“And All at Once, Summer Collapsed Into Fall.”

There’s a lovely quote from Oscar Wilde that I often think about this time of year. “And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” What an elegant and perfect way of summarizing that feeling of late summer; the feeling we all get as the hottest days of the year start to subside and an unexpected cool breeze reminds us of the change of season just around the corner. While I love summer as much as the next person, there’s so much to enjoy about the shoulder seasons, and late summer/early fall may be the most glorious time of year. 

As a color specialist, for most of my articles, I mix my opinion, expertise, and instruction/direction all into a fun and easily digestible read. For this piece, I like to take a slightly different approach and reflect on the feelings that late summer and early fall give me, and I’d also appreciate hearing about how it makes you feel as well, so please engage; I’d love to hear from you!!

“And All at Once, Summer Collapsed Into Fall.” – Let’s Take a Slow Deep Breath

The summer is a rush, there’s no doubt about it, and it isn’t until late August that we begin to settle back down from the whiplash that is all the summer has to offer. I think there’s a need to slow down and take a deep breath before we jump headfirst into fall. There’s a commercial and societal drive to speed from one season to the next without the grace of saying goodbye to the current one. Honestly, it’s a shame. It’s a shame that we’re geared to experience things as quickly as possible and remove our minds from the moment, always rushing to get the next item checked off the list.

Let’s slow down and enjoy the quieter times of summer. Enjoy the August colors as you walk along a quiet shoreline or wooded path. Enjoy a lazy day at the beach. Enjoy the cooler air and the softer sounds of nature. Enjoy that soft sunlight glistening through the trees in the late afternoon. And yes, if you are at that age, enjoy that first Monday, finally sending the kids back to school 😉

Fall Comes in Like a Lion

I will tell you that I make the best of every day and do my best to let the little things (and some bigger things) roll off my back, always excited to move forward with new challenges… but the aggressive onslaught of fall products, decor, and lifestyle accessories (not to mention holidays that are months away) are marketed long before summer is over. You’ll see pumpkin spice lattes, plaid shirts, and harvest candles hit the store shelves while it’s still 90+ degrees in July. There’s no end to the early solicitation of fall goods. While I enjoy a pumpkin-scented beverage as much as the next person, it happens way too early if you ask me. 

Don’t Feel Pressured – Give Fall Its Time

It can be exciting to go out to the stores and start loading up on autumnal wares and goods; it’s especially popular with interior design products and retailers, but don’t feel you have to do it right away! Summer doesn’t end until late September; there’s plenty of time to get on the fall decor cycle without cutting summer short. In fact, you can embrace a unique late-summer color palette! See my posts on August colors and September colors to get a few inspired ideas!

Celebrate September, Honor its Beauty

September is such an amazing month, which is one of the reasons I don’t like it being cast aside for fall-themed items and color arrangements. September has many unique color palettes worth celebrating; embrace deep blues, corals, terra cottas, and shades of green that reflect the transitioning landscape, integrated into artwork, cushions, throws, and other decorative elements! 

Do Some September Stargazing! 

September is a wonderful time to do some stargazing, a time to stare in awe of the beauty of our celestial situation! The air at night is typically less humid with a lower dew point, so the atmosphere is much better for watching the stars. Is there anything better than gazing up at a beautiful cosmic display while sipping on a tasty drink and wearing a comfy sweatshirt? I think not! 

For those who wish to bring a piece of that celestial wonder into their wardrobe or home, some items/strategies can help capture some of that feeling! Try using starry textiles such as throw pillows, blankets, and curtains featuring star patterns, constellations, or galaxy prints. These can easily add a touch of celestial magic to any room. If you can find them, candles and lanterns with carved celestial motifs can also be truly heartwarming! When lit, these can cast mesmerizing patterns of light and shadow around the room.

Don’t Let Summer Collapse on You

If there’s a sentiment I’d like you to take away from this article, it’s this: don’t let the world rush you out of enjoyable moments, stay present, and don’t send summer packing before its time is up! There’s so much wonderful, albeit momentary, beauty to behold in late summer, so let’s embrace it to the fullest! Fall will get its time in the sun. 

If you want to explore enchanted late-summer color palettes, please check out my helpful color app, Color911. The app has many professionally curated palettes to inspire you this September, and before you know it, I’ll be adding many new color themes to bring in the fall colors. Take a look around, capture the moment, and let it inspire you!