Every fall, I notice a pattern: what I’m drawn to in my wardrobe almost always inspires how I want my home to feel. The colours, textures and layering I love to wear end up influencing the way I decorate. This season, I’m leaning into denim blues, warm browns and a mix of handcrafted and vintage-inspired details that make a space feel cozy, stylish and personal.
Think of ’70s denim shirts, suede jackets and classic loafers. That decade’s style was all about earthy tones and natural textures — and it feels right for now. What makes it even better today is blending those retro cues with handcrafted details: a denim slipcover that feels lived-in, a suede pillow that softens with age, a pleated lamp that feels both vintage and modern, or marble and stone accessories that add richness and weight. Even fashion’s bandana print trend translates easily into interiors through patterned dishes or table linens — a fun way to accessorize your table the way you’d accessorize an outfit.
Denim blues
Denim is one of my favourite ways to make a space feel relaxed but intentional. I found a denim slipcover on Etsy that I love. It instantly softened my sofa while adding a fresh, seasonal look. Paired with navy pillows and striped fabrics, it feels casual and timeless, like a favourite pair of jeans.
Try this at home:
- Add a denim or navy slipcover to a sofa
- Mix in indigo or blue cushions
- Use patterned pillows or a throw for contrast
Warm browns
Where denim brings ease, brown brings warmth. A chocolate rug, a suede pillow or even a small wooden cabinet can make a room feel grounded and inviting, like the coziness of a favourite leather chair. The Vincent Van Duysen collection for Zara Home captures that richness perfectly. Pair it with marble or stone accessories for a handcrafted, artisan feel.
Try this at home:
- Layer a brown or striped rug
- Use suede or corduroy pillows for texture
- Add a rich wood accent piece
- Style with marble or stone accessories
Preppy touches
To tie everything together, I like adding a few classic, preppy details: blue-and-white dishes for the table or striped cushions for chairs. For a playful twist, swap in patterned dinnerware with a bandana-style print. It’s the same idea as adding a scarf to an outfit, but for your table.
Try this at home:
- Set the table with blue-and-white plates
- Add striped cushions or pillows
- Try bandana-printed dishes for a fun accent
At the end of the day, it’s about layering your home the way you layer your outfits: comfortable, a little vintage, mixing high and low design elements, and accented with crafted details that make the season feel personal and cozy.
Sandra Rojas-Chinni, Fashion Marketing ’00, is a Toronto-based creative director and interior stylist whose work explores trend forecasting and storytelling across interiors, design and object-based narratives. She is the founder of the experiential brands Fique + Clay and La Merceria, and currently serves as creative director at Gry Mattr. Her styling and direction have appeared in House & Home Magazine, and she has collaborated with brands including Goop, Club Monaco and Holt Renfrew.