Article for September Newsletter

For work, I had to write a few articles for a design newsletter. Here is my article for the September Issue, entitled: Updating Your Home For Fall



UPDATING YOUR HOME FOR FALL

BY: KATIE BANDAS, INTERIOR DESIGN/ART CONSULTANT, JL DESIGN

The first crisp day of Autumn sends a chill of excitement up my spine, and my car seems to instinctively direct itself to the nearest department store. It’s time to decorate for fall! Everything from bath towels to door mats is splattered with reds, oranges and golds, and covered with leaves and pumpkins. So how do you tastefully update your home for the new season without buying out the entire holiday section of your local department store?

Decorating for fall is about echoing the beauty that is portrayed on the canvas of the outdoors, and relishing in the warmth of the indoors. The right colors and textures, plus a few tricks, will flood your home with that beauty and warmth.

Start by looking into your space and scanning for fall colors- brown, red, orange, gold- that may already be present. Hone in on a chestnut piece of wood furniture, for example, a gold hue to your tile, or maybe you have a burnt orange accent wall. Focus on these colors and use them as a palate for bringing in any new pieces. You want to trade out the least expensive items in your home that will make the largest impact. Some of the best items to replace are throw blankets and pillows, floral arrangements, and decorative accessories. Opt for solids and mature florals and patterns over cartoony prints.

When you consider texture, again look to the outdoors. I love a heavy faux fur throw blanket juxtaposed with a spindly vase that mimics the impending bareness of the trees. Select accessories that take you places. A barn wood picture frame recalls a ski lodge in Colorado; a natural woven rug is a hayride with the family.

Once the cool, light and airy has been replaced with the deep, rich and warm, I like to add a spritz of cinnamon air spray as a final touch. Easy, small, yet mindful changes can dramatically brighten your home and infuse your living space with the cozy familiarity of the approaching season.