5 Autumn Paint Colours Designers Say Will Make Your Home Feel Instantly Cosier

This article features a Q&A session with color experts Sue Kim from Valspar Paint and Sarah Cole from Farrow & Ball, who discuss current home design styles and trends for the fall season, focusing on paint colors and wallpaper. Sue Kim, Color Strategist at Valspar Paint, highlights that fall paint color trends feature clean, saturated, and bold tones, reflecting a positive outlook on home life. She introduces Valspar’s Electro Noir palette from their 2013 Color Trends, which offers energizing hues suitable for both fall and winter. For instance, she suggests pairing Valspar Roasted Pumpkin with Valspar Sable Evening for a modern touch and encourages experimentation with bold colors, backed by Valspar’s Love Your Color Guarantee. Kim advises using darker shades from the same color family as accent colors to create focal points, such as using Valspar La Fonda Midnight as an accent for Valspar Tropical Bay. For entryways, she recommends small changes like painting the interior side of the front door with accent colors or incorporating lighter tones like Valspar Filtered Shade or Valspar Brown Buzz to uplift the mood during colder months. She also suggests painting ceilings with crisp shades like Valspar Bluer Than Blue to open up rooms and painting small furniture pieces with bright colors like Valspar Iris Moon and Valspar Mustard Glaze for subtle pops of color. Sarah Cole, Marketing Director at Farrow & Ball, notes a strong trend towards greys and darker colors as the 'new neutral.' She explains that soft greys can create a tonal look when paired with different whites and off-whites, resulting in flexible spaces with enhanced light and flow. Darker shades such as Black Blue, Down Pipe, and Hague Blue are increasingly used on walls to create dramatic, moody environments, making brighter fabrics and accessories stand out. For accent colors, Cole suggests layering shades of black, using Black Blue on walls with Pitch Black on woodwork, and incorporating brights like Babouche, Arsenic, and Charlotte’s Locks, often by painting furniture. Regarding wallpaper, she identifies animal prints and geometric designs as popular trends, citing Farrow & Ball’s Ocelot, Rajah Stripe, Lattice, and Tessella patterns, which are produced using traditional methods and real paints to ensure a textured appearance and timeless quality. For entryways and bathrooms, Cole recommends using strong, brighter colors like Charlotte’s Locks or Drawing Room Blue, as these transient or smaller spaces can effectively carry bold hues. For simple upgrades without a complete overhaul, she suggests treating the floor as a ‘fifth wall’ by transforming wood or concrete floors with Farrow & Ball’s Floor Paint, creating bespoke designs with painted stair runners, rugs, stripes, or simply a single color to revive a space. #FallDecor #PaintColors #HomeDesignTrends #InteriorDecor #ColorExpertAdvice #AccentColors #WallpaperTrends #Valspar #FarrowBall

The transition into fall presents an opportunity to infuse homes with a warm, cozy ambiance that reflects the season's natural beauty. Charleston designers and realtors offer practical advice on how to achieve this through thoughtful decor choices, drawing inspiration from the vibrant fall colors found in nature. Wendy Mauro, owner of Wendy Mauro Design, emphasizes incorporating rich plum, burnt orange, burgundy, and brighter red hues into home decor, mirroring the Charleston sunsets. This approach suggests that if a color palette exists in nature, it is suitable for an indoor setting. Beyond visual aesthetics, the article highlights the importance of engaging all senses in fall decor. Mary Welch Fox, owner of Mary Welch Fox Design, identifies traditional fall colors as warm browns, rust, taupes, oranges, and deep oranges, akin to changing leaves. Mauro suggests that the autumnal feeling can be evoked through sensory elements such as pumpkin or apple-scented candles, or the tactile comfort of heavier rugs and blankets. While switching out large textiles like draperies and wallpaper might be impractical for many, accessories offer an easier way to incorporate seasonal changes. This includes gravitating towards earth tones like burgundy, mustard, and darker greens and browns, and opting for heavier materials like velvet pillows instead of linen, which adds a weighted, fall-appropriate texture. For interior decoration, Fox recommends simple yet effective strategies such as arranging a variety of pumpkins, squash, and even eggplants in a wooden bowl for tabletop decor. Seasonal leaves or plants can replace current vase arrangements, and seasonal fruits can adorn kitchen counters. Ann Chandler of AC DesignWorks broadens the scope of fall colors beyond traditional gourds and fallen leaves, pointing to beautiful fall blooms in lavender, deep purple, golds, oranges, and reds for window boxes and hanging baskets. Morgan Patin, creative director of Riverside Designers, Inc., advises layering textures such as chunky knits, velvet, wool, or cashmere throws and pillows on sofas and chairs to enhance comfort. She also suggests integrating natural materials like wood accessories and woven baskets for added dimension. Patin further emphasizes that warmth, a hallmark of fall, can be reflected through fresh greenery and florals like eucalyptus and magnolia branches, which offer timeless texture. Decorating the exterior of a home is equally important for embracing the fall season. Mauro recommends starting with a fall welcome mat and adding autumnal leaves in a vase on a foyer table. Fox advises treating the front entryway as a canvas, filling planters with fall foliage, and updating outdoor decorative pillows to fall-centric designs. Chandler notes the abundance of dried palm leaves in the Charleston region as a unique, local element for both interior and exterior arrangements. For those needing assistance with landscaping, professional gardeners can help incorporate seasonal changes. Jacqui Rosshandler of Maison Real Estate shares how their local landscaping company swaps summer styles for orange and dark green foliage with hints of red, making the entire home feel seasonal. Sellers in the fall market need to approach seasonal decor strategically. Kendra Calore, a Realtor with Akers Ellis, advises against decorating until listing photos are complete, as fall decor can quickly become outdated. For showings, however, tasteful fall decor, such as pillows and arrangements of dry grass, eucalyptus, and mums, can make a space feel homey, both indoors and outdoors. Ellen Leigh Murray, broker and owner of Charleston Premier Properties, stresses the importance of curb appeal, recommending that lawns be cleared of leaves and debris. She also cautions against overly festive decorations like Halloween items, advocating for neutral and tasteful decor. Murray shares an anecdote about a seller whose son's bedroom was decorated with horror film posters, illustrating the need to keep decor appealing to a broad range of buyers. She emphasizes maintaining a light and bright ambiance, especially in the Lowcountry's naturally well-lit fall, and suggests avoiding pumpkins on front porches if a home is actively being shown. She reinforces the importance of neutral interior decor. Finally, the article encourages budget-friendly decorating. Mauro suggests exploring consignment and vintage shops for unique, affordable pieces that add personality. Murray recommends Hyams Garden Center on James Island for plants and greenery to brighten new homes. Ultimately, decorating for fall is a personal expression, and individuals should prioritize choices that bring them joy and reflect their personal appreciation for the season. #FallDecor #HomeDesign #SeasonalDecor #InteriorDesign #CharlestonDesigners #RealEstateTips #CozyVibes #TextureLayering #AutumnalColors

As summer transitions to fall, many people consider updating their living spaces. Color is an effective way to refresh a home's aesthetic, whether through paint, furniture, or small accents. Interior designers have identified five key colors that are expected to dominate home design trends for the upcoming fall season. These colors range from rich neutrals to bold, nature-inspired hues, offering a variety of options for homeowners looking to modernize their interiors. Chocolate brown is predicted to be a popular choice, according to designer Tula Summerford. She advocates for "color drenching" rooms in high-gloss browns, complemented by textured fabrics in neutral tones like ivory, soft golds, and butter yellow. Summerford also suggests incorporating animal print fabrics in accent chairs and pillows, along with walnut and burled wood pieces featuring gold accents. This approach aims to create an aesthetic that is both trendy and timeless, leveraging the richness of brown as a neutral to make a bold statement. Aubergine, or eggplant, is another color highlighted by designers Mallory Robins and Elizabeth Bennett of Kobel + Co. They note a shift towards a more grounded and emotive color palette for fall home design. Aubergine is recommended for its ability to pair well with warm metallics, rich marbles, and lighter, natural textures such as travertine or raw oak. This deep, sophisticated shade offers an elegant option for those seeking a profound color presence in their homes. For those who appreciate the depth of aubergine but prefer a redder hue, red wine tones are expected to be in vogue. Andrea Goldman of Andrea Goldman Design attributes this trend partly to the rising popularity of Calacatta Viola marble, known for its deep wine-toned veining. This material's increasing use in side tables and lamps is inspiring clients to incorporate similar saturated colors into other areas of their homes, often in unconventional ways. This suggests that bolder choices in natural stones and marbles are significantly influencing wider color trends. Butter yellow, a color that has seen popularity in summer fashion, is anticipated to extend its appeal into home design. Robins and Bennett see butter yellow continuing to trend as a cheerful, warm accent. It is particularly suggested for breakfast nooks, bedrooms, and tabletop décor, as it brings a sense of sunlight into a space without being excessively pastel. This color offers a lighter, more vibrant option among the generally richer fall palette. Finally, murky green shades are favored by Robins and Bennett for their versatility and nature-inspired quality. These greens are expected to appear in various applications, including linen florals, kitchen cabinetry, and French ranges. Their adaptability makes them suitable for different design elements, contributing to a cohesive and earthy feel in home interiors. These five colors provide a comprehensive guide for individuals looking to update their homes with contemporary and stylish choices for the autumn season. #HomeDesign #FallDecor #InteriorDesignTrends #ColorPalette #HomeDecor

Warm paint colors are essential for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere within any home. The right shade can significantly transform a room's ambiance, making it feel more welcoming and comfortable. Selecting the perfect warm hue can be a challenging task, given the vast array of options available and the nuances in how colors manifest under different lighting conditions. This guide aims to simplify the selection process by highlighting ten top warm paint colors, carefully chosen for their ability to infuse warmth and character into various living spaces, including bedrooms, studies, living rooms, and kitchens. Among the recommended whites, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45) stands out for its subtle warmth, offering a neutral yet inviting backdrop without the starkness often associated with pure white. For those leaning towards a more complex neutral, Benjamin Moore Ashwood (OC-47), a gray-beige, provides a versatile palette that adds personality beyond typical off-whites, gracefully adapting to any room's decor. For a touch of sophistication and depth, Benjamin Moore Bottle of Bordeaux (1357) is a rich pink-plum shade ideal for bedrooms, particularly when paired with gold accents, creating an opulent feel. Moving into warmer, more vibrant tones, Sherwin-Williams Honeycomb (SW6375) is a deep gold that evokes comfort and luxury, perfect for bedrooms or living rooms, especially when contrasted with shiny silver hardware. Benjamin Moore Concord Ivory (HC-12) presents a chameleon-like quality, shifting between yellow-gold and apricot based on lighting, offering flexibility to suit tropical or farmhouse aesthetic preferences. Sherwin-Williams Spicy Hue (SW 6342), a cinnamon brown, is ideal for creating dramatic effects in smaller spaces like baths or adding warmth to kitchen cabinets, and it's also a compelling choice for dining room walls. For an earthy and grounding feel, Sherwin-Williams Cavern Clay (SW 7701), a reddish rawhide, brings a comforting warmth reminiscent of a Texas guestroom, pairing well with natural wood elements. Sherwin-Williams Antiquity (SW 6402) navigates the fine line between green, yellow, and tan, capturing the best attributes of each to create a deep color that contrasts beautifully with russet fabrics and black-and-white lighting. For understated elegance and tranquility, Sherwin-Williams On the Rocks (SW 7671) provides a restful off-white that blends taupe, gray, and beige, fostering an environment for quiet reflection. Lastly, Sherwin-Williams Virtual Taupe (SW 7039) is a timeless classic that offers a rich color without overwhelming a space, harmonizing effectively with other warm tones like ecru, orange, brassy golds, and creamy whites. These selections provide a comprehensive guide to warm paint colors that can significantly enhance the coziness and welcoming feel of any home interior. #WarmPaintColors #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #PaintSelection #CozyHome #BenjaminMoore #SherwinWilliams #ColorPalettes #HousePaint