Fall into Fall
‘Tis the season and I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling the chill already starting to set in. The temperature is dropping and the barbeques have been put away. Now what do you do to get your home Fall ready? I have a few easy tips for you and your family to get your home fun and fabulously Fall and it all has to do with color, color, color!!!
First, put away your summer seashells and pick up some fabulous fall pumpkins! These are great for color, texture, and they make a clear statement that Fall has arrived.
Draw some attention to your dining or coffee table by making a simple yet elegant centerpiece with small gourds and pumpkins in varying sizes and shapes. Bring in some clean and colorful leaves from outside and place them around the gourds for a little touch of nature. For a splash of warmth, arrange some freshly picked apples (I love going apple picking) in a clear glass container with a candle in the middle, mix red and green or stick to just one kind, whatever you choose will work great. Second, focus on your pillows they’re a simple way to make your home ready for any season. Pick up some inexpensive pillow covers in deep reds, oranges, greens and browns to cover your throw pillows with. No need for new pillows and no need for extra storage. Who has the extra space these days anyway? Take your Fall décor outdoors and hang a wreath on your front door. Yes, wreaths are not just for the winter holidays. Just be certain yours has some fall character with twigs, deep colors, and maybe even a small pumpkin. Adding a seasonal touch to your home not only keeps it fresh and fun, it can also be an activity for the entire family. Make a fun decorating day out of it and top it off with some yummy hot cider by your newly decorated fireplace.
Here’s my favorite way to brew up some cider:
2 quarts fresh apple cider
1/2 cup brown sugar
Slices from 1 orange
1 cup of pomegranate juice
2 sticks cinnamon
6 cloves
1 teaspoon allspice
Grated nutmeg to taste
Add the sugar, orange slices, pomegranate juice and spices to the cider in a large saucepan. Simmer, do not boil, for 15 minutes. Strain and serve hot in small glasses or mugs. Garnish with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick and enjoy!
XO,
Taniya
There’s a Horse in the Window…
Fun fact of the day: when many brownstones were originally designed in big cities such as Boston and Montreal, the bays and / or first floor openings were meant to house horses and carriages. That’s why the windows today are so large — they follow the original form of the openings.
And yes, that’s a (fake) horse in a window in Montreal.
XO,
Taniya
Boston Globe Article
photo by Essdras M. Suarez of the Boston Globe
Yesterday, I was honored to open my hometown newspaper, The Boston Globe, to see myself on the cover of their G Magazine. Globe writer Christopher Muther interviewed me in my home about my work on television as well as my work around Boston, and thought I would share the article with you. Happy reading!
Here’s the link http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/articles/2009/09/10/taniya_nayak_is_right_at_home_in_the_worlds_of_interior_design_and_tv/
XO,
Taniya Nayak
Labor Day Lounging
From left to right: Patricia Urquiola Canasta Circular Armchair for B&B Italia, Dondola Rocking Recliner from David Trubridge, Kingsley Ibiza Chaise Lounger from Morethanteak.com, Perth Lounge Chair from Patioproductions.com, Monaco Ville Adjustable Chaise from Brown Jordan, Dune Daybed and Ottoman from Barlow Tyrie, Hampton Bay Amazon Teak Lounge from Home Depot, Iraya Outdoor Wicker Daybed from Locsin International for Neoteric Home, Gandia Blasco Modern Day Bed by Jose Gandia, Kitty Hawk Carlton Wicker Double Chaise from Overstock.com, Leaf Modern Outdoor Lounge Chair from Dedon, Antibes Chaise from Ballard, Loft Chaise Lounge from Chaiselounges.com
One of my favorite holidays of the year is coming up: Labor Day! In my opinion, there is no better way to enjoy the last days of summer than to spend a 3-day weekend taking it easy, laying around in a comfy lounge chair with a cold drink in your hand. If you’re looking to spruce up your patio or poolside, a lot of beautiful outdoor lounge furniture is available right now. I have compiled images of some great lounge pieces for your viewing pleasure. Although outdoor furniture can be quite pricey because it needs to hold up to the elements, you can find wonderful bargains at the end of the summer from retailers looking to unload their wares in preparation of the next season. (Check out Overstock.com, Home Depot, etc). Once fall rolls around, don’t forget to cover and store your furniture properly so you can enjoy it just as much next summer. Happy lounging! Now all I need now is a frozen drink and a good book!
XO,
Taniya
Unique Wall Hangings
My husband and I are finally feeling settled into our new condo and we are loving it! As exciting as all of the demo and construction were, the finishing touches are definitely the fun part. In the living room, a beautiful wall finish made to look like concrete panels is definitely the show-stopper. My good friend Larry Olson from Concrete FX based in Massachusetts blew me away with the wall treatment. It is urban and industrial looking, yet very cozy.
Because the concrete wall finish is such a focal point in the living room, I wanted to keep the remaining walls relatively spare, so I hung only a few key art pieces in the remainder of the space. I used a large wood frame to wrap a stunning Marimekko fabric and create a high-impact art piece for very little money. It’s definitely a great trick for displaying your favorite textile.
In my guest bath, I decided to go a little more daring and got this idea to hang silver horseshoes in a grid pattern across the walls. That’s right—horseshoes! Now, I’m not an equestrian by any means, but there’s something just so fun and quirky about those silver shoes that I couldn’t resist. For about $3 a shoe from an online clearance sale, I was able to cover a lot of space and create such a unique little room!
Now, if horseshoes aren’t your thing, I found these amazing ceramic wall tiles from ceramic artist Heather Knight of Element Clay Studio. They run a little on the pricey side, but each one is handmade and they really are just exquisite little pieces of art. They would look phenomenal hung in a grid pattern on a colorful wall.
For wall hangings that are even more daring than horseshoes, how about hands?! I found these hand hooks from Harry Allen Design while furniture-shopping for my TV show’s pilot, and can just picture an entire wall covered with hands! Creepy, fabulous, or a little of both?
I saw this image of architectural ceiling plaques used as wall art and thought it was such a wonderful idea. I think the traditional, intricate moldings would be especially interesting in a modern space, for a unique twist.
I just wanted to post a few of these ideas to get your creative juices flowing. In regards to adorning your walls, think outside the box (or in this case, the picture frame)!
XO,
Taniya Nayak
The Today Show
My appearance on The Today Show.
