Hello my design-loving friends,

September always feels like the beginning of a transition, even when the temperature has not received the memo.

While I am not ready to go full blown fall, I am starting to want the house to feel a little warmer, more layered and ready for the season ahead.

That does not require changing everything. Usually, the most effective seasonal shifts are also the smallest ones.

Design Dispatch: The Fall Shift

A home does not need to announce fall in order to feel like fall.

Seasonal design is less about adding themed objects and more about adjusting the mood of a room. The colors become a little deeper. The textures carry more weight. The lighting gets softer as the days begin to shorten.

A few places I like to begin:

Edit the color palette:

You do not have to abandon the colors already in your home. Look for warmer or more saturated versions of them.

Pale blue might become smoky blue. Fresh green shifts toward olive. Blush gives way to rust, oxblood or aubergine. Even a predominantly neutral room can move into fall through camel, tobacco, chocolate and warmer shades of ivory.

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​Add weight, not clutter:

Fall is a good time to introduce materials with more visual substance: velvet, wool, aged wood, woven leather, darker stone or a heavier linen.

One substantial throw or a pair of beautifully textured pillows & blanket will do more for a room than a collection of small seasonal accessories.

Reconsider the light:

This is the change people feel before they notice it.

As natural light changes, cooler bulbs and exposed overhead lighting can make a room feel stark. Lamps, shaded sconces and candlelight bring the warmth back. If a room never feels inviting at night, the problem may be the lighting rather than the furnishings.

Bring in something living:

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is bring in branches, late-summer hydrangeas, figs, pomegranates or foliage clipped from the yard to create a seasonal moment without feeling contrived. I prefer one generous arrangement to a trail of smaller objects scattered throughout the house.

The goal is not to redecorate for three months. It is to let the house acknowledge the season while still looking like your house.

I shared more ideas in How to Style Your Space for a Warm Fall Vibe, including a few simple ways to add warmth without letting seasonal decor take over.

In the Mix: A Less Predictable Fall Palette

Fall color tends to follow a familiar script: rust, brick red, brown, saffron, olive.

All beautiful. Also, not the only options.

The palette I am drawn to this year feels a little less expected: cornflower blue, ochre, salmon and midnight blue

Cornflower blue brings freshness. Ochre adds warmth and depth. Salmon keeps the combination from becoming too serious, while midnight blue grounds everything.

Together, they feel autumnal without being overly seasonal.

The key is proportion. I would not give all four colors equal weight. Midnight blue or cornflower can serve as the foundation, ochre adds warmth, and salmon works best as the smallest note.

A few ways I could see it working:

• Midnight blue upholstery with a cornflower patterned textile
• Ochre velvet or mohair against blue-painted walls
• Salmon used sparingly in artwork, piping or a small pillow
• Cornflower blue ceramics on an ochre or natural linen tablecloth
• All four brought together through one beautifully patterned fabric

It is a palette that can move easily between interiors, fashion and entertaining, which may be part of why I keep returning to it.

I pulled together a few pieces inspired by the combination here, and if you want more fall color ideas, I shared two additional palettes on the blog.

Off the Clock: Denmark, With More Than One Purpose

In mid-September, I am heading to Denmark with my twins.

The trip came together relatively quickly, although the reason behind it has been part of our lives for the past fourteen years.

All three of my sons have Wilson disease, a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately one in 30,000 people. Eighteen months ago, one of my twins, Joe, participated in a gene therapy study. Fewer than 20 people in the world received this particular therapy, and a doctor in Aarhus is now studying that very small group.

The unexpected perks to being part of the rare disease community? International travel for medical research is apparently one of them.

It is a weighty reason for a trip, but we are also genuinely excited to experience Denmark together. I will be surrounded by the work of many of the Danish architects and designers I have admired for years, and I plan to make the most of it.

In Copenhagen, we are staying at the former SAS Royal Hotel, designed by Arne Jacobsen most famously known for the 'egg chair' among other things. He designed nearly every element of the original hotel, from the architecture and furnishings to the lighting, hardware and even the cutlery. It is one of those rare opportunities to experience a designer’s complete vision rather than seeing an individual piece removed from its original setting.

I am also making a list of other buildings, interiors and design destinations to see while we are there. Lucky for me, my boys are up for all that kind of stuff as well (we are planning some hiking per their request too)

If you have been to Copenhagen or Aarhus, send your recommendations my way! Design, architecture, food, shopping or the place you still think about years later. I would love to hear them.

Unrelated, But | An Induction Update

My comments about induction in the last edition generated more responses than I expected.

Most of you were either unfamiliar with it or had not cooked on an induction surface. But I did hear from one subscriber who has induction and is a definite fan.

She also shared a practical recommendation: these trivets that sit between the cookware and the glass surface, creating a barrier to help prevent scratching.

It is exactly the kind of useful, lived-with-it insight I appreciate, so I am passing it along.

​Shop the induction trivets here.

As always, confirm that anything placed on your cooktop is induction-compatible and approved by the manufacturer of your appliance.

If you have induction, keep the reviews coming. I am curious whether the fans remain fans after living with it for several years.

Until next time,

🤍

Lisa

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