Autumn is upon us. All of a sudden our mundane, suburban streets are festooned with fiery foliage. Trees ablaze with colour as if King Midas has quietly wandered amongst the pot-holed ugliness of post-quake Christchurch and taken it upon himself to decorate the nothingness. We find ourselves briefly in an Autumnal wonderland tinged with gold.
While Autumn is a visual treat it also sadly heralds the inexorable winter chill. As the leaves crunch like leather underfoot and we are enfolded by the shadowy gloom of an Autumn dusk we look forward to a warm refuge at the end of the day - we look forward to going home. The floral scent of gently baked quince, the crackle of the fire and the warmth of conversation. Away from the wind whipped streets, away from the exigences of the working day, our homes are our havens.
Autumn leaves have congregated on our doorstep like scraps of dessicated parchment - the postscripts to a summer already spent. They are scattered so prettily across the hallway floor that they may well have been placed there with artistic intent. Their Autumnal tones have inspired our setting at Haunt this month. We have imagined a rustic yet elegant room - the perfect escape from a wintery world.
The Napoleon III, deep buttoned leather armchair is one of a pair. Warm squirrel brown tones and sassy fringed detailing - these chairs were a lucky find. Decorative, chic and oozing personality, the perfect chairs to place in front of the fire.
The gilt mirror is French Empire and dates from the early 19th century. Beautifully ravaged by time it has a playful, laissez-faire appeal. The lucite, brass and glass shelving unit is in the style of Pierre Vandel, circa 1970 - a sleek accent in our winter room holding snow white 19th century French ceramics. The rustic side table is a potting table from the Loire valley. The perfect proportions for a side table or console, it would add characterful French country charm to any interior.
Albert Camus once remarked that " Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower ". The captivating beauty of this decorative season provides endless inspiration for the home.