By Erica Becker Morin
Contributing Writer
As the calendar turns to fall, and the warm sunny days of summer are soon just a distant memory, do not despair. Your home can still be a bright and cozy place to relax and recharge. Think color, texture and light.
If you love color, the change of season doesn’t mean the bright hues of blue skies and summer blooms have to pack up until next year. Consider painting a den, reading nook or home office a deep turquoise blue.
Whether your furniture is dark or light, toss on a bright fuchsia or orange throw and place a crisp white vase with cut greens or multiple stems of a single flower on the table.
Bright colors not your thing? Maybe texture is just what you need.
If you prefer white walls and neutral tones, adding something fluffy, nubby, squiggly, distressed or shaggy in a neutral color is your ticket to coziness. Think a shaggy area rug, a fluffy pillow or pouf, or a large wood bowl filled with pinecones on the coffee table. A knit or wool throw in cream or khaki is also a great way to add texture.
Cut a single tall branch from your favorite tree and place in a tall table or floor vase. The bark will add even more texture and bring a little bit of the outdoors in on that rainy Saturday afternoon.
And don’t forget…every room feels better with good lighting. The right table and floor lamps, or well-positioned fixtures, can make all the difference between warm and inviting or dark and depressing.
Versatility of your lighting is also key. Dimmer switches can instantly change a mood, and lamps with adjustable direction can do double-duty as task or ambient light.
Think of your lighting as a working piece of art. There are so many wonderful styles to choose from these days, your reading lamp could be the design showpiece of the room!
So. go from drab to dynamite without breaking the budget, and stay stylishly warm even when the temperatures drop.
• Contact Erica Becker Morin, creative director of just B Art and Design at (425) 260-0282, or www.justbartanddesign.com
