The Summer Farewell
As the seasons change, so do our moods and the energy of our homes and surroundings. At Heliconia, we are summer junkies at heart, and the thought of Autumn arriving on the crisp March morning breeze can stir up some mixed emotions. After all the opening up of all the windows and doors, cranking the ceiling fan on those balmy nights, salty sunkissed weekends and sunsets that seem to last forever - we feel a little sense of loss when Summer inevitably comes to an end.
But each new season brings its own unique beauty (and challenges). The trick is working with the seasons within your home to embrace the moment and feel connected to the changes in nature. By understanding these seasonal shifts and employing some of the principles and elements of design and styling, we can create spaces in our homes that support and enhance our well-being throughout the year, without spending a fortune. Cosmetic accents, soft furnishings, or just bringing autumnal florals into the home can be a cost-effective way to enrich daily life and lift the mood.
In Autumn, it’s all about bringing a sense of cosiness and reflection as the weather begins to cool and the days shorten. Lean into it and enjoy the pleasant temperatures and the changes in nature happening around us.
Colour
To create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home, consider incorporating rich, earthy tones like rust, mustard, and olive green - these have always been associated with autumn but they’ve been hugely popular lately regardless of season.
Opt for colours with warm or dusky undertones to bring a sense of depth to your selections. Styling accents could be fresh towels in autumnal colourways and soaps in earthy scents in the bathroom. Injecting an accent colour such as terracotta into the throw cushions on the sofa, and tying it together with some dahlias in an earthware looking vase on the coffee table will make an instant shift in the atmosphere towards warmth and cosiness.
Here are some of our Autumn product picks for adding colour:
Ribbed Amber Glass Vase $99
Wright Small - Olive Glass Vase - $40.00
Texture
Variety in texture plays a crucial role in autumn decor. Swap out lightweight summer throws and pillows for heavier, more textured fabrics like wool, fleece, and faux fur. Layering blankets, rugs, and throw cushions can add depth and warmth and boost the cosy factor ten fold. Mixing up the materials even further - velvet, boucle, silk and linen will create a tactile and snug effect - even if you choose to keep them all in one colourway - the variety will do the work.
Here are some of our Autumn product picks for adding texture:
Valla Caramel Accent Chair
Patterns can add visual interest and depth to your autumnal decor. Consider incorporating plaids, checks, and stripes in warm, autumnal colors into your textiles, such as cushions, blankets, and curtains. These patterns can create a welcoming, cabin-like atmosphere that just begs you to make a hot chocolate and nestle into the sofa. Additionally, consider using botanical or floral patterns to bring a touch of nature indoors, further enhancing the seasonal theme.
Outdoor connection
Autumn is a season of transition, and incorporating elements from nature into your home can enhance the seasonal ambience. Incorporate natural elements like branches, gum nuts and dried foliage into your decor, bringing a touch of the outdoors inside with a rustic flavour. Dried flowers and wheat stalks can also add a charming, seasonal accent to your decor. Dial it up and create an autumnal centerpiece for your dining table or fireplace mantel using these natural elements. And bonus - the dried florals will last for ages!
Lighting
With shorter days, lighting starts to play an important role in setting the atmosphere for the home. Ditch the downlights and opt for layered lighting - with table lamps, floor lamps, candles, LEDs or dimmable overhead lights. Candles and soft lighting can enhance the comfy factor, creating a relaxing environment for quiet evenings at home.
Rugs
While we may love the jute look for Summer and Spring, you may even consider swapping out your rugs out to complement the season. Think cosy, woven pieces in warm colours that are extra soft underfoot. Rugs act as excellent insulators too, adding an extra level of warmth.
Winter Rugs picks in Autumn Colours:
Scent
The right scent can instantly evoke the feeling of autumn and create a warm and inviting (and even nostalgic) atmosphere. Consider using scented candles, diffusers, or potpourri in fragrances like cinnamon, apple, pumpkin, and woodsmoke to fill your home with the yummy scents of the season. Choose hand wash and lotion in earthy fragrances and choose seasonal florals with fragrances that bring happy memories of autumns past.
Transition Your Outdoor Space
Don't forget to extend your autumn styling to your outdoor space as well. Creating a cosy outdoor space can allow you to continue enjoying the beauty of autumn even as the weather begins to cool. Consider adding throw blankets and cushions to your outdoor furniture to create a warm and inviting atmosphere and dust off the firepit for those cooler evenings. Bring in an outdoor rug to warm up the space even more, and layer the lighting with lanterns or festoon lights.
Clipper Cumin - Luxury Outdoor Cushions - $90
We hope this gives you some exciting & inspiring ways your home can continue to reflect the changing seasons. Stay tuned for more seasonal transition ideas!