As October draws to a close, autumn is well and truly taking hold. London’s streets are scattered with fallen leaves, the trees are changing colour and the evenings are drawing in. At our Design Studio, we love finding inspiration in the world around us and the changing season offers plenty of opportunities to get creative at home. From experimenting with potato printing to collecting leaves and exploring natural textures, here are a few simple ways to bring a little autumnal inspiration into your everyday life.
Potato Printing
The humble potato makes a surprisingly effective printing tool and is a lovely way to experiment with pattern at home. Cut a potato in half and, using a small knife, carefully carve a simple motif into the flesh. Our top tip is to sketch your design with a marker pen first, keeping the shapes bold and uncomplicated for a clear print. Remove any excess moisture, apply your paint and start stamping. From simple geometric shapes to more intricate motifs, potato printing is an easy way to explore the possibilities of pattern, as seen in our Potato Print for GP & J Baker.
Discover the Art of Block Printing
Block printing is a wonderful way to explore pattern, colour and craftsmanship. Using carved blocks to transfer a design onto fabric, each impression brings its own subtle variations, creating patterns that feel individual and full of detail. Experiment with repeating motifs, contrasting colours and different arrangements to see how a simple design can be transformed. We love using block printed cushions to introduce pattern and colour into an interior, whether layered with embroidered designs or mixed with contrasting fabrics.
Get Crafty with Picture Frames
Give an old picture frame a new lease of life with a fresh coat of paint, or decorate it with buttons, beads or other small embellishments. Experiment with contrasting colours, arrange buttons into simple patterns or add a painted border for an individual finish. Group your frames together to create a gallery wall filled with favourite photographs, artwork and treasured memories.
Take Your Cues from the Season
Take inspiration from the changing colours, shapes and textures of autumn. Try capturing what catches your eye with watercolours or coloured pencils, focusing on the details rather than perfection. Bringing these seasonal influences into your home through layered patterns, quilts and cushions is a lovely way to reflect the beauty of the natural world.
Add a Little Colour to Your Lamps
As the evenings draw in, it is the perfect time to get creative with the lighting around your home. Try giving an old lamp base a fresh coat of paint, experimenting with contrasting colours or adding a simple hand-painted motif. You could even decorate the lampshade itself, using painter’s tape to create geometric patterns such as triangles or diamonds for a simple yet striking finish.
Make Your Home Your Own
Creativity often begins with simply looking at familiar things in a different way. From an interesting pattern spotted on a walk to a forgotten object waiting to be refreshed, inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places. Embrace the opportunity to try something new and make something that feels entirely your own.
So, as the season unfolds, take a little time to experiment. Print, paint, stitch, draw and collect. Play with colour and texture, look at familiar materials in a new way and do not be afraid of a little imperfection. Sometimes, the simplest ideas lead to the most interesting results.