to create beautiful textiles, maintaining jobs and educational programs in the region. Elvang’s partners use sustainable and animal-friendly wool harvesting practices.
They say a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to make a big change at home, and that’s certainly true. But take that one step further, and you’ve got all kinds of dramatic new wallpaper. It’s time to starting thinking vertically. And far more boldly.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper has all but revolutionized how we think about our walls. Now there are so, so many more cool and wildly creative options, fantastical patterns, and tromp de l’oeil graphics. But for fall, I love the heavily artistic, richly colored and deep nuances of patterns like Year of the Rabbit Wallpaper by nickleen ($109.65 for 2′ x 12′ on spoonflower.com) — a medley of taupe rabbits and flora on a deep woodsy emerald background. It’s downright dreamy.
Or maybe it’s time for some deep tartan love. Perigold’s Derby Plaid ($158 per roll on perigold.com) is by Mind The Gap — a line using eco-friendly water-based inks, natural and recyclable fibers like linen and cotton, with no plastics. This pattern isn’t stick and peel (you’ll need to paste them up yourself) but the patterns are so gorgeous, it’s worth the small bit of extra effort. And you’ll want them to stay up for decades.
Meanwhile, I love setting seasonal nods to the outdoors as accent motifs around the house. For example, place one of the Gold Topped Decorative Acorns ($20 on antique antiquefarmhouse.com) and set it in a dark bowl, like the Mason Stoneware Footed Serving Bowl ($59 on potterybarn.com). It’s a pretty piece of decor for side tables, entryways, or coffee tables. Or, add two more of the acorns — they’re four inches long apiece — and you’ve got yourself an artful dining table centerpiece.
It goes without saying that decorating any home extends to the outside, too. So grab the front door and find a spot for a highly textured but minimalist display like the Bristol Fall Wreath ($99.50 on grandinroad.com). The faux floral wreath is elegant, dotted with miniature white pumpkins, and festooned with feathers and ferns in neutral tones. I love that it works indoors or out, and is a perfect big welcome to fall.
