As I sat down this morning to write this post, I noticed the weather outside my studio windows looked rather chilly and that the sky was bleak and foggy, it felt a bit eerie. Autumn will always be my favorite season. The whole coziness factor makes it a given. Really though, who could say no to drinking a warm spicy beverage while being bundled up under a blanket with a good book? That’s my idea of a perfect fall afternoon. Here are a few other things that have me excited for the season!

When life changed for all of us and we secluded to indoor activities, I became slightly fixated on a very relaxing hobby I hadn’t done in years, stitching by hand. In the evenings I would pick it up while watching a movie or take it with me any time I thought there might be a bit of down time to work on a piece. What began with a stitched portrait of a Henri Matisse ink drawing, quickly lead down a path of reinterpreting works by other famous artists. There were no self imposed expectations or goals of perfection, only quiet mindful stitching by hand. I thought I’d share how my simple approach to handwork ended up being the best stress reliever over the last seven months and how you can create your own little works of art.

Sometimes you have a design dilemma and find that many of the solutions on the market don’t quite fit your specific needs or aesthetic. Case in point, our giant flat screen tv. While I do like the frame tv’s that allow you to display artwork, the sizes available are much too small for our large wall and 10 ft long cabinet. As I contemplated other ways to hide the unsightly beast - sliding doors, mirrors, shutters, or hanging a large tapestry or piece of artwork - it dawned on me! I could design a giant roll up art canvas that would work on a pulley system just like a roller shade does - and poof, the black box of doom would be hidden in an instant! So, I got to work making a prototype of my idea….

One of my favorite ways to kill a few minutes of spare time is to scour the internet for unique finds, vintage treasures, and handmade pieces. Due most in part to my years and years as a stylist sourcing props for magazine photoshoots, it seems I’m forever pinning, saving, and favoriting my discoveries.

Add to that my slightly obsessive hobby for making and collecting pottery, I thought it would be fun to find the most unique and special handmade and vintage mugs for you! I really like collecting functional pottery, and with frequent daily use, handmade mugs seem to elevate my morning lemon water, black coffee with a tiny splash of cream, and my evening herbal spice tea before bedtime.

Soft throw blankets, scented candles, and pumpkins are fall classics that we know and love (although the pumpkin spice flavor craze may be a little more divisive), but lately I’ve been thinking about autumnal things that still bring on cozy feelings, but that may be a little more, unexpected. Rather than simply bringing in pretty, warm toned decor, I wanted to make the season feel like an experience by exploring it through our Five Senses. Rich textures, delicious flavors, warm scents, soft sounds, and natural visuals get me into the autumnal spirit. I hope these offer new ways for you to embrace the season!

I recently stumbled across this home tour and fell in love. The gorgeous kitchen is filled with trinkets and treasures found and gathered over time, and because of that, it’s filled with character and charm. It’s the home of John Derian, decoupage artist and decor shop owner, but what I admire the most about all his work and his home, is how collected and natural it feels.

You may remember my previous post about How to be Inspired - The French Greenhouse, and in this next installment, I want to use John’s gorgeous, collected kitchen as a jumping off point for how you might reinterpret the space for your own home. John’s home was left mostly un-renovated to appreciate the timeworn finishes - history is spilling from every corner, so most of the items are vintage and one of a kind. Below are some of the ways I was inspired by his kitchen. I’d really like to hear what you take note of in the comments. Studying the images as art helps us to conceptualize them in our own way.