Here in the heartland, we honor the season of autumn with deep reverence. It’s fleeting, sensual, and the picture of transformation. At this very moment, mere feet from my workspace, tender golden-green leaves of a soaring black walnut tree bathe in morning sunlight. Squirrels nibble away and play chase in its branches. Design Lover’s Prescription for an Irresistibly Cozy Autumn Day invites you into a quiet afternoon where soothing ingredients erase the chill and dismiss any gloom.

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Design Lover’s Prescription for an Irresistibly Cozy Autumn Day
What a privilege to spy so much autumn beauty from my second story perch. The yard is decorated with gold and orange, yet I’m in no hurry to locate the rake. Days grow shorter, rain and thunder roll, and whistling winds carry crispy leaves to the earth which is growing firmer. It is indeed possible that residents here brave long winters and polar vortexes all for the glory of this season’s enfolding.
I rarely photograph our patio. It is often a beautiful mess with leaves, fallen branches, and scattered black walnuts half eaten by squirrels and woodland creatures.

Creatures? Turkey and racoons edge right up to the glass patio door and do not mind our presence nearby. Foxes patter through the leaves too, and deer sightings are common.
New Books You’ll Love & Cozy Essentials
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

By the way, while I once again did not win my category (Best Written Blog) at the Interior Blog Awards, what a hoot to be a nominee for the virtual ceremony!

Can you even fathom the awkwardness of hanging out in a virtual green room with anxious fellow nominees?
Here’s what I wore:
Yes I did wear my pink tutu (and pantyhose!) for the Zoom because blog awards are serious business.
Fine.
No one noticed my ruffled capelet, not a soul cared about the tutu, and it’s certainly not the Oscars or very serious at all…
unless you’re a design lover.
Which brings me to our topic: what were the ingredients of my cozy autumn day yesterday?
For starters, THREE AMAZING NEW design books from VENDOME.
Savor the Pages of a New Interior Design Book
1. LIVING WELL BY DESIGN (Vendome, 2021) by Melissa Penfold
This is the design resource book for which I have been waiting with intense anticipation!!! If you have visited Penfold’s exquisite blog, then you already understand.

Each article sings with rich interior design wisdom, actionable tips, and keenly-researched analysis from a seasoned expert in style.
So try to imagine the glorious awe of an entire book dedicated to living well. To helping you learn to: train your eye, get things right the first time, and get by with less but better.

Sweet cozy Moses, NO in full caps, you cannot borrow my copy. Not ever.

Are you (1) human breathing alive (I see no intelligent reason to exclude extraterrestrials or the spirit world) and (2) with shelter?
BUY MELISSA PENFOLD’S BOOK IMMEDIATELY.

2. CASA CABANA (Vendome, 2021) by Martina Mondadori
Any design lovers out there who subscribe to Cabana magazine?
It’s something so special, and the magazine’s mood like no other. Here’s how they describe it:
“Whether it be a palazzo, a flat, a folly or a hut, the Cabana mood is an appreciation of the sensory and experiential characteristics of interiors.”
Oh, this fabric-covered work of art of a book! You’ll want to devour the delicious colors in photographs, and the unique tablescapes are destined to inspire designers and homeowners alike.
Prepare for a sensual feast!

Luxuriate in photographs and essays offered in a gracious spirit of abundant joy, of cultured style.
There’s simply nothing else quite like Mondadori’s vivid volume of inspiration to nourish your imagination, to satisfy appetites for decorating, travel, and Italian food.

3. NEW YORK INTERIORS (Vendome, 2021) by Simon Upton
Is this sunshine-hued book by the brilliant Simon Upton going to make a visual statement on a whole lotta stylish cocktail ottomans across planet earth?
*shakes Magic8Ball*
Signs point to YES.
And just wait til a design lover pops it open for a peek inside!
Explore the breathtaking homes of 29 New York City tastemakers, all of whom found friendship with the author, a renowned interiors photographer.
Expect nothing less than chic von chic City and Getaway interiors intimately captured by Upton’s artful lens.
Let yourself be surprised by the diversity inside New York Interiors as you slip into a relaxing autumn design trance.
(And go ahead and procrastinate a little if, like me, you need a break from gardening and outdoor chores…treat yourself to a pocket of cozy time.)

Psst. I highly recommend the Warby Parker prescription reading glasses I mentioned above along with the orange-scented-love-aroma of Diptyque’s Pomander candle as your companions to these exceptional new design titles.

After days of rain, I was delighted to crank open the windows at my desk (in our bedroom) which overlook the backyard here:

Wishing you plenty of stolen moments this autumn to notice Eden right beneath our noses, to seek beauty in books and nature. May all this awareness sweeten your interior landscape and manifest blessing.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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WOW …all three design books!!! And WOW…your be beautiful back patio!!! It’s what irresistibly cozy days are made of! I totally agree. Thanks for sharing both🤗
Author
Thanks, Amy. The yard looks like a wonderland right now, and I am savoring the hours because the snow will be here! 🙂
Michele,
What a beautiful backyard and so much wild life. That is so cool.
Love the design book, checked it out. I am drooling over it.
Hugs,
Bev
Author
Hahaha. So glad you liked! Thank you, Bev. It’s so pretty here through the seasons. 🙂
Michele,
Your yard looks so lovely with all of the fall leaves. Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by.
Hugs,
Bev
Author
Thank you, Bev. I’ll be over to your lovely blog soon and appreciate the kind words and feature. You should see the fallen leaves this morning! Yesterday the sky rained golden leaves all day long, and I felt rich to be able to watch it even though I wish things would slow down a bit. xox