Fall Is in the Air: Tips to Bring That Fall Feel Indoors
Share
Did you feel that? You know what I’m talking about ... when you walked out of the house first thing the other morning and you were treated to that certain something in the air. Just a little bit of crispness, a slight “sing” touching any exposed skin that means it’s finally sweater weather. And it’s not just the temperature that’s shifted. It’s the sunlight as well. Rather than the bright, high-in-the-sky summer sun urging you to get up and get moving, you’re greeted with a slightly mellower glow, a little more of a tender nudge or comforting hug to get your day started. Fall is truly, and finally, here.
In case it isn’t obvious by now, this is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love everything about it, including the visual treat in the yellows, golds, and reds our beautiful local trees and flowers provide. But I’m at total loss as to how to bring those colors and that overall fall feel in the air into my home, so I reached out to some of our favorite Lake Norman-area interior decorators and designers for a little help.
Their tips are easy to implement — they don’t require expensive investments in individual pieces, nor do they include a herculean redecorating budget. In fact, there are likely items already in your home that can be “repurposed” in a different role. One trend this fall, according to award-winning Michelle McKoy of Michelle McKoy Designs, is bringing the look and feel of the outdoors inside.
"Using natural pieces such as pinecones and sticks not only gives the feeling of fall,” she says, “but it’s also budget-friendly.” She also recommends you avoid going overboard while decorating the house for fall. Simple pillows added to bedding or seating areas are an easy tip-of-the-hat to the season. And to keep a space from looking cluttered, McKoy recommends you replace something that you currently have in a certain space with something that speaks to fall. It could be as simple as swapping out existing dried flower arrangements from summery greens, blues and purples to fall’s golds and reds.
“Pops of color such as a yellow from a sunflower and orange form pumpkins and gourds can easily transform a space to the fall season,” McKoy says.
It’s an easy tip Wendy Yeakley, principal designer and owner of Homestyles Interior Design, uses in her home as well – and she goes a step further with the turn of each season.
“Choose a pretty ceramic vase and switch out the greenery seasonally,” she says, “I love fall branches like Bittersweet stems, either dried or silk. The day after Thanksgiving, I switch to winter greens with glitter. And spring is fabulous; cherry blossoms or forsythia. Summer is usually Bells of Ireland for a fresh green splash of color.”
Designer Lori Savio of Home, Heart & Soul in Cornelius enjoys working with her clients’ existing interior color palettes to work in fall pieces and color.
“The crisp air is always a sign the fall season is approaching,” Savio says, “and it’s a great starting point into the holiday season. Creating vignettes that coordinate with my client’s color schemes is how I like to add fall decor into their existing home. I love using pieces that are fall family favorites. It doesn’t need to be all about pumpkins. With the addition of texture and greenery, and maybe a pheasant or two, I keep things personal and creative while offering a seamless transition into the holiday season.”