Home comforts
As summer fades and autumn closes in, take inspiration from the changing seasons to create cosy, protective spaces that are perfect for hibernating. Sitting grounding neutrals and evergreens alongside earthy textures and natural prints will guarantee endu
Combine autumn’s rich palette with natural textures for cosy interiors in which to hibernate
WINDING DOWN
As the nights draw in and the fireside beckons, prepare your sitting room for autumn living by introducing plenty of snug seating and tactile fabrics and throws. Covered in cosy fleece, The White Company’s new Sheepskin chair, £1,100, is ideal for hunkering down, while its Pearl sheepskin round pouffe, £495, and Pearl curly sheepskin stool, £275, make welcome rests for weary legs after country walks.
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS
Foraged hedgerow treasures make for beautiful autumnal displays, so be sure to take a closer look as you venture out on your autumn walks. Sculptural seed pods and fallen leaves will look beautiful hung from branches in Rowen & Wren’s bud vases, £9.
AUTUMN PALETTE
From rich orange to myriad earthy greens, let the colours of nature’s harvest inspire a cosy room scheme. Ornamental squashes are brilliant for adding seasonal style, too. Display on windowsills or mantelpieces, or grouped on a dish to as a centrepiece for a relaxed dinner table laid with linen from Rowen & Wren.
EMBRACE NATURE
Bring seasonal charm and colour to neutral spaces with autumnalthemed artwork. Based on an original watercolour, this Pheasant and Deer wall hanging, £85 at Sam Wilson Studio, really shines when set against a moody charcoal wall.
SITTING PRETTY
To bring a hint of pattern to a soothing scheme, consider covering an armchair in a fabric from Sanderson’s A Celebration of the National Trust Collection, which draws on the beauty of the British countryside. A chinoiserie-inspired design set on an atmospheric navy, this Lophura print, £59 per m, is effortlessly elegant.
RUSTIC CHARM
As the heart of the home, the kitchen is where we spend most of our time, so making it welcoming and calm is essential. For timeless appeal, let rustic period features take the lead, such as weathered beams and flagstone floors, while opting for base cabinets only will help keep the space feeling open and airy. Inextricably linked with the soothing and enduring beauty of nature, green is a brilliant colour for everyday spaces like kitchens. Plain English’s Army Camp shade, pictured here on its bespoke cabinetry, from £35,000, really grounds this space and beautifully complements natural wood and stone.
TALES FROM THE ORCHARD
Cosy corners papered in whimsical natural prints make perfect escapes when the weather starts to turn. Based on a handpainted design that celebrates the seasonal changes of an apple tree, from blossom to ripening fruit, this Ingrid Marie paper from Boråstapeter will rekindle magical memories of summer in the countryside. £59 per roll at Wallpaper Direct, it’s available in moody teal for a cocooning feel, or an uplifting neutral.
SLEEPING BEAUTY
With long nights on the horizon, now is the time to make sure the bedroom is a restful and cosy space. Offering a varied patina and a subtle spectrum of warm neutral tones, distressed plaster walls would make a soothing backdrop. Why not mimic the texture on the floor using a woven rug such as this Yaro extra-large woven hemp rug, £495 from Graham & Green? Pared-back versions of French-style designs, Graham & Green’s Alva king-size bed, £1,295, and side table, £450, are perfect for bringing subtle elegance to a quiet space. Finish the look with Graham & Green’s Downton wall sconces, £115 each, and cushions in an array of artisan linens in autumnal colours.
SOFT TOUCH
No bedroom is complete without plenty of cushions and throws for snuggling down on crisp winter mornings. If you love the layered vintage look, Projektityyny has plenty of embroidered blankets, patchwork quilts, and ruffle trim cushions in checks, stripes and florals ready for mixing and matching. From £35 for a pillowcase.
INTO THE ARBORETUM
Immerse yourself in the magic of an autumn woodland with Cole & Son’s Martyn Lawrence Bullard Royal Fernery wallpaper covered in abundant leaf forms in myriad greens. To temper the rich tapestry print, £195 per roll, pair with the clean lines of Ikea’s Hemnes bed frame, £179, Kornsjö side table, £35, and plain linen bedding.
MOODY BOTANICALS
As the seasons turn, don’t be afraid to embrace nature’s darker side. Flower and leaf prints set against teals, charcoals and black will bring whimsy while giving rooms atmosphere and a quirky twist; we love this Flora design from Boråstapeter, £39 per roll. If wall-to-wall is too much, try a small project like papering a tray.
COSY CORNERS
Lighting plays an essential role in creating the perfect reading nook. Combining a good mix of ambient and task lighting will ensure a cosy atmosphere while providing practical light to read by. From its Oxford bronze wall lights, £210, to its Pimlico floor lamp, £534, David Hunt Lighting has plenty of classic designs to choose from.