The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Add a splash of warm colors
Designers say trends in fall decorating insert color for reflection, expression
Sleek clean lines and tonal palettes of whites and grays gracing interior design for several years are opening up for a dollop of a favorite fall color this season.
“Interior designers don’t try to follow the trend,” says 34-year veteran interior designer Laura Gills, whose studio is at 9138 Tyler Blvd. in Mentor. “We create the trend. For the last couple of years we were going with gray and white as our color schemes. But I think people are looking for a little color, they’re looking for happiness and fall brings that.”
Interior design trends are like fashion, she said, so it’s important to decide what best suits each person.
Those who lean toward a clean, modern look can add interest with an item from the makers, the hand crafters, she said.
“People are trying to add pieces that are special,” Gills said. “Live edge tables have been popular for the last few years. But you will see that people are starting to put acrylic resins on them to add color.”
Willoughby upholsterer Luke Schultz also creates special tables and furniture by pouring colored resins into knots and holes, she said.
“People are looking for some handmade special pieces to add character and depth and warmth to their furnishings,” Gills said.
Millennials would do well to apply earth consciousness to furniture choices, she said.
“Here’s the thing about millenials,” Gills said.
“Millennials are big on being green, they use their own thermos cups, fabric grocery bags, and yet we have a lot of furniture out there in (second hand
“When we add layers,” Gills said, “when everything isn’t just one note, that’s what makes an interesting interior. When
stores) and salvage companies.
“I know they like clean and modern, but I would recommend getting something old and bringing it back, updating it,” Gills said. “You might buy a classic, clean sofa, but then take an old chair, paint it, recover it to bring it back into it’s usefulness.
everything matches perfectly, it goes flat.”
Personalization can be a simple focus of interest, she said.
“We’re into the makers thing,” Gills said, “taking a photograph, blowing it up and printing it on metal, making something special out of it.
“Or go to art shows. There are different studios in the 78th Street galleries in Cleveland,” Gills said. “You may see a lot of stuff that isn’t your aesthetic, but it will push your aesthetic. It will open you up. Art makes your space personal. If your home is gray and white and is feeling a little sterile, start adding some art to it. It’s a great way of adding color and personality.”
The cooler outdoor temperatures encourage changes in life habits, too.
“In the fall we start nesting differently,” Gills said. “We get out the chenille blankets. We light candles or a fire in the fireplace. We switch out pillows. Some people don’t switch out for the seasons, but others do. They have a whole different bedding ensemble, and pillows and throws for the great room.”
Mary Zelek owns Zelek Flower Shop at 1001 Reid Ave. in Lorain, a business owned by her family for 66 years. She has worked at the store for 38 years, she said.
Her advice this fall season is marked by metallic accents in copper or gold.
“We have gold or copper pumpkins and accent pieces,” Zelek said. “But the thing about fall, what people like about fall is it’s traditional. The most popular items are those in the traditional colors, oranges, yellows, rusts, greens, browns. Berries, twigs, vines, those things have never gone out of style. What we’re adding is these bits of sparkle. We’ll add shimmering accents.
“We also have the galvanized steel look,” Zelek said, “The galvanized jacko-lantern is ‘industrial chic.’ Industrial is popular in everything and it’s shown up in our fall decorations, also.”
Halloween is approaching Christmas in the number of people who decorate and the amount of money they spend each year, she said.
“I go to gift shows and trade shows and design schools,” Zelek said. “I would say if you want to include Halloween in this: I’m amazed at the realism. Halloween decor is so realistic and elaborate, and it’s getting more so.”
Her shop includes small skeletons striking yoga poses and others playing musical instruments. But other surprises add to seasonal festiveness.
“Lots of texture,” Zelek said.
“There’s a lot of velvet and other elegant fabrics in things you wouldn’t expect, like decorative pumpkins in velvet.
If a customer were to place a galvanized steel item outdoors, the weather will affect it, she said.
“It will get rusty,” Zelek said, “but it’s part of the charm.”
As the heat and faded colors of summer ebb away, many embrace warm, festive fall colors.
“Another thing I notice is how early people start decorating for fall,” Zelek said. “They start decorating Sept. 1, or the day kids go back to school. People say fall is so short. They know as soon as Thanksgiving comes, it’s Christmas time.”
When men who enter her shop for flowers look around at the gift items, Zelek notices they are drawn to landscape pictures with mini lights behind them.
And in order to set a warm, harvest tone, customers also gravitate to fall fragrance candles in pumpkin spice, apple pie or something earthy, Zelek said.
Gills says she appreciates the warmth of candles as decorating accents.
“I love the remote controlled electric candles,” Gills said.
“You get up and it’s dark. Who wants to turn on the overhead lights? You hit the remote control and you have the flicker of candles in the morning with your coffee. It gives you that mood, that feeling of romance.”