I just read the September issue of House Beautiful magazine.  It is one of their best issues with photos of gorgeous rooms.  It’s devoted to fall colors, particularly the New Naturals as they calling basic neutrals this season.  The good news is, they are showing real colors mixed in with the tans, sands and taupes.  Nothing kills a room or an entire house faster than bland beige or all white.  If you are afraid of color or are not quite sure how to add it to your house, take baby steps.  Introduce a little at a time or a piece at a time.  Pillows are the easiest and safest way.  ( If you don’t like them, exchange them for a different hue!)  Art work and accessories in colors you love will add instant interest to any space.  Simple changes can change your outlook and attitude.  Who knows, a touch of “Sizzle” or “Arctic Thaw” could inspire a whole new you!

Summer is officially over when school starts.  It doesn’t seem to matter if you have children in school or not, we all seem to be tuned into the September to May calendar.  Design projects tend to run along the same dates.  Once the kids are back to school, we realize how hard they were on the home-front during summer vacation.  Now is the time to start planning your next design project.  (Remember when you offered to host the entire family for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner this year?)

But there is nothing worse than being rushed when making big purchases.  That’s when you can make costly mistakes.  You are better off taking your time.  It’s the rare client who can make a decision without spending days and sometimes weeks, thinking about it.  I’d rather see you throw a quilt and new pillows on the old sofa than be unhappy with your choice.