A Harvest of Style
By Susie Coelho
I have to say, fall is my favourite time of the year. It boasts all my signature colours of burnt oranges, mustard yellows, chocolate browns and rusty reds. Yummy!
Now you may be thinking, what’s a “signature?” This word is used a lot in the style industry. Basically, all it means is that you have put your mark, your style or your own personal taste on something! It is your personal “signature.” For example, let's say your favourite colour is green. When you start using the colour green in every aspect of your styling, it becomes your signature colour. This does not mean your entire home is painted green, with green carpet, green furniture, and green accessories but it’s obvious that this is an important colour for you and maybe you are using it as your base throughout the house with different accent colours.
When I style my home, there is a “signature” look that is very “Susie” as my friends would call it. It has to do with colour but also textures. Mixes of organic and natural fabric, earthy colour tones and desert colours like dusty oranges, tans, and variations of brown, woven into the foundations. I have pieces that are from my ethnic heritage and they are textured and exotic. I tend to keep things neutral for my larger furniture pieces and fabrics, and add layers of warmth with chocolate throws, shimmery rust coloured pillows, and some vases that also have these colours woven in. It's subtle, but very me! Most of all I feel very comfortable in this space surrounded by these colour tones and that is what is the most important. I do the same thing when I put together outfits or even set the table. These colours are so wonderful during the fall when the weather begins to turn cooler, and the days get shorter.
The November project is a great neutral base for you to build your own signature colour palette around. I filled my “Make It Stone” vase with dried fall grasses, flowers, and pods. You could even add some dried oranges or little decorative birds which can be purchased from your local craft store. Again what is important is that you are creating and putting your “signature style” on everything you do!
This fall, find your signature style and show it off to all your friends and family during Thanksgiving dinner. As an added bonus, I'm not just giving you one but two recipes this month that may become your signature menu items once everyone gets a taste of them.
