8 Fall Home Decor Staples

Fall is one of our favourite seasons- we love the crisp weather, the cozy sweaters but mostly we love the gorgeous colours and all the beauty that this season has to offer!

Here are some of our favourite staples to celebrate the Fall season:

1 - Exterior - create a welcoming vignette at the front door.  This is such an inviting way to greet guests.  We love a bench or chair with some burlap pillows, pumpkins and a wreath.  So simple but so stylish.



2 - Orange - orange is a great colour, it works with all decor styles and it looks great with neutrals.  Try adding some small accents of orange to your regular home decor.  



3 - Metallics - if you want a more glamorous or luxurious nod to fall, try playing with metallic tones like gold, bronze and copper.   This is a great look anywhere but we love it on a fireplace mantle or a dining table centerpiece. These tones really compliment the season.



4 - Nature - add the beauty of nature to your space.  A simple floral or branch arrangement is easy.  A bowl of apples, gourds, corn, wood etc...the sky is the limit!  Bring the beauty of the outdoor indoors.




5 - Plaid - this pattern is synonymous with the fall season.  It has a cozy factor and there are endless choice in terms of colours and styles.  To add a touch of coziness to your space this fall season, add some plaid! Pillows and blankets are easy ways to do that!

 


 6 - Texture - this time of year we see some many textures outside, the trees, leaves, pumpkins, gourds plus all of the textures in our fall clothing.  Bring that inspiration inside and play with textures in your space.



7 -  Animals - we have seen deer heads and antlers (real and faux) for a while in home decor - it had a bit of an ironic twist but now we are seeing the beauty of animals in pillows and art. 



8 - Candles - the days are getting shorter this time of year, so add some more light with candles.  Scented or not, this adds another layer of lighting plus it adds to the scene.  Lanterns are a great element to add to your candles, too

We Answer Wednesday - Fall Refresh

“I love fall home décor! As much as I’d love to buy all new pieces every year, that just isn’t in my budget. What are some fall trend ‘staples’ I should invest in?”

Fall home décor is great! So many colours, textures and patterns that are beautiful in your home. Where to begin?

It’s always super fun to stay on trend with the seasons.. but that can be pricey. In order to freshen up your décor without breaking the bank, try adding a few ‘trendy pieces’ into your space. Choose your favorites, and what will blend best into your current interior style.

Here are some suggestions for what’s hot for Fall this year:

Plaid- such a staple for fall. We love the warmth a plaid pattern brings to a space. Plaid comes in so many different colours and on many different décor items. Adding a few plaid pillows to your décor will definitely bring the season inside!

Fur- Fur throws & fur pillows are everywhere this year! Fur & faux fur come in various colours and variations. This is such a cozy material, and the texture really makes a statement!!

Animal Heads- We have been seeing animal heads for a little while now, but they’re still coming in strong! The options are endless for animal heads in terms of colour, size & material. These are a great addition to a gallery wall, or just to add a hint of whimsy to your space.

Deep, Rich Colours: The best time of year to introduce those rich, warm colours into your home. Burgundy’s, reds, navy’s, browns, teals are so beautiful this time of year! Bring the outside in.. fall is such a beautiful time of year for scenery, by incorporating the outside hues inside your home, you’ll be embracing the beauty of fall to its fullest! Adding pillows, throws, accessories or art in these colours will change your home for the season. 

Natural Materials: The best time to incorporate nature into your home! We love the look of wood all year round, but the fall is a great time to update with some new natural pieces. The warmth that wood tones bring into your home will be undeniably cozy! Look for wood accessories, reclaimed wood furniture pieces, maybe some sticks & a tall vase.

Textures: Textures truly make a space. Having the same material throughout can look typical and boring. The addition of different textures gives your space depth and personality. Even if your home is very monochromatic, the various textures will make your space interesting and diverse. 

It often just takes a few minor pieces to really give new life to your home.. Enjoy your fall refresh! 

Mad About Plaid - How and Where to Use Plaid in your Home Decor

Now that fall is almost here, we are seeing so many cozy and comfy textures like knits and flannels.  Plaid is one print that we see so much of this time of year - it just screams Fall!!  We love the look and feel of flannel plaids and they add so much comfort to any room.

Here are some of our favourite plaid looks for the home.

The plaid throw - just wrap it around yourself while reading or sitting by the fire.  It's also great in a bedroom.  Here we love it in the casual dining space at the head of the table.  Why not?



Black and White Plaid - Many think of reds, greens and blues when they hear the word 'plaid' but there are so many other colour options, so there's something for everyone.  We love the black and white plaid in this room. It adds a cozy factor to this off white wing back chair.



Boys' Bedroom - we love plaid in a bedroom and it's perfect for boys! Durable, soft and comfortable plus they add some pattern and texture to the space without making it feel and look feminine.  This grey and white boys bedroom looks great with the pops of orange plaid.



Decor Pillows - a plaid throw is perfect for a farmhouse or cabin look.  It's the right amount of plaid and it doesn't take over the space.  We love this chic farmhouse inspired living room with tone-on-tone plaid pillows mixed with some knitted pillows.  Totally chic and comfortable!



Vintage Country Plaid Chair - Plaid is a classic and if you love a farmhouse or vintage country style at home, try adding plaid to a furniture piece.  in our opinion a sofa is just to much but a chair or even a headboard would really make a statement. We love this streamlined chair in plaid - it has comfort and style plus paired with the soft better yellow and the styled chest of drawers you have a level of sophistication.  Country is totally cool!



If the cabin look is more your style, try a different type of plaid but we still love the idea of sticking with a classic and neutral colour palette. The image below has similar concept just more of a cabin or shabby chic angle.



Bedding - We love plaid in the bedroom but again you want to choose the right one for your look and colour palette.  We love the subtle and soft beige and white combination in this room.  It is perfect for a guest room or for anyone who likes a toned down and calming space. We love the mix of solids and the plaid in this room and the vintage bed frame and sconce lighting keep it from looking washed out.



Wall paper, why not? This might seem bold and extreme but it doesn't have to be.  We love the soft and subtle look of this room and the beige and cream wallpaper accent wall just makes the room feel cozy but still works well with the elegant nature of the room.



On the floor - we love a patterned rug and plaid works! Opt for a neutral toned plaid but it really adds some great visual interest in a room and it's a classic pattern on the floor just gives it a modern twist.



The nursery - this could work for a girl or a boy or just a gender neutral nursery.  This drapery, or bedding, or pillows or rugs.  But not everything.  The casual nature and the comfort would make the nursery a wonderful space for everyone even during those late, late night feedings and diaper changes.

Staging tips for Selling your Home in the Fall Months

It is now mid-October, we have had frost warnings, the leaves on trees are turning colour and falling, and fireplaces will soon find themselves useful. While most of us are excited for this amazing season, people in the real estate are preparing themselves because once the cold sets in, the number of buyers out there will start to sink.

While you still have time to prepare for the cold season, don’t waste these days and take advantage before the winter season sets in. Remember that no one would want to go home shopping when it’sfreezing cold and everything is covered in snow!

One of the essential strategies to get a sale before the holidays is home staging, regardless if you’re using the help of a real estate agent or selling the house by yourself.
Here are a few tips to make your home look perfect this fall.

Maintain your yard

Rake leaves, trim bushes, and use seasonal flowers. Keep it looking fresh! Always remember that the curb appeal is as important as the interior. It’s the first thing that your potential buyers will see. This about an inviting front door vignette with a wreath and maybe some pumpkins or a bench with some pillows

 

Control back to school clutter

Back to school season can create clutter in your entry. Make sure to have a place for your backpacks, shoes and other items the kids need to grab before catching the bus. This can even give the new homeowners some great ideas too

Keep it neat and simple

While Halloween and Thanksgiving are not religious specific, too much decorating can distract buyers. Remember less is more. This can be tough with children so don't eliminate it completely but keep it subtle and stay away from the gore,  keep it cute and have it is specific areas and not every square inch of the house

Use home decor that takes a cue from nature

Rather than ghosts, scary monsters or turkeys display pumpkins, hay and flowers. Nothing can scare away potential buyers like handmade scarecrows or frighteningly realistic gory Halloween decorations. A simple bowl of fresh apples or mini pumpkins as a dining centerpiece is simple but effective.  An empty corner that looks odd can easily be filled with a tall glass vases filled with tall sticks.  A door looks more welcoming when it is dressed up a bit too

Turn your fireplace on for showings to set the mood

A little warmth emanating from the fireplace evokes a welcoming atmosphere. A crackling fire says “welcome home”, as well as well-placed candles to complete that warm, snug room.  And in cooler months a fireplace will be on the minds of buyers, so make sure they can't help but notice it!

 

Add pillows

Use furry throws, pillows and texture in your home decor to create a cozy feel. Or, think about adding a splash of pillow with pillows in fall inspired colours, warm colours can make any space look and feel inviting. Pillows are inexpensive additions to your home and knowing how to use them will surely bring a big difference.

 

The cinnamon effect

Remember to use candles, incense and other oils to infuse fall scents, like vanilla or apple cinnamon. No, you don’t need to bake a bunch of sugar cookies before the showing, but investing in a tasteful, subtle scented autumn candle will do just fine in eliciting that cozy feeling buyers want to experience when they walk into their future house.

 

Home decor Ideas : All things Autumn

Brrr...it's getting cool out there!  I know what we are all thinking "what is going on with this weather?  it feels like October!" and it sure does.  This is just Mother Nature's way of reminding us of what is to come.  We are in mid-August, everyone is starting to think about Back to School and some of the stores are already stocking up for Halloween.  Autumn will be here soon enough, so why not celebrate the changing of the season?

Check out some of these Fabulous Fall Decor Ideas for your home.

1 - Add an autumnal touch to an open bookcase with silk fall leaves, which you can find at your local craft store. Whether they're pressed inside a picture frame or strategically placed along the shelves, autumn-colored leaves are sure to pump up the fall factor. I love the mix of the square ratan boxes, the leaves and the pumpkin







2 - Keeping it simple can make a big impact. Create a fresh, fall look with an orange-and-white palette. Here, white furniture and accessories, paired with a few orange accents creates a sophisticated balance. this would also look great with a natural wood furniture piece!





3 - If orange doesn't work with your colour palette, try white pumpkins.   Keep it simple with an elegant display of white, or ghost, pumpkins. For visual interest, stagger the heights by using stacks of old books or vintage scales as pedestals




4 - Looking for a more modern spin on the season?  Try painting pumpkins (you could get the kids to help) and use any colour palette you like - monochromatic gives your space a more contemporary space (think various shades of grey) or let the kids go for it with fun and funky colours!





 5 - Don't forget about the other beauties of Autumn like apples, feathers, gourds and other foliage you can bring into your space with bowls, wreaths and simple additions to your current displays.

Selling and Seasonal Decor

Fall is almost here....I love the fall season!  It's such a beautiful time - crisp air, colourful leaves and harvest time delights.

So now that the harvest season is upon us many of us like the celebrate the new season with festive decor.  Beautiful leaves, corn, pumpkins, gourds, hay and more....but if you are selling your home is this type of decor appropriate? 

After speaking with some local Realtors, they all say YES but in moderation.

Having a fall inspired wreath and the door paired with some pumpkins and gourds in a basket is both warm and welcoming but too much can make the entry feel cluttered and cramped which are negatives when it comes to selling your home.  Emphasizing your porch with pumpkins or a fall pillow on a bench is a positive and buyers will feel warm and fuzzy!



So what about holiday decor?  Well, that too can create an inviting atmosphere but again don't go over board, keep it simple and nothing religious.

For Halloween, keep it tame.  The zombies, skulls and all the gore can go with you to the next home.  If you love the holiday or have little ones that do and need to decorate, less really is more.  Keep it low key and mild.  Not everyone will want to see blood dripping down the windows and dead bodies cut in half with a chainsaw lying on the front lawn plus all of this decor takes away from the home and is very distracting!  Most buyers won't  be able to see past it and there's a very good chance they won't be a second showing.


*This is too much.  It's fun and probably the talk of the street but not good for selling.  It's just overwhelming and distracting!

The Christmas Season  is a tougher time to sell. Fewer buyers are out there but don't forget that if there are buyers out there, they want to buy.  So be sure to focus on having an appealing exterior.
Wreaths, Christmas trees, lights and bows are beautiful and when used correctly can not only create a loving atmosphere but they can highlight gorgeous features of the home like a stunning staircase, high ceilings, over sized windows, and set the scene for the buyers who might be imaging themselves hosting a Christmas dinner in the home. But again, keep it simple, I cannot stress that enough.

1. Don't bring every item out.  The front lawn, the roof and the entry steps do not need to be covered in lights, blow up Santas and glowing reindeer.  Try a wreath and a natural planter at the entry and simple lights highlighting the roof line or a great front yard tree.

2. Religious or too personal (say a family photo of you dressed like Santa's elves) items should stay packed away until you are in your new home. They turn off some buyers. 

3.  Keep the clutter minimal.  Don't fill up every square inch with seasonal decor, it makes the space look and feel small plus from a decor point of view, you can't appreciate the beauty of the decor pieces when there are too many lumped together.No one wants a small or squishy home.

4.  Having a theme (colour theme or a style like modern or country) creates a cohesive look in the home and looks put together.  This will make your home, the home buyers dream of.  Looks matter when it comes to selling your home

5.  Less is more. Ask a friend or honest family member if your seasonal decor is too much.


Selling your home can be a stressful experience and it is important to live your life but if you don't want your home to just sit on the market be sure to always have it looking it's best.  Simplicity is really beautiful.