(Diana Fox )

Shortened daylight hours and chilly evening temperatures remind us of autumn’s change of season. Our attention easily shifts from casual outdoor entertaining to the ambience of a cozy fireside setting. It’s our signal to get ready and rediscover ways to freshen our interiors with falls treasured bounty – a season rich in color, texture and beauty.

Your home visually welcomes guests, allowing you a chance to share your sense of style, your sense of atmosphere and importantly, your sense of self. This year invite autumn into your home with the same sense of warmth and hospitality you graciously extend to your family and friends.

A few well-placed touches in your entry will create inviting possibilities and enhance character. Inspired accents such as a large pot of fall flowers in rich earth-tone colors, an attractive autumn wreath placed on your front door, an oversized wicker basket mixed with red apples and pinecones, a wooden bowl heaped with mini pumpkins and gourds or a big bouquet of late harvest wheat can refresh your space with familiar natural elements.

Nature’s inspiration can bring any room to life. Add beauty and balance, freshness and fashion with the unlimited possibilities of paint. It’s easy, it’s economical and it impacts a room faster than any other element of design. Feel inspired with a delicious palette of burnished fall shades – whether muted or lively these warm, spicy hues are ideal for creating a sense of ease and comfort to any room.

Accessorize your furniture pieces with toss pillows and blanket throws made with plush velvet, cozy chenille and rich tapestry fabrics. Add additional character and texture by selecting items with trim, braid and tassels. Mix different patterns together creating layers of style and personality. Replace your white lampshades with slightly darker tones of beige, cream or caramel. This inexpensive update will soften a room’s crisp look by offering subtle color that’s rich and warm. Add a fancy new finial for fun and flare.

Nature’s bounty is waiting. Enhance a beautiful entry table or arrange a striking focal point for your mantel or dining room table by decorating with hardy outdoor gifts. Gather color and texture by trimming flowering branches from fruit trees, autumn shrubbery laden with berries or natural, twisted vines to create simple, dramatic arrangements. Create a beautiful autumn centerpiece with a tiered arrangement of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples and pears mixed with baby artichokes, fall grapes and golden sunflowers or hydrangeas blossoms. Scatter the surface with lots of colorful fall leaves for a rustic, yet stylish look.

Clear away the light feeling of a summer sisal or sea grass rug. Instead, choose a traditional wool area rug that brings dimension, pattern and color into your favorite spaces. An area rug will define a room’s perimeter and anchor the space, while tying together furniture and accessories. Don’t forget to rearrange your furniture around the fireplace. This creates a cozy setting that looks and feels inviting.

For those crisp fall evenings surround yourself in candlelight. Look for spicy or outdoor scents that will seduce you with soothing aroma. Candles scented with spiced cider, pumpkin pie or hot buttered rum will enhance the autumn setting and are the perfect partner when paired with a cup of hot cocoa and quiet conversation.

Fall is a season for gathering – a time of plenty. Whether it’s sharing an abundant harvest from your garden or enjoying frequent get-togethers with family and friends, prepare your home to feel stylish and comfortable as you welcome the change of seasons with beauty and ease.