Ahhhh Autumn

Crisp cool days, brilliant fall colors, football season, these are just the many signs that summer is waning and Autumn is upon us. I, for one, look forward to this season with a sense of relief as we get a break from the heat and humidity. In the coming weeks, we will want to cozy up our interior spaces. Layering the home, like we see in the world of fashion, accomplishes this task. Adding a couple of throws, one to your sofa and one to a favorite reading chair is a good place to start. Adding some extra lighting also helps as the days grow shorter. Candles, accessories, artwork and fall arrangements can all add to this "warming" up of our homes.

Autumn is great time to change things up even more than just added items. I often encourage clients to add drapery panels to their blinds, woven wood treatments or shutters in the fall and winter months. Try re-arranging your furniture to create a cozier conversation area. Bring your furniture off the wall and group them in the center of the room around the fireplace. Try changing your artwork and accessories by exchanging their places in your home. For instance, try using the artwork and accessories that you have in the dining room in the family room. Trade items in the master bedroom for ones in the living room. By playing with what you already own, you can create a whole new look. If you have trouble doing that, the services of a designer may just be what the doctor ordered. Many of us in the design industry offer room re-do's or a re-decorate in a day services. It's a small expense with a big impact for your home. Whether you make big changes or small, Autumn creates a sense in all of us that the time to cocoon is upon us.