Is Autumn Already Knocking at the Door?

An item in the creamy neutral palette this Autumn at Matelan*; Cushion - £8.00 UK pounds

Yesterday was the sort of summer's day that I long for - Sunday quiet, not unbearably hot, but balmy enough to encourage a delicious languidity. It made it a pleasure to eat lunch of globe artichokes, paella and nectarines out on the patio, under the vine, then potter about afterwards, doing a bit of desultory weeding in the herb garden.

But I feel that Autumn is definitely approaching - far out on the margins of the month and in just the tiniest of signs; heavy mist rolling down the hill at 5 am, seedheads setting on so many plants, leaves turning and falling in the wind which blows up from nowhere.

There is always a partial sadness - to me - in the distant sight of Autumn, with the promise of nights drawing in and the likelihood of cold or wet days to be endured, but the pleasures are there too, one of which is to be able once again to bring the colours of autumn into the house.

In my weekly foray to the local retail park today, (yes, on one of my 'Orange Label' plant hunts!), I also noticed that autumn colours are creeping into the Interiors stores' displays. So here are just a few images from what just one of those stores - inexpensive but imaginative Matelan - has to offer for the coming months. By carefully choosing just one or two items, you can create a very charming and welcoming interior for minimal expenditure - always something close to my heart!

The Stag - a popular and even more ubiquitous theme this year

Purchased as an addition to the Hearts collection in the summerhouse - £4.00

Inexpensive (£5.00) and (I can vouch) extremely cosy throws, also with a Stag theme. Keep several in different rooms for unexpectedly chilly evenings, maybe?

For rooms needing a lighter autumnal touch, perhaps a palette of 'fading hydrangea' colours? candle lamps £12.00 each

A striking, machine embroidered Kookaburra & butterflies cushion - just one of these in a small room would make a statement and set a colour theme; £10.00

A whole range of neutral shades...

...which will harmonise so beautifully with these rich rusty reds - the colours that I wait for which  make Autumn so special.

(*no affiliation)

(1 UK pound = $1.56 at today's rates)

Comments

[Sheila]

While I try very hard to live in the moment, I must confess that my heart beats a little faster at the thought of Autumn. Our winter here in Canada is so long, I enjoy every ray of warm sunshine we get at this time of year.
Matelan is not a store we have here, though it looks like one we do have called Bouclair. The new soft furnishings and decorative things certainly cosy the house up, making those cool (colder) days more comfortable. I especially like the candle lamps and the Kookaburra cushion...did you indulge?
Your Sunday lunch on the patio sounds perfect..xx

[Jamie Chavez]

Love this!

[Ardi]

The little bunny cushion is precious. Reminds me of the tiny brown bunny that used to come to the front of our house, eating the little weeds that grow unchecked. Now I say it's because he needs them rather than the slovenliness that is actually the reason. I do love autumn - I get the same rush of needing to be prepared. I have a little list of things to get done - have the chimney cleaners in, get the last two cords of wood delivered, and have the vacuum fellows come and clean the vents. After that, all the curtains washed, ironed and rehung. Cleaning each room and washing the windows (which will guarantee a good rain will soon follow and we desperately need one). Am not making jams and jellies, but we are about to blackberry pick soon and will freeze them on cookie sheets, then bag them up for "the taste of summer" this winter. Thanks for sharing this outing.