Fall Color Stories: Shades That Define the Season

the SEPTEMBER EDIT

Colors that define the season

Color has a way of setting the tone of a home, and in autumn, I love weaving in hues that echo the richness of the season. This does not mean covering every surface in orange and rust—it’s about layering warmth with intention, creating palettes that feel timeless yet attuned to the moment.

Ochre, deep navy, rich plum and soft rust are some of my favorite seasonal notes. These shades bring depth and coziness, especially when introduced as accents against a quieter foundation of neutrals. A pair of soft velvet pillows on a plush sofa, accessories in earthy tones on a console or a painting that brings in smoky blues—all of these are subtle gestures that shift a room’s energy without overwhelming it.

Wood tones in particular lend themselves to the season. Play up the natural hues and don’t be afraid to rearrange your decorative objects so you can pull back from “pool blue” and dip more into autumnal palette.

One low-key designer secret is to amplify the seasonal tones by repeating the color with multiple elements. Add fall-hued flowers to accentuate the color of the pillows in your living room. Rearrange decor in your spaces to create more intensity in an area.

The key is restraint. When color is integrated thoughtfully, it does not read as fall-themed. Instead, it feels like a natural extension of your home’s color palette—a nod to the season expressed with elegance.