How to style your living room for autumn
ç I'm not talking big changes! Not new sofas or rugs each season as these are the mainstays of your room and will be with you for many years.
No, I'm talking first and foremost about cushions. I guess it's one of the reasons I fell in love with cushions in the first place. It's the instant impact, instant change effect! I kept on buying fabrics and trimmings I couldn't resist to such an extent it was obvious that I needed to set up my cushion business.
There are so many options with cushions, in terms of colour, fabric, texture, shape, size fringing/trimming but one thing that remains a constant is that they should be stuffed with feathers, obviously from a trusted sustainable source. Importantly over-stuffed too as then they will always plump up for the sumptuous feel which is always supremely comfortable. There is nothing worse, in my eyes, than flat lifeless cushions!
I find if I keep the colour scheme for the room something that works for all seasons, it means that the cushions can add those seasonal pops of colour and autumn cries out for those nature inspired tones of conker, chestnut and russet reds.
Once you have your cushions, I always head for flowers and foliage. To say I am mad about flowers about the house is an understatement! I have to say, and you might well disagree with me, but I am not one for faux flowers that gather dust. To me the whole of point of flowers is to add that fresh pop of colour and just like our diets, it is preferable if they are seasonal as nature intended. I digress but I am filled with joy to hear of all these flower farms popping up and love the trend for perennial flowers as cut flowers.
To me, flowers and foliage, as well as plants in the house add that beauty that nothing else can. The vase in the photo is all seasonal foliage picked from my garden. I am always surprised what you can find, even in October!
Next is candles. It's impossible to beat the cosiness of candle light. It is definitely a touch of old style glamour and don't hold back. More candles the better!
Nothing says autumn like the pretty ornamental squashes now widely available. You can go for the bright yellows and oranges, such as the spaghetti squash or the pale ghost squashes. Best thing is you can roast them too and pop in some cheese and have a fondu!
So all that remains is to light the fire, if you are lucky enough to have one and put your feet up with a glass of red and be thankful for our seasons. Oh yes, and then there's Christmas to look forward to! Such a great time of year!