Not Just Hygge: 5 Unique Decor Ideas for Fall
Transitioning into a new season is never as simple as it seems. There’s the inevitable wardrobe changes to correspond with the weather. There’s the familiar spring cleaning. And — fast approaching — there’s the home decor redesign to bring comfort, sophistication and a new color scheme for fall. It’s not always easy to overhaul your living space, and though the relaxing, cozy “hygge” trend has been in the spotlight for a while now, we’ve put it behind us in search of new ways to upgrade and enjoy our homes. If you’re ready to ditch hygge but don’t want to part with an international approach to living, we’re revamping with five foreign lifestyle concepts that have recently appeared on our radar. Our Merchandising Manager for Art & Home, Christina Capela, weighs in on how to achieve these concepts through fall’s must-have art and decor.
Wunderkammer (Germany)
Herend Nautilus Shell Figurine, $375; Chinese Side Cabinets, $1,100; Wall-Mounted Candelabra, $245; Ralph Lauren Pair of Croc Embossed Armchairs, $5,395; Versace Fringed Throw Pillow, $295
Maximalism has emerged as a major trend in fashion, so it only makes sense that a home decor version would eventually follow suit. Embrace the more-is-more approach with wunderkammer — the German word for “a cabinet of curiosities” — in mind. While cultures have been curating collections of their treasures for centuries, the concept of a wunderkammer came about in the fourteenth century. During the Renaissance, European scholars and noblemen would create private wunderkammern, bringing together objects of significance that would help them understand humanity’s relation to nature and divinity.
“I love the notion of filling your space with storied and well-loved objects,” says Capela. “The most enthusiastic and voracious collectors oftentimes collect in both depth and breadth, resulting in fascinating and delightful juxtapositions.” A medley of Victorian, Baroque and Classical motifs goes a long way towards achieving eclectic excess and transforming your home into a personalized museum of heirlooms and objets d’art.
Friluftsliv (Norway)
Carl Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand Ceramic Mid-Century Vase, $625; Eduardo Garza Stone & Lucite Box, $575; Mid-Century French Sunburst Wall Mirror, $595; Natural Wood Coffee Table, $645
The Norweigan word friluftsliv translates roughly to “free air life” and is all about connecting with nature. This concept isn’t only about appreciating our external surroundings, however; friluftsliv is an ancient Nordic philosophy rooted in the idea that returning to nature is comparable to returning home. It encourages those who follow it to form a strong relationship with the natural world and to explore all it has to offer. If you enjoy spending the majority of your time outdoors, consider bringing touches of the elements in to freshen up your home for fall.
“Imbuing a room with natural accents and textures has a nice grounding effect,” notes Capela. “Organic materials and forms, from cool stone to warm and weathered wood, are a perfect antidote to our tech-saturated environments. My current obsessions are a Swedish stoneware vase with a rich glaze and a warm, rustic wood coffee table.”
Kalsarikännit (Finland)
Vintage French Bar Cart, $995; Fabergé Odessa Crystal Decanter, $295; Anna by Rablabs Bosque Serving Tray, $225; Vicente Wolfe Loveseat, $1,425; Ellsworth Kelly, Red Blue, $2,500
There’s nothing like visiting a modern drinking establishment and delighting in its upbeat ambience and stylish decor, but sometimes it’s nice to enjoy libations in the comfort of your own home. In Finnish, the word kalsarikännit encapsulates just that; it describes “the feeling when you’re going to drink at home alone in your underwear with no intention of going out.” This relaxed concept may resonate strongest with millennials, but everyone can appreciate staying in now and again. “With the first chill of fall, you’ll likely find me wrapped in a cozy throw blanket with a drink in hand,” muses Capela.
But don’t settle for an uninspiring display of liquor bottles as your backdrop. Take kalsarikännit to another level and allow your space’s aesthetics to elevate an evening aperitif. “Upgrade the experience with a timeless Fabergé decanter,” suggests Capela. Whether you’re lounging in bed or on a luxe tufted couch, drinking in your pajamas will never seem chicer.
Wabi-sabi (Japan)
Yuri Zatarain, Untitled, 2009, $10,000; Tom McMillin Ceramic Vase, $325; Round Wood Stool, $695; Andrianna Shamaris Coffee Table, $3,100
The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi is a humble one that focuses on appreciating the beauty of imperfection and accepting the cycle of life and death. The idea had aesthetic beginnings, created by those eschewing lavishness and ornamentation in favor of simplicity and authenticity. And while tied to the natural world, wabi-sabi is applicable to everything — including creating art, learning to accept your own foibles and, of course, redesigning your space.
If you’re ready to acknowledge the unattainability of perfection and express this idea with home decor, go for organic shapes and natural materials for a down-to-earth update. “Andrianna Shamaris’s cracked resin collection is adored by design fanatics, and for good reason,” notes Capela. “Shamaris is known for reinterpreting and recontextualizing organic materials with rich and dramatic finishes. This coffee table is both understated and dazzling!”
Yuan bei (China)
Custom Wood & Leather Desk, $3,959; Royal Crown Derby Golden Pheasant Paperweight, $325; Chanel Caviar Timeless Agenda Cover, $375; Oblik Studios Steel Lamp, $500
