DESIGN CONCEPT: Who's In The Mood For A Little Pumpkin Spice?

We are at the tail end of September, and if you’re not living under a rock, then you’ve probably been reminded (many, many times) that it is the season for Pumpkin Spice. From lattes, to pancakes, to candles and yes, even hand sanitizers, pumpkin spice is everywhere!  And what’s not to love, right?  The scent is warm and sweet, the color, rich and earthy… pretty much all the wonderful things that we associate with fall.

So of course, I got inspired.  Who wouldn’t want to walk into a space that generates that kind of cozy, heavenly feeling?  And a lot of times, at least for me, a design begins with just that – a feeling.  So then, I take that feeling and start to think about the other elements of the design that will help create it.

Like texture.  In my mind, Pumpkin Spice conjures up images of thick, chunky sweaters and scarves… soft, chenille blankets and throws… even a little tweed.  Definitely a more organic, woven type of hand to the fabrics that remind me of the change in the season – that the air is crisper, the ground is crunchier, and the temperature is just a little bit cooler.

Hard surfaces also have texture, and the materials you choose to include can affect the entire concept.  For example, wood suggests a feeling of warmth in a space, and the darker the finish, the heavier it feels.  In contrast, metal, glass, or stone typically evoke a feeling of coolness.  Distressed finishes on either wood or metal, however, create an element of rusticity – a sort of worn, comfortable look and feel, which is kind of what we’re going for here, right?

While texture gives us the tactile appeal of the design, a large part of the visual aspect is conveyed by color.  For our Pumpkin Spice concept, rather than going with the obvious orange hues as the major color in the scheme, I thought it would be better applied as an accent color, and in a much more subdued tone.  I know – what a rebel, right?  But at some point, you will learn this about me: I hate giving in to the obvious.  It’s so unoriginal!  So for our dominant neutral, I went with a light, creamy vanilla, reminiscent of latte foam.  It’s an easy transitional choice, and not too much of a commitment for a seasonal concept like this one.  Our secondary hues are a soft, quiet gray and a milky latte, both chosen to give the palette a fresh yet subtle elegance and warmth.  And finally, the dark, woodsy green accent to complement our deep pumpkin.

Like texture and color, patterns can also bring a design concept to life.  Patterns and design motifs usually trigger familiar notions of certain themes, and that’s exactly what we want – a pattern that awakens a certain feeling when we see it in a space.  Since our color scheme is a little non-traditional, I thought a classic plaid would help to anchor the design.  When I think of plaid, I think of being wrapped in a blanket, or having a scarf around my neck.  It reminds me of fall, and feeling warm and secure.  I also included an updated vine motif, because it alludes to the harvest aspect of the design concept in a very subtle way. 

Finally, accessories complete the design, much like they would complete an outfit.  I don’t know about you, but I never feel completely dressed without my earrings.  In the same way, decorative accents finish the look and feel of the space.  They need to be included in the design concept because certain objects are iconic to the ambiance we are trying to achieve.

Candles, for example, are a must-have for this design because they allow us to experience the concept in more than one way.  The visual appeal of the candle flame, the actual sensation of warmth, and the scent all come together to fulfill what we have envisioned as a cozy, intimate space for fall.  In the same way, baskets, which are both decorative and functional, add authenticity to the design by addressing the way our imagination associates Pumpkin Spice with the season of harvest.  Lastly, pillows and throws are essential to the look and feel of comfort in a space.  Even in a kitchen or a dining room, I bet we can find some way to add an accent pillow or two to soften all those hard surfaces. 

So now that we have a clear vision of our Pumpkin Spice concept, how about we put everything together in an inspiration board?

Ta-da!  What do you think?  Our Pumpkin Spice concept came together pretty nicely and that warm, cozy feeling that we imagined in our space can now be visually defined.  As you can see, the ideas on this board can be applied to any room – living room, bedroom, dining, even your entry!  So if you love this concept, I hope you run with these ideas and create your own little piece of pumpkin spice at home.