My Favorite Ways to Cozy Up My Apartment For Fall

It's official, Kuotes readers: Fall is here! Given how crazy this year has been, I sometimes feel like no time has passed since mid-March, and yet here we are in mid-October! Even though I'm secretly freaking out at how fast the months are passing (though, can't say I'll be sad to see 2020 be over with, am I right?) I do always love the changing of the seasons from warm to cool, and especially the fun process of starting to cozy up my apartment for fall! These days, with home being at the heart of our daily life more than ever, investing in some key touches to make your living space super relaxing, inviting, and comfy is an absolute must--seriously, it's an act of necessary self-care for me. So, from under cover of my fave throw blanket with a warm mug of pumpkin spice coffee by my side, I am so excited to share my oh-so-easy tips and tricks for how to make your home feel authentically autumnal without having to go overboard with black and orange Halloween decorations!

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Pillows, Blankets & Candles, Oh My!

As the weather cools down we’ve all been thinking about ways to feel more comfortable in our homes now that we’re not out in our backyard or on our patios. One of the first things I did this fall was update all my pillows! During the spring and summer, my decorative pillows were lighter, neutral colors and many of them had floral patterns on them--but now I have forest green ones, which is one of my favorite colors. Just adding more autumnal colors has been a super simple first step in how I cozy up my apartment for fall. My throw blankets are also starting to resurface again and I’ve been setting up what I call “reading moments” throughout my home, especially in my living room. It’s all about creating cozy reading nooks or reading corners where it’s inviting to bring a cup of coffee or tea over.

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And of course, you never have to ask me twice about filling my home with luxe candles. One of my top tips from all my years working in interiors is that investing more in high-quality candles is always a good idea. I love creating clusters of candles to set the mood for the autumn season--the combination of the warm and inviting visual and the lovely scent is just so wonderful to me!

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Embracing Mantelpiece Styling

Let's face it: Mantels are just a really good vessel for cute things--just like French fries and potato chips are good vessels for condiments, regardless of if you want sweet or savory. Right now, on my mantel I have an eclectic smattering of vintage treasures, along with some eye-catching brass accents, gem-inspired bookends, and usually some seasonal blooms in a vase (throughout the summer, I was leaning towards petal-heavy florals in pinks and purples, whereas now I'm favoring thistles and sprigs of variegated willow). Fall is also the time to put up your darker colored picture frames and darker candles on the mantel, along with seasonal garlands, upscale curiosities (like these luxe skulls from L'Objet). I personally opt not to decorate for Halloween--my kids aren’t forcing that on me yet--but leaning into moody colors and slightly spooky decorative accents can be a stylish way to do this without going over the top with mummies in the corner! Finally, I would advise you to take advantage of your hearth or fireplace if you happen to have one! I have a non-working fireplace and I always like to put something eye-catching there to set the mood. You can do anything from a light birch log to selenite sticks, or even a stack of vintage books. Right now for fall, I have gnarled grapewood branches that feel autumnal and inspired by the natural world. You can also always put tall candlesticks in a fireplace for a classic look.

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Your Cocktail Hour Deserves an Upgrade

Though large gatherings are still off the table this year, it has been nice to be able to have small groups from my friends-and-family bubble over for some seasonal celebrations and libations. So, in terms of hosting indoors a little bit, it’s been all about getting my bar cart ready and thinking about what libations I might want to make and serve this season. When I get my bar cart set up, that usually means new glassware and fresh cocktail ingredients. I didn't pony up for the Baccarat crystal, but I did treat myself over the summer to some lovely crystal from an antique shop in Southampton. Finally, I usually don’t have patience for cocktails that are too complicated--I'll get as extensive as a dirty martini with a few olives--but I will say that I can always count on a nice, jammy cabernet sauvignon or zinfandel (like this one from Rombauer). Cheers!

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