Preparing Your Home for Fall with Seasonal Design
Preparing Your Home for Fall with Seasonal Design As fall approaches, it's the perfect time to refresh your living space with warmth and character—while also keeping an eye on its appeal for potential buyers. Whether you’re looking to make your home more inviting for the season or are thinking about listing it on the market, seasonal adjustments can showcase your home's best features and help it feel fresh and updated. Here are some expert tips to enhance your space with both style and marketability in mind. 1. Start with a Versatile Color Palette A neutral color foundation on walls, floors, and furniture allows you to effortlessly refresh your space with accents that reflect each season’s charm. A neutral palette also broadens your home's appeal to prospective buyers, making it feel more spacious, timeless, and adaptable. Tip: If you’re considering listing your home, check out the Engel & Völkers home staging guide to see how choosing the right foundational colors can elevate its presentation and market appeal. 2. Follow the Rule of Threes for Seamless Style The “rule of threes” is a simple yet effective way to style any space. Select three elements—colors, textures, or patterns—and repeat them in various spots throughout a room. This will help to create a cohesive look that is visually balanced and highly appealing. For fall, consider incorporating rich reds, burnt oranges, and gold tones through decorative accents like pillows, throws, or table decor. Once the holiday season begins, add metallics such as gold, silver, or jewel tones for a tasteful, seasonal touch. A touch of green—such as through plants or books—can anchor the room while adding visual harmony and warmth. Following this rule can give any room a refined, minimalist look that resonates with guests and prospective buyers alike. 3. Layer Up for a Cozy Atmosphere Just as you’d layer up for the cooler weather, layer textures within your home to create an inviting, cozy ambiance. A faux fur rug, soft velvet pillows, or a knitted throw can instantly make a room feel warm and welcoming. These layers don’t just look luxurious—they transform the way the room feels to anyone who enters. Creating these layers can also help buyers envision themselves relaxing and feeling at home in the space, making it even more memorable. 4. Embrace Nature’s Touches Indoors Biophilic design, which focuses on bringing natural elements indoors, continues to be popular, with more people seeking to deepen their connection to nature. In the fall, incorporate items like pumpkins, gourds, and pine cones, which bring a touch of the outdoors inside. Opt for neutral-colored pumpkins or artfully arranged white gourds for a high-end seasonal aesthetic. Pine cones can serve as versatile decor, transitioning beautifully from fall to winter. Arrange them on a mantel or create an elegant wreath to enhance your curb appeal. Or, for a centerpiece, pair them with fresh seasonal fruits, which give any room an inviting, festive feel. 5. Adjust Lighting for Seasonal Ambiance Lighting can dramatically impact the feel of your home. While warmer lighting may be cozy for the colder months, you’ll want to ensure bright, clear lighting for real estate photos and showings. Consider using warm white lights in kitchens and bathrooms and softer lighting in living areas and bedrooms for an inviting evening atmosphere. Tip: If your home is on the market, maximize natural light and keep spaces well-lit for viewings and photography. 6. Design a Seasonal Tablescape Fall and winter bring reasons to gather; your dining table can become a focal point for seasonal style. For fall, use earthy, rustic centerpieces with natural elements like pumpkins, pine cones, or candles. As the winter season approaches, add evergreens or metallic accents like silver ornaments for a holiday-ready table that feels fresh and welcoming. 7. Enhance with Scent for a Memorable Impression Never underestimate the power of scent to elevate a space. During fall and winter, natural scents like cinnamon, vanilla, or clove can make a room feel cozy and inviting. For a simple, seasonal fragrance, simmer oranges, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and cloves on low heat. If you’re showing your home, remember to use scents sparingly. Subtle, comforting aromas can enhance the experience without overwhelming visitors. Don't forget. The market is always a bit of a price war and a beauty contest. Price your home correctly from the start with data. Pricing should not be connected to emotion. A clean house is a priority. Hire a professional. And remember that you and only you are accustomed to the smell of your home. Don't miss this very critical piece. We recommend the black pepper, vanilla, rosemary and lemon recipe for the perfect smell. Whether you’re hosting guests, preparing your home for viewings, or simply enjoying the season, these tips will keep your space both stylish and inviting year-round. By incorporating seasonal touches mindfully, you’ll create a home that feels beautifully curated, market-ready, and uniquely yours.
Designing Tomorrow's Kitchens Today
Designing Tomorrow's Kitchens Today The kitchen is both the heart and command center of most homes, making it one of the most important long-term investments a homeowner can make. It should be designed with form, function, and longevity in mind right from the start. Today, I had the pleasure of joining a panel discussion at Design Chicago 2024 hosted by Poggenpohl and Aspire Design & Home at the stunning Poggenpohl Showroom inside Chicago's iconic Merchandise Mart. The panel included design heavyweights like Joan Craig (Craig & Company), Steve Kadlec (Kadlec Architecture & Design), and Leah Bolger (Leah Bolger Design), and was moderated by Jennifer Quail from Aspire Design & Home. We touched on how much has changed in recent years. From the impact of the pandemic to the growing focus on sustainable design and wellness, kitchens today are evolving to meet new demands. Add an upcoming presidential election into the mix, and you’ve got consumers carefully watching the economy, which always impacts home buying, selling, and renovation projects. 77 East Cedar Street. Available at $4.5m. Built By Wolff Design Kitchen Design Trends for Buyers and Sellers From a real estate perspective, kitchen expectations have shifted, though not always drastically. Buyers are more informed than ever, yet they often don’t fully grasp the scope or cost of creating their dream kitchen. Setting clear expectations on time, budget, and process is essential—especially in the luxury market, where 'luxury' doesn’t always mean 'expensive'. It's about educating clients so they can make the best decisions. 69 East Bellevue Street. Sold at $5.650M. Officine Gullo Design Sustainability and Wellness One of the biggest changes we’ve seen is the emphasis on sustainability and health. These are now regular talking points in kitchen design, and they significantly impact a home’s resale value. Buyers want spaces that not only look good but feel good to live in, with materials and design choices that support wellness. The Open Floor Plan Revolution The trend toward open floor plans has put kitchens in the spotlight like never before. With the kitchen now visible from multiple living spaces, it’s become a central focus in home design. The panel agreed that this trend is here to stay. Contemporary designs dominate, often featuring open layouts, multiple beverage centers, and specialized HVAC systems that cater to today’s sophisticated buyers. 310 South Michigan Avenue, 2502. Last listed at $4.625m. Christopher Peacock Design Commercial Influence Meets Residential Design Chicago’s renowned restaurant scene is making a bold impact on residential kitchen design, especially in the luxury market. Homeowners are increasingly drawn to the sleek, professional look of commercial kitchens, incorporating powerful cooktops, industrial-style ranges, and efficient layouts that blend style with serious functionality—without fully embracing the hard, utilitarian edge. The result is a sophisticated, semi-commercial feel that elevates the home kitchen. One standout trend discussed today is the expanded butler’s pantry, now frequently dubbed the “dirty kitchen,” where homeowners can handle meal prep and cleanup out of sight, keeping the main kitchen pristine for entertaining and everyday living. 1430 North Astor Street. Last Sold at $561K. Susan Friedman Properties Design Where Tech and Design Meet Technology has become a fundamental part of kitchen design. Buyers now expect seamless tech integration—whether it’s hidden smart appliances or tech-savvy lighting solutions. While some homeowners love to show off their gadgets, many prefer a cleaner, more discreet approach, where the tech is there but stays out of sight. 229 East Lake Shore Drive. Last Sold at $1.650m. Mick De Giulio Design The Future of Kitchen Design In-cabinet lighting, soft-close drawers, advanced refrigeration systems—these were once luxuries but are now the norm in high-end kitchens. As tech continues to evolve, we’ll see more customization and performance-focused appliances become standard. And don’t forget lighting—it’s never been more important, as it plays a huge role in both function and atmosphere. When it comes to kitchen value and a home’s asking price, high-end kitchens can boost resale, but it’s not always a one-to-one return. Thoughtful design remains the best investment. As we look to the future, one thing is certain: kitchens will continue to be a space where luxury, function, and innovation meet. After all, it’s the room where we spend the most time—and that’s where true luxury lies.
Explore the Finest Luxury Properties This Fall: Discover Engel & Völkers’ Private Residences
We are proud to present the brand-new edition of Private Residences Magazine! This prestigious magazine, published by Engel & Völkers, features a curated collection of Engel & Völkers listings with targeted exposure across shops in the Americas. It is also distributed to thousands of high-net-worth consumers in the U.S. and Canada through partnerships with Modern Luxury Media and Dolce Magazine. I would also like to draw your attention to an exemplary listing featured on page 44 of this issue—a remarkable luxury brownstone in Chicago’s Gold Coast. This exquisite residence, meticulously crafted by Wolff Contracting and Development in 2022, blends historic charm with modern luxury. Offering 6,000 square feet of opulent living space, this home features 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and 2 half bathrooms. It is presented at **USD 4,499,000** and comes fully furnished, promising an exceptional, move-in-ready living experience. Learn more at 77EastCedar.com We are dedicated to assisting you with all your real estate needs—from showcasing your property in premier publications to providing top-tier service tailored to your goals. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can support your real estate journey. From expansive Montana ranches to luxurious retreats near Canada's world-class ski slopes and rooftop entertaining in historic Savannah, Engel & Völkers offers something to fulfill every aspiration of upscale living. Check out our offering on page 44... We hope you enjoy this issue! Explore the exceptional listings in Private Residences Issue 29 and unlock the full issue for more exclusive insights.
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