“I don’t like to follow the rules when it comes to styling,” says Mieke Ten Have, an interior designer and former magazine editor, whose new book, Interiors Styled by Mieke Ten Have, features a collection of gorgeous interiors (including her own exquisite rustic 18th-century barn in Dutchess County, New York) and departs next week. “But,” she adds, “I would personally forgo the lighter fabrics for fall — chintz, linen and light colors — in favor of darker, more textured fabrics.” She cites jacquard blankets and, when autumn leaves start to fall, beautifully embroidered suzani textiles can take their place. “A touch of shiny silk can make a dark night shine,” Tenhave said.
Living in an area where all four seasons occur, Ten and her interiors are in harmony with the unique moods and abundance of winter, spring, summer and autumn. Surrounded by nature, she celebrates these seasonal changes through subtle design choices, which are documented in her book. Providing inspiration for those who want to decorate their homes or simply marvel at great design, this book documents how Have’s ten northern homes (which she has briefly renamed “The Barns”) adapt according to the seasons. For more inspiration and fall-specific motivation, she is sharing her fall decorating guide with Eskume.
It’s officially time to celebrate after a carefree summer
Shift your focus from simple outdoor dining to elegant dinners
“Fall and spring are transitional seasons where you can enjoy the best indoor and outdoor experiences. By the end of fall, it’s all about getting back indoors and feeling pampered and cozy—the beginning of fall always has a formal feel to it. – That back-to-school feeling that never ends – Cozy dinners in the summer give way to more dressy and thoughtful dinners: investing in nice glasses, favorite ceramics, and lots of candlelight on the dinner table helps a lot.
Go wild! Introduce branchy, woody plants
Look for sculptural branches or even carefully arranged weeds
“When it comes to adapting your flora for fall, death is in its face! As the leaves change, fall offers the most wonderful opportunity to find sculptural branches and interesting weeds. I love looking for slender pokeweed, which has drop-shaped berries in crimson and eggplant shades. I cut many branches with their changing leaves; arranging large shaped branches is like adding a living sculpture to any space. Twigs should be interesting and eye-catching. Adopt this to add a touch of wildness to your ordinary interior spaces.
Enjoy local flowers before the first frost
Enjoy the beautiful flowers of the season
“Autumn offers so much richness – I choose arrangements that are full, lush and loose. After the first hard frost, local flowers are unlikely to be available, so enjoy the heady flowers while you can! I love colour blocking with warm and cool colours – for example, lots of red, yellow and orange dahlias evoke the warmth of the fire and the changing leaves outside the window, giving the house a vibrant and inviting look. I love autumn-blooming flowers like dahlias, chrysanthemums, zinnias and asters.
It’s time to replace the soft furnishings
Wear jewel-colored pillows, blankets, and sheets
“I completely changed the hierarchy of textiles in my home – simply changing cushions and throws on large upholstered furniture can have a huge impact and affect the mood of the room. I chose jewel tones that mimic the dynamic colours of the season. I found small changes like adding a blanket or rug to the table can really go a long way.”
