Fall decor: Feel-good vibes and personality
plays with scale, incorporates a cheeky flag print or reinterprets a saddle or aviator’s chair as seating.
If you’re not comfortable going to the max, there’s another emerging look that finds the sweet spot between “lots” and “little,” and that’s maximal minimalism.
This allows you to keep your clean-lined aesthetic while adding just a touch of something bold. Maybe it’s wild throw pillows. Or oversize art. Or a collection of objects — but instead of covering every surface, you display them in a contained way on a sleek shelf. John McClain, whose studio is in Orlando, Florida. “Deep, cozy textures are cropping up on more than just pillows these days — entire sofas, chairs and headboards are sporting luscious upholstery reminiscent of lambs, puppies and ponies.”
These materials create a calming, homey feeling, he says. He suggests also adding a hide rug, faux-fur throw or Nordic knit pouf for a fashionable look.
You’ll find seating from CB2, Houzz and Article upholstered in soft, nubby boucle.
West Elm, Target and World Market are among retailers offering poufs with Scandinavian-style patterns.
McClain is excited about some new, warm grays, like Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl, Dunn Edwards’ Foggy Day and Sherwin-Williams’ Repose Gray.
“Adding layers of darker, moodier colors on top of this new gray leads to a sophisticated and almost sexy feel for fall,” he says.
Benjamin Moore color and design expert Hannah Yeo notes another chic combo: “From pale buttermilk to rich gold, yellows are making a strong visual statement. Soft yellow mixes well with gray and warms up wood tones.”
And Los Angeles designer Jane Breegan favors colors that “appeal to the emotions.”
“I see fall’s color trends moving toward darker, deeper hues like dark teal, maroon, plum,” she says. “These colors create a relaxed atmosphere that contrasts the bright, electric tones of spring and summer.”
Complementing all the rich blues, teals, berries and greens are the metals, and designers say mixing them up is the way to go now.
“Mixed metals definitely infuse an eclectic balance this fall,” says Breegan. Rose gold may be on the wane, but brass and gold accents are trending, as is matte black.
Silvery nickel and steel are always in.
The mix isn’t solely about material or color; it’s also about finish. Matte, polished, antiqued and brushed give home decorators many options to provide interest and depth.
GE Café’s new appliance suite lets you customize knobs and handles, for example.
“One of my clients opted for copper accents on her stainless appliances for fall, and plans to change again for spring,” McClain says.
“Wallpaper is having its day,” says Joan Craig of the New York architectural and interiors firm Craig & Co., citing papers with natural textures, customizable hand painting and smallscale prints.
“Beyond rooms, we’re lining ceilings, cabinet interiors and bookcases,” she says.
Terrazzo has found a home in many designers’ hearts. “It’s been around for 10,000 years and it still looks modern,” says Craig.