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Autumn

We all feel it when the air begins to shift. When the light and colors subtly and slowly change. Like all of us, I have a slight sadness as summer comes to an end.  But for me, there’s always excitement when fall approaches. Friends are back in town and eager to reconnect, school is in session and there is a fresh energy and rhythm in the city.

And if summer delights in shedding layers, autumn is about the joy of bringing them back — colors, textures, inside the home and also literally on you — in your wardrobe. Rich tweeds, chunky knit cashmeres and jewel-toned colors; the smell of soft, damp fallen leaves on the lawn, the smoky aroma as you light your first fire of the season; turning on the lights a little earlier in the kitchen as the sun sets sooner.

Confession, though — my least favorite day of the year is when Daylight Savings Time ends! But I make the best of it — for the darker early evenings, I change out my candles for moody earth tones, like orange, green and chocolate. Try classic colored candles from Pottery Barn or these from John Derian and these classic tapers from Trudon.

Flowers are next. On a recent trip to Maine at the beginning of October, my garden was still blooming with hearty fall flowers. I was able to cut and arrange my dahlias, cosmos, and zinnias as well as my hydrangeas.  Dahlias and zinnias can be found in the most glorious colors — my favorites are tangerine orange zinnias and hot pink dahlias. If you have your own hydrangea bushes, their flowers gradually change into rich pinks and creams, and you can cut them super long to create a bigger, more dramatic moment in your hallway or on a console.

And then there are the gourds and pumpkins! I love to add them around the house, inside and out. I dress the dining table, mantel, and coffee table with one or two small ones, and get a selection of bigger ones for outside at the front door. I like all different shapes, all different sizes.

 And for my dinner parties this fall, my table is rich in colors and textures. I have always had a love of colored glassware. This handpainted glass is one of my all-time favorites — from Los Vasos de Agua Clara found at ABASK.

I love a stemmed wine glass at the table, but I like stemless glasses for casual cocktails and wine. These Venetian-esque glasses from Cabana come in a few great colors and are versatile and seasonless. They live on my bar cart for wine and drinks and I use them on my table as water glasses. Stemmed or stemless, your style is what matters.

 And for plates and linens, I am having the most fun looking through D'Ascoli, Cabana and Simrane.  For me it’s about layering, mixing and complementing. You shouldn’t be afraid to add things to your table that don’t match perfectly. That’s the fun part – and don’t forget the candy corn!