August 17, 2011

Surrounding Beauty: Easy & Elegant Fall Updates for Your Rooms





As the days get shorter and cooler we tend to want to “cozy up” our rooms so they “feel” warmer to us. The “light and breezy” style we enjoyed for the warm summer months served its purpose and now it’s time to transition to a “warm and cozy” style for fall and winter.

Seasonal changes need not be complicated or costly! There are a few tricks that will create that warm and cozy feeling in no time without breaking the bank. The main thing to remember is to look for elements that suit your style tastes and budget and then put a little thought and effort into transforming a few key areas.

You want to always begin with what I call the “first impression” spots, the outside entry and the inside entryway.


 Then move on to create a few “warm fuzzy focal points”. Pick 3 to 5 highly visible places in your home where you can create little Fall vignettes. Areas to consider for “warm fuzzy focal points”: dining room table, side table, fireplace mantel, coffee table, stairway or landing, kitchen island, the top of cabinets or armoires, or a bathroom vanity. These areas can be quickly and easily updated with each season assuring that your home always feels fresh, warm and welcoming for you and your guests.


I believe that your home should be put together in such a way that it makes you smile, feels like a big warm hug and is a true reflection of your unique sense of style. Keep those thoughts in mind as you go about “feathering your nest” and you will always feel at home in your home.

 
13 Ideas for an Easy & Elegant Seasonal Update

Outside:

 Place seasonal flowers in urns or pots along your walkway or in a cluster to the side of the door

 Spray paint branches metallic bronze & gold and anchor in an urn with sand and/or stones covered with leaves

 Place an oversized decorative wreath or swag on, above or beside your front door

 
Inside:

 Fill a few bowls, baskets or, one of my favorites, vintage silver trays with seasonal elements such as pinecones, nuts, cinnamon sticks, silk leaves, fall ornaments, gourds, mini pumpkins or seasonal fruits and place them on an entryway table, a bathroom vanity or a coffee table

 Add a few extra lamps around your home to fill your home with light as the daylight gets shorter

 Up the wattage: put higher wattage bulbs in several of your lamps for a brighter glow during this chilly season

 Toss a cozy throw on your sofa or chair to snuggle up in on those frosty evenings or early mornings

 Add a few accessories in deeper shades of the colors you already use in your décor

 In the bedroom, dress your bed in heavier, richer colored bedding and flannel sheets

 Change out some of your pillows with richer fabrics such as chenille, wool, corduroy and tapestry

 Pop an animal print pillow or two onto a sofa or chair

 Warm metallics can really add a cozy and elegant touch to a room…look for bronze and gold accessories such as candlesticks

 Remember to add a few seasonally scented candles and bowls of potpourri around to further enhance the senses

Remember to enjoy the process of creating a warm and welcoming home….your home is after all, your haven, a place to renew, refresh and rejuvenate….a safe place that nurtures and nourishes you and your family.
xoxo~


10 comments:

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

I love autumn! My favorite season.

~CC Catherine said...

Lovely post my friend! Your door way entrance looks "marvelous", as always! I could go for a spot of tea with my best friend on her patio about now... :) Love ya like crazy friend! xoxo

Paul said...

Great Ideas for an Easy & Elegant Seasonal Updates. I am a light person and am going to use your tips with my lighting expertise :)

Sandy said...

Hello, so nice to meet you. I found you from Reading is Fashionable and saw your pretty floral chairs posted for "where you read" so I knew I had to come over and visit you.
Love your blog and hope you're not getting too much wind and rain from the hurricane!

Sandy

Bluebell Woods said...

Do you keep things year to year, if so how do you store them? I guess I am a pack rat and storage is now at a premium. I know I must do something about that soon. I don't do Halloween but I do love the Fall look and will get a nice bunch on mini pumpkins and squash for the dining room. If I put it outside the squirrels will feast on it.
Janice

Rebekah said...

What wonderful ideas! I love how you said our home is our haven -- creating a warm atmosphere is KEY to helping our families and friends feel at ease and welcome in our homes (not to mention ourselves!)

Red Rose Alley said...

Your Fall centerpieces are so lovely. You really have a gift for decorating. Fall is my favorite season of all.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Aleya Bamdad said...

So many great ideas to bring color and warmth to your decor.

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Hi Kathleen! I just stumbled onto your blog...what an incredibly gorgeous site you have! So inspiring! I am now your newest follower; and I hope you will follow me, too! God bless you!

Bridget David said...

I love the acorn ornaments as decoration. And what a good idea to have a decorating check list! :)

~Bridget
http://westpointedesign.blogspot.com/