Five Fave Updates for Fall

We know that Fall doesn't officially arrive until September 22, but it definitely feels like summer is ending. Maybe it's the sound of kids walking to school outside my front window, or maybe it's the fat Fall issue of Vogue that's in the mailbox . . . the seasons are getting ready to change.

You might be in the mood for some changes in your home decor as well. Here are five easy things you can do to introduce a new burst of seasonal energy in your home.

Add some green. Try a brighter, deeper green on an accent wall, or just on one piece in your room.

In this home office, we used Benjamin Moore's Dill Pickle on one wall, as well as bits of green in the accessories (colored pencils and file folders). We also love Split Pea from Benjamin Moore, which we painted on this bedroom accent wall and then picked up in the pillows, below.

Place a pouf. We've written about our love for poufs before. Fall is a great time to incorporate a pouf in a deep jewel tone or a strong neutral.

Here we've teamed a gray Moroccan pouf with the Everett Striped Chair from West Elm . . . which brings us to our next idea . . .

Go gray. OK, maybe not your hair, but how about your walls? Or a sofa? Or a rug? As we said last month, gray is really the freshest neutral for your home.

Pick a printed or patterned pillow. A new trend we're loving is two-sided pillows, each featuring a different color or pattern.

Both of these fun pillows are from Anthropologie, always a great place for unique home items.

It's like getting two pillows for the price of one. Just a single new patterned pillow can really wake up your sofa or bed.

And finally, incorporate a personal artifact into your decorating. Maybe it's a painting you bought on the streets of Spain, or some shells you picked up on your summer beach trip. Below, Lauran hung an old metal winery sign that she got at an Italian flea market (and hand carried back on the plane home!) in her dining room.

To add a little "zen" to her home, Jill showcases a Balinese sculpture and prayer beads that she bought at The Dry Garden Nursery.

Try one or two of these ideas this Labor Day weekend . . . and your home will be ready for the changing seasons.

Going Green

In honor of St. Patrick's Day (which is tomorrow), this post is all about green -- the color of grass, trees, four-leaf clovers . . . and one of our very favorite decorating colors.

We're not shy when it comes to painting rooms a lovely shade of green . . . whether it's just one wall, as we did in this bedroom for a recent Style to Sell house:

(Benjamin Moore Split Pea, 2146-30)

Or an entire dining room, this one for a Berkeley client:

(Benjamin Moore Pear Green, 2028-40)

This month's House Beautiful also focuses on green, and we loved this collage of great green items they put together:

And in Chicago, they take their love of green even farther this time of year . . .

(image via Mavea Inspired Water blog)

May the luck of the Irish be with you this weekend! Go out and get yourself some green!

Using Autumn Colors in a Modern Way

Even though it's close to 80 degrees right now in Berkeley, there's no doubt that Autumn is here. The leaves are changing colors and there are pumpkins everywhere. If you want to incorporate the gorgeous Fall golds, oranges, greens and browns into your home decor -- but dried corn husks and squash centerpieces just aren't your thing -- try these more modern ideas.

On your wall: the classic George Nelson Spindle Clock adds just a pop of orange; artwork such as Homage to the Square 1964 by Josef Albers radiates warmth.

On your floor: the on-trend chevron pattern in rich autumn colors. (From Home Decorators Collection)

Above are our own fall-colored treasures . . . throws, pillows and little accessories that we have collected over the past few years. Notice the modern mix of patterns and textures.

Finally, the October 2011 issue of Elle Decor shows the power of persimmon -- on textiles, tableware and even lamps. You can see these items online at Elle Decor.

Color Fever: Citrus

World of Interiors :: Elle Decor :: Benjamin Moore

This week we're bringing you an expanded look at one of the trends we saw in New York: bright citrus-inspired shades of green, lime, citron, and yellow are springing up like new growth all over the landscape, from fashion to furniture. As the saying goes, when life gives you limes, paint your walls to match. 

from Think Color by Tricia Guild

from Think Color by Tricia Guild

Design Within Reach

Kvadrat :: artwork by Sharon Horvath from Elle Decor

Harper's Bazaar

from Think Color by Tricia Guild