With the end of summer around the corner, now is the perfect time to consider how to refresh your home's design to incorporate autumnal elements and embrace the fall season. Few realize how easy it can be to seasonally update your home's design while staying true to current trends. To help, Brown Harris Stevens Agent Suzanne Werson, who is a graduate of FIT and an accomplished designer, has provided some thoughtful tips for infusing fall into interior design.

Bring the Outside In

"I love wallpaper. There are so many available choices and wallpaper always makes for a finished and cozy environment. You can easily find something that incorporates a biophilic-inspired ambiance. If wallpaper is not in the budget, scents are a good start to bringing in the outside. Scented candles and diffusers can bring in nature-inspired feelings too. Think eucalyptus, amber, pine and natural fragrances." - Suzanne Werson

Werson recalled a time where she incorporated subtle toile white and brown wallpaper with stags and forest scenes in a guest room, much to the delight of visitors who commented about how calming the envireronment was. However, incorporating fall aromatherapy can have the same effect at a fraction of the effort!

Textiles and Accents with Fall Colors

"In terms of autumnal textiles, I love layers of mohair, velvet, cashmere and even burlap under a beautiful wool challis shall or fine fabric." - Suzanne Werson

One simple fix for a seasonal change Werson noted was adding new pillows, towels, and/or linens with seasonally appropriate colors. Color, she noted, is often one of the first associations one makes with nature and its seasons.

Work with a Professional

"I have worked closely with the designer Michael Cox on various occasions. He never disappoints and his work is always exceptional. A design refresh with Michael will take you much further than a fall season! He has a wonderful home shop in Hudson New York full of interesting pieces from abroad and keeps his office in NYC." - Suzanne Werson

For your own design inspiration, you can find examples of Cox's work in the book Language of Home: The Interiors of Foley and Cox.

Personalize with Heirlooms

"When creating your home, the most important thing for me, whatever the season, is to personalize. I have had a few different apartments over the years, some traditional and some contemporary. However, no matter the style or season, I always mix things in that are part of my family history. Majolica from my grandmother, a silver box that my father kept his cufflinks in, or an interesting piece of furniture or family tableware used in the past - little things that mean something to you each time you look upon them that bring some kind of joy." - Suzanne Werson

Per Better Homes and Gardens, fall 2024 will be an "heirloom era" for shoppers and designers. A natural progression from the retro-themed trends we've seen in design over the last few years, heirlooms perfetcly compliment the antique vibes usually associated with fall decor. Werson noted, however, that proper placement and selection of these precious items can work for any season.