AUTUMN STYLING
Autumn Styling
As a luxury interior designer, I find so much inspiration in late Autumn. One of life’s joys is to walk through Hyde Park to see how the limes, chestnuts and beeches around the Serpentine are turning from lush green to golden yellow, deep russet and fiery copper. The display is one to rival New England and everyone in our London interior design studio feels that comforting slide into the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.
As well as ushering in richer hues outside, autumn sees interiors in London adopt earthier tones. Mood boards are noticeably different and designs created in the colder months can take on a more magical, mystical air.
Setting the tone are sumptuous, more opulent shades. A dining room decorated in Farrow
& Ball’s Brinjal or a bedroom papered in Paint & Paper Library’s Aeonium in Gamboge would
look stunning – deep colours that capture autumn’s allure and ease you into winter.
Autumn really does suit design luxury and interior designers embrace the switch from linen and voile to velvet and chenille. One of my go-to upholstery collections is found at Osborne & Little – you could go all-out Victorian parlour with the lavish Fullerton fabric or opt for the ornate paisley patterns of Patara.
A quick way to complement autumn’s colour scheme is to swap chrome or silver finishes for the warmth of gold, rose gold or copper. A good place to start is with photo frames, lamp bases and trinket trays but also keep your eyes open for textures woven with gold thread or gilded wallpapers. I can’t wait to use Cole & Son’s Boscal Oak wallpaper or specify some bespoke cushions finished with Colefax and Fowler’s pav drop fringing in antique gold.
Of course, autumn ambience is all about creating a cosy atmosphere and lighting is crucial. Harsh overhead lights should be shunned in favour of wall lights and table lamps, complemented by candle light and the flicker of a real flame.
And don’t forget seasonal scents. TryDr Vranjes’ reed diffuser in mirra zafferano – a fragrance designed especially for autumn - or Diptyque’s Wood Fire candle, which is evocative of open fires and preparing for winter.