How are you prepping your Charm City pad for Fall

+ Winter?

 

We're all gearing up for the cold and getting excited to feel cozy in our place.

But if you don't want to scour the internet for hours figuring out how you're going to achieve perfect fall vibes... here is your checklist with all the ideas in one place.

 

From massive Mount Vernon brownstone buildings, salmon pink Hampden houses, to quaint Fells Point row homes, we're all dealing with different layouts, lighting, and square footage.

If you're overwhelmed with all the Pinterest fall ideas and overly staged Instagram interior shots (that are so artificially organized that they're in no way natural or even remotely comfortable...) then you're reading the right blog.

From the best color schemes, fall decor themes, and interior elements you should emphasize, your checklist to decorate the perfect fall apartment in Bmore is here.

P.S If you want a basic Autumn refresher, a Fall-Musts checklist is at the bottom :)

 

You're welcome.

 

 

So, let's start with:

MOUNT VERNON

 

Hey brownstone mansions, carriage houses, and fireplaces that don't work but are still nice to look at, Mount Vernon my dear, you've got some old world charm.

I'm starting with this hood because it's my hood.

This neighborhood is super green with a ton of brick and brownstone accents.

Even the old horse-poop scrapers for filthy shoes that are still embedded in the ground next to most houses scream the 1800s.

It's a classic. So what better to bring out this history?

Rich textures, deep neutrals, and rustic decor.

 

COLOR SCHEME:

NAVY & YELLOW

 

 

•  If your place is on the larger and lots of natural light side, dark colors won't hurt you.

•  Deep cobalt or navy and a yellow hue is going to look amazing in this type of apartment.

•  Dark colors tend to make an already small space look smaller, so if the apartment is on the larger side then you can afford to go with rich, dark colors. 

 

 

 

 

FALL DECOR IDEAS:

• Reclaimed wood (Second Chance) Ex. white wall ladder throw rack, wooden taper candle holders using tree stumps/blocks

• Throw Basket

• Make Your Bed Like a Coccoon

• Gourd Centerpieces

• Fall Flowers/ Dried Flowers

• Vases/Cooking Jars/Things with Cork Accents

 

 

BEST ELEMENTS TO EMPHASIZE:

BIG WINDOWS:

The windows here are generally tall and wide, which gives a naturally ambient feel. This is a perfect opportunity to do up the windows for indoor and outdoor decorations.

HIGH CEILINGS: 

You most likely have some great wall space to paint a bold color on. A single color accent wall of either navy or mustard works well if you aren't ready to commit to painting all four of them. A splash of color is better than none.

THE NON-FUNCTIONAL FIREPLACE:

There are so many ways to benefit from a non-functional fireplace.

We don't all get to have extra storage space, a place to showcase special objects, or an excuse to set up a huge candle party.

Mount Vernon apartments are overrun with them, and you should make the most of it if you are one of the lucky ones!

 

Fireplace Dog Bed (is my favorite...)

 

HAMPDEN

Ahh, home of the best kind of urban grunge. It's the only place where porch sofas are... well, tolerated.

Super cute with just a hint of mini, this neighborhood is a Baltimore gem.

With Baltimore in a Box shop on the Aveunue, this neighborhood is a local's haven.

The places here are slightly tighter with a lesser square footage average, but the quirks make up for it.

 

COLOR SCHEME:

LIGHT PINK & DARK GREEN

 

 

Dark pine green gives me the serious 'cold weather' cozies :)

It works perfectly as an accent color, rather than used in huge sections.

A throw, piece of furniture, tablecloth, plants, or accent pillows are great examples to have with this color.

 

FALL DECOR IDEAS:

• Sage and Herbs

• Napkin Rings... because when else are you going to use them?

• Large candles

• Wild Patterned Pillows

• Hay Barrel

• Leather Accents

• Aluminum Container for Pumpkins

• Firewood Holder

 

BEST ELEMENTS TO EMPHASIZE:

Hampden is known for its great yards and outdoor escapes.

A chiminea or DIY fire pit is the best way you can cozify your backyard space.

 

PORCH SPACE:

White shabby-chic stools, long wind chimes, some dried wheat, and a wooden bench can prep a porch for full fall mode.

Add a heavy duty welcome mat to account for all the dried leaves and eventual snow that you soon will be tracking in.

 

 

BACKYARD:

A chiminea or fire pit is the best way you can cozify your backyard space.

Add some string lights to surround the outdoor hangout space, and you've got the essentials for a perfect cold-weather-prepped backyard.

Tall, standing candle lanterns also adds some extra invitation and warmth.

 

CANTON

Home of Patterson Park, exposed brick exteriors, and lots of home renovations.

Quiet, peaceful, and amazingly close to the Canton Waterfront Park and awesome views of Fort McHenry.

 

COLOR SCHEME:

 

 

MUSTARD & FUCHSIA

 

Lavish, regal, and not-so-subtly decadent. 

Deep golden or fuchsia velvet will be a perfect fall accessory for the sofa or chairs while the air continues to get colder.

Spray painting old decor items i.e mirrors will also give a golden glow to a room.

 

FALL DECOR IDEAS:

• Decorate with Plaid Patterned Items

• Fur Throw

• Festive Wreath

• Start Using Spices You Normally Wouldn't (Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cloves)

• Banners

• Rocking Chair from a Thrift Store

• Tall Wooden Candle Lanterns

 

BUTCHERS HILL

COLOR SCHEME:

 

EUCALYPTUS & BURGUNDY

 

FALL DECOR IDEAS:

• Velvet throw

• Cushioned Bench

• Narrow Table Cloth

• Fresh Autumn Leaves on Branches

• DIY Hoop Wreath

 • Flannel Material Sheets

• Marble + Wooden Cutting Board, Platter, or Cheese Board

 

FELLS POINT

This is as beachy as Baltimore gets.

But beachy isn't very fall... 

Luckily, the narrow hidden away cobble stone streets and cozy two story fisherman row homes are incredibly cozy.

 

 

COLOR SCHEME:

LIGHT BLUE & SCARLET

In this neighborhood, light colors are your friend.

Cool blue neutrals, and a single dark scarlet accent in sparing places will be a good scheme to have here.

Generally speaking, the windows here are small and the row homes are somewhat mini.

 

FALL DECOR IDEAS:

• Gourds

• Foliage hangings

• Knitted wall hangings

• Wool throw

• Mason jar florals

• Copper wire lights

• Whiskey bar

• Accent Rug with Fur

• Fall Plants like:

 

BEST ELEMENTS TO EMPHASIZE:

Try to make the walls look bigger. How?

Mirrors are going to help a small space look a lot larger.

They reflect the light from the existing windows which both helps brighten up and create the illusion of more space.

 

FEDERAL HILL: 

 

COLOR SCHEME:

WHITE & GRAY

 

 

 

FALL DECOR IDEAS:

• DIY Pine Needle Wool Pillows for Indoor Fall Aromas

• Holly Branches or Garland

• Taper Candle Candelabra

• Antler Decor

• Birch Bark Containers

 

 

Fall Must-Haves Checklist:

The perfect Fall/Winter cup of coffee you can DIY at home.

Ingredients:

• Two drops of Peppermint Extract

• Pinch of Nutmeg

• Two Pinches of Cinnamon

• Teaspoon of Virgin Coconut Oil/Organic Butter

• Tablespoon of Cocoa Powder

• Tablespoon of Honey

• A Splash of Low Fat Pumpkin Eggnog

• A Frother

 

TABLE DECOR OBJECTS:

• Basket

• Dried flowers: hang upside down or in a vase

• Candles

• Glass Containers + Mason Jars

• Pewter Candle Holders

• Festive Napkins

• Bar ware and decorative drink glasses

• Cinnamon Pinecones

• Fruit Bowls

• Pumpkin + gourds

 

Here are some natural ways to make your place smell like Fall.

SMELLS:

• Firewood: backyard fire, chiminea

• Pumpkin

• Apples: baked apple dishes, pies, or dried apple potpourri

• Cinnamon: pine cones, candles, spiced cocoa

• Hazelnuts

• Spiced Orange: Essential Oil

• Dark Liquor + Whiskey

 

FLAVORS:

• Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger

• Hazelnuts

• Peppermint Extract

• Cocoa

• Pine

• Pumpkin

• Caramel

• Cranberry

• Maple

• Pear

Click here for an in depth guide to flavors that are just as amazing as pumpkin spice.

AMBIENT LIGHTING:

Copper lights, candles, globe string lights, moon lamp, chiminea or fireplace, hue smart bulbs, edison bulbs, oh my!

Let's brainstorm different types of lighting, because not just any light source is going to work in your space.

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COPPER LIGHTS: These can wrap around the indoor staircase or on the front porch, your bar cart to illuminate the drinks, the TV console for a festive glow, or in your bathroom above the mirror (for a night you just need to romance yourself.)

 

 

MOON LAMP: Great for the living room, bedroom, or hallway on a small side table. It can also be hung from the ceiling to feel more like a planetary object, just for fun. What says Fall more than a brisk moon when you look out the window?

 

 

HANGING GLOBE LIGHTS: These are perfect for the backyard, roof deck, or any outdoor entertaining space. It's hard to have a successful fire pit scene without the inviting vibe of these globe lights.

 

WHERE TO GET GREAT FALL THINGS FOR CHEAP?

Second Chance Inc. (Building Materials Store)

This place is a goldmine. Seriously.

It's a thrift store on some serious steroids and if you feel like building yourself a house from scratch, it's great for that too.

Do yourself a favor and GO!

 

 

Hope this helps you simplify the season of home decor!

And just in case you want a fun copper pumpkin DIY idea, click me.