Elisabeth Stubbs

BY ELISABETH STUBBS

Fall is finally just around the corner. The leaves will be changing, and the weather will be cooling down, hopefully! Fall is beautiful in our area, and the change of seasons always is exciting to experience.

Incorporating seasonal touches into your home throughout the year makes each season more enjoyable, because you get to participate in the beauty. It doesn’t take much to transition home décor. A few small changes can make a big difference, so let’s get your home ready for the new season.

One of our favorite ways to transition décor from summer to fall is to add cozy textiles, such as accent pillows, throws, guest towels and window treatments. Choose warm colors and rich textures, like knits, wools and flannels. In your bedroom, changing the sheets to something heavier, or adding a blanket over the foot of the bed, will make the space warmer.

It’s a lot of fun to update your vignettes for the seasons. As the seasons change, rustic touches and accents from nature, including branches, leaves, moss and seasonal fruits, look great as fall décor. Incorporating pumpkins and gourds as the season progresses will display the essence of autumn. Other organic components to include on tables or shelves are apples, pears, acorns, pine cones and kumquats.

While summer is all about the sun shining bright, fall is about cozier, warmer lighting. If your home has a lot of natural light, you can dim it a bit with heavier curtains. Candles are a wonderful go-to for fall vibes, but there are safer alternatives. Electric candles offer the same look and feel, and warmers that melt scented wax without a flame are another option.

When I think of fall, I think about rich, warm scents. You can start subtly, with fragrances that have a musky undertone, then bring in more traditional scents, like pumpkin and cinnamon, as we get further into the season. To really create a wonderful aroma, make a simmering pot of cloves, apples, oranges, cinnamon and vanilla. This can be done in a crock pot or on the stove. You can check on the mix periodically to add more water, as needed.

When your home is ready for the new season, cozy up indoors, but remember to venture outside, too. Spending more time outside without the sweltering summer sun is another thing I love about this time of year. Try dining alfresco, or sit outside and read a book; the weather is delicious!

Elisabeth Stubbs is one of the owners of Enhance Floors and More, one of Atlanta’s top-rated flooring dealers, located in Marietta.