Design Happens

Today marks the first official day of fall, and you know what that means: Time to deck out your home with autumn style! Patterned pillows and soft throws are fall must-haves to be sure, but that’s not all we’re excited about this season. We asked designers and bloggers to tell us their favorite up-and-coming trends. Which ones will you add to your home this fall?

Design by Traci Zeller

The Trend: High Contrast
“I continue to see high contrast as a very strong trend this fall,” says designer Traci Zeller. “The soft, muddy colors that were so popular have evolved into cleaner brights. To get this look, go white or black with basic pieces, then add a bright color of your choice,” Traci says.  Here, she used a black entryway organizer as the backdrop for bright and white accents.

Image courtesy Thibaut

The Trend: White on White
“Colorless design is something that is really striking a chord as new and fresh,” says Brian Patrick Flynn of Decor Demon. “It’s all about the use of texture and shape rather than color and contrast. One of the ways I’m using it is by layering several shades of parchment with ultra white,” Brian says. “It’s gorgeous, fresh and unexpected. Hmmm, beige and unexpected are two words I never thought I’d use together.”

Design by Nyla Free Designs; Photo by Jared Sych Photography for Avenue Magazine, Calgary Alberta

The Trend: The Curated Look
“The ‘curated look’ is the biggest design trend this fall,” says Lynn Byrne of Decor Arts Now. “It is a liberating trend; the only rule is that you collect and display what you love. What something costs is irrelevant; whimsy and quirkiness are a plus.”

Here, designer Nyla Free combined a surprising mix of pieces — a Chanel print, bold dining chairs, a custom table and a collection of skate decks — to create a room that’s both stylish and personal.  “Sharing collectibles, whether books, art or a grouping of like items in a space, not only adds personality but offers conversation pieces,” Nyla says. “Design is about confidence in who you are and what you love.”

Design by Lynn Byrne, Decor Arts Now; Photo by Ellen McDermott

Another easy way to achieve the curated look: “Hang your pictures and objects ‘salon’-style as a gallery wall,” Lynn says. This gallery wall in her home includes architectural drawings of the house, a Fornasetti plate, a print by Hugo Guinness and art sourced on Etsy and at thrift shops and flea markets.

Design by Milk and Honey Home

The Trend: Americana Design
For fall, designer Lori Dennis is looking forward to neutral rooms paired with handmade, traditional pieces. “Look for Americana-style antique and vintage-inspired accessories, celebrating handcraftsmanship,” she says. “For a small fix, a design lover can keep their eyes open at flea markets and yard sales for fabulous and inexpensive accessories, like old toys, quilts and kitchen items.”

Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

The Trend: Chunky Knits
Fashion trends often make their way from the runway to the living room. That’s why designer Gretchen Aubuchon founded the blog Fashion + Decor. Hot right now for clothing and interiors: chunky knits. “Tweeds and nubby knits were all over the fall runways, opening up all sorts of possibilities for upholstery and soft accessories,” she says. Think about it: If it’s cool enough to wear a sweater, why not wrap up in one? Or, turn a sentimental piece of winter wear into a textured pillow.

Happy first day of fall! For more of fall’s hottest color and decorating ideas, visit our Fall Design Trends feature.