Adding layers, creating warmth

On Saturday it's time to adjust our clocks and "fall back". By now the trees are done showing us their beautiful array of colors and have lost their leaves.

Part of me dreads this time of year because it's dark when I wake in the morning and it gets dark so early in the afternoon. For a girl from California who craves warm sunshine, this can very difficult. However, there is a part of me that loves the "snuggie-ness" of this time of year. Curling up under a soft blanket by the fire with a good book (or more realistically, my computer!) can't be beat!

So what does an interior designer like me do to get her house ready for shorter days and long, chilly nights? Well, first I begin with a bit of a fall clean-up! And I don't mean just the leaves outside. Take a look around your home and decide what your are done using for the season. By now you no longer need the lightweight jackets and flip-flops. Maybe it's even your outdoor furniture (unless you can still use it to sit by your fire pit for a few more weeks). Sweep out the garage. Make room for shovels, boots and perhaps some sleds! Stack some wood, and if you live around me, get your generator ready for winter.

Inside, I like to change things up a bit with the onset of a new season. Simple ideas like changing out the photographs of my kids from summertime fun to pictures of them jumping in the leaves. I even like to change up my artwork around the house to something more fitting for the season. This way I don't get bored with my décor, because it's changing every season!

I bring out lots of soft, warm blankets to throw on the couches and chairs in fall hues like orange and red. Or, toss a fake-fur throw on the couch. On a chilly day, just the sight of a thick, plush fake-fur blanket is enough to warm the heart — and cuddling under it will certainly warm your toes! Faux-fur is classic and will never go out of style...just like snuggling!

Since orange is one of my favorite colors, I love to add pops of it all over my home. Right about now, I would love to be sharing a cup of coffee in this kitchen I recently completed with PK Surroundings in Exeter, NH.

Check out some more inspiring fall decorating ideas and photos from The Inspired Room blog.

And for that extra touch of fall, homemade potpourri that I found on Express-O.

Here is what you will need: - the peel of one orange
- one cut up apple
- 2 large cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon of cloves
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of almond extract
- 1.5 cups of water plus plenty more for refill

Place all ingredients in a cooking pot and simmer throughout the day while adding a bit of water from time to time. Also, you can reuse this mix for three days and store it in the fridge overnight. Ta dah!



Warmly,

Renee

Halloween decor you're not afraid of...

 

Having a theatrical background (all time love, Sweeney Todd) and a passion for film scores (think Carlos' The Shining and Danny Elfin) has it's advantages when it comes to Halloween around our house. That and living with a kiddo who spent most of his life hoping to be Tim Burton, you can just imagine what the month of October brings us. 
Suffice to say we barely recover for Christmas.

photo courtesy of ciaonewportbeach.blogspot.com

So this week I thought it might be fun to bring you some ideas of not so scary, and not so tacky....almost tactful decorating ideas to help liven up your home and garden. Read on...

A fabulous pumpkin book by sundayview.blogspot.com

Shelterness and Ciaonewportbeach.blogspot.com
have some sweet, not so scary, fall decorating ideas that are sure to keep the little ones running up to your door.

Pumpkins don't always have to be orange. Try something a little different!

   

When it comes to Halloween, I'm a big believer that less is less, but I admit there is something about just the essence of a theme that can also be enchanting.




photo courtesy of sadiepriss.blogspot.com

My family would agree that we all benefit from keeping sharp objects out of my hands, so I am a sucker for a great painted pumpkin. 



photo courtesy of Kristen Sitton

And, like a crow, I am always attracted to shiny objects.


I love a centerpiece that, with a few quick changes, can go the distance (read: Thanksgiving!)



photo courtesy of uptodateinteriors.com

photo courtesy of shelterness.com

And of course, you need to add in some craft ideas. Those who know me will attest to the fact that I am not very crafty (see above mentioned comment about sharp objects), so the maximum impact for the least amount of effort is attractive to me when it comes to this department...



Water balloons, and stockings, and glow sticks, oh my...

Whether it's kids in cute cuddly costumes you love or frightening masks and screams that make your hair stand up that gets your blood pumping, Halloween brings out the kid in all of us!

Ever thought your house was haunted? Or that you heard a funny noise...wait, did you hear that??!! I think I just heard a door creak open...don't look back! Just kidding!

But seriously if you have a minute, Houzz.com has a fun little quiz to take to find out what kind of haunted house you have. 

And if you are anywhere in the northeast in the next few weeks, check out an incredible display of awesome frightfullness (ten years later my daughter still can't look at a chain saw the same way) of Haunted Overload




photo courtesy of hauntedoverload.com

If you can't get to them, they will gladly reside in your living room on Oct 28th courtesy of ABC's The Great Halloween Fright Night. 


For more ghostly inspiration, float on over to my pinterest and check out some frighteningly good ideas.

Eerily yours,

Renee