Autumn balcony

Sep28

As days become colder, we spend less and less time on our balcony. Although, a relaxation outside would feel good on nice, sunny autumn weekends, watching color leaves. We still don’t have to pass it up but it needs small preparations.
It is a bit easier in the case of a covered, side protected loggia. Put a thicker cushion on the outdoor chairs. Lay a smaller carpet or even a mat under the chair protecting our feet. A low power heater and a thick blanket can create warmth. If there is a metal table, let’s place a plate mat on it and put a cup of hot chocolate or tea on it, this way it gets cold later. If the rail of the loggia is grilled, so the wind can blow through, let’s cover it from the inner side with a nice fabric or rush. Fix it on several points to keep the wind from playing with it.
In the case of an open balcony, more preparations are needed. It can be made relatively close by fixing a curtain rod on the bottom of the balcony above it, on the sides. Curtain made of any outdoor fabric can be hung on this. Tie the bottom of it to the rail against wind. If there is enough space, the wind can be blocked by tall potted plants (e.g. thuja) also. For those who live on the top floor, it’s worth to install a plastic rain roof. This protects from sunshine and snow also. Anything curtain-like can be fixed to this too. Thick blanket, cushion and hot tea are important accessories here also.
Let’s decorate the balcony/loggia with the colors of autumn. Make garlands from lined crops and color leaves which can be fixed to the rail. Hurricane lamp like candle holders are perfect for outdoor mood lighting. The chair should have arms for bigger comfort and coziness. An outdoor faux-lawn can be laid down which lets through the rain, dries soon and provides the feeling of a garden. Ceramic pumpkins, color harmonizing fabrics, berried branches in a massive vase and warm slippers can help to enjoy the most beautiful experiences of autumn which can be provide by nature.
Ask for help of an interior designer for transforming your balcony for autumn days.

Knitted accessories

Sep12

Accessories made of knitted materials are perfect autumn decorations

House preparation for autumn

Sep7

Autumn is here. Cold, rainy and foggy days are coming. It’s worth already to prepare the family house to this season. Many outdoor tasks are waiting for the owners.
Check more frequently the rain pipes. Continuously falling color leaves can plug them easily when they are watered into it from the roof also.
Not all types of fallen leaves are good for the soil, grass and flowers. Leaf-litter should always be raked on dry days that won’t cause problems after rain. It can be gathered in compost, if there is any, but put it out in a special sack, garbage collectors take it away too.
The last nice, sunny days should be used for tiding the flower beds. Cut the old flower heads, weed it and mow the lawn. Let’s walk down the garden pathway and check if any of the tiles is broken. These should be replaced before the frosts because cold and moisture will worsen their condition. Pull out weeds grown between the tiles. Pebbly or gravel path should be filled up if necessary.
In the case of a garden lake or a fountain, the falling leaves can cause more tasks. Water should be continuously cleaned, even if there is no fish in it avoiding staling. Fountain must be dewatered before the first frost. It’s practical to cover them with foil in winter.
Animal keepers have to pay attention to their pets and domestic animals. Hutches and stables should be filled with warm litter. Haphazard cracks on the walls should be repaired to keep the cold outside. A thick, old blanket or carpet can be put in the dog house. Let’s buy feeders for birds or renew the old ones.
Mat at the front door can be complemented with a mud-scraper which helps keeping the hall clean in wet weather also. If there is a stair leading from the garden and/or the street to the door, let’s ascertain that it is non-skidding in rainy weather also. If the old jagged slabs are too dingy, they should be replaced for safety.
Let’s enjoy the warm colors of autumn and the decoration opportunities offered by berried branches after outdoor tasks.

Table centerpiece 2.

Sep2

Autumn table centerpiece ideas

Halloween

Dec29

Halloween is originated from an ancient Celtic tradition. It is believed that on this night the spirits are able to cross the frontier between the world of the living and the dead. This religious belief turned to the fooling fun known today. It has a long tradition mainly in Anglo-Saxon countries, but by now it has spread almost all over the world.
Most emblematic signs of Halloween are the engraved pumpkin lamp, the black cat, the witch, the bat, the ghost and practically anything that can be frightening. The main colors are orange, black and white. In Hungary, the children’s bagging for candy is not usual, but there are several costume parties for this season and the houses, flats are being decorated.
There are Halloween decorations available for our classic style home as well. Instead of laughing face, let’s carve geometric signs or traditional motifs. Placing in a candle, it projects nice patterns on the wall. Bouquets made of orange and white flowers can be inserted in a vase covered by black paper or fabric. Let’s place a flat dish on the table full of small pumpkins and some glass dishes filled with orange and black candies. By applying candle holders on the mantel, at the steps edge and the top of the commode etc, the whole apartment can be filled by mood lighting. (Always be aware of safety!) Cut out some Halloween motifs from the proper colored cardboard and fix them with plasticine glue on the corner of mirrors, windows, cabinet doors. If we call guests for dinner, the tableware can be also special: choose plates with the colors of Halloween, even combined. A plain, white dish can be decorated with orange napkins and black napkin rings. Instead of sitting cards, small flags displaying the names of the guests can be inserted into an apple and placed on the plate. The door decoration also should be changed to the season.
If you have no idea for classy Halloween decoration, ask help from an interior designer.

Door wreaths 1.

Dec21

Autumn door decors – even DIY

Autumn

Dec7

Autumn is here again, the weather turns a bit colder and rainier. The nature prepares for winter time but before this, it provides a colorful sight. Almost everybody likes the warm, inviting colors of autumn landscape. The leaves of plants have thousand shades of yellow, orange, red and brown, beside the green spots. Claret, dark purple and ochre can be also found among the ripe colors of fruits. Walking on the soft leaf-litter feels good. The blue color of the sky becomes a bit grayish but bold colors flash under the autumn sunshine.
This season is the easiest to bring into our home. The mellow, warm colors aren’t hard to harmonize and making the space cozy. The brightness can be well blunted with beige or off-white walls, furniture get big emphasis at the front of it. If a daring total effect is desired, let’s paint the walls color mustard, brown or even claret or deep purple. In this case, furniture can be lighter, for example coffee brown, grey or darker beige. Brown leather sofa, wooden floor and natural wooden furniture are perfect choice for an autumn interior. Wool, chenille, velvet and thicker woven textiles can be used. Leaf, tartan, damask and paisley patterns fit for this very well. Woven baskets, glazed ceramic vases, wrought iron or wood decorating objects in the mentioned colors look good as accessories. Put autumn flowers (e.g. rose, lily, aster) or berries (e.g. wild rose, cotoneaster, sorb) or leafy branches in the vases. Put a bowl full of chestnuts and walnuts in the middle of the table. The luckier can lit the fireplace also, which light gives additional warmth to our home. Rather table and floor lamps and mood lights should be used instead of central lighting.
Resort to skills of an interior designer for implementation if you like such a friendly, cozy mood in your home during the whole year.