Don’t forget: the clocks go back this Sunday. The payback for that extra hour in bed means darkness will be creeping in before you’ve had a chance to finish your last Yorkshire pudding.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. There can be joy in consciously slowing down and retreating, especially with the help of a few comforting tweaks around the home. Consider pockets of warm lighting and a stash of blankets. And candles - always lots of candles (there’s something so indulgent about lighting one in the middle of your day - try it).
Nod to autumn with a palette of brown, rust and burgundy to bring some warmth to your interiors. Summer is long gone so it’s time to look ahead; embrace it and you’ll find you might even enjoy it.
Mug, £55, Henry Holland Studio
Whether you’re black coffee devotee or a milky tea fan, make that first brew of the day even more rewarding with a special mug. Henry Holland’s creations are all handmade in his Hackey studio, and look as good on a draining board as in your hands on a Teams call.
Linen sheet set with pillowcases, £340, Cultiver
In case you missed the memo, pure linen bedsheets are the way to go for helping regulate body temperature thanks to their breathability. They’re also meant to look artfully crumpled, meaning hasta la vista to the iron. Aussie brand Cultiver’s bundle in Cedar brings the magic of nature’s autumn palette straight into the bedroom.
Astrid Check Quilt, £325, Toast
Still cold? Layer one of Toast’s delectable patchwork quilts over your bed for the ultimate night’s sleep.
Folding Ribbon Rug, £695, Nordic Knots
If your choice of bare wooden flooring isn’t quite translating so well to the new season, it’s OK to pivot and lay down a rug. Just make sure it’s a plush one, preferably from insider favourite Nordic Knots (this one was designed in collaboration with London interior design studio Campbell-Rey), and in a shade to match your glass of Malbec.
Matchbox sleeve, £50, Matilda Goad & Co.
Up your matchbox game with a ‘jacket’. This brass version will put the ceremony into lighting your newest candle and attract coos of approval from fellow aesthetes. Follow-up with a snuffer and wick-trimmer for maximum candle optimisation.
Finest cashmere wrap, £195, Rise & Fall
Less cumbersome than a blanket and more compact in size (which means you don’t have to share it on the sofa), prepare to be converted to the merits of a cashmere wrap. Chuck it round your shoulders when you’re putting the bins out and keep it close when hunkering down with a box-set.
Flos Gustave Lamp, £362, Holloways of Ludlow
When it’s dark outside come 4pm, the onus is on getting your glow on onside. This handy lamp is portable (and rechargeable), meaning you can pop it anywhere - from a hallway console to your desk.
Verity Linen Velvet Cushion, £88, Rebecca Udall
Just like swapping out denim jackets for winter coats, extend the same consideration to your soft furnishings. New cushions in tactile velvets will instantly give your sofa a fresh, season-appropriate tweak.
Sheepskin Slipper Mules, £74, The Small Home
When it comes to slippers, buy cheap = buy twice. Go for the Rolls Royce of cosy footwear with this pair made using the softest and most premium shearling offcuts. The cost per wear will quickly even itself out as you shuffle around in style.
Cashmere hot water bottle, £85, Not Another Bill
Once the clocks go back it’s basically cashmere-with-everything season. Time to update that tired-looking hot water bottle cover with… yes - you’ve guessed it: a cashmere cover.
Extra Large Ambre Candle, £285, Diptyque
Forget fiddly tea lights and go super-size in your candle-burning pursuits. Diptque’s Ambre will fill your home with notes of vetiver and patchouli, and serve as a handsome vessel once burnt-out.
Halo LED lamp, £219, Lumie
It’s 2024 folks - meaning you don’t have to live miserably until the end of next March. Lumie’s Halo lamp simulates sunlight to help relieve the symptoms of winter blues. And it looks like a funky sculpture in the process.
