The blahs extend to more than just your skin or your mood. They can have a full effect in the home where bright spring and summer touches just don’t feel right any more.
Here are five easy tips from some of Toronto’s top designers on how to give your home a autumnal makeover.
CHANGE YOUR ACCENT COLOUR
The Design Exchange’s president and CEO, Samantha Sannella, says this is as easy as adding pillows, candles, runners or vases in seasonal colours such as dark red or green. Nontraditional colours, like cobalt blue or light gold, make a statement and can give the impression of change without having to do too much. “Make sure your new colours don’t clash with your existing decor,” she says. “I love adding silver. It goes with everything.”
USE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE:
Karen Kole of Cole Duron Interior Design suggests making it as festive outside as it is inside. Hang an interesting wreath on the front door or try wrapping a twig ball in twinkle lights and hanging it outside a focal window for a magical nighttime view. A fun way of keeping up with the seasons while inspiring your neighbours to do the same is in the front garden. Change your outdoor garden pots to create a festive seasonal presentation — using seasonal plantings such as pumpkins and bold coloured cabbages for the fall and twigs, branches, evergreen plants, boughs and birch logs in the wintertime.
FLOWER POWER
Flowers are an easy, fresh way to feel as though you are mixing things up. “I love a plain classic square boxwood wreath hanging from a colourful ribbon,” Sannella says. Or, use a large arrangement on the dining table, bar or kitchen island. Consider a base floral arrangement that contains holiday greens. You can change fresh flowers weekly for a colourful accent. “I always use a fresh mistletoe ball in a doorway. I tack a small nail above the door moulding and hang it from a ribbon. Fresh greens, such as pine branches, willow sticks or birch branches in pots at the front door, are great ways to welcome guests and put them in the holiday mood. Sometimes I add ornaments or grapevine balls. I have also bought twinkly lights that run on battery packs and used them in the front pots.
BRIGHT LIGHTS
Days are short as of October, so lighting is a great way to set the mood and make a difference that you will quickly feel, according to interior designer Dvira Ovadia. Make a nook where you can cuddle up and read next to some soft, romantic lighting. Ovadia recommends looking for light fixtures that are energy efficient and introduce dimmers to save energy on some of your existing heavy-duty light sources. For subtle alternatives that will keep your home feeling cozy and romantic, light up your fireplace and use candles in areas like the living room and bedroom.
FINAL TOUCHES
The little things can sometimes make the biggest difference, especially when it comes to making you feel at home in your own home. Kole recommends you invest in some interesting coffeetable books and use them as accessories stacked one on top of another — either on or under a coffee table. A colourful mohair or cashmere blanket offers functional design, but you can also layer a beautiful needlework throw, kilim rug or suzani over the back of a sofa for added interest, warmth and colour.