When everyone else zigs, zag. That is exactly what Sus of lifestyle blog Sus Living has done in her cosy, eclectic home in Copenhagen. Sharing the house with husband Daniel and daughters Noelle and Noami, Sus tells me "my style has been influenced by everything and everywhere: outdoor terraces, old houses, people's outfits. I see things I like and try to put it together in a new way in my home." The white, blue or light grey tones we often see in Danish homes have been shunned in favour of cushions, blankets, curtains and candles in rusty red, maroon, burgundy and ochre. The look is cosy, rustic, and bohemian with a wonderful exotic touch. The home is beautiful all year round but comes into its own in the autumn when the leaves turn a fiery red outside. If you're looking for ways to update your home for the new season, here are a few ideas (big and small!).
1. Dried flowers: fresh flowers may be fading along with the summer sun but hold onto them and they'll become golden displays which will last all winter long!
2. Fill your home with the fragrances of the season: roll up your sleeves and enjoy an afternoon in the kitchen making scrummy comfort foods such as pumpkin soup and homemade Danish pastry (a little trivia for you - Danes call them 'Vienna pastries', I always think that's so funny, like no one wants to own up to them!) - not only will they fill your home with a delicious fragrance, you get to stay out of the cold and tuck in!
3. Curl up in a deep sofa in soft autumn colours: The Mr Big sofa from Bolia is amazingly deep (I know, my friend has one and I often get stuck there for hours - nothing to do with the wine, honest!). Sus has covered her Mr Big in a beautiful golden ochre velvet which is perfect for autumn! Now, I'm not suggesting you go out and buy a new sofa especially for autumn - but you can easily update the one you have with blankets and cushions in burgundy and ochre - or if you'd like to go a step further and happen to have an IKEA sofa, try Bemz who do a similar cover in velvet which you can slip on over your existing one!
4. Bring in autumn colours: obviously a wall in rich rust red or muted brown shades is nice to have, but again, re-painting walls each season might not be very practical, even if these colours are bang on trend right now (and I have to say, I do love my 'blushing peach' bedroom wall - it works well all year round!). But how about adding a load of accessories? "Darker shades can be included by using cushions, blankets, candles and ceramics," suggests Sus.
5. Create a cosy nook that feels like you're outdoors: as the temperature drops outside it's natural to start to withdraw indoors (by the time it gets to January in Sweden I have to be pretty much dragged kicking and screaming to the front door!). Why not create a cosy nook in the window like this one in Sus's house where you can relax and soak up the autumn sunshine from the comfort of your home?!
6. Coloured candles: where would a Scandinavian home tour be without candles? And at this time of the year they really come into their own. Candles in rich autumn colours placed in vintage brass candleholders* are perfect for dialling up the hygge!
7. Turn your bed into a cosy cocoon: With the days slowly getting shorter it's so nice to snuggle up in bed and feel all toasty under the covers, don't you think? Sus has updated her bed with brown linen bedding (source similar here*) and a canopy for a super cosy sleep!
8. Create a 'bed den' for your kids! I love Sus's idea of stretching a canopy (this one is similar) over twin beds so little ones can natter away into the night feeling all snug!
9. Get your bathroom autumn ready! It might be the British in me, but I do love a bath when it's cold outside, how about you? This wooden bath is the stuff of dreams! But I also like that Sus has stocked up on some lovely accessories to be able to fully indulge the season!
10. Get gowned up! Linen dressing gowns are all well and good but when it gets a little colder, how nice is it to slip into a fluffy robe and even fluffier slippers? And when they're not in use they'll ramp up the hygge feel in your bathroom too! After sunset, I love placing a candle by the sink too!
Speaking of which, how fab is that zinc bucket sink?
11. Update your backyard / balcony: The plants and flowers might be slowly fading but the leaves will reward us with a final display of fiery reds, orange and yellows. Don your favourite chunky knit sweater and head out into the autumn sunlight. Simple cushions in this season's tones and string lights will give your balcony / backyard a lovely, warm glow that will last until spring!
I hope Sus's wonderful house has given you a few ideas for your own home!
You can see more pics over on her fab instagram and lifestyle blog Sus Living.
It would be rude not to share a few other autumn links for the weekend too, don't you think?
How do you like to update your home for Autumn? If you've got any simple tips, I'd love to hear about them in the comments below.
Wishing you a fabulous weekend!
Niki
Photography: Sus Living shared with kind permission
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