British (Countryside) Invasion

Crisp autumn air, falling leaves multi-hued in gold and crimson, soft brown rolling hills, and in Southern California of late, serene foggy mornings and afternoon showers. My trench coat was out and about for a week, traipsing under the cloud cover and making the pretense of London-ish weather complete.

Out there in stores, furry and feathered forest creatures, twigs and leaves translate the season's autumn theme. Somehow, somewhere in between the whimsical gardens of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and the mysterious woods of the Pacific Northwest in Twilight, the fascination of flora and fauna never left. Warm and cozy cable knits, faux furs, plaids and tweeds add sartorial allure.

Could it be an English urban countryside revival? No, because timeless designs like this never go out of style. Think of innate simplicity that is relaxed, but not casual, pared-down to only the most luxurious and classic essentials. An understated palette hinting of moody bogs, misty mornings and afternoons in the woods. We are not in Cotswald, and this style is not about frou-frou florals in a multitude of colors and a hundred tiny things. There is just the barest of necessities, selected for comfort and style. A contrast of old and new; something that looks like it's been to a dozen other houses, through several generations, is paired with something totally modern and shiny.

Top: Modern patent orange leather chairs meets a weathered-look farmhouse table (www.potterybarn.com) Bottom: Traditional wing chair re-sculpted into more modern proportions covered in urban gray. The tree stump side table adds a touch of woodsy whimsy (www.westelm.com)

Products shown above: Top to bottom: Bird with flowers desert plates, Metallic leaf desert plates, Winter trees drinkware, Faux fur throw, www. westelm.com. Cashmere cable knot throw pillows, Faux mink throw pillow, Cashmere cable knit throw, www.restorationhardware.com, Sketched birds throw pillow, Cast-resin antler wall decor, X-based stool, www.williassonomahome.com, Bedford collection tweed pillow, www.ralphlaurenhome.com

Fall Outside: Autumn Decor

Season-less decorating, or at least the kind that does not require major transformation from season to season is always, in my book, more desirable. An environment that easily switches with a few quick changes here and there easily moves from spring, to summer, to fall and winter. 

Nevertheless, like snagging a few key wardrobe pieces to welcome the new season, some fresh changes are sometimes inevitable. However, in this new global economy, more thought must come into every purchase. Even in decor, financial and ecological factors must be considered.

Although fall is about harvest, there are fresher ways to decorate that do not include turkeys and gourds. Still taking cues from nature, my prescription for Fall 2010 is inspired by the still ongoing flirty floral fashion trend embodied by this Vivienne Westwood Fall 2010 floral dress, worn by Sarah Jessica Parker.

Botanicals--leaves and flowers, in subdued colors set against a palette of earthy neutrals are a refreshing and more modern alternative to the predictable and tired orange and red hues.

Target on cue: On September 5, New York designer John Derian's collection premiers at Target. This collection of housewares and home decor will include pieces accented with vintage botanical prints.

Above: Melamine ware by John Derian for Target, www.target.com

Quiet down your color palette. Try colors of straw, hay, oat, and wheat as a variation to the usual jewel tones. Pillows is an easy and inexpensive way to add or change color in a room. The on trend yet timeless way to go? Opt for stylized flowers executed in a painterly fashion.

Below: Lavender pillow cover, www.potterybarn.com, Carafe pillow, www.pier1.com, Boho pillow, www.westelm.com

Botanical art and prints are seasonless. The modern way to do this is to select subtle interpretations that go outside the box. 

Below: Shades of Green print, www.zgallerie.com, Bronze Bird  wall art, www.potterybarn.com, Manzanita wall art, www.westelm.com, Patch NYC print, www.westelm.com