Warming up my living room for fall with a new slipcover, pillows, a throw, and a rug—then heading to Camden’s Harbor Art Show for a fun Midcoast Maine outing.
Short and Sweet
Well hello! Here I am after all!
Last week I mentioned I might skip posting this week since I’m heading to Vermont on Thursday for a few days. But then I found myself with a few little updates and stories to share—and, well, I couldn’t resist popping on!
So today’s post will be short and sweet: a few fall changes in my living room featuring some decorating superheroes and their trusty sidekicks—and a fun outing to an art show in Camden last Sunday.
Let’s get right to it—I have lots to do before I leave!
Layered Textiles Warm My Living Room For Fall
Last week I shared my Great Pumpkin Wall here on the blog—a sure sign that autumn has arrived.
Another is when I start layering textiles in the living room—swapping out slipcovers and pillows, adding a soft throw blanket, and this year, bringing up a small accent rug from the basement.
It’s amazing how just a few fabric changes can completely shift the mood of a room—from bright, fresh, and breezy to warm, textured, and inviting as the temperatures drop.
Let me show you how I did it.
Slipcover Superheros
I’m going to be bold and say it: slipcovers are the decorating superheroes of my living room.
In fact, I love them so much I’ve written a whole post about them—you can read my ode to slipcovers here—but in a nutshell, they’re:
- easy to maintain (just toss them in the wash!)
- customizable—you can choose any fabric, color, or pattern you want
- simple to change seasonally or whenever you crave a new look
Plus, I love the relaxed coastal feel of a slipcovered piece of furniture.
Last weekend I said goodbye to the white summer slipcover on the sofa until next spring. I love its clean, nautical look, but once the air turns chilly, I want more warmth and texture. Out comes the beige linen slipcover—it cozies up the room instantly and pairs beautifully with the brown accents I use this time of year.
The blue-and-white striped slipcover on the loveseat is staying for now. I’ll switch that one out closer to the holidays. In fact, I just ordered a new cover this week—stay tuned for a sneak peek later in this post!
Throw Pillow Sidekicks
If slipcovers are the Batman of my living room, throw pillows are definitely the trusty sidekick, Robin.
They’re the easiest way to add seasonal color and pattern. Buy good inserts (I like a feather-and-down mix, which I have linked below), then simply swap out the covers. Most of mine are Etsy finds from over the years—custom-made from beautiful designer fabrics.
This fall, I pulled from my existing collection.
A few pillow-mixing tips:
- Pick a color palette: I’m leaning into darker blues and warm browns this season.
- Mix patterns and scales: I combined florals with one stripe for contrast, and balanced dark and light backgrounds.
- Vary shapes and sizes: Three pillows on the loveseat, five on the sofa—always an odd number and each including a lumbar.
- Break up pairs: I scatter my matching covers between the sofa and loveseat, then mix in a couple of wild cards for interest.
Throw pillows are such an easy way to experiment with pattern and color—and they instantly freshen the space.
Throw Blanket
I like to drape a blanket or quilt across the back of the sofa. It adds texture and pattern and is right there when the chill sets in.
Since it’s both stylish and practical, maybe the throw blanket is Lois Lane—smart, dependable, and always looks great doing her job.
This year’s blanket is a new find from Bronte Moon on Etsy—a soft merino wool in a muted Stewart tartan with deep blue, caramel brown, cream, and just a hint of green and bright yellow. It provides the perfect graphic backdrop for all my floral pillows.
An Accent Rug
The final touch was layering a small accent rug under the coffee table on top of the sisal one.
This old Persian rug has lived in several spots around the house (including the downstairs bath), but its palette of beige, dark blue, and rusty brown makes it perfect for fall. It grounds the space beautifully—and I love how the glass-top coffee table lets the pattern show through.
If slipcovers are Batman, pillows are Robin, and the throw blanket is Lois Lane, then the rug must be Alfred—steady, understated, and quietly holding everything together.
And in case you’re wondering—no, I’m not a huge Batman follower, and I certainly didn’t expect this post to take on that theme. But somehow, that’s where my fall decorating took me today!
Shop my living room:
Sunday Funday at an Art Show in Camden
Last Sunday turned into one of those unexpected Maine days that feels like a gift.
I hadn’t planned on going anywhere—my to-do list was inked into my calendar—but on Saturday my daughter Leah told me about an outdoor art and craft show happening in nearby Camden the next day. The forecast was sunny and warm, so I decided to take advantage of a beautiful, almost summer-like day. The chores could wait!
The show was filled with Maine artists and artisans, each booth brimming with creativity and color. Paintings, pottery, fiber art, jewelry—so many beautiful, original pieces, all inspired in one way or another by my beloved Maine coast. I picked up a few gifts and treated myself to a wreath made from old lobster rope with a small piece of buoy attached. How could I resist? It has MiM’s front door written all over it, fitting perfectly with my buoy and rope decor. The only issue? Choosing which one!
It’s always so interesting to see the different ways people interpret the same landscape I see every day—each refracting the wide ocean and quiet island views, lighthouses and working harbors, pine trees and wildflowers through their own personal lens. The creativity here in Maine never ceases to inspire me.
My last minute trip to the show was a good reminder to seize the moment—and I’m so glad I did.
This Week Into Next
I hit the road for Vermont on Thursday, returning on Saturday. Just a quick trip to go to Vermont Vintage Market Days with my friend Ann, from Dabbling and Decorating. I will be staying at Ann’s place in Vermont for two nights (hello Ella!), and Bernadette @bhomewithbernadette will join us at the Market. How fun! No need to feel any FOMO — I will share it all with you next week!
So, I had a busy week getting ready for my trip in addition to all my usual obligations.
Plus, a few extras, like dealing with another insect infestation on one of my houseplants — this time mealy bugs on the large money tree in the entryway. Once again I found myself wiping down each leaf. I hope my efforts were effective, because I love this plant!
I also made a trip to the furniture store to pick out fabric for a new slipcover for the loveseat and a pair of coordinating pillow covers. The pale blue chenille winter cover I have been using for years has just not held up well — it has pilled and looks tired and dingy. I just couldn’t stand the thought of bringing it out again this year. Time for something new! Above, you can see a sneak peek of what I chose, along with some of the pillow covers I use in the winter. Can’t wait for it all to arrive!
Time for me to finish up and check the last items off my pre-trip check-list. (No spontaneous outings allowed!)
Until next time—same Molly time, same Molly channel, cape optional. 🦇
