Freshen Up for Fall

Learn how a few small stylish moves will deliver big seasonal style.

How do you usher the feeling of fall into your home? You know, that warm and fuzzy feeling that you get when sipping hot cocoa next to a fire or bundling up in a cozy sweater to fend off the cold? Designer Janna Allbritton of Yellow Prairie Interior Design does so with a seasonal vignette, which brings loads of color, character and curb appeal to her home.

Make a Statement

On the front porch of her farmhouse, Janna achieves a charming look using cornhusks, flowers, pumpkins and bales of hay. These are just a few natural items that reflect the time of year and bring ample color and texture to the otherwise neutral scene.

As a fan of farmhouse style, Janna adores blending the old and the new, such as fresh flowers and crusty cornhusks. She treasures old, worn-in furniture and salvaged barn wood, mixed with shiny hardwood floors and modern appliances. But she didn’t always feel that way.

Door-Stopper. This old white door serves as the focal point for Janna’s fall-inspired vignette on the front porch. Smooth pumpkins, soft flowers and crisp cornhusks offer just the right amount of texture to complete the look.

Years ago, Janna left her job as a preschool teacher and founded Yellow Prairie Interior Design. She aimed to share her love of country style, “but at the time, it seemed like no one else was doing that,” Janna says. “My husband and I liked to joke, when is our style going to grow up? When are we going to replace our old, tattered furniture?”

But then Fixer Upper came along just in time to validate Janna’s old-timey style, which prioritized comfort and warmth and channeled the DIY spirit into every project. “Probably everybody says that Joanna Gaines inspired them, but she taught me that it’s okay to be true to your own style, whether it’s called country or farmhouse style.”

Create a Feeling

What can we all learn from Fixer Upper? Well, farmhouse style resonates with the fall season because both the style and the season are concerned with maintaining balance, introducing character and ushering in a feeling of joy through meaningful design choices.

Cool Contrast. Janna designed this simple gallery wall with a few of her favorite things: fresh plants, old books and, of course, a family photo. Wire, glass and wood materials achieve rusticity and visual interest.

For Janna, the best way to bring the outdoors to your door, and perhaps beyond, is all about heading to your local farm or nursery to pick up pumpkins, plants and more. Flowers play an important role in setting the mood, so select bright orange peonies for a refreshing vibe or burgundy hydrangeas for a romantic ambience.

Save & Splurge. Janna used board-and-batten wainscoting in the office, master bedroom and powder room sparingly. Though it upped the budget, it was well worth it. Wainscoting is a classic farmhouse feature, after all.

Once you have your living décor, Janna advises picking a focal point for your vignette. (She used the old door as the focal point in her vignette.) And last but not least, “when you’re done, take a step back and look at your design. Then edit!” she emphasizes.

Laid-Back Living. The living room evokes a peaceful feeling with its neutral color palette and a sprinkling of bright décor and fresh flowers. The stone fireplace brings warmth and rich texture.

By taking on a more organic approach to your design and looking to nature for inspiration and style, you can refresh your home for autumn with just a few easy and affordable changes. After all, “Fall is all about celebrating the season,” Janna says. “It’s about what’s outside, what’s growing, what’s blooming.”

Move to Minimalism. As Janna’s tastes have evolved, she’s moved toward a simpler design style, making use of a few larger décor pieces. “Smaller pieces of décor are like training wheels,” Janna explains. “Once you’ve defined your style, you don’t need as many items.”

The Perfect Fit

Whether you’re moving into a new home or refreshing an outdated one, every design choice is personal. But if you’re in doubt, an interior designer can come to your rescue. After all, it’s their job to help you achieve your dreams. Below, Janna shares her advice on finding a match.

Seek guidance. Look to your designer to help you create a focus in the home. They can help you figure out what it is, exactly, that you love about a photo—and help you recreate it in your own home. Then, hand over the reins, and trust ’em!

Start early. Don’t wait until the last minute. If you’re starting from scratch, ask your architect, builder and designer to work together. Your designer can weigh in on important decisions, such as an open floor concept or how tall your ceiling is.

Shop around. You might not feel comfortable with your first choice, and that’s okay. Consider your options, schedule a consult and request references. Know that there is a designer for everyone, but that it might take some time to find the right person.

Sync up. Get a feel for the designer’s style. Stalk their website or Instagram and ask yourself if their designs resonate with you. If their photographs reflect the feeling you want to evoke in your home, chances are, it will be a good fit.