The leaves are changing colours and the evening air hosts a foreshadowing chill. Fall has officially arrived; this means that now is the time to give our homes their seasonal makeover.

Seasonal changes at home are as natural as the leaves falling from the trees. Begin from the ground up, by laying area carpets. Plush textures and rich warm patterns take the chill off hardwood or ceramic floors. Look for carpets that are saturated with deep, rich colors (hues such as burgundy, brown, terracotta and golden yellow), warm textures and that will support your room's theme and style. Plush Oriental, wool and Persian carpets are excellent choices for this time of year.

Next, how about new drapes? Drapery panels not only frame our view, but also insulate us from the cold outside. Try a pair made from luxurious fabrics, such as raw silk, chenille or washed velvet. Adornments and trims such as tassels, cording, fringing and tiebacks are great fall additions.

No other accessory item supplies 'cozy' better than throw cushions. A sofa, loveseat or bed can never have enough plump cushions. Try a collection of throw cushions that are harmonious in colour but vary in size, shape and texture. Look for ornate trims and fringing in glass jewels or even feathers. On the floor, in front of the fireplace, toss a few oversized embroidered, flannel, fur or wool cushions. Throw cushions add colour, warmth, and definite fall personality to any style room. Be sure to lay a cashmere, hand knit or wool throw on the back of the sofa, or draped over the arm of your favorite reading chair. A throw blanket, not only looks beautiful, but also adds texture and obvious warmth to the room.

With throw blankets and cushions in place, it's time to create fall inspired centerpieces for your table and fireplace mantel. This season, create an outstanding centerpiece with pumpkins, gourds (ornamental squash), fall leaves, berries and branches. White Lumina pumpkins are an upscale twist on the traditional orange pumpkin. The white pumpkins fit with all decors and can easily be antiqued by applying a coat of tinted walnut or mahogany coloured varnish or colour washed with latex paint. Fall leaves can be silk or fresh. A little imagination and creativity goes a long way here.

Don't forget your side tables and bookshelves. Line baskets and bowls with sheets of green sphagnum moss, and then fill with apples or mini pumpkins and fall leaves. Moss is available from your local florist. Vases of fresh colorful flowers should also be replaced with arrangements of branches and flowers that have blossoms in deep, rich fall colours and interesting leaves and berries. Oak and curly willow branches look sensational. Complete the look with a bow of raffia.

Bedding and bed linens also need a fall makeover. Change bed linens from crisp summer cottons to warm flannels or brushed cottons in deep rich colours. Duvet covers, filled with heavy down or plump duvets look irresistibly warm and inviting.

On the dining table, try laying linens in rich, warm, fall earth tones, such as ochre, sienna, burnt orange and red. Cotton blanket throws can also double as great fall table linens.

No room this time of year is complete without the soft flickering glow and warmth of candlelight. You can never have too many flames burning. Group a collection of aromatic burgundy, pumpkin or rust coloured pillar candles that vary in height together on a tray or plate that has been lined with a bed of moss, or on top of a layer of fall leaves.

Candlelight instantly adds drama and romance to your room.

For glittering accents, replace silver and pewter accessories with warmer metals such as copper, gold or bronze. Don't forget the front door-hang a wreath or swag; it should be in keeping with the season. Straw, raffia, mini gourds, apples, willow boughs and fall leaves gather together to make the perfect seasonal wreath.

Colour Notes

Colours such as red, blue and green let those looking at our homes from the outside that positive, out going people live beyond the door. We all want to be positive, happy and perceived as outgoing. A front door should never be white

Designer Secrets

Window coverings are not only functional ways to keep light out and to maintain privacy but they also offer us another opportunity to bring texture into a room. Bamboo blinds, wooden shutter and fabric shades supply texture and light control. Silk, micro suede and gauzy sheer panels will soften and frame a window while adding yet another texture to rooms. In some instances you might want to layer one fabric or texture over another for greater visual drama.

Get Organized

Changing the bed linens is a time consuming task. On laundry day take the sheets off the bed and wash them. Instead of taking new sheets out of the linen cupboard to make the bed with, wait for the sheets to be laundered and then instead of folding and storing the ‘just laundered’ sheets simply put them back on the bed.  This method saves all the time of folding and storing the linens.