By The Poole

I love fall.  As a native Michigander, I believe this is in my blood.  Fall is beautiful here in Indiana also, and right now the colors are magnificent.  I have been thinking recently, what exactly is it about fall we all love so much?  And how can we bring it inside?  Fall has impact on each of our senses.  We can easily (and inexpensively) mimic what is going on outside with simple changes inside to enjoy regardless of the weather.

1. Sight: Fall is all about COLOR.  Changing out or adding a few throw pillows, vases, or other accent pieces in warm hues of red, orange & gold is an easy way to translate what is going on outside your window into your decor.  Also, if you focus more on colors and patterns instead of a specific holiday theme (not skeletons & witches or turkeys & pilgrims), you can enjoy your seasonal decor for several months at a time.  Go ahead and tuck away the pastels, fresh blues & sunny floral prints for now, you will enjoy them that much more again in the spring
2. Hearing: This one may be a little more subtle than the others.  I don’t exactly want the sound of Canadian geese honking overhead as they fly south playing in my house.  However, the sound of a crackling fire is one of the most relaxing that I can imagine.  Don’t have a wood burning  fireplace?  Or any fireplace? (I have a gas fireplace but it doesn’t have the same effect as wood burning)  There are now candles made with crackling wood wicks to mimic the sound of a real burning fire, and they come in a variety of colors & scents.  *WoodWick brand candles available at Kohls are great & often on sale* 
3.  Smell:  Even if you do not feel like baking pumpkin pies every day, you can still enjoy similar smells all season long.  There are endless options when it comes to how to bring the scents of fall in your home including traditional & flameless LED candles, wax warmers, oil diffusers and room sprays. Personally, I tend to lean towards woodsy or crisp fragrances, but there are plenty of sweet and spiced options that can fill your home with the smells of something fresh out of the oven.  Changing out fragrances to reflect the season is a must for me, and I enjoy trying out new scents each year.  Current scent in my wax warmers: Mahogany Cedar
4. Touch: For me this is all about texture, you can get same feeling from a throw blanket that you do from your favorite sweater.  Cable knits, flannels & faux fur are all great fabric options that can give your space instant warmth without a big commitment.  The best part is not only will it add to your decor, but there isn’t a better feeling than curling up on the couch with a cozy blanket on a cold and rainy day.
5. Taste:  This one is pretty obvious and does not need much explanation.  You have probably seen or heard about “pumpkin spiced everything” which I think is wonderful, because it only happens once a year.  I also have a constant craving for hot apple cider with a fresh donut this time of year.  And of course, there are all of the Thanksgiving staples we have to look forward to.  *Keep an eye out for blog posts under the food category for some of my favorite things to make in the fall

I hope you have a wonderful fall season full of everything you love inside & out

There are some elements of design & decorating that I find myself consistently drawn towards.  I love a combination of items that are warm, timeless, and can be incorporated into a variety of styles.  Here are a few of my favorite things…

Reclaimed Wood

I contribute my appreciation of real wood over the faux alternatives to my Dad.  This was instilled in me as a kid “helping” him with projects around the house and has evolved into a true adoration of reclaimed wood.  Whether it comes from an old barn, a park bench, railroad ties, or any other number of places, I don’t think there is anything that can match the beauty of reclaimed wood.  Every scratch, dent and scrape contributes to the character and simply cannot be artificially created.  Reclaimed wood can be transformed into furniture and other design elements that range from rustic to modern, shabby chic to industrial.  Best of all, the story behind the origin of the wood can give meaning to a piece or space that simply can’t be manufactured.  So please, always keep an eye out…that seemingly desolate barn could be a goldmine full of beautiful reclaimed wood ready to be given new life.

Subway Tile

In my opinion there are few things as classic and timeless as white subway tile.  It can be used for bathrooms, kitchen backsplashes, accent walls and more.  Instead of white being the only option for grout now there are variations of grey and black that can completely transform from the traditional look.  Another option for a twist is adding a band or accent of colored tile to white subway tile (photo).  Added bonuses are that subway tile is readily available at most home improvement stores and is typically a budget friendly option. It may not be the hottest new design trend but I don’t think it will ever be out of style.

Glass Coffee Mugs

This one may not be as closely related to design but I think it still applies…and I LOVE coffee.  If you look in my kitchen cabinet you will find an assortment of mugs, I’m sure many of you will find the same in your own kitchen.  There may be some mugs tucked away up there that are sentimental and mismatched and you will never get rid of…the same goes for me.  However, my favorite mugs are made of clear class and come in an assortment of sizes and shapes.  The best part is that you can mix and match for a simple and beautiful collection that is a nice touch when serving coffee (or tea, hot chocolate, etc) to guests.  Also, glass coffee mugs are affordable and typically dishwasher & microwave safe.  I purchased mine from Target ranging from about $2-5 dollars each depending on the size.  The best part is that you never have to worry about trying to coordinate with your place settings or serveware because they go with everything!

What are some of your favorite things?