Expert Advice: 4 Ways to Bring a Little Autumn into Your Home

Lifestyle gurus Colin and Justin share how to bring a cabin-style (and super cozy) aesthetic into your home this fall.

If the eye-popping foliage and PSLs aren’t reason enough for you to love autumn, design duo Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan have a couple more to offer: their TV show Great Canadian Cottages airs this fall and it’s Vancouver Home Fall Show time again.Just ahead of their Home Show appearance, Colin and Justin shared with us the hottest trends to embrace an autumnal vibe at home. Just as “Hygge” became the Scandi go-to word for comfort, the pair notes, cabin-style can evoke that same feeling—and fall is the perfect time to bring the cabin into the condo. Give your city dwelling that everyday-is-the-weekend feel.

1. “Texture Is the New Black”

The duo claim that as far as fall decor is concerned, texture is the new black. “Imagine your sofa or bed is a classic all-year jacket or a fashion staple you can dress up, or down, as required. What would you do to warm it up for the fall? You’d pile on the layers, right? So treat your sofa to layer upon layer of cushions and throws, opting for chunky knits, textural weaves and faux furs to enhance the tactile nature.  Put simply, it’s all about ‘feel appeal’.”

2. Heat Up the Room

All rooms need a focal point and there’s no better way to provide focus than by installing a fireplace. Don’t quite have the space or budget for this big change? You can still tap into that feeling with some cheap and cheerful alternatives. “In our 39th floor modern Toronto condo, there’s no way to enjoy a real fire so we make do with the 21st Century equivalent—a flickering hearth beamed directly through our wall mounted flat screen TV courtesy of our cable provider. Or perhaps a steam fireplace (Dimplex have great models) could provide kinetic ‘heat’ to cozy you up, or you could try something as simple as a ‘warming’ scented candle, like The North candle from the Vancouver Candle Company, with notes of amber, heather and moss.”

3. Dim the Lights

“If your scheme’s lighting is a little on the glaring side, then it’s time to ditch the dazzle and bask in the warm glow of mood lighting. In practice, this shouldn’t be too difficult: hit the stores for pairs of table lamps (two will give you flexibility) and fit a $20 dimmer to your overhead lighting so you can adjust mood at the flick of a switch. Candlelight is always warming, flattering and romantic—perfect for this season, especially combined with a great bottle of wine at the end of the day.”

4. Showcase Art Underfoot

“Polished timber floors look amazing in the summer months (with sunlight reflecting perfectly and cascading through your space) but, for your home’s fall makeover, it’s time to break it up. Add a rug for textural element with pattern and colour. Choosing a rug is like choosing a piece of art upon which you can walk―think about form, style and colour and consider how your tufted piece will contribute to your home’s overall style.”Catch more advice from Colin and Justin on the Urban Barn Main Stage on Thursday, October 18 at 7 p.m. and Friday, October 19 at 2 p.m.