“I don’t like playing by the rules when it comes to styling,” says Mieke ten Have, the interior stylist and former magazine editor whose new book, Interiors Styled by Mieke ten Have, features a gorgeously patterned array of interiors she’s worked on (including her own refined but rustic 18th-century barn in Dutchess County New York) and is out next week. “But,” she continues, “I personally put away lighter fabrics—block-printed cottons, linens, and pale colors in favor of richer, darker, and more textural ones come fall.” She cites jacquard blankets and richly embroidered suzanis as the kind of textiles that can take their place when the autumn leaves begin to fall. “A touch of luminous silk can dazzle on dark nights,” ten Have adds.
Living in a region that experiences all four seasons in their totality, ten Have and her interiors are in sync with the unique moods and bounties of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Surrounded by nature, she celebrates these seasonal shifts with subtle design choices, all of which are documented in her book. Filled with inspiration for anyone seeking to outfit their homes or simply marvel at great design, the book documents how ten Have’s Upstate home (which she’s succinctly christened “the Barn”) is adapted for the seasons. For further inspiration and fall-specific inspiration, she shares with Vogue her guide to decorating for fall.
Celebrate Formality After a Care-Free Summer
“Fall and spring are both transitional seasons where you get to have the best of the inside and outside. By the end of fall, it’s all about returning to the interior and wanting to feel cosseted and cozy. There’s always a bit of a formal feeling about the start of fall—a back-to-school feeling never dissipates—and relaxed summer suppers give way to more involved and deliberate dinner parties: nice glasses, favorite china, and lots of candlelight. Investing in some beautiful taper candles goes a long way at a dinner table.”
Go Wild! Bring in Branchy, Woodsy Flora
“When it comes to adapting your flora to fall, death becomes her! With the changing leaves, fall yields some of the most beautiful opportunities to forage for sculptural branches and interesting weeds. I love finding rangy pokeweed, with its crimson and aubergine droplet-like berries. I cut loads of branches with their changing leaves; think about scale—an oversized branch arrangement is like adding a living sculpture to any space. Look for branches that have interesting and elegant shapes to them. Imperfection should be embraced. Add a dose of wildness to your tame interior spaces.”
Indulge in Local Flowers Before the First Frost
“Fall offers so much abundance–I opt for full, lush, and loose arrangements. Local flowers are impossible to have after the first hard frost, so indulge in the heady blooms while you still can! I like to color-block in warm and cool color families—for example, masses of red, yellow, and orange dahlias evoke the warmth of a fire and the changing of the leaves outside the window. Juxtapose with contrasting colors that keep vignettes in your home lively and compelling to look at. I love the Dahlias, Chrysanthemums, Zinnias, and Asters that flourish in fall.”
’Tis the Season to Swap Your Soft Furnishings
“I completely change the layering of textiles in my house—a simple change of cushions, blankets on larger upholstered furniture can offer dramatic impact and sway the mood of a room. I opt for jewel-toned colors that mimic the dynamic colors of the season. I play with layering blankets and even rugs on top of tables. Small changes like that can really go a long way.”
