By Melissa Segrest

The classic signs of autumn – rich multi-hued leaves, a crackling fireplace, warm colors of sage, brown, gold and red – are just right for a seasonal spiffing up of your home’s décor. Be it a small touch, such as an elegant brown bark-like vase or tiny turkey-shaped tealight candle holders, or elaborate efforts like lavish rich textured linens or the latest in flatware and dishes for your Thanksgiving table – anything that smacks of the season is right on time.

Slideshow: View Hot Home Décor Items for Fall ‘07

In terms of color, think of warm autumn classics such as orange, brown and red. But this year some color and interior experts suggest you expand your options by considering adding metallics and satin, multiple shades of red (from cranberry to tomato), citrus-like yellows, pinks, rusty orange and dark purples similar to eggplant or wine. Eco-friendly green tones and chocolate-rich browns are very much in vogue, as well.Just as with Halloween items, retailers are offering autumn and Thanksgiving items earlier and earlier. Some retailers report putting out their fall products in early to mid-August. The consulting firm of Unity Marketing was quoted as reporting that about $5 billion of the seasonal decorating industry’s $19.2 billion in sales last year came from fall decorations.

Small decorative touches around the house – wreaths, wood and twig inspired accent pieces, striking pillows, cozy throws (consider them for rich color mixes, texture and even faux fur), reversible drapes, area rugs, fall flowers such as chrysanthemums outside and in, some new accents for the fireplace. Popular right now are lavish decorative accents such as beading, silk, metallic touches and Mideastern influences.

Rustic and spare touches of wood and metal are making their way onto lamps, sconces, tables and chairs and more. Raw natural materials add a Spartan spark to the seasonal colors. Look at a change in your lampshades or curtains to bring the colors of the season into your home – look for reversible curtains that can work for multiple seasons.

Other small statements: gourds (real or ceramic), pomegranates and tiny pumpkins, multi-hued leaf-covered branches, for example. Fill small or large glass vases with seeds, berries, leaves, faux veggies and fruit or a simple, spare bit of greenery and a touch of color like acorns.

Candles and potpourri scents make the house feel infused with autumn (although one event planner warns to keep them away from the dinner table – the smell of food should be more than satisfactory in that part of the house).

There are plenty of autumn- and Thanksgiving-inspired do-it-yourself craft projects available online. Better Homes & Gardens offers a slideshow of creative opportunities, including centerpieces. Martha Stewart gives you Thanksgiving craft and decoration suggestions. StyleatHome.com offers 10 tips for fall. Country Home gives readers 10 other great autumn decorating ideas.

If you want to extend the seasonal looks elsewhere in the house, splurge for rustic furniture or posh linens for the bed. Move to the dining room table and splurge on new tablecloths and napkins, or a seasonal table runner. Lots of new styles of dishes appropriate to the season can be found online, like these red- and gold-toned ones from Horchow or the pheasant salad plate from Pottery Barn.

Don’t forget about the cook who’s responsible for the family feast. Great new kitchen items are available to make their lives easier. For basics, consider All-Clad’s stainless steel roaster with a rack, seasonally shaped cast-iron casseroles or even a whimsical turkey lover’s potholder and mitt.

And because the seasonal Thanksgiving feast all-too-often ends in some kind of family feud, direct one of the more crotchety relatives to Crib’s most appropriate “argument” chair seat to calm down.

Copyright © 2007 | Distributed by Noofangle Media

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