Changes in the sweater weather
Can you feel it – that first chill in the air? Well, here in Baltimore, maybe not. Our hot weather tends to hold out to the bitter end, sometime in late September. But even now, here and there, you can catch a breeze with a little bit of frost on its back. The first intimations of winter, foretold in the subtle reddening of the oak leaves and the gentle turns in the weather. There’s a vast expanse of ochre-yellow treetops and holiday festivities between now and those cold December months, and I say enjoy them! There’s nothing I love more than venturing out into the autumnal afternoon for a walk in Wyman Park Dell, or the excuse to bust out a good knit scarf.
With the days getting shorter, we’re beginning to turn back towards our indoor spaces. There’s plenty of daylight for corn mazes and pumpkin patches, but sooner or later we always find ourselves leaning back towards our homes, ready to get comfy on the couch and watch the show of the week with a good cup of tea (and maybe some pumpkin bread). Now that we’re heading back home, it's a good time for us to really think about how that home is curated. Is it as comfortable and inviting as we always want our home to be? Does it work for us? Does it reflect who we are?
Bearing that in mind, I’d like to offer up some tips on some easy ways to make your house as cozy as can be for this fall season!
One of the things that sometimes slips under our radar is thoughtful lighting. Once dusk gets earlier and those cloudy skies start to descend, our interior lighting starts to do a lot more heavy lifting. Now is the time to start showing some love to your lamps – a lamp turned on in your living room, even during the day, adds a pocket of glow to soften the edges of your space. And consider incorporating a candle or two! A good candle contributes that perfect, gentle light – plus, depending on your candle of choice, a cinnamon or clove scent can summon up the baked goods smell of the season.
Bring some natural elements into your home decor! Fall is rich with nature’s lovely bounty – pinecones, acorns, orange-gold leaves, evergreens, and twigs abound in your local parks and outdoor spaces. Pick up your favorite bits and bobs and display them artfully in a table centerpiece or a good vase. There’s no harm in bringing the outdoors indoors. (Of course, be sure to give your pinecones a little cleaning before you let them live in your home!)
What’s better, when the weather gets chilly, than settling into your favorite armchair and wrapping a soft blanket around your shoulders? It’s the season of throw pillows and comfy quilts, and there’s no better time to pick up some warm flannels and autumn cushions. These elements can bring in those ochres and reds and seasonal tones, while also enhancing the coziness of your living spaces. And don’t limit yourself to autumn additions to your sofas and seats – the right fabric for a table runner can really warm up your dining space, too.
Personally, I love to bake, and nothing says cozy to me more than something fresh out of the oven, whether it be a loaf of bread or an apple pie. Maybe now’s the time to consider your kitchen, especially with some of our more food-centric holidays coming up on the calendar. Pull in some new baking canisters in autumn tones, or add a little pot of mums to the end of your kitchen counter.
If you’re thinking about overhauling your living spaces – with coziness in mind – I’d love to help! I’ll always be here to help make your home fit for fall, and for every season the year has to offer.
It’s lovely to watch the colors of the world start shifting. This is a beautiful, restorative time of year. Take the time to withdraw a little – rest up for the coming winter. I hope your September brings with it warm mugs and crisp walks, and that those early dusks make way for your coziest evenings in.