It may be too late in the season to take a dip in the waves or catch a tan on the sand, but the Delaware Beaches still boast plenty of activities throughout the autumn months. Here are my top ten favorite things about fall in coastal Delaware:

10. This time of year I am lured back to the boardwalk by the cooler days and smaller crowds. The 1-mile boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach is the perfect spot for getting some fresh air and exercise.

9. First Thursdays in Lewes – Join the locals on Thursday, November 5th in downtown Lewes for live music and special offerings from area restaurants and merchants. You’ll most likely find me at Striper Bites enjoying great fare and libations.

8. Sea Witch Festival – This local tradition includes the always hilarious costumed pet parade. October 23 -25.

7. The return of the off-season specials at local restaurants – Most area restaurants offer great deals throughout the non-summer months.

6. Jazz Fest – Many local venues will be showcasing live jazz music. October 14 -18. www.rehobothjazz.com

5. Outlet shopping – Sure, you can shop at the outlets all year round, but the Fall is the perfect time to start tackling that holiday shopping list. Buy a $1 Pink Card at the Tanger Outlets office to save an additional 25% at participating stores while benefiting the fight against breast cancer. Don’t forget – Delaware is tax-free!

4. Independent Film Festival – Around 100 films to see this year, including shorts, documentaries, and foreign films. November 11-15. www.rehobothfilm.com/festival.html

3. Dogfish Head Punkin Ale – This delicious seasonal brew is available in September and October. Get some before it’s gone! www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/seasonal-brews/punkin-ale.htm

2. Punkin Chunkin’ — Live music, rides, delicious fare, and pumpkins being hurled overhead – what more could you want on a cool autumn weekend? Whether you prefer the craftsmanship of the whirligigs or the sheer power of the air cannons, each “chunker” is a site to behold. November 6-8. www.punkinchunkin.com

And the number one reason the fall is my favorite time of year in coastal Delaware is:
No more meters! Parking is free throughout Lewes, Rehoboth, and Dewey Beach until the summer months return. So come visit and, while you’re here, check out the beautiful Delaware homes for sale so you can linger longer! Maybe you’ll decide that Delaware is the place for you even when the summer sun has set for the season.
Hope to see you out and about over the next few months!
- Erika

Although summer’s warmth seemed to stick around a little longer than usual this year, we are now seeing the leaves begin to turn and feeling that familiar nip in the air. Fall is finally upon us and so are the season’s hot style trends. By using inspiration from some of this fall’s fashion trends, I have highlighted some of my favorite ways to bring new life into your home this season.

Color

This season welcomes back rich earthy colors and saturated jewel tones. Think emerald and eggplant, pumpkin and ocean blue. Even neutrals are richer this season.

Take a hint from today’s fashion trends: Replace black with chocolate brown and charcoal gray.

Texture

Use elements with a variety of visual and tactile textures to create interest and depth in your living spaces. Consider using a mix of fabrics in a single room – upholstery, window treatments, and throw pillows can each bring a different texture to a space.

Fall fashions showcase leather as an accent, primarily in boots and bags. Leather can be used as an accent in the home as well. A leather-topped desk would make an excellent investment for a home office. As a less expensive option, paint the Living Room with a leather-textured paint or add a leather ottoman in front of your favorite upholstered chair.

Furniture-Style Cabinetry

From clean, contemporary homes to cozy cottages, furniture-style cabinetry is all the rage. Cabinets are taking on a greater role in home decor as built-in cabinetry is being used with more frequency. Natural wood grains are being enhanced with rich stains and glazes. Painted finishes in a variety of shades are continuing their run of popularity. Islands with turned legs look more like work tables than their boxy predecessors. The sky’s the limit when it comes to available styles and finishes; show your personal style with cabinets that suit your needs as well as your tastes.

Shine

We all know that a mirror can make a space appear larger than it is, but a mirror can also add an element of visual interest simply with its reflective nature. Mirrors look especially stunning where they can reflect light. Consider mirrored wall sconces to spread the flicker of candlelight into a Dining Room. I love the look of mirrored furniture as an accent piece. A small chest of drawers or an end table makes a great choice as mirrored accent.

The shine of jewelry often provides the finishing touch to an outfit. Think of metallic fixtures as the finishing touch for your home. Choosing the right plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, and door and cabinet hardware will complete the feeling of a room. Brushed and satin finishes have been popular for several years and are still going strong, but shinier finishes, like classic polished chrome, are making a comeback.

Contemporary Style

Contemporary homes used to bring to mind words like “cold” and “uncomfortable.” No longer! Contemporary homes can now also be cozy and warm. Instead of linking contemporary style with straight lines, sharp angles, and colorless palettes, think of the characteristics of the new contemporary style as clean, simple, and clutter-free. Just as fashion designers are showcasing tailored, menswear-inspired clothes for fall, interior decorators are showcasing rooms with clean lines and simple elegance.

Choose accents wisely and streamline accessories to a choice few. If you find that a space has many elements which fight for your visual attention, limit the room’s focal points so that the space is more calming and relaxing.

Global Influence

Tribal accents and bright, bold patterns inspired by foreign cultures are making their way into home decor. African wood carvings, Asian cloisonné vases, and pillows made from Latin American woven fabrics are just a few ways to bring international flavor to your home. Consider using one bold item as a focal point or grouping several smaller items in a collection to best showcase this trend.

Dust off the souvenirs you have purchased during your travels and give them places of honor in your living spaces. Not only will they provide visual interest to your home, but they can also spark wonderful memories of your vacations and serve as great conversation starters with guests.

If you are unsure if a certain trend is right or you, start small. Change one or two items in a single room – for example, a new mirror, a collection of Asian vases, or a pair of throw pillows in beautiful rich colors—and see how the change makes you feel. If you like the result, you can make changes in the rest of your home with more confidence.

Remember, building the décor of your home is much like building a functional wardrobe. Start with the basics. Invest in classic, timeless pieces that will never go out of style. Then highlight those basics with trendy accents which can easily be changed from season to season.

Most of all, have fun!