Warm embrace for fall

As we smoothly transition from summer to winter season, the interiors too need a touch of warmth to brave the cold. This is the perfect time to set cosy corners in the balcony or pull the curtains together to create a snug space for cold nights — with winters around the corner, refurbish your home with warm tones and distinguished highlights that will keep you sheltered from sudden weather change.

Pick neutral tones like dark brown and deep greys and accentuate them with shades of emerald, wine, sapphire, and maple. Layering your space in darker rich jewel tones creates an elegant ambiance, suggests New Delhi-based décor expert Sanjyt Syngh. “To infuse your rooms with personality and sophistication, use plush fabrics in beautiful tones for a burst of optimism during the darker days of winter. Incorporate fabrics like velvets, faux fur, and organic linen or add patterns like plaid and houndstooth. Pick colours from your artwork and introduce throws in the same colour, use plumes as a trim on the cushions and add ambient lighting such as lamps with dimmers to elevate the mood. So when you are sipping your hot toddy while reading a book, it’s nice to have some dim lights turned on.”

(Pic: Sanjyt Syngh Chalet)

Adding candles is another great way to reset the ambiance for festive fall; by creating groups of candles in varied shapes and heights and placing them on glass trays create different mood lights. While for those who like to play with textures, the easiest experiment could be with interesting wallpapers. Wallpaper expert, Pooja Khanduja says, “The fastest way is to welcome winters is by cladding your walls in wallpapers. Use rich background tones like deep reds, lively coral, mustard yellow or a teal blue. Create an accent wall with a rich red wallpaper to warm up the neutral color scheme of your room. Add brass accessories to complete the royal look. If your home is heavy on wood, for example, teak wood furniture, wooden flooring or paneling, break the monotony with creamy white wallpaper. It not only lightens up the room but also adds some life to the otherwise cold and gloomy winter evenings. Go bold with your choice and add wallpapers in quirky prints. They could be nice conversation starters for the long nights.”

For someone who likes to cull from trends and synthesize according to personal taste and needs, interior designer Neera Nath recommends, “Each person has a personal innate feeling on how they like their space to be. I’ve always felt there should be a palette of options one can choose from sans being imposed upon. Metal hints in brassy gold or other metallic colours will lift the style quotient whether in furniture statement tables or on sofas or as an accessory. I love curvy silhouettes and find that unusual curves add to any room décor. You can also go more ethnic, tribal by using an ikat print as an alternative. Rugs and dhurries are a great add on and can make the room come together.”

Wood textured wallpaper around your fireplace to create a hill cottage feel or an additional furry throw blanket to snuggle up around layers of carpets and table lamps with soft lighting are some very doable ways to pep up your living space. Interior designer Pooja Gulati doles out some easy DIY tips, and says, “Opt for bold tones to highlight a particular wall or area for an eye-catchy effect. One can also use embroidered fabrics or beautiful carpets in framed or creative artworks to hang on the walls as art pieces instead of canvas paintings for a structured look. Leather in tans and browns and velvets in bold colours like red, blue and mustard can be used as upholstery for furniture while cane planter vase with real green plants can be added beside it to give a cosy yet green look for the living area.”