Introducing Upward, a breezy, blissful blue. It’s the color found when we slow down, take a breath, and allow the mind to clear.

Think of it as a sunny day shade for spaces brimming with positive energy, creative thinking, and total contentment.

Upward (SW 6239) is a Relaxed and Carefree Color

Sherwin-Williams presents its 2024 Color of the Year Upward SW 6239, a breezy and blissful shade of blue that evokes the ever-present sense of peace found when slowing down, taking a breath, and allowing the mind to clear.  

“Upward SW 6239 represents the gentle forward momentum in all of our lives,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “It brings to life that carefree, sunny day energy that elicits a notion of contentment and peace. With this color, we invite our consumers to take a pause and infuse a new sense of ease and possibility into their spaces – one that doesn’t overwhelm, but rather establishes meditation and tranquility.”

Upward Infuses Tranquility and Ease

Ascending from the earthy tone of 2023 Color of the Year, Redend Point SW 9081, Upward SW 6239 welcomes a weightless, buoyant peace; an invitation to open minds to a color of ethereal calm that is ever-present—if we remember to keep looking up.

“As we play with color, it’s essential to consider their interactions thoughtfully,” adds Wadden. “Warmed-up blues might lead to hues that appear muddled and lackluster, which is why preserving the crisp edge and magnetic allure of cool blues is vital. It’s these subtle nuances that create spaces that are timeless and inspired. We’re excited to share this beautiful color and, craft interiors that exude harmony and evoke a sense of enchantment.”

Upward is a Hue that Brings Clarity to Communal Spaces

Use the transitional blue of Upward SW 6239 (224-C1) to inspire meditative spaces and absolute peace in both residential and commercial settings. From classic coastal to casual Nordic styles, the airy-hued beauty of Upward SW 6239 (224-C1) dwells where the fairest-weather blue finds just a hint of silver lining.

“Used as an accent or all over, on both interiors and exteriors, Upward SW 6239 (224-C1) clears the way for lightweight open-mindedness when used in commercial settings,” says Wadden. “The hue serves as a reminder to pause and ponder limitless possibilities that can be unlocked in our work, dining, educational spaces, and beyond.”

Does Upward Inspire You?

If you like the peaceful, breezy mood conveyed by the Upward paint color and would like some help figuring out how to best use it in your spaces, just give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399. I’m easy to reach – you can choose a contact method right below this blog post, and we can set up a consultation to explore this calm, subtle shade together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also message me via my website contact page.

Have you been thinking about ways to get the most out of your backyard this fall? You can continue enjoying your outdoor spaces during the cooler months just by considering some of these ideas for your outdoor areas. If you’re not already set up for it, with a few considerations, you can change your outdoor living area to allow for year-round enjoyment.

Whether you are considering revamping your existing outdoor living area or are planning to build it from scratch, these ideas will help you create the perfect fall-friendly outdoor living space.

How to improve your fall outdoor living experience

By making some useful decisions for your outdoor living space’s design, you can maximize its functionality for use year-round. By adding some simple fresh design elements, your outdoor living area can be made to feel cozier too.

Backyard get-togethers with family and friends can continue throughout the cooler months. Use your outdoor living space as a spot to take a break from doing your fall chores like raking the leaves. Or just curl up beneath a blanket beside the warmth of a fire pit on a crisp fall day with a hot drink and a good book.

Here are some tips to improve your fall outdoor living experience.

Fire up the heat

An absolute essential to make your fall outdoor living experience more comfortable is a good heating source. When it’s chilly, nothing boosts the cozy feel of a space like adding some warmth to the area, especially if it’s generated by real flames. One such way is a fire feature, such as a fireplace, fire bowl, fire lantern, or fire cauldron.

Popular product choices to warm up an outdoor living area are fire pits (which also come in table and bowl designs), outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, propane patio heaters, and electrical heating appliances like infrared heaters.

You’ll naturally want to locate any heating sources as close to your seating and dining areas as possible.

A high-quality fire pit/table/bowl becomes the centerpiece of an outdoor room. It doesn’t only have a magnet-like effect on everyone because of the heat it provides, it also adds ambiance, a sophisticated touch, and visual appeal to an outdoor living space.

Before buying a heating product for your backyard, be sure to check on what your local laws allow for operating open fires. 

A heating source like a fire pit is essential for maximum comfort when using an outdoor living space in cooler seasonal times.

Enjoy your entertainment outdoors

An outdoor room with the right design can be used to bring the indoors outside and add another dimension to your home’s living space.

When coupled with a reliable heating source to help keep you warm and toasty, an outdoor living room can be used for longer into the year as an entertainment space.

Why not enjoy your favorite fall sporting events or a family movie night with your friends and family in the comfort of your backyard? An exterior entertainment space with an outdoor TV, a great audio system, and high-quality furniture creates a comfortable extension of your living space, bringing it from inside to outside.

To boost your comfort level, consider adding thermal outdoor curtains, or roller shade screens, which can usually be attached fairly easily to an outdoor living area’s overhead covering. They’ll help keep an outdoor living space’s heat in and are useful year-round for privacy, bug control, and blocking out the sun and wind. If you’re using a propane patio heater, just be sure the area has enough ventilation.

Have you considered an outdoor kitchen?

If you are planning on doing a lot of outdoor entertaining this fall, consider going beyond the BBQ and having an outdoor kitchen built. This can include a stove, sink, bar, and refrigerator, or just a grill and sink with seating for dining.

This not only encourages guests to stay outside and enjoy your backyard, but it expands your living space. The atmosphere that a pot of chili or steaming soup can add to the senses while enjoying a cozy fire is beyond words. And don’t forget the fleecy throws!

Any outdoor kitchen needs a good grill, so don’t cut corners when it comes to buying the most essential appliance in an outdoor cooking space.

Invest in a premium grill that provides a headache-free cooking experience. High-quality grills are more reliable and will:

• start up every time
• hold steady cooking temperatures
• cook food more quickly and efficiently than cheap grills
• allow you to grill foods at different temperatures with variable heating zones
• offer convenient features like smart tech and under-hood grill task lighting

Florida’s variable weather is a good reminder that your outdoor kitchen cabinet and countertop materials need to be of the highest quality to endure all weather conditions. Make sure to consult with me – I can help you find what’s most suitable for you and your needs.

Consider setting up a hot beverage station in your outdoor kitchen to feel cozier while spending time in your backyard enjoying chillier fall and winter days. Beverages like hot apple cider, hot chocolate, and pumpkin spice latte are perfect for autumn and will warm you up as you extend your fall outdoor living time.

I can help you design your outdoor kitchen so it’s available for convenient year-round use.

High-quality outdoor furniture is a must for your exterior living space

An outdoor living room’s furniture is another element where investing in higher-quality products will serve you better in the long run.

Changing and unpredictable weather conditions and harsh temperatures will take a toll on outdoor furniture, too, especially cheap furniture.

Spend a little extra to buy high-quality outdoor furniture that has everything you look for when buying indoor furniture, including comfort, visual appeal, and durability. The latter characteristic is a little more important with outdoor furniture, of course.

Prioritize buying outdoor furniture made with weather-resistant materials that will reduce the likelihood of the furniture rusting, developing mold, fading, and warping. These outdoor furniture materials are considered the most durable:

• powder-coated steel and aluminum
• wrought iron with a weather-resistant finish
• hardwoods such as teak, white oak, and eucalyptus
• polyresin wicker

Weather-resistant cushions are another essential for outdoor furniture. No one likes to sit on a hard surface at any time of the year and especially not when the weather is cooler. Metal furniture materials like wrought iron can feel ice-cold on a chilly day and cushions act as a welcome buffer.

Covering your outdoor seating area will not only provide you with much-needed shade from the Florida sun, but it will also help you keep in the heat when the temperatures start to drop. A cover such as a pergola or a large and sturdy umbrella will go a long way in keeping you comfortable while outdoors this fall. I’ll discuss more on this further down in the article.

Good exterior lighting is crucial for outdoor living enjoyment

As the days get shorter, the lights come on earlier. That makes having good lighting extra important for an outdoor living space that will be used during the fall.

Lighting that is dim and harsh can singlehandedly neutralize any of your efforts to make a deck or patio area feel cozier in the autumn with heating and some decorative upgrades. The look and feel of a space is hugely impacted by lighting and simply using more bulbs to brighten an area isn’t going to be a good strategy.

Incandescent and halogen lighting is considered by many to be outdated. Even relying solely on LEDs, today’s preferred exterior lighting choice, isn’t enough since there are a variety of bulb styles and colors that produce different results. Lighting also needs to be strategically located and thoughtfully considered.

I work with excellent lighting professionals who can help with your outdoor living area’s lighting. They’ll know how to achieve the best results so everything is well-lit for functionality and safety, as well as maximum enjoyment of your spaces. A pro will also know how to effectively highlight the best parts of an outdoor living space and its surrounding landscaping.

Cover your outdoor living spaces

Another of the essential fall outdoor living ideas to consider is adding an overhead covering for more comfort. A roof extension, covered pergola, cabana, gazebo, pavilion, or large awning are the most common solutions for covering an outdoor living space.

An outdoor living space should ideally have some sort of overhead covering to provide protection from the sun and rain during the summer, or any time when the weather conditions are enough to drive everyone inside.

An overhead covering also extends the life of your outdoor living products and allows you to continue using the grill year-round. When the weather won’t cooperate with your cooking plans, you won’t need to get out an umbrella before firing up the grill.

Lousy weather won’t limit the functionality of an outdoor living area if it’s got overhead covering.

It’s easy to add cozy fall touches

Cooler temperatures can make it harder to feel cozy in a space. Along with heating your patio area, add some decorative touches that incorporate fall-themed decor elements to infuse the outdoor living space with a cozier vibe.

It doesn’t take much effort to quickly change the look and feel of an outdoor space by getting creative with the décor. This can be done in several ways:

• switching out furniture cushions
• adding texture and softness to the space with outdoor area rugs, throw pillows, and blankets
• using fall-inspired colours on your furnishings to set a seasonal and festive mood
• adding seasonal accents like a table centerpiece and foliage garland
• light fall-themed candles to enhance the mood

Upgrade your fall outdoor living experience (for year-round enjoyment)

There’s no reason any outdoor living space shouldn’t be enjoyed throughout the year, especially in Florida!

All of the fall outdoor living ideas I’ve covered aren’t just practical in the autumn – they provide the same comfort and enjoyment benefits for whatever weather conditions come your way.

If you’re considering enhancing your outdoor spaces for year-round enjoyment, talk to me! Let me come by and see the areas you’re thinking of enhancing, and I guarantee I’ll have some ideas for you that will make your outdoor spaces delightful! 

These ideas are just the beginning of possibilities – let’s talk about it! Message me here, right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link, or you can email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com You can call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

With fall pretty much here, I wanted to share some of the top fall home style and decor trends for 2023, along with a few autumn decorating ideas.

Whether fall is your thing or you’re lamenting the end of summer, there are ways to add a touch of fall to your home without switching everything out or going with a “theme.”

And if you’re in the mood to shop for fall home decor, this is also a great time to find on-trend items that will make it easy to transition your home to the new season.

When is the best time to start decorating for fall?

I like to start scouting out the fall decorating trends in late August or early September, but I don’t usually get too excited about fall decorating until the weather cools down a bit — or at least by the first day of fall (which this year is Saturday, September 23).

Whenever you decide to start your fall decorating, you’ll find that adding a touch of fall style to your home can be easy.

Simply layer in some warmer, richer colors and weave in a few fall accents in a variety of textures to quickly transition your home from summer to fall.

What are the fall home decor style trends for 2023?

While summer home decor trends focused on a light organic feeling, this year’s fall home decor trends are all about interesting shapes, warm neutral tones, and luxurious textures.

As you explore these fall decorating trends, rather than feeling like you have to embrace an entire trend, think about how you might incorporate elements of the spaces that draw you in — whether it’s a certain color, item, look, or feeling.

Most of all, don’t worry about achieving a certain design style in your home. Rather, when decorating for fall — or any season — the goal should be to bring together a curated mix of pieces that perfectly reflects you, your lifestyle, and what you love.

1. Earth tones

Earth tones and warm neutrals are making a huge comeback in 2023, and that trend will continue to grow in popularity throughout this fall.

Warm tones of sand, mushroom, camel, terracotta, copper, oatmeal, muted greens, and similar neutrals complement just about every other color palette, making them the perfect addition to any space.

Whereas last year we were still seeing lots of gray and bold cool tones in fall home decor, this year is all about warmer, softer, muted tones.

The nice thing about this trend is that earth tones work with every style of decor and are hugely popular this year, thanks in part to both the modern organic design trend that is catching more attention.

So if you’ve already embraced neutrals and warmer hues in your home, you might not need to do much to update your home for fall!

2. Natural wood

The natural beauty of wood creates a welcoming and calming environment for fall.

And with the growing desire for lighter, airier spaces, wood adds a much-needed grounding effect.

Lighter, warmer wood tones are making a comeback, particularly in kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, while the popularity of gray-toned woods is on the wane.

However, don’t despair if you have gray-toned wood flooring or other elements in your home.

You can still easily warm things up by adding wood tones through coffee tables, side tables, chairs, and wood picture frames.

Adding elements like wooden counter stools and wood cutting boards are a great way to bring a touch of warmth to the kitchen.

3.  Woven elements

Woven elements in all their forms add softness to any space and are having a moment in 2023.  

Think baskets in all shapes and sizes, woven pendant lights, natural fiber rugs, and cane and rattan furniture.

Woven counter stools are a great way to bring the woven look to your home.

This beautiful space incorporates woven textures through the armchairs, coffee table, rug, and ottomans:

Woven pendant lights have been hugely popular for several years, and I don’t see this trend going anywhere soon.

Even something as simple as adding a chunky jute rug can bring a touch of warmth and visual interest to your space.

4. Textured fabrics and textiles are a great way to add some fall style

Once again, velvet, boucle, linen, and nubby textured fabrics are big in this year’s fall interior design style forecast, and I couldn’t be happier about this trend.

For an easy fall facelift, simply swap out your lighter-weight throws, bedding, rugs, and pillows for thicker, heavier versions.

Choosing natural fabrics with weight and texture, like chunky cotton and wool throws, nubby boucle, velvet, leather, and weightier linen pieces instantly make your home feel cozier — even if you prefer a cooler color palette.

Rich velvet pillows are a lovely way to bring a touch of warmth to a home space.  

Textured fabrics mix well with all other fabrics, bringing a grounding and timeless quality to a space that will continue to resonate with our lifestyles in fall 2023 and beyond.

Adding in a few textured cotton, linen, wool, or velvet pillow covers or throws is enough to give your living room or bedroom a touch of chic fall decor in an instant.

Sometimes, a few new pillows and a cozy throw blanket in a neutral fall shade are all you need to update your bedroom for the new season.

5.   Tonal color palettes for fall style in 2023

Tonal color palettes lend a cohesive, modern look to any space — and they’re one of the biggest design trends for fall 2023 into 2024.

If you want to experiment with this trend, try incorporating no more than three colors in a space, and then mixing and matching different textures, fabrics, woven elements, and natural materials within that tonal palette.

Choose your primary color scheme by pulling one to three colors from your area rug or a large piece of artwork; then keep the rest of the colors in your space in the same color range.

This trend ties in beautifully with the current popularity of earth tones in interior design, as blending different shades of warm neutrals is an easy and stylish way to modernize your spaces.

To create a layered look and add dimension, layer in pillows, throws, and other accent pieces within your chosen color palette.

For a modern look, you might choose all three shades within the same color family for a monochromatic effect, or add in one to two other complementary colors for a more traditional look.

If you’d like to add a bit of contrast to your spaces, think about adding a pop of black, via pendant lighting, a coffee table, lamp, side table, counter stools, or small decorative items.

Cutting boards, vases, and kitchen accents in black and neutral tones bring a modern fall look to the kitchen:

6. Mixing vintage and modern

Another decorating trend you’ll see this fall is the incorporation of vintage pieces, like the beautiful antique dresser shown in the bedroom below, within an otherwise modern space.

The unique blending of different design elements makes a space feel collected and unique.

Vintage rugs are a great way to bring a warm aesthetic and visual interest to a space.

If you’d like to add a few vintage pieces to your home, Etsy is a good starting point and a great source for one-of-a-kind vintage and antique textiles, art, rugs, furniture, and decorative accents.

7.  Coastal grandmother style

The coastal grandma home and lifestyle trend emerged last year and continues to grow in popularity. Okay, in theory, this is a theme. But it’s mainly a state of mind. It’s easy, relaxed, and done up to be attractive. Nothing wrong with any of that, and it pretty much transcends most of the other themes out there. Like I said, a state of mind…

Coastal grandmother style is all about a relaxed, elevated approach to home decor, clothing, and living — and it’s a look and lifestyle everyone can embrace —even if you don’t live near the coast and/or aren’t a grandmother!

Coastal grandmother interiors might include easy-care white slipcovered furniture, neutral tones of the sand and sea, and natural and organic elements — all of which speak to a more relaxed, thoughtful, intentional way of living and decorating. Think of it as charming, accessible, quiet luxury.

8. Curves continue through fall 2023 

Any discussion of 2023 design trends wouldn’t be complete without mentioning curves. It’s a more humanistic, softening aesthetic that we’ve been seeing over the years, much like bringing in nature. I feel like these are probably a continued response to the covid years, and we’re all still wanting and needing a hug.

This fall, we’ll continue to see plenty of curved chairs and sofas, rounded edges on coffee tables, curved accent pieces and mirrors, as well as interesting architectural features like arched doorways, curved cabinet fronts, and curved kitchen island countertops.

Curves lend a modern look to a space, as well as creating a sense of softness and nurturing.  

However, don’t feel like you have to go all out with arches and curves if you’re on the fence about this aesthetic.

There are plenty of simple ways to bring this design trend to your home through accent pieces like mirrors, stools, coffee tables, dining chairs, and ottomans, as well as smaller decorative items like orbs and lamps, as shown in the beautiful room below.

Simple updates can add a lot of fall style and warmth

I hope this post shows that incorporating this year’s fall home decor trends in your home doesn’t have to take a lot of time or cost a lot of money.  

With just a few simple changes, you can easily update your home with warm and welcoming fall style on a budget.  Even adding a single accent pillow or throw in a rich color or texture can make a big difference.

I hope these fall decor ideas help you find simple cost-effective ways to dress up your home for a warm, cozy mood this fall season! If you’d like me to help you update your home or office decor with some fall styling, contact me. You can choose a contact method right below this blog post. And feel free to give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399, and we can explore some lovely fall decor ideas together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

Dramatic and moody, yet tranquil and grounded, Cascades’ versatility carries a wide range of design styles. Embrace the serene atmosphere inspired by its soothing shade.

Why I love it: Dramatic, Versatile, Serene

The Great Indoors

Bring the timeless and simple beauty of the outdoors in with September’s palette and style. Cascades’ dark, majestic green-blue is the perfect shade for naturalist living style. A nature-loving design deserves a gorgeous green hue like this one that envelops interiors with a lush and dramatic feel. As the grounding color of this collection, Cascades has a refined, balanced tone that can stand out on its own or set the stage for the other colors in the collection to shine.

Get the Look: Greenery, Organic Shapes, Wicker

Natural Style

Rooted in modern organic style, this look is all about creating cozy, harmonious spaces inspired by nature. Cascades is the perfect shade for grounding the space and evoking outdoor vibes. Pair with a soothing gray-green like Evergreen Fog to soften the look and create a nurturing, fresh atmosphere. To really capture the essence of the style, lean into its organic side with soft textures, natural materials and earthy accent tones to make your space feel lived-in, warm and welcoming.

Get the Look: Natural Materials, Layered Earth Tones, Textured Fabrics

These colors coordinate well with Sherwin-Williams’ dramatic and moody Cascades (SW 7623) paint color.

If you like the dramatic, moody depth conveyed by the Cascades paint color and would like some help figuring out how to best use it in your spaces, just give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399. I’m easy to reach – you can choose a contact method right below this blog post, and we can set up a consultation to explore this rich, tranquil shade together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also message me via my website contact page.