Fall Forecast: Warm & Bright

A designer reveals unexpected ways to cozy up your home this season.

- MERYL SCHOENBAUM

FALL TRANSITION

Jenny, her husband, Dave, son Zack and pet pug Buzz live in the Midwest, in a two-bedroom, two-bath cottage built in the early 1950s. She enjoys seasonal decorating and has found easy and economical ways to express her fondness for fall. “I dress our home seasonally, but it’s done with simple swaps,” she says. The word that comes to Jenny’s mind for making the transition to her home’s fall décor is cozy. “Fall is the time to bring on the cozy with layers of pillows, blankets, candles and pumpkins,” she says. “Cooler blues and whites for summer are replaced with warmer colors in pieces like pillows and throws. In the summer, I remove excess pillows and throws, but fall is about bringing them back. I also love bringing in touches of copper to showcase flowers or corral dishtowels. Swapping out summer nautical art for more rustic pieces is another easy way to give a nod to fall. And, of course, both real and artificial pumpkins are brought in.”

A TIME FOR WARM COLORS

The cottage look embraces white and light colors, but Jenny thinks fall is the perfect time to introduce more vibrant hues. “My home has a neutral color palette, with wall colors in light blues, grays and whites,” she says. “For fall, I love bringing in warmer colors of burnt oranges, yellows and even pops of red. I also love adding copper accessories.”