Cozy and Trendy Materials to Embrace This Fall

Courtesy of Chrissy Giglio

Hi Friends,

Give your interior a seasonally appropriate refresh by introducing a few ultra comfortable materials that are guaranteed to bring those must-have cozy vibes. Not only will these lush additions create the perfect fall-friendly aesthetic, they’ll also help you achieve a trendy look that will do wonders for any space. From rich velvets to super soft flannels, these are the textiles you should be embracing right now.

Flannel

Photo By: Claire Esparros for Homepolish

Whether it’s a solid color or a festive plaid, flannel is one cozy fabric we can’t live without this time of year. It's not all about oversized shirts though, you can incorporate this inviting fabric into your home too — and that’s something we can seriously get behind. Transfer this style from your closets to your seating and beds by introducing a few decorative pieces, think: accent pillows, throw blankets, and bedspreads, decked out in flannel.

Faux Fur

Photo By: Audrey Hall

Not up-to-date with the must-have trends? We’ve got you covered. Faux fur has the power to transform any interior into a luxurious oasis in a matter of minutes. With its trendy style and undeniable warming elements, it’s no wonder this ritzy material is at the top of most decorators' lists. Small-scale stools upholstered in this fuzzy fabric, oversized options spread across the bed and throws draped across a sofa are a great place to start.

Sheepskin

Photo By: Chris Amaral

For the ultimate trendy addition, stick to sheepskin. While your Pinterest feed may already be filled with Scandinavian-inspired homes rocking this plush material, we simply can’t get enough. Easily revamp the overall aesthetic of your space by working in one or two sheepskin accents for an on-trend upgrade that will soften any floor, chair, or surface in an instant. Give your home a log cabin-esque refresh by opting for this chic improvement next time you're redecorating.

Tweed


Achieve a classic fall look by introducing tweed into your design aesthetic. While it is indeed a rougher fabric, this wool-based option won’t disappoint when added in small doses. Whether it’s baskets overflowing with blankets, ottomans classily upholstered, or beds outfitted with sturdy blankets, tweed is a flawless addition that can stand the test of time. Pair this material with other fall favorites to elevate its season-ready aesthetic.

Velvet

Photo By: Regan Baker Design

If you want to give your space an update that is seriously high style, look no further than velvet. Pieces big and small look perfect when upholstered in this opulent material, so it's a safe bet no matter what your budget may be. Aside from being soft to the touch, this option is known for its glamorous style that will spruce up any spot that needs a quick boost.

Chunky Knits


If you’re on the search for something that won’t clash or take away from your existing design, try out an understated look that’s guaranteed to add a cozy touch. Grab some sweater-style textiles and place them throughout your home for an immediate upgrade. Whether it’s a blanket draped over the back of a chair or some bulky throw pillows, this heavy knit material will blend seamlessly into your home while adding just the right amount of seasonal flair.

Chenille


With the resurgence of '90s trends still on the rise, it’s no surprise that certain materials are working their way back into our interiors as well. Let us reintroduce you to chenille. With its velvety feel and eye-catching sheen, this dense weave can give any lackluster area a much-needed makeover. Couch pillows and throw blankets in an array of colors will turn your space (or patio) into the perfect space to while away the cold weather.

Leather

Photo By: Eric Charles

While we’re no stranger to leather seating options, we can’t help but swoon over the luxe option when it takes an interior to the next level. Empty hallways and awkward excess space can get the perfect seasonal facelift thanks to the luxe nature of leather. Benches, ottomans, and throw pillows are the perfect way to work in this go-to material in a new, fresh way.

Corduroy


While this fall favorite is most commonly associated with back to school outfit shopping, it’s time to start working this casual accent into your interior setup too. No matter what color you opt for, this highly textured material will transform any space into an autumnal oasis that is made for cozy days spent lazing around. Upholster a chair in corduroy in order to achieve a laid-back look that will elevate any empty corner.

Cashmere

Photo By: Michael Habachy

For those looking to splurge, cashmere is a no-fail choice. Known for being an ultra soft textile best suited to sweaters, it’s no shock that it translates to home decor so well, too. While the price tag may deter some who prefer a budget-friendly refresh, this next-level wool is worth the investment. Skip bold colors or prints and opt for classic, muted hues to ensure your new piece won’t become tired over the years.

Enjoy, soon you will be longing for the nearest fireplace, firepit; you get the idea...

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Yvonne

10 Fall Slow Cooker Recipes for a Crowd

Courtesy of Debbie and Mark Wolfe
Photography by Debbie Wolfe

Hi Friends,

Our featured Buffalo Chicken Dip is a perfect tailgating appetizer. You will need: two 10-ounce cans chunk chicken (drained) or 2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, two 8-ounce packages cream cheese (softened), 1 cup ranch dressing, 3/4 cup hot sauce, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 bunch celery (cleaned and cut into 4-inch pieces). Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese, and transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and cook on LOW until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks, crackers or tortilla chips.

BBQ Baby Back Ribs


Fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs are easier to make than you think. You will need: 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1/2 tablespoon black pepper, 3 cups barbecue sauce and 2 racks of baby back pork ribs. Mix the dry ingredients together and rub it on the meaty side of the baby back ribs. Place ribs in the slow cooker with meaty side facing inside. Completely cover all sides of the ribs with 2-3 cups of BBQ sauce. Put the lid on and set your slow cooker on LOW for 6-8 hours.

Hot Buttered Rum Apple Cider


Warm up with this sweet, spiked cider. You will need: 6 cups apple cider, 1 stick of unsalted butter, 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves and 2 cups dark rum. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir well. Cover and cook on HIGH 1 1/2 hours or LOW 3 hours.

Root Beer Pulled Pork


Serve these sweet and savory sandwiches before the big game. You will need: 3 pounds pork butt, 1 bottle barbecue sauce, 1 1/2 cups root beer and 1 package of burger buns. Place pork butt in slow cooker. Add root beer and half of the barbecue sauce to medium mixing bowl. Stir until well combined. Pour the sauce mixture over pork and cover slow cooker with lid. Cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or until done. Remove pork and shred on a cutting board using 2 forks. Place shredded pork back into slow cooker and mix with remaining sauce. Serve on burger buns and top with fresh coleslaw.

Pumpkin Spice Cake


This is possibly the easiest cake you'll ever make. You will need: 1 box spice cake mix, 1 can pure pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup applesauce, 3 eggs and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Beat all ingredients together for 1 minute with mixer. Spray inside of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Pour mixture into slow cooker and cover. Cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until done. Carefully cut the pieces of cake out of the slow cooker and top with your favorite cream cheese frosting.

Apple Cobbler


Nothing says fall like a homemade apple cobbler. You will need: two 21-ounce cans apple pie filling, 1 box spice cake mix, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray. Pour both cans of apple pie filling into the pot. Combine cake mix and butter until crumbly, sprinkle over apple pie filling. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

Fall Slow Cooker Meals Bacon Ranch Potatoes


These potatoes make a yummy side dish. You will need: 6 slices cooked bacon, 3 pounds potatoes, chopped, 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided, 1 tbs ranch salad dressing mix, and 2 tbs chopped chives. Line a slow cooker with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray. Place a layer of potatoes evenly into the slow cooker. Top with cheese, ranch seasoning and crumbled bacon. Cover potatoes with aluminum foil. Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours, or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Cover and cook until melted, about 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with chives.

Whiskey Meatballs


Serve these meatballs as appetizers or in a hoagie roll as a main dish. You will need: 2 pounds frozen meatballs, 1 cup ketchup, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup whiskey or bourbon and 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours.

Sweet Potato Casserole


Enjoy this Thanksgiving favorite with any meal. You will need: 3 1/2pounds sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped), 1/2 stick butter (melted), 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg and 1 tablespoon vanilla. For the topping: 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 stick butter (softened), 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup rolled oats, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional). Combine butter, sugar, cream, salt, vanilla and spices and pour over sweet potatoes. Mix gently to coat the potatoes. Cook on low for 3 1/2-4 hours. Once potatoes are soft you can mash them gently or just let them be (depends on how you want the final texture). In a separate bowl prepare crumb topping by combining butter, oats, cinnamon, flour and sugar with two forks or by hand. Topping should be slightly dry and crumbly. Sprinkle over the sweet potatoes and cook for another hour (or until the topping is bubbly).

Hot Chocolate


Rich, decadent hot chocolate is the perfect way to warm up on a cool fall day. You will need: 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, one 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 6 cups milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 cups of chocolate chips. Pour all ingredients into a slowcooker and whisk together until well combined. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Whisk well before serving.

Cozy up with these easy and delicious dinner, drink and appetizer recipes just in time for autumn entertaining...

Bon Appétit...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Hot New Fall Color Trends

Courtesy of Sam Henderson
Photo by Matthew Mead

Hi Friends,

The cooler air and rich colors of fall add to our relief from the long, hot summer. And incorporating warm fall colors into your home design can really up the coziness factor. We asked some design-forward paint companies to tell us what fall colors are trending and the colors homeowners can use to bring richness and warmth to their space.



The Color & Design Team at Benjamin Moore have compiled their list of hot trending fall colors for this year. The choices are rich and largely based in neutrals. Each is unique, but still basic enough to use as a backdrop to inject pops of brighter color as desired.

Black Beauty

Matthew Mead

Black Beauty is ideal for adding drama to a space. While great as an accent wall, consider a broader use by creating a monochromatic space with bright, white accents. This space, designed by Matthew Mead, is painted in the trending color and decorated with similarly colored objects including a repurposed mid-century desk found at a thrift store.

A Sharkskin sofa

Photo Courtesy Robert Petril

Sharkskin is a soft, medium gray with just a hint of green. This color is equally well-suited for walls or furniture. The Marcel sofa from Robert Petril is a good example. Use the color as the base and surround it with several other neutral tones for a warm, inviting space.

Drfitwood works well with black and white

Matthew Mead

Driftwood is a soft neutral that would be perfect as full coverage or as a supplemental color to other neutrals. A classic color, Driftwood is perfect when paired with black and white. This kitchen from Matthew Mead adds just enough of the color to add some warmth and break up the monotony of simple black and white.

A Dinner Party den

Photo Courtesy Benjamin Moore

Although Dinner Party would be beautiful in a dining room, its use can go far beyond that. This deep red tone feels like a cozy blanket. Consider using it in an entry or a library, such as this one from Benjamin Moore for a warm, inviting look.

Pratt & Lambert Trending Colors

Sam Henderson

Pratt & Lambert have identified some trending, typically deep fall colors, but have included some blue tones to round out their selection. The blues are a bit on the warm side making them perfect for cozy environments.

Pratt & Lambert's Oakbluff

Photo Courtesy Pratt & Lambert

The warmth of Oakbuff looks and feels like a steamy cup of cider. Well-suited for many rooms, this color pairs beautifully with a bold blue.

Poppy provides a lovely pop of color

Photo Courtesy Pratt & Lambert

Poppy has just enough red and orange to make it incredibly versatile. This color would be equally at home in a contemporary or more traditional setting.

Red Mosaic from Pratt & Lambert

Photo Courtesy Pratt & Lambert

Red Mosaic is the perfect backdrop for the soft pinks and rose golds that are on trend at the moment.

Shadow's Secret

Photo Courtesy Pratt Lambert

Dancing on the edge of soft and bold, Shadow’s Secret adds a burst of color without overwhelming. It is a lovely color for adding life to a space, or even a closet.

Victoria Blue works well with bright white

Photo Courtesy Pratt & Lambert

Victoria Blue is bold and demands attention. Paired with bright white, this color has a modern, graphic feel.

Sherwin-Williams Fall Color Trends

Sam Henderson

Sherwin-Williams' fall color trends hew to a more traditionally autumnal palette. The choices are cozy and could easily work all together in one space.

Green is in this season

Photo Courtesy Sherwin-Williams

Perhaps the boldest of all the colors, Basque Green screams "look at me!" While is would be a good choice for accents in a room, covering the walls in this color would make a very bold statement.

Cozy comfy Felted Wool

Photo Courtesy Sherwin-Williams

Warm and more warm, Felted Wool falls somewhere between gray and brown. It is a beautiful companion to other neutrals and warm vanillas.

Rich, luxurious Haff-Caff

Photo Courtesy Sherwin-Williams

Half-Caff has an earthy brown tone that would work well with neutrals or brighter, bolder colors. Adding this to a space instantly increases its autumn appeal.

Sherwin-Williams' Overjoy

Photo Courtesy Sherwin-Williams

Despite its tendency for boldness, the yellow of Overjoy seeks attention without overdoing it. Its more mustard qualities add a warmth and subtlety that pairs perfectly with a neutral gray as seen here.

Spicy Hue is just right for fall

Photo Courtesy Sherwin-Williams

Spicy Hue lives up to its name. It is fun and lively and falls somewhere between cayenne and cinnamon. Painted on this middle shelf, it is clear to see how well this color pairs with others to round out a palette.

For the most part, these trending fall colors would all be suitable for many design styles from traditional to modern. Best of all, with a few minor decorating adjustments, all of them would easily work from season to season, so there's no need to switch things out when warmer weather comes.

Embrace the warm cozy colors of fall with these new trending colors for home decor...

Happy Decorating!

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

12 Summer Hostess Gifts That Aren't Wine

Courtesy of Erica Reitman

Hi Friends,

With summer barbecue and pool party season kicking off, it's a great time to update your hostess gift options. Sure, you can always bring a bottle of wine when you're invited to a get-together, but you could also not bring wine. I've rounded up 12 clever summer-themed hostess gifts that are sure to get you a return invite to the next warm-weather soiree.

1: Chef'n Ice Cream Sandwich Maker

This adorable kitchen gadget is definitely not something your hostess needs, but once you have one, it's not something you'll want to give up. Use the mold to bake your homemade cookies, then once baked, add ice cream and freeze to make your own ice cream sandwiches.

$19.95; williams-sonoma.com

2: Yellow Peony Tea Tin

This bold tea tin is a lovely choice for a tea lover. But the tin is so beautiful, it would also work great as a vessel for makeup brushes or hair accessories.

$9.95; teavana.com

3: Stella Chopsticks

Architect Mario Bellini designed these colorful chopsticks. They're dishwasher safe and faceted for easy gripping. They would be a great gift to bring if you're invited over for a night of Asian food.

$25; dwr.com

4: Glimmer Ring Coaster

These chic coasters would make a great hostess gift for any summer cocktail party. They're a perfect choice for both inside and outside gatherings, and they're also surprisingly durable.

$6/each; anthropologie.com

5: Mason Jar Herb Garden Kit

This windowsill herb garden kit is another fab choice for any hostess who loves to cook. This kit includes everything you'll need to kick-start your own indoor herb garden — even potting soil and pebbles. Before your hostess knows it, they'll have their own fresh basil, cilantro, parsley and mint to use in all their home-cooked meals.

$28; shopterrain.com

6: Olive and Basil Oil

Olive oil is always one of my favorite go-to hostess gifts. It's something that we don't often want to splurge on for ourselves, and it will last for months to come. This basil-infused olive oil is the perfect choice for light summer cooking. You could pair it with a bouquet of fresh basil, homemade red sauce and a bag of pasta if you want to make it extra special.

$10.50; oliviersandco.com

7: Beaches by Gray Malin

This gorgeous book from photographer Gray Malin is another perfect summer hostess gift. Gray's aerial photographs feature beach scenes from all over the world. Twenty cities across six continents are represented in this stylish book that will look fabulous on any coffee table.

$24.63; amazon.com

8: Cabana-Stripe Turkish Towels

Turkish towels are a fantastic all-in-one gift. They can be used as typical towels or on tables as tablecloths. You can also leave them sitting out on outdoor chairs to use as wraps on chilly nights.

$16; overstock.com

9: "Float On" Giant Innertube

This is a fun gift to bring if you're invited to a summer pool party. The floaty has a chic, retro design with yellow and pink stripes. And at 49 inches, it's large enough to enjoy relaxing on while floating in the pool for hours.

$24; bando.com

10: Ceylon Iced Tea Jug With Filter

For a hostess who loves to drink iced tea, this is a great idea for a gift. This Bodum pitcher allows you to quickly brew delicious, homemade iced tea at home. You can easily fit it in your refrigerator door, but it's pretty enough to sit out on your table, too.

$15 (51-ounce); amazon.com

11: Endless Weekend Summer Candle

A lovely candle is another great go-to hostess gift no matter the time of the year. But during the summer, it's nice to choose a candle that has a lighter, more summery scent like this one. Mandarin, magnolia and coconut water essences are used in this three-wick beauty.

$24.50; bathandbodyworks.com

12: Live Lavender Wreath

We've all heard of holiday wreaths, but there are actually some pretty summer wreaths that would make a wonderful accessory. This live lavender wreath smells delicious and would look lovely on a front door.

$49.99; worldmarket.com

For your fave party friends...

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Live well,
Yvonne