Warmth and creating a cosy ambience isn’t just about what your thermostat is doing;
The days are getting shorter and the nights are drawing in - it’s that time of year we feel compelled to level up the cosy vibes at home, and make the most of the comfort and warmth that interior design can unleash. Let’s explore how, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can transform your space for autumn.
Dried persimmon flowers on the side table of this client have an autumnal feel
Warmth and creating a cosy ambience isn’t just about what your thermostat is doing; it’s an approach to design that involves setting up your home for the chilly months ahead. Add a few side tables to your nooks - this provides a practical surface for your endless cups of tea and mugs of hot chocolate, or a place to lay your favourite book. Piled up with candles and accents that bounce soft light around the room, they offer the sparkle and glow that is the quintessence of the season.
Texture, too, is paramount for this time of year. Soft layers, blankets, fluffy cushions and soft surfaces help create a snug environment to cuddle up in or luxuriate beneath a blanket, and adding rugs and mats underfoot maximise insulation and bring a tactile element to your space.
Of course, autumn comes with its own wonderful palette of colours, brought about by the foliage and flowers that make this season such a special one. Natural colours and textures never fail to elevate your interior - check out Lucy, my favourite local florist, who always has no shortage of stunning stock that perfectly encapsulates this magical time of year.
As the nights lengthen and daylight becomes more scarce and precious, let your home reflect autumn’s unique charm. It’s the season of nesting, crafting cosily inviting spaces, and letting your creativity shine - and what better way to do so than by creating your very own lampshade with me?
Autumn Workshops and Interior Classes
Friday 29th September
A few places remain in my 'Large Lampshade' workshop at Creative Space on North street. Why not round off a week by attending my relaxed and welcoming workshop, complete with nibbles and refreshments and plenty of new friends to share a creative experience with. Booking via my website
Friday 3rd November
A unique pair of bedside table lampshades never fail to provide the perfect finishing touch. Craft your matching pair of lampshades at my upcoming workshop, where you can bring along your favourite fabric and create something unmissable that reflects your style. The class will be held at Creative Space, North street. 7-9pm. Booking via my website
Thursday 30th November
Looking to inject a flourish of your personality into your home this autumn? Check out my Small Lampshade workshop at Creative Space, North street. Booking via my website
Sunday 10th December
Come join me at The Bristol Folk House for a day of lampshade making. Craft your very own Small Lampshade in the morning and a Large Lampshade in the afternoon. These sessions are always great fun and a fantastic way to explore colour, texture and creativity on your interior design journey!
What Hannah Did Next ...
It’s been yet another exciting season of new projects for me to get my teeth into, and I’m relishing the chance to lend my experience and creativity to some seriously fascinating interior design opportunities. Here’s a run-down of what I’ve been up to:
Interior Work
I’ve been privileged to be invited to lead a fascinating multi-level project in Clifton, near the fabulous Redgrave Theatre. I’ll be working closely with a small and dedicated team and working from the ground up, starting with two basement rooms to unleash character in the spaces and reveal their proper purpose.
I’m also working on a project in Hotwells, where the clients have gone all-in with some thrilling colour choices that truly reflect their passion for the unique and impactful! I’ve been bedazzled by the stunning glass wall added to the rear of their kitchen extension, as well as the fabulous bespoke lighting over their dining and island units. It’s been a chance to really dive into some seriously inspiring interior design approaches, and I can’t wait to capture the final results to share with you all.
Finally, I’ve been given the green light to get stuck into a family home in leafy Long Ashton. I can’t share many details yet, but I’m really looking forward to seeing how this one turns out!
Home Renovations
Those who have been following my home renovation journey will know it’s been quite the adventure, but one which has already taught me so much and continues to enlighten me.
The good news? We’re really getting somewhere with our beloved family home, and the roof is going on the loft conversion just in time for the colder weather. The final windows will be installed in the next week or so, and despite there being plenty of unexpected twists and turns, it’s really exciting to see it all coming together. Follow me over on my Instagram account for daily updates on the chaos!
Design Dispatches
My visit to the House of Hackney flagship store last month triggered some serious desire in my Interior designer’s heart - I’ve been restlessly lusting after the deep velvets and warming tones of their new Autumn/Winter collection, which taps deep into my love for timeless decadence and Arts & Craft movement-inspired patterns.
They’ve perfected the art of reimagining the much-loved design idiom of decorative pioneers and breathless romantics like William Morris, updating them for a dynamic contemporary market, and doing so in peerless fashion. I’m especially smitten by their beautiful Hollyhocks wallpaper, which is evocative of my school days spent gazing at a copy of a Gustav Klimt painting we had on the classroom wall.
I find it impossible not to be taken in by House of Hackney’s dedication to an artful and painterly finish - it adds so much depth and detail to any room. All those fabulous ‘cottage core’ patterns and textures, tassels, deep velvets and enveloping designs provide more than enough to fall in love with this Autumn. However, I was delighted to discover House of Hackney also supports the Woodland Trust, which protected 170 acres of sacred woodland in 2022. They became a certified carbon-neutral company, too, providing even more profound reasons to buy from this fantastic creative company.
This October will see me heading off to an absolutely must in any design fan’s annual calendar - the ever-brilliant and inspiring Decorex expo at London’s Olympia. If you aren’t already a fan of this yearly design staple, it’s high time you checked it out; Decorex brings together a plethora of fantastic partners, exhibitors, expert speakers, trend spotters and trendsetters, immersing delegates and visitors in the latest and greatest the realm of interior design has to offer.
I’m especially excited to check out the talk by Ana Rita Martins - ‘Sustainability Accreditations and what the Jargon Means’ - as well as the brilliant Edward Bulmer’s exploration on ‘Responsibility in Design: What Does it Mean?’. It’s sure to be as eye-opening and fascinating as ever, and I’ll report on all my discoveries in next month’s newsletter!
Until then, stay creative.
Hannah x
