FALL FABRICATIONS

When temperatures drop and days grow shorter, it’s natural to seek out rich colors and cozy textures to envelop our homes in warmth, as Linda Leyhane does in her Ringoes, New Jersey, home. Here are some simple ways to imbue your rooms with fabric flourishes for fall:

♦ Plush pumpkins. Pumpkins, squash and gourds come in all shapes and colors, and this wide variety is now being rendered in fabric. You might find the fruits in cheerful calico, rugged burlap or lush velvet, with hues ranging from russet to burgundy and beyond. Prop the everlasting orbs anywhere indoors, from a mantel to an upholstered chair.

♦ Table turners. Tablecloths, runners and dish towels are a quick way to introduce vibrant seasonal colors to any room, not just the kitchen or dining room. Incorporate them in unexpected ways, such as adding a spot of color over a cabinet door or the back of a chair. You might even frame a few decorative tea towels to use as wall art.

♦ Comfy cushions. Swap out a few accent pillows or fit everyday pillows with covers that reflect foliage colors and fall motifs. Even tying a seasonal ribbon around a neutral pillow can give it an instant update and change the look of a sofa or bedding. Add a textured knit blanket or throw to further up the comfort quotient.

♦ Folksy figures. Fabric folk-art figures provide another tactile yet decorative touch, like the leggy scarecrow that greets guests at Linda’s front door or the pumpkinheaded characters that populate the space on and around the mantel in her kitchen. These unique and whimsical creations are sure to add instant personality to any space.

“I use antiques and collectibles to make a statement.”

Below: Sunlight streams through the dining room windows and highlights the wide-plank pumpkin-pine floors. Shutters situated on either side of an antique cupboard and mantel shelf create a striking focal point at one end of the room and combine to balance the scale of the expansive dining table. 47

Opposite: The front-hall fireplace serves as a backdrop for antique chairs, an expansive rustic sideboard, folk-art figures and collectibles gathered at flea markets. Fabric sunflowers popping out from a vase and a wreath studded with dried flowers echo the mustard yellow of the mantel. A collection of hurricane lamps shed light on a historic seafaring-themed print. Plush fall fare carries a whimsical seasonal feel from the mantel to the sideboard.Right: A primitive pie safe with punched-tin panels pairs beautifully with the punched-tin lamp and quilt-block art in the front hall. A white pumpkin complements the light fabrics on the folk-art doll and linen displayed on the chair.