“I’m a huge fan of layering rugs—pattern on pattern or sisal with a patterned rug on top. A chunky blanket or a fur throw looks cozy on a couch. Switching out curtains takes half an hour, and throw pillows in fur are a great way to warm up a room.” —Hillary Bird, founder, Wabi Sabi Textile Company
“Fall’s about slow cooking, harvest vegetables, hot drinks. We sell telescoping marshmallow forks that extend 4 feet. Enameled Dutch ovens, waffle makers, Le Creuset kettles for your tea, and Apple Masters—just turn the crank to slice and peel. For dishes, you’ll want deep colors—Fiestaware just added an eggplant purple.” —Scott Smith, manager, Cornucopia
“Pumpkins come in amazing shapes, colors, sizes, and textures, and they’re the epitome of fall. Try a laid arrangement on an autumn table runner with fall leaves, berries, and nuts. Instead of mums flanking your front door, take some permanent sunflowers and wrap their wire around Indian corn. Instead of a wreath, tie permanent stems of leaves with a simple ribbon.” —Dean Riebeling, co-owner, Botanicals Design Studio
Fire pits are huge in fall. The best way to do one is with a natural gas line, so you don’t have to change the tank when people are coming over. We’re also doing a lot of linear fireplaces, 4 or 5 feet long, built into a wall. Outdoor fire design leans contemporary.” —Rick Forshaw Jr., general manager, Forshaw
“Tabbatha Henry hand-carves porcelain votive holders that capture Indian summer’s fireflies and the black of an autumn night. Local artist Kitty Mollman selects leaves to imprint on raku tiles. The colors are as rich and unpredictable as the fall foliage.” —Miriam Wiegand, shop manager, Craft Alliance
Swap summery coral and seashells for painted and carved boxes, a sisal rug for a thick one. Rearrange your furniture: I once had a living room where the furniture could be against the wall in summer, and then I’d move the couches to face each other in front of the fireplace in the fall—and change the slipcovers.” —Marcia Moore, owner, Marcia Moore Design
“Le Jacquard Français Séville tablecloth and napkins in tangerine are perfect for the harvest season, and the American Wildlife collection by Julie Wear features elegant illustrations of foxes, does and bucks, pheasants, ducks, and more.” —Sallie Kramer, owner, Sallie Home
“You want warm lamplight this time of year. Shades in darker colors or a golden tone that will give more of a glow. Burlap and slubby textures feel more like fall. Try new finials—acorns or leaves, or ceramics in fall colors. Incandescent bulbs have the warmest tones.” —Mary Price, manager, Brody’s Lamps & Accessories
“When we mix our fall fragrances, we think of spices (nutmeg, cloves), woodsy notes (balsam fir) and of course, pumpkin! As well, as one of our fall favorites, nag champa, an earthy, aromatic mix of patchouli, herbs, and florals that’s often used for meditation. However you scent your home—with candles or oils in a diffuser—you’ll want heavier, richer fragrances as the weather turns cold.” —Katie Sackman, development, K. Hall Designs
“For fall, people start getting back to fuller red wines—pinots noirs and Nebbiolo from Italy, cabernets francs and Gamay from the Loire Valley. Lisa Govro of ReTrailer blends loose-leaf autumn teas locally. Watch for the Oktoberfest beers, Perennial’s fruit-flavored wheat ales, and there will probably be more pumpkin ales this year than trick-or-treaters. After dinner, a smoked-rhubarb amaro sfumato is bitter and smoky and fruity all at once.” —Jon Parker, owner, Parker’s Table
