It’s time to say good-bye to summer style and look ahead to autumn.
To update your home, we asked Lauri Ward, owner of Use What You Have Interiors and author of Downsizing Your Home with Style: Living Well In a Smaller Space and Jennifer Adams, resident design expert on The Better Show and former lead designer on HGTV’s My First Place, to offer predictions on the hottest house accessories for the upcoming season.
Top Trend: 50 Shades of Gray
While jewel tones like blues and greens are in, the hottest color of the season is gray.
“It’s bigger than ever,” says Ward.
That includes all different shades, from pale colors to rich charcoal.
In fact, it’s so popular that other colors are getting a gray makeover.
“I’m seeing colors that have been around that now have a grayish tone to them,” says Adams. These new hybrid shades can be used as neutrals.
In the living room, Ward suggests using gray throw pillows. Or if you have light-colored walls, go a step further and invest in a charcoal-gray slipcover.
Even carpeting is a smart choice: “It’s a practical color; it conceals things beautifully,” says Ward.
In the bedroom, a gray duvet is an easy way to make a change without purchasing an entire new set of bedding.
Butterfly Accents
“You can’t go wrong with little butterfly accents if you want a little bit of whimsy and fun,” says Adams.
Consider adding only touches to avoid straying into cloyingly-cute territory: A butterfly wing pillow is a subtle addition to your couch while wall decals or 3-D wall art in neutral colors won’t overwhelm your existing decor.
Arabesque Shapes
See ya, chevron! Arabesque is the new hot pattern.
“I actually just used this pattern in my kitchen.
I used it in my shower.
And I have it coming up in all of our fashion bedding in different shapes and sizes,” Adams gushes.
Arabesque medallions are already showing up everywhere, from mirrors and picture frames to candle holders and decorative cushions.
Printed & Textured Fabrics
“Texture is big now,” Adams says. “If you’re picking out fabrics like accent pillows or draperies, get a really bold texture.”
For an unexpected touch, try a burlap table runner.
Many Etsy sellers embellish them with words or embroidery to fit any style or taste.
Also popular: linens, particularly those with words or sayings printed on them, and pillows printed with French words.
“Anything French-inspired seems to be huge right now, and I think that’s here to stay,” Adams predicts.
Warm Metals
Get ready for rose gold.
“It’s beautiful paired with ivory or white,” says Adams.
Don’t want to shell out the cash for a precious metal? Try rose gold spray paint to update any piece of furniture or picture frame.
You can also settle for another warm-toned metal: copper.
Most colored gold is actually made with a copper alloy, so it isn’t much of a stretch. Plus, copper is much more widely available.
Copper pieces look especially beautiful in pale kitchens, whether they’re canisters, trays or even mugs.
A small table or a garden stool is another way to add a glimmer of metal to a room.
“You can use garden stools to sit on or as end tables,” says Adams. They’re not that expensive and you can find them in all shapes and sizes and colors.”
The perfect complement to your fall décor: perfuming your home with the spicy scents of fall.
Pick out candles or an air freshener in a seasonal scent and frequently freshen up rooms.
You won’t miss summer one bit!
