#projectdesign Archives - Northern California Style

It’s fall and what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Getting cozy..sweaters, fires, hot drinks, soups, blankets and boots. Bring on the hygge! I was excited to be asked to join this Project Design collaboration today on Cozy Home. What makes a home feel warm and inviting?

Start with the front porch..

This weekend Max and I did a deep clean of the front yard. You can go buy pumpkins, but if your entry has a season’s worth of dust and spiders… get out there! We took a long duster to the eaves and lanterns, hosed off the porch and shined up the windows. We even wiped down the mailbox and swept the walk, and cleaned the front door. This is something nice to do seasonally. It really made the entry shine.

Next add a few pumpkins. You can go simple with one large one or go for the stacking method which seems popular here with varying pumpkin sizes and colors. If you have a long walkway you can put them along the path which is cute. If you have containers you can remove the plants and add small pumpkins and gourds as I did here with a few yard cuttings..I also added some mums and I even left them in the black pots they came in as they blended in behind the pumpkins. I went with the burgundy color this year for a change.

Make sure your welcome mat is in good shape. Maybe this is the time to get a new one so your place is looking sharp for the holidays? Pottery Barn has a nice selection of mats. I just moved a pillow and an old wool blanket to the front bench. If you can add a bench it is a nice welcome.

Since we have a front patio as well, I added a throw to the chairs out there and a candle. It just looks inviting and and reminds me it’s a nice place to chill and watch the sunset or enjoy a sunny coffee on fall mornings.

Sprinkle seasonal accents indoors..

How does it feel when someone enters your space? Ours is very open, but I moved our large wool rug right in the entry to so you hit a warm landing as you enter and changed out the coat tree things to some scarves, jackets and hats we use in fall.

I got this cute pedestal bowl as a gift and put on my island with gourds and pumpkins. I added small mum to the kitchen counter too.

I had no flowers for my round vase, so foraged the yard and took a branch off a tree for a little greenery. A bowl of pears or apples anywhere in the kitchen smells great and says harvest season..

To help the living and family rooms feel snug, add throws, extra pillows, perhaps a candle. Fall is a good time to set up a designated space for board games, or a table with a puzzle that’s being worked on is fun if you have space for it.. A basket to your main hangout room with a few blankets and throws that are easy to grab, is a nice touch too.

I warmed up the white couch with my cream and beige pillows and throws. I like the addition of creams with whites for some warmth in the cooler months.

In dining rooms you can add a little fun the the table with pumpkins..I also added a striped and tasseled throw to the bench. On the barstools I added an older pillow from Zara Home and we moved our record player and albums to the chest here so we will play them more.

I popped one of my white pumpkins with a few other bits..

In our media room, I added some darker elements and books and a fall candle to our new bookshelf!

In the bedroom, you can add some plusher elements also.

I keep my white coverlet from Crate & Barrel on all year and layer a comforter when it gets cold at the end of the bed, but during this in between time, a faux fur throw transitions it from a summer bed without the heavy duvet and looks snuggly.

It’s really just a matter of adding in details to make your place feel homey and warm. In my own space, I like adding more wood and dark elements along with creams. I think my family does love the festive bit on the porch and also the pleasant feel of soft throws on the beds and the couches.

Have fun with this season!