Fall is a time to refresh and simplify our homes. As the air crisps and the leaves begin to fall, the change of season brings with it a new perspective: a call to embrace change, reset our spaces, and welcome a comfortable atmosphere that reflects who we are today.
I describe our home as a generous, soft and welcoming place with a stylish past and a stylish present. Every room in our condo in the sky on the 71st floor has large windows facing east or south, overlooking my beautiful Chicago and Lake Michigan. The lake, the city, and our home wrap around me…inspiring me daily in ways big and small.
I love fall. With the arrival of fall, it’s the perfect time to refresh and simplify my calendar and plan my calendar for the rest of the year. Rethink my wardrobeand make family travel plans. Even if you’re considering a move this season, you can enjoy renovating your space with thought and joy.
Update your home for the season
Rejuvenation can be difficult for a woman after 50, especially when there are treasured memories around every corner. Memories are the keeper, but renovating your home doesn’t mean giving up love, it’s about making room for new energy. Add personal touches, change the decor, or make small renovations to create a home that’s fresh yet familiar.
As the temperature drops, I fill every room with the soft glow of orange candles throughout October and November. Their fragrance and light add warmth and ambiance, creating an instant sense of comfort. Fall wreaths, vases of branches, and seasonal accents make my home feel alive with the season.
I swap out the pillows in the den for rich, warm hues that invite cozy evenings. I treat myself to a new linen and a duvet for our bedroom, after all, we spend a third of our lives in it! A well-dressed bed is the focal point of any bedroom, so make it stand out. Add layers: Create an inviting sanctuary with fresh throws, textured shams and cozy blankets.
Refresh with greenery
I love nature, so the power of plants is an instant pick-me-up. Plants improve the air quality in your home and add warmth to any room. Consider bright bouquets of large ground plants and flowers or orchid plants. Choose varieties that showcase fall color and vibrant colors for a seasonal touch. Bringing the outdoors in connects you with nature and enhances your interior design.
Don’t forget your front door
Don’t forget your front door, honey. Report it! On a trip to Ireland, I noticed that every house had a different colored door: red, green, blue or yellow. The story goes that men returning home late from the pub can easily find their homes! Whether you live in a house or an apartment, add a welcoming touch. Outside our condo in the sky hangs an evil eye charm and a giant statue we call our guardian, a whimsical reminder that home should make you smile.
Update with small details
I like to add one or two new pieces each season, maybe a Lucite chess set, a sculpture, or new picture frames. This is not excessive; It’s about purpose. Small changes bring big happiness.
I also update my dishes, placemats and napkins. Opening a cabinet and finding something new is a simple joy. Details are important. The right color palette can change the mood of a space.
Simplify your space
Now, the hard part: Simplify! But remember, honey, the rewards are worth it. When you simplify, you gain more than space, you gain peace. Less cleaning, less organizing, less stress. More time for the things you love.
A deep clean at the start of the season helps reset your home and mind. Remember this golden rule:
Simplifying is not organizing.
Organizing means changing what you already have. Simplifying means letting go. Ask yourself: How many unused dishes, untouched sweaters, or mismatched socks clutter your home and your mind? Behind the clutter lies a beautiful freedom.
Here are some of my favorite simple rituals:
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Remove your summer clothes and shoes. Treat yourself to matching hangers. It’s a small pleasure that feels luxurious.
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Sink clean under stainless organizers or lazy Susans.
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Simplify your pantry and check expiration dates.
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Donate generously and your excess will bless others.
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Try the 12-12-12 Challenge: Throw away 12 items, donate 12, and return 12 to their rightful place.
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Completely redo a wardrobe that’s replaceable.
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Fill one donation bag per day.
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Change worn towels and clothes.
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Ease into one room a day until your heart feels lighter.
We all live busy lives. Spending time at home refreshing and simplifying this fall is all about love and self-care for you and your home.
Consciousness and “My Guards”
Autumn calls for reflection. When I’m neat, I find myself appreciating the history of every meaningful object displayed in our home. These mementos (gifts from friends, grandchildren, my husband and my bees) tell the story of my life. If someone robbed our house, I would beg them to leave me those tokens of love.
I am very emotional. I enjoy every moment of the loving events, especially when I see ‘my guards. Each tells a story.
A sentimental story
A few years ago, I took the elevator with America from my condo in the sky on the 71st floor to the 35th floor to find my mom’s little treasure to give to my cousin, Linda. Our mothers are sisters. I found what I wanted and thought I’d check the fridge before leaving.
I opened the fridge door and on the top shelf was an unopened jar of Sweet Gherkins pickles, one of the two treats, the other being chocolate phosphates, which I remember my mum loving from a young age! At the site of those pickles, I was startled emotionally as I realized my mother was with me. Through those sweet gherkins, she walks beside me and sends a message to guide me.
I gently picked up the unopened jar and hugged it to me, and as I looked down at the jar, I couldn’t help but notice what was written on the unopened lid; Since 1926 Mount Olive Make a Wish. I did… needless to say the sweet gherkins will be added to ‘my guards’.
Cozy textures for fall
As the season cools down, there’s nothing like surrounding yourself with cozy settings. Designers agree: stacking warm items is one of the easiest ways to make your home cozy. Think chunky knit throws, silk blankets and pillows in earthy tones like rust, caramel and cocoa. Add woven baskets, wood accents, and soft lighting to create a retreat-like atmosphere.
Don’t be afraid to mix textures: velvets with knit, or faux fur with linen. The goal is not perfection; It’s hot. These simple transitions invite you to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the beauty of home.
Renovating your home is self-care
Updating and simplifying your home every fall isn’t about following trends, it’s about growing yourself. This is self-care in its truest, most beautiful form. When we take the time to look into our surroundings, we really love our inner world. A tidy drawer brings clarity to the mind. A newly made bed brings peace to the heart. A gentle throw across your favorite chair whispers, relax, you’ve earned it.
As women over 50, we care about everyone else: our families, our friends, our communities… often putting ourselves last. But now, my love, it’s time to come home you Simplifying and updating your space each season is a way to honor where you are in your life now, who you were years ago, or who you think you should be. It’s about surrounding yourself with what feels good, what feels right, and what feels right like you
So, as the leaves change and the air grows crisp, pour a cup of tea, light a candle, and let your home speak to you. Ask: What else do I need this season? What can I publish? Write in the comments or email me at AskMe@HoneyGood.com to share how you’re updating your home this season! I read every comment and email and respond personally from my heart. 💛
