Autumn; this is the time of year to consider how you will be using your home for the upcoming season. Which rooms will lend themselves to cozy conversations, a cup of tea, reading a book or watching a movie? If you have a room with a fireplace it will be a charming way to spend the coming “Indoor” time of year, and the big bonus is, you may save some money on your heating bill. Your special room could have several comfy chairs, plush pillows, and some warm throws. Choosing colors is a highly personal affair. I am always a fan of mossy greens and rich end of the day golden colors. However your room would also be fresh and calming in shades of white, with pale icy blue, grey and pale green accents. You know what colors make you feel happy, calm and embraced, be brave, chose what YOU like. When you walk into your room it should contain some items that are dear to you. A few favorite photos, mementos and books that you love will make it feel special and personal.

Do you have some sunny south facing windows? This is the time of year to set up your indoor garden areas. Gather up your containers, urns, pots and even birdbaths from the garden and bring them inside to these sunny spots. I like to arrange them in staggered heights. I always have an Orchid or two that will continue to bloom through the season with very little effort. I love to fill my birdbath (a glazed ceramic type, to hold the water) with pea gravel, and pack it full of Narcissus bulbs; often times I gather moss and place over the gravel and bulbs. It reminds me of a fairy garden in the woods. Watching the cycle of life, is the gift. First the bulbs fatten up and shoot a stem from the center, becoming more turgid by the day, about 6 weeks after they are planted they burst into the most fragrant and beautiful arrangement. I do this about every eight weeks through out the season. It reminds me that although it is cold and snowy outside, I am enjoying a slice of spring, inside. Some other top picks for indoor winter flower gardens are Geraniums, Begonias, African Violets.You may also want to explore the world of  Orchids such as Cymbidiums, Phalaenopsis, and Lady Slippers. All of these floral gems come in many colors and truly all you have to do is give them water once a week, and make sure your window isn’t drafty. I also like to hang prisms in these sunny windows it makes my rooms dance with rainbows.

Will you be doing a lot of entertaining this year? Do you have a “Formal” living room you never really use? Have you ever considered re-thinking that rarely used space? Here are some ideas. Find a long table (maybe one of your outdoor tables, that have to be put in the basement for the winter?) put a damask tablecloth on top, make sure it is big and drapes onto the floor. Put the sofa on one side, wingback chairs at the two ends and a few fancy chairs opposite the sofa. Add some candlesticks, tea lights, and fresh flowers. Wow, talk about a really fun and chic place to share a meal with friends. I have spent many hours with friends at a table like this. Your guests will linger longer and you never really leave the table, it is one stop entertaining.

Autumn is also the time to plant daffodils, and other springtime bulbs. Daffodils are a terrific choice because they naturalize and come back year after year. A good tip is to get an auger drill-bit for your power drill; you can plant hundreds in just a few hours. Make sure you put a shake of Bone meal and Blood meal in the bottom of each hole. This is a non-chemical way of making sure your bulb has all of the nutrition it needs to perform well and colonize in your garden.

As the leaves are creating a magical show for you outside your window, look inside. You will be not only ready for the coming cold, but anticipating it with the knowledge that you will have cozy spaces to share with friends and family. As William Morris says, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”. I have adopted this quote as my own personal mantra and it has been the foundation for my own particular style of design and living.

Be inspired, and enjoy the brilliant colors that make autumn in Maine magical.

Karen Dominguez-Brann has been designing Homes and Gardens for over 25 years. She lives a passionate life filled with design, color, and all that is beautiful and everything that she loves.
www.teamkdb.com

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