Autumnal Vibing

Autumnal Kent is beautiful. The many colours of the trees and the pinky-mornings and evening skies.

It is just beautiful.

The thing is – it is also sometimes a little too chilly or blustery to fully enjoy. While the countryside reflects the rainbow, we retreat to cosiness. Usually, where there is warmth – and food!

We go to our kitchens.

Copy the Colours

When we think Autumn, we think orange-red-brown-yellow-green-pink. And, we think dark nights and Hallowe’en. One of our favourite kitchens of 2022 is a perfect colour-reflection of autumn.

Finished in Farrow and Ball’s Off Black and Edward Bulmer’s Malahide. You can see more about this kitchen here.

However, you do not need to plan a re-paint to add autumn to your kitchen. Instead, accessorise with autumnal colours. Copper and brass accessories are always beautiful, and we really love this copper cutlery set by Hatori.

Our Offham Road kitchen is an example where copper and brass accessories add autumnal vibes to the kitchen’s colour palette.

Copper pots, pans, place mats and wire-wracks add those autumnal yellowy tones. They also reflect the autumn light.

If you’re thinking of more permanent autumnal-ness, you can change your kitchen tap and handles. The beauty of a hand-made kitchen is that most of its components can be replaced. And, a handle or tap-change can completely lift the kitchen. It is no secret that we love Armac Martin – especially the Cotswold range used in our Offham kitchen. As for the tap, this lovely and classic Perrin & Rowe is finished in aged brass.

Straw and grassy features are also autumnal - synonymous with end-of-summer harvesting days. Practical accessories such as this straw placemat by Svenskt Tenn and the more ornamental pumpkin by John Lewis.

Bring the colours inside

Of course, Autumn is all about the leaves, the skies and the sunsets, and there are some lovely autumnal garlands, which work just as beautifully on a kitchen wall or table as they do on the front door. It is half-term for many of us - or half-term is looming - and Hobbycraft is selling some really pretty autumn wreaths. They also sell wreath-making accessories, which could provide a lot of fun to a chilly autumnal day’s walk and an afternoon sat at the kitchen island.

In fact, there are so many lovely Hobbycraft autumn accessories - their natural pumpkins, for example - perfect for those who may not necessarily like the real ones. Like me! I am sorry. But …

However, I do agree that autumnal vegetables are the prettiest and most colourful: the varied pumpkins and squashes. They do make for lovely kitchen displays.

As for kitchen displays, we really love our showroom flowers, this week from Floral Image Kent. The oranges and yellows - and, deep pinks - they are very much giving our showroom and autumnal vibe.

Eating Autumn

So, the sky may be autumny, our kitchens may look autumny, we may be feeling autumny. How about eating autumny? We love the look of the Pumpkin Pasties by Neff, who seem to always have good festive or seasonal-inspired recipes. And, what a way to get the children (and, adults) to try and eat pumpkin! We also love Neff’s Deviously Delicious Spicy Nuts. However, talking nuts - ‘tis the chestnut season. Olive Magazine has some brilliant ideas for chestnuts. But, nothing is better than them being roasted, right?

Anyway, happy autumn. The irony - no colours today - it is grey and raining hard.

And. How many times did I write ‘autumnal’? I do like that word 🧡