A stylish Rhody entrepreneur shares fall favorites

A Fall Q&A with KJP

Seasonal faves from the entrepreneur behind Kiel James Patrick who has turned reveling over autumn into an art form

FAVORITE SCENIC DRIVE:

My favorite fall drives are usually the ones with no particular destination in mind, but every year I drive from my house to Pomfret [Connecticut] with a quick stop at Brown & Hopkins Country Store in Chepachet. Those old dirt roads light up with the resplendent reds and golden orange hues you long for in a New England autumn.

FAVORITE PLACE TO PICK PUMPKINS:

I really love heading to Barden Family Orchard for the first pumpkin picking of the season. [My son] Harry loves to find the absolute biggest pumpkin we can carry and it ends up riding in the back of our old red truck all autumn long.

FRIENDSGIVING OR THANKSGIVING: I’m lucky to have my entire family really close to us. So, especially in the fall, we get together almost every weekend for a big family Sunday dinner that feels a lot like a traditional Thanksgiving. Since I’m spoiled with that, I’m gonna go with Friendsgiving. We usually get one or two trips up to Vermont each autumn with a group of friends and do a big outdoor dinner where everyone makes a course for everyone to share.

FAVORITE FALL BEVERAGE:

You’re really going to make me choose, huh? It would have to be between a pumpkin spiced latte and a good cup of apple cider. I’m gonna go with apple cider, and for me, you can’t beat Jaswell’s.

CIDER DONUTS OR APPLE PIE:

As much as I love cider donuts, one of my favorite fall traditions is coming home from the orchard after a day of apple picking and digging into one of [my wife] Sarah’s famous apple pies. The whole house smells amazing for days and Harry loves helping (and taste tasting) every step of the way. A cozy pumpkin spice date at the Maker’s Mark Hobbit House at the Preserve Sporting Club and Residence, outfitted in goods from Kiel James Patrick

See for yourself just how much Kiel, wife Sarah, son Harry, and dogs Bennie and Maple enjoy fall on Instagram: @kjp; @sarahkjp; and @bennieandmaple

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DECOR TO FALL FORDECOR TO FALL FOR

Inspiration, budget-friendly advice, and local resources for transitioning your abode for autumn

Days are shorter, nights are cooler, and the autumn breeze is a welcome reprieve from the steaming hot summer we had. It’s no secret the transition from summer to fall in New England is a magical time with lots to see and do – with the abundance of fall fests, pumpkin patches, apple orchards ripe for the picking, and vibrant foliage – so, why not bring a touch of that harvest-time goodness into your home to enjoy this season? Whether creating a warm welcome at the front door, incorporating cozy textures into your favorite gathering spot, or foraging to bring nature indoors, we’re sharing some tips to help get your home feeling festive.

First IMPRESSIONS

Five steps to creating a welcoming entrance to enjoy all season long

The front door is the first thing guests see when they visit your home, so it’s important it gives a warm welcome. However, decorating your entrance seasonally can add up, so here are some tried-and-true tips to create an inviting spot on a shoestring.

1. LAYER DOORMATS

Layering doormats is a very trendy look that adds texture and interest to your front door. This works especially well when you choose a patterned low-pile rug (like a weather-resistant outdoor rug) underneath a more functional, but smaller coir doormat – those mats with brown fibers made from coconut husks. To create a look that fits the scale of your front door, the bottom doormat should measure slightly larger than the width of your door, while the top doormat should be about the size of your door.

Usea light hand when layering to avoida clu ered look in your seasonal decorating

2. FILL PLANTERS

As summer turns to fall, potted plants like ferns, coleus, and hydrangeas still have quite a bit of life left in them, so don’t throw them out! By utilizing these plants to transition your decor, you can save money and you won’t have to start from scratch. In general, having some good-sized planters to flank the door is a great start. Filling in gaps with one or two planters at staggering heights creates a balanced look for a centered doorway. If there’s only room for planters on one side of your door, one to three other planters in varying heights should do the job. Plants to consider incorporating into your pots: chrysanthemums, stonecrop, cone flowers, sweet potato vine, croton plants, ornamental cabbage/kale, and/ or grasses that add texture and color.

3. ADD PUMPKINS

When it comes to decorating with pumpkins outside, consider opting for real instead of faux, and support local farms while you’re at it. While faux pumpkins and florals are tempting, they can be difficult to store and often fade over time. If you’re looking to get the abundant look on your front steps, combining both orange pumpkins and one or two specialty heirloom pumpkins and gourds is a great way to get the look without breaking the bank. If you’re not a fan of orange, bust out the paint and get your creative juices flowing to customize pumpkins to the palette of your liking. The addition of jack-o-lanterns will add some fun and a magic glow at night.

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Use lanterns, glass votives, or hurricane lamps in different sizes by your front door to add some ambience. Battery-operated candles or twinkle lights with automatic timers are great for carefree convenience. Outdoor wall sconces can be updated with warm-toned, flickering, or vintage-style bulbs to coincide with the season.

5. ADORN THE DOOR

Once that cool fall breeze hits the front door, who can resist pulling out the autumn wreaths? Wreaths are a great way to welcome guests to your home and add festive curb appeal. A classic grapevine wreath is a great option for fall; while striking left plain, it can also serve as an excellent base for adding DIY touches like sprigs, leaves, and pinecones. If doing it yourself is not your thing, there are many options available to add personality to your door.

Assemblea mix of material and finishes to give autumn vigne es unfussy charm s

Wreath Alternatives

There are so many ways to decorate a front door beyond a wreath. Consider a hanging basket filled with branches, dried hydrangeas, or fresh mums, replacing the water and foliage as needed. Try an autumn sign or flag, leafy swags, pine cones hanging from twine – the possibilities are endless.

e Season OF THE SWITCH

Transitioning to fall can be as simple as swapping textures, colors, and scents

Autumn inspiration can be found almost anywhere – even right inside your own home. It’s always a great idea to shop your house when looking to refresh for the season because a majority of what you need to create an awesome autumn vignette, you probably already have on hand. Through cozy textures, warm colors, and spicy scents, you can decorate a home full of warmth and charm.

One of the easiest ways to add coziness when transitioning from summer to fall is to swap out your textiles. Set aside your linen, seersucker, and chambray, and bring out the throw pillows and blankets made from soft velvet, nubby boucle, warm flannels, or chunky wool. Incorporating these textures easily adds interest and warmth to the home both physically and visually. Blankets can be stuffed into baskets, draped over the arms of chairs, layered over a ladder, or nestled in the corner of a sofa or window seat, all resulting in an effortlessly comfortable and inviting look.

Keep throws within reach fo chilly nights r

Aim for asymmetry when styling mantels

Create the ultimate autumn season by assembling vignettes with a variety of items. Surfaces like coffee tables, mantels, and shelves are perfect for stacks of faded antique books, rustic or hobnail glass vases stuffed with dried hydrangeas, and patinaed brass candlesticks. Fashion texture-rich displays by showcasing collections of baskets, wreaths, wooden trays. Pot leafy plants in planters made of hammered copper or fluted iron urns to add in architectural elements that evoke the feel just outside the window.

When choosing autumnal hues to incorporate into your decor, what better place to draw inspiration from than the outdoors? In the fall, Mother Nature takes the opportunity to show off with her spectacle of colors, from muted earth tones – like burnt umber and terracotta – to more vibrant colors like violet, yellow, and chartreuse. Autumn decor doesn’t need to be limited to just orange, red, and brown; instead, focus on the tints and tones from nature that speak most to you.

Can we even talk about fall without bringing up pumpkin spice? People either love it or hate it, but if it’s not your favorite scent, there are lots of others that can help imbue those fall feels. Candles, incense, and scent blends for di users with notes of vanilla, bergamot, ginger, and clove are all wonderful choices. Be on the lookout for candles with crackling wood wicks as they not only o er a cleaner burn, but also an experience reminiscent of sitting in front of a fire. Cinnamon-scented pinecones, potpourri, and simmering pots of water with ingredients like citrus peels, apple skins, whole cloves, and more fill spaces with the smells of the season.