There are a few key tricks I always look to when "winterizing" a room that help amp up the cozy effect while furthering a stylish appeal. My go-to's are: swap out lightweight textiles for their heavier more tactile counterparts, layer the space with additional soft accessories like pillows, throws and even area rugs, and increase the ambient lighting as the natural daylight disappears.
The idea is to increase the texture in the room, as it adds visual warmth to a space even within hard finish accessories; the overall aesthetic of the room should feel softer, a space that invites you to cozy in, whether it's for a chill evening alone or entertaining the next holiday soirée. For this week, I hit up a few of my fave boutiques to find my top five decor pieces to give an instant cool-weather stamp of approval to any decor.
Nature's Collection sheepskin stool covers. Available at Orling & Wü; 28 Water. $78 each.
These sheepskin seat covers are a chic option for a fast fall update – toss them on your bar stools, dining chairs or even office seat for a little extra softness and a lot of extra style. Made in Denmark, these sheepskins are a byproduct, which is an important note for those looking out for the environmental or animal impact; three colour ways within a muted palette are available: mauve, nude and a pale white/grey.
Klein Reid molten lava vessels. Available at Provide Home, 529 Beatty. $235 - $499.
This collection of bowls and vases, created by the well-known Brooklyn-based ceramics studio of Klein Reid, add a beautiful heaviness to any décor. The organic silhouette juxtaposed against the hard materials finish creates a high level of visual interest, while the natural effect of the lava gives a sense of warmth to the piece. Swap out your lighter glass vases for these for an instant jump into fall accessorizing.
Donato sofa. Available at the Cross Décor & Design, 1198 Homer. $6,795.
This sofa is what my designer dreams are made of: oversized cushions on a streamlined, deep frame create the ultimate lounging experience. The soft linen fabric adds a chic yet casual appeal to any space, while the fresh white finish keeps this larger piece feeling unobtrusive. Keen on the environment, this piece is created with sustainable materials and washed in environmentally-friendly detergents.
Doug Johnson storage baskets. Available at Provide Home, 529 Beatty. $299 - $569 as shown.
Once you stock up on all the necessary blankets and throws for your fall décor, you're going to need somewhere to store them when not in use, and this is no excuse to skimp on style. Especially in small spaces, storage solutions are usually visible and therefore need to add to your aesthetic in addition to offering functionality. Following in suit with other wintery accessories, it's preferred to seek out storage with texture. These woven baskets allow for a tactile finish while the variety of shapes and sizes can be used solo or in a grouping to store everything from your winter textiles to toys for the kids or Fido or even to shoes at the front door (for those of us lacking an entranceway closet). The neutral grey, white and black is designed to integrate into any decor while adding a boho-meets-graphic appeal.
Wool and cotton throw blankets. Available at Le Marche St. George, 4393 St. George. $95 - $125.
A change of seasons hasn't phased out the strong design movement toward a global aesthetic; even as we move into heavy textiles and multiple throws, the international-chic presence is at our fingertips. Hand-picked from world travels by the shop owners, these blankets have been brought in from Mexico and Lithuania. Ranging from medium-weight cotton to dense wool, these blankets have got you covered. Again we're seeing a black, white and grey neutral palette combined with graphic patterns in a strong way.
