Autumn is here!

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."

William Cullen Bryant

 
Time to enjoy that final burst of colour that now surrounds us on every leafy suburb and woodland walk. Vibrant burnt orange, a warm glowing red and a cooler sunshine yellow, smiles down on us and conjures up the feeling of comfort, with fresh rosy cheeks, wellington boots and a soft woolly scarf.  

So, in the garden regularly rake up fallen leaves, this will keep the grass healthy, cut back perennials, prune back any climbers and collect the last of any fruits.

In the home, it is time to check the house is draft free and watertight for the coming colder months. Have the boiler serviced, check any seals around doors and windows and finally check the loft for any damage to the roof tiles or guttering that may have come about from nesting birds. As the dark evenings start to draw in we turn to artificial lighting; it is important to remember each room has a different function in the house and therefore each room will have its own mood. 

Every room should be lit differently dependent of its use. Here are a few tips on how to light up your home this Autumn: Kitchen – add under counter lighting to create a warm glow whilst lighting up the work surfaces. Bedroom – Bedside table lamps, create a soft comforting feeling whilst providing ample light for reading. Bathroom – Lighting in the bathroom needs to meet building regulations for safety, but any lighting at the mirror should be free from shadows. Lounge – Central lighting is less trendy at present and appears more to be only for show. Side table lighting or floor lamps provide more versatile mood lighting creating a sense of warmth and comfort.