Design Ideas for Autumn

A Harvest Home

• Fresh-cut flowers make it easy to create an autumn mood. Even better, go out with the kids to collect “found” materials from the yard—fall berries, leaves, vines, pine cones, nuts, stones, bare branches. Let them fill earthy pottery bowls and vases with their treasures and place them everywhere around the house.

• Something as simple as changing out the mat and frame for a favorite piece of art can really help a room feel updated. Consider richer colors and finishes to add warmth to your fall and winter style.

• Borrow a technique from the pros and incorporate an autumn-themed wallpaper mural into your family room design. Make it a focal point by covering an entire dominant wall, or create an artistic accent by tucking a mural into an architectural niche. When spring rolls around, just remove or replace it.

• Get a new area rug for the dining room or kitchen in sumptuous fall hues, or layer oriental and kilim rugs on the greatroom floor to add texture, dimension and elegance.

• Change the hardware on furniture and cabinets. Using new shapes in gold, brass and copper tones will add a warm glow to any room, especially against polished wood furniture.

• Treat your family and your holiday guests to big, thick bath towels in dramatic shades of plum, burgundy, russet or flame. Toast them on a portable towel warmer for the ultimate cozy end to a soak in the tub on a chilly night.