With Autumn here already, we thought it would be lovely to ask our resident interior designer, Emma Halmshaw from Velvet Shaw, to give us her best tips for Autumn home preparation. If you would like to know more about Emma’s services, don’t hesitate to drop her a line. velvetshaw21@gmail.com / 07790356960

AUTUMN READY HOME

September is upon us – as always far too soon it seems for those that love summer!
In the UK we are lucky to have our seasons and autumn is our gentle journey to winter with the sun rising later and setting earlier as time goes on and with it we need some seasonal tweaks to make the most of the transition and here are some suggestions for you to consider:

Looking to market your Plymouth property for sale or to let in Plymouth this Autmmn? – planting some pansies will offer curb appeal into the cooler months and now is the time plant those bulbs ready to make spring colourful.

Hallway / Porch / Garage / Car Boot

Footwear deserves a bit of thought here as whilst our flip flops are not quite ready for hibernation we may well be needing to dust off those boots & wellies – check them over and give a little tlc where needed; a clean, a nice leather treatment or a full on revive via the Ugg style kit! Dig your slippers out all ready to get cosy when the temperature drops.

Autumn is a perfect time for some serious foraging – keep a basket / bag / bucket and scissors handy for collecting those wild berries, apples, grasses and flowers to press or dry or a few pine cones you may come across on a walk. Hydrangeas and lavender dry easily and keep their shape well

Keep your beach rug ready as we still get the sunny days in September and a reusable bucket bbq is a great way to watch the sun set outside with some added warmth!

Backdoor Area / Utility / Balcony door

If you have the space a fire pit is a great way to still hang out in the evenings with a glass of wine as the skies are often clear with plenty of star gazing opportunities. Get a bundle of rugs ready to grab along with those citronella candles to keep the bugs away

Heat

Fires – Time to sweep the chimney, fill that log basket and stock up on firelighters.

Test artificial fires and heating before we get the first cold snap – does anything need attention?

Bathrooms

Switching back to fluffy bath towels for warmth and comfort once October hits and look forward to hot baths with nourishing oils to feed the skin and the mind

Bedrooms

A thicker throw, blanket and / or quilt will stave off the changing of the summer duvet until November often – as with clothing layering works best in the changing weather during these transitional times

A scented candle on your bedside can make the darker evening seem easier to enjoy along with the treat of something new to read, a fresh podcast, a different meditation to try out along with a face mask and make the most of any down time you get in complete comfort

Sitting Room

Switching up the cushions for some more seasonal fabrics, textures and colours – velvets of course but still mixed with linens, cottons cleaned and packed away and introducing some light wools pleases me along with those blankets and throws handy for sofa time

Throwing a sheep skin over the back of the sofa or a chair can instantly change the scene in your living room, I’m also a fan of layering up my rugs – for one it helps with the storage significantly but come autumn my lighter rag rugs that I favour in my sitting room need some boosting for insulation and layering can look good and provide practical purpose too

Thicker curtains that keep the draughts out are now perfect to install and clean and store any cottons & linens that you may have had during the summer months

Who doesn’t love a scented candle or a diffuser – I find myself leaning towards bolder fragrances to reflect the season while relaxing on my sofa in the autumn evenings and I like to buy a new candle to signify the change and help me say goodbye to summer for another year

Being a big fan of silk flowers, creating a seasonal display also helps me transition into a new season – perhaps a seasonal wreath on the front door or just some simple pine cones in a glass vase

Kitchen

If you like sloe gin now is the time to find them hiding in the hedgerow and make your stash – it’s an easy and rewarding one to make:

Sloes 500g / 1 lb
Sugar 250g / 9oz
Gin 70cl

Pick sloes and freeze to mimic the 1st frost (its splits the skins and release the juice)
Add sloes, sugar and gin to a large, clean, airtight jar or bottle, place in a dark place and leave for one week, take out and shake then leave for a good few weeks for the sugar to dissolve and some say that it should be left for 3 months before drinking but you decide…

September has a ‘back to school’ feel for us all and now is the time to look at your home and decide what projects you want to accomplish over the winter or indeed what you intend to spend the darker, colder months doing – is it time to learn a new skill, read those books, learn a language, plan your next box set binge, teach yourself to crochet, make that photobook because it will soon be Christmas!

Don’t forget – while adhering to the most up to date social distancing regulations, we are welcoming clients by appointment and for drop in’s at our office on Mutley plain. You can book in with a member of our team by calling 01752 87 42 42 to discuss listing your Plymouth property for sale or to rent, or you can arrange a viewing of our currently listed flats and houses to rent in Plymouth.

For up to date property rental and sales information, contact DC Lane today, your ethical, honest and professional estate agents in Plymouth.