With summer drawing to a close, cooler days will soon be upon us. Autumn, in turn, ushers in the season that we typically view our home as a haven most profoundly. It shelters us from the harsh elements, keeping us warm, safe and secure. Just as we do with our clothing, adding extra layers to our home’s “wardrobe” helps to create a more cozy and inviting place to return to at the end of each day. Modifying a room’s look seasonally renews our senses by giving us a change of scenery.
summertime…
Summer’s heat and long days of sunshine beckon pared down interiors. Colors tend to be lighter and brighter enhancing the more vivid shades of outdoors; bright blue skies, green leaves and vibrant flowers. During this time of year place furniture toward a lovely outside view as this helps take advantage of the season. Use cotton slipcovers on upholstered pieces to give a more casual and lightweight look. If rugs are used, simple cotton styles are a good choice. Accessories can be much more minimal; use fresh flowers, beach rock or a potted plant as simple centerpieces.
Imagine a sofa with a slipcover in off-white cotton and a pair of chairs with slipcovers in an off-white and blue check. A blue cotton rug is placed under the coffee table, and a vase of wild flowers with pebbles from the beach are on top. Decorative pillows on the sofa repeat the chair fabric and one is added in a floral for more color. The overall look is cool, refreshing and casual; perfect for a sultry summer day.
gives way to the coolness of fall…
Once autumn leaves begin to fall however, we feel a visual coolness. This needs to be balanced by adding more to our homes in the cooler months. Furniture gets repositioned to take advantage of a glowing fireplace or inward to fuel long conversations. Blankets come out of storage and can be rolled up in a large wicker basket or stacked on a trunk for easy access. The addition of wool rugs also adds depth and warmth. Tartans, plaids and paisleys in wool and flannel bring a timeless quality to a room’s scheme. Accessories can be more plentiful; stacks of books, a collection of baskets, or an ongoing craft project make more personal additions. A grouping of candles makes a room feel more intimate and has a mesmerizing effect. Colors can afford to be darker and richer; mossy greens, berry reds, earthy browns and autumnal golds.
Now imagine the same setting. With the slipcovers removed, the sofa and chairs are upholstered in warm beige cotton velvet. A deep red, richly pattered Oriental carpet is under the coffee table. The decorative pillow covers have been changed to a mixture of tartan and tapestry and a paisley throw is over one arm of the sofa. A collection of red candles is on the coffee table and a pile of magazines is underneath for reading. The look is welcoming, warm and cozy; just what is called for at the end of a cold, brisk day.
With these images in mind, look at how your rooms can change with the seasons to create a more inviting and comforting home.
