Aside from Christmas, I'm not much of an overt seasonal decorator. I prefer subtle touches that nod to the season without being explicitly theme-y. Here are a few favorite fall ideas that I've collected along the way...
• 2. Pull out your softest throw blankets and arrange them next to your favorite lounge spot. There are few better fall luxuries than a warm blanket and a good book.
• 3. While you're at it, pull out your down comforter too. I love sleeping with the windows cracked to let in fresh fall air while snuggling under a heavy down blanket, it's like camping...only comfy and without all the bugs. (On an unrelated note, if you haven't checked out Ally's home on Apartment Therapy: San Francisco from which this picture hails, get excited and click here. It's blissful.)
• 4. Fresh flowers don't have to be reserved for summer and spring. Bring some fall color in with cut flowers in casual arrangements.
• 5. It may be a little too early for a full-fledge fire, but it's definitely candle season. Candle light makes any room feel cozy.
• 6. Pull out your recipes and start cooking. I don't know about you, but even though I love to cook I tend to take a bit of a hiatus during the warmer seasons. I prefer crisp salads and quick fresh dishes to comfort foods. However, by this time of year I'm hungry for the savory soups and fresh baked breads, and all the homey smells that accompany them. Check out our sister site, The Kitchn for delicious autumn recipes.
• 7. Set aside some time for crafting. Even if you're not the crafty type, taking time to try something you've always wanted to do will help you to relax and enjoy the time you spend in your home. During the summer months I find that my home is more of a crash spot between travels and parties than a place of relaxation. By fall I'm ready to relish in home time, and crafting is always leisure time well spent.
• 8. Break out the throw pillows. Fall is a fun time to experiment with color. During the summer, we keep our house pretty neutral with a few natural and coastal colored accents, but I love swapping out those pillow covers for my warmer toned gypsy hues, that to me scream fall.
• 9. Every fall my sister has her kids collect leaves from the yard and form their nature walks to make into a simple garland for their mantel. I love the idea, as I find that I appreciate the seasons more when I have little reminders of them inside as well as outdoors.
What are your fall rituals?
(Images: 1: Skona Hem, 2: Better Homes and Gardens, 3: Ally for Apartment Therapy: San Francisco, 4: Leah Moss, 5: Sunset Magazine, 6,7: Country Living, 8: Womansday, 9: via Ohdeedoh)
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I'm all for throws & pillows for sure! I'm even thinking of using our decorative fireplace as a place to stack my large # of throws this year!
This may be more outside than in, but pumpkins by the front steps is SO 'fall' cozy to me! Even though it isn't inside, it makes me smile every time I drive by a house with them or -even better- walk up to my own door!
Hello !!
I'm also changing my pillows according to the season, but also ... the scent of my home ! When comes autumn and fall, my house smells Christmas tea, orange, cinnamon, and also a great "wodd scented" candle that smells like we had a fireplace in our livingroom !
I've just created a super simple autumn "art", you can check it out on my blog : http://nocesdecoton.canalblog.com/archives/2009/10/01/15273881.html (I'm French, but I write my posts in both french and english)
Crank up the crock pot and the gas fireplace!
I like to switch some of my curtains from light and airy to heavy and cozy. And I bring out the boot tray and the basket of slippers I've collected for guests. Definitely switching decorative pillows. This year I want to make some cable-knit covers from old sweaters.
More ideas and my favorite fall-is-here recipe:
http://www.inspiredroomdesign.com/blog.php?post=43
Marianne, your art idea is fun!
I change out the flowers and decor on the front porch, change the summer curtains (white cotton duck) to the winter ones (darker colored or velvets), change out the pillow, etc... it's all about the accessories
Put down rugs, change the color palette from greens & blues to red & gold & teal and such. Pull out the woolly blankets & throws, get out the sheepskin slippers, hang heavier curtains, put the timers on lights so I don't get home in complete darkness!
Baking! Nothing says fall like the smell of pumpkin cookies when you walk into your apartment...
Taking the screens down and washing the windows. If there is one positive tradeoff about giving up the warm weather, it's how clear the view is without screens in the windows.
The cozy throws, flannel sheets, and slippers are out; next is filling the bird feeders for my little feathered friends. I try to take especially good care of them in the winter.
Hmm, yes to baking. I've already made ginger snaps and pumpkin squares, and acorn squash with brown sugar. Applesauce cupcakes are for tonight!
Also, I love to go to the eco-friendly farmers market down the road and buy a couple of pumpkins, an assortment of funky gourds, and fresh apple cider. Now it is time for fall!
Haha I probably decorate for most holidays - halloween, thanksgiving, christmas, july 4th, etc.
Bake bread, put plastic on the windows, and get a vaporizer.
One year I had the urge to replace all my cotton cushion covers with covers made from fabric with a sheen, like satin and velvet. It made a total difference, even though the colours weren't that different. And once you have the "winter set" and the "summer set" then you can swap them easily as the seasons change. The only down side for me was that it took me practically until Spring to find the right fabrics!
I go to Kirklands and stock up on Apple Cinnamon Cider Sachets! They smell great and are cost friendly at 1.99 each! I also love William and Sonoma's pumpkin muffin/cake mix!
I love all of the coments on decorating and baking, but dont forget to change out the furnace filters, get the chimney cleaned (if you are lucky enough to have one) and protect those pipes from the posibility of freezing!Dont forget to laugh when you can....
http://lightheartedremodeladvice.blogspot.com/
NatlieMillerMK -- Ooooh I love Kirklands but they closed the one by me...
Make mulling spices and use them.
http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Mulling_Spices_Recipe
Get an orange, stick it with cloves, and hang it in the doorway. Makes a good air freshener.
I put out my silk sunflowers in a vase, hang up my fall wreath on the door and burn lots of pumpkin spice candles.
I'd love to see the first picture from a different angle to see the perspective from the white sofa. Beautiful!!
Add cozy throw pillows and scented candles ~ love Autumn