The Home Front: Timeless traditions and fall decor with Kell…

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Kelly Deck of Kelly Deck Design is known for creating luxurious spaces; she’s just finished the furnishing and decor of a Vancouver home listed for over $50 million.

Here, she shares some simple ways to transform your home for fall. It starts with the right mindset.

Think timeless over trends

Deck says when it comes to refreshing your home decor and switching things up between seasons, it’s better to focus on traditions over trends.

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This fall, ask yourself: What traditions do you typically love and celebrate at this time of the year? A tradition is something that brings you comfort and reassurance, says Deck. Something you look forward to.

If you’re considering purchasing new things to celebrate these traditions, go for timeless investments that can be used repeatedly. It’s a more sustainable approach.

Seasonal textiles

For fall, investing in fall-coloured linens and seasonal textiles is always a good way to go, says Deck.

In her own home, Deck switches out her summer whites for deep, rich tones like Bordeaux, burnt orange and mustard. She changes the pillow covers in her living room, dining room, and bench seat at her front entrance.

“I think it’s really good for our mental health to freshen our space with the change of season,” she says.

Deck rolls out a dark Persian rug at her home’s front entrance, overtop of her (summer) seagrass matte. She’ll even move some of her art around — to complement the warm fall colours she’s bringing in.

Natural elements

Bringing natural elements like branches, leaves, seed pods and dried flowers into your home works well for fall, says Deck.

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For fall, she avoids white.

“If you’re going to use light colours, you should be using caramels and ivories, like creams,” says Deck.

She is also a big fan of pumpkins. And not just for Thanksgiving or Halloween. “I start with white pumpkins … and just use them decoratively until Halloween.”

A layered life

Other items that say fall to her are vintage plates, coloured candles and richly textured accessories, like chunky throws and pillows, says Deck. All these items create a cosy, layered home.

Natural linen napkins are also great. And you don’t need to worry about ironing them. “You can tie them with a ribbon or use napkin rings,” she says.

Fall colours to love

When it comes to colours this fall, Deck says she’s loving rich plum, Bordeaux and burnt terracotta tones.

“I love mustard, and of course, there’s always a little bit of black or a lovely espresso, like a near black. So I always bring those colours and put away my whites.”

If you go for dark colours, put a sheen on them, or you won’t get the hue you’re after, says Deck. “If you do dark colours flat, you don’t get the richness because it doesn’t have the depth.”

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Sustainable luxury

For Deck, sustainable design equals luxury. When it comes to choosing metals for fall decorating, she goes for those that have a weathered or aged look — like un-lacquered brass, bronze and distressed copper:

Textured items that have a story are really on trend right now, she says.

She encourages her clients to embrace items that age gracefully and add layers of history to their homes, creating an inviting, timeless space for the season.

A fresh twist on tradition

Early next year, Kelly Deck Design is launching a new wallpaper line.

She describes herself as being a “centralist” in interior design (not a modernist, though she’s done plenty of fresh, clean home interiors). She prefers “traditional with a twist.” The designs will be rich and tactile, hoping to inspire people to create home environments they love, says Deck.

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