Design Dispatch | Effortless Transitions: Designing Homes that Move from Summer to Fall

Late August is that in-between season—warm days still linger, but there’s a quiet pull toward cozier corners and layered textures. Transitioning your home doesn’t require a remodel; it’s about thoughtful shifts that make each room feel fresh and seasonally attuned.

One of the easiest entry points is color. If your palette already leans blue, consider weaving in warm rusts through throw pillows, coffee table books, or a sculptural vase. If you’re ready to be more adventurous, a rich purple can instantly infuse autumnal depth—just a few accents will do the trick. The key is repetition: sprinkling the tone across small moments throughout the room creates cohesion without overwhelming the space.

Texture is equally powerful. Chunky, neutral blankets folded at the end of a sofa, a woven basket near the fireplace, or linen layered under a tabletop vignette all signal warmth. And never underestimate the mood-setting power of candles. I keep a favorite fall scent front-and-center on my kitchen island (Nest is a go-to, and Crate & Barrel has had beautiful releases in recent years). By Thanksgiving, I’ve usually burned through two or three, and then the house shifts toward winter in one satisfying reset.

These small moves—color, texture, scent—help a home shift subtly & effortlessly as the seasons turn.

In the Mix | Global Influence: What Porto & Galicia Can Teach Us About Design

I came back from northern Spain and Portugal brimming with inspiration. What struck me most wasn’t a singular design revelation, but rather a reminder that timeless design is layered and cumulative.

Walking through cathedrals, palaces, and even simple side streets, you notice that every element has purpose: a staircase carved with precision, the underside of a balcony adorned with unexpected detail, or a centuries-old wall still telling its story through worn frescoes. These places endure not because of grandeur alone, but because of the small, thoughtful decisions when they were being built.

1) Floral motif carved into staircase newels

2) Colorful tile decorates the underside of a juliet balcony

3) The underside of the staircase in Livraria Lello mimics the same intricate carvings in the ceiling

4) Europeans know the importance of a front door

5) A 4” carving of an orthodox cross directly carved into a side entry to a church

6) How things are displayed make all the difference

We don’t build with the same artisanship of 250 or 500 years ago, but we can learn from that ethos. Incorporating details worth preserving—built-ins, stonework, custom millwork—adds meaning and permanence to modern homes. And as housing becomes increasingly expensive, I believe we’ll see a return to designing for longevity, where homes are lived in by extended families and meant to last. That perspective alone is worth carrying forward.

Off the Clock | From Bilbao to Porto Travel Highlights

Twelve snapshots that capture the essence of two weeks well spent:

• Santa María del Conceju, Llanes: a stunning Gothic/Romanesque church from 13th BC.
• San Julián de los Prados, Oviedo: UNESCO-listed 9th-century church with some of the most well preserved medieval frescoes.
• São Bento Station, Porto: 20,000 hand-painted tiles- telling Porto’s history.
• Palácio da Bolsa, Porto: the city’s former stock exchange. Gustave Eiffel had an office & worked here for a period of time.
• Geranium-filled terra cotta pots: brightening a quiet outdoor staircase.
• Metals, glass, and wood: blended seamlessly in unexpected architectural details.
• Intricate parquet floor, Palacio de la Magdalena, Santander.
• The first breakfast of the trip: because it all somehow tastes better abroad.
• The heart of old Bilbao: still lit with its original lanterns and rails.
• Santander: beautiful seaside city where royalty summered.
• Vigo: a vibrant key port city during WWII and where the majority of emigrants began their travel to America
• The view of Porto: shared with my travel buddy Joe.

And finally: the fanciest Burger King I’ve ever stumbled upon—in Santander, no less. Proof that design is everywhere, if you’re looking.

These travels, while personally enriching, continue to fuel my professional eye and design practice. Here’s to learning, observing, and bringing back inspiration that shapes the way we live at home.

“Autumn is the season that teaches us that change can be beautiful.”
​ — Unknown

🤍 Lisa

P.S. A heartfelt thank you to those who shared Porto recommendations—we made it to São Bento, Palácio da Bolsa, and even hopped the tram to the ocean. Every bit was magical.

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