September is one of those months that is hard to put into words. Regardless of it being the month that carries the last weeks of summer, there’s an aura to September that we all know and enjoy. It’s a challenge to encapsulate the feeling of September or reproduce the September colors that give us warmth and joy once the month rolls around.
What is this month to me? September is the cool breeze that comes in at night after the sun goes down. September is walking in a golden field of wheat as the sun sets. September is the golden-green soft light that shines through the trees in the late afternoon. September is a walk on the beach after a swim in the warm water, without the crowds. September is the smell of burgeoning fall in the air. September is the last days of summer, whispering soft goodbyes. In other words, September is bliss.
As a color specialist, I’m always looking for inspiration wherever I can find it, and September colors and color palettes are spectacular. These colors can be woven into the design of your home’s interior or exterior design.
This article will talk about some of my favorite color palettes September has to offer and why the month is so near and dear to this color expert’s heart.
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September Colors: The Magic of the Shoulder Seasons
There’s a term used in travel, often to describe places of seasonal destination – this term is “shoulder season.” If you’re unfamiliar with it, it may be because your home doesn’t have peaks and valleys of visitors. However, people who live in regions that are busy during one to two specific seasons are very familiar with the idea of shoulder seasons.
For instance, the shoulder seasons for Jackson Hole, Wyoming, would be after ski season but before hiking season in the summer or vice versa. So, the shoulder seasons for Jackson Hole are fall and springtime.
This shoulder season pattern is also similar in the northeast where I am; the shoulder season begins in early-mid September after school is back in session. It lasts for a few weeks into October, but then foliage season begins. There are precious days to enjoy during the late summer/early fall shoulder season.
September is almost like “the ultimate” shoulder season month. The colors that can happen during the shoulder seasons are spectacular, brilliant, and fleeting, which is why September colors are so special.
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September Colors: Palettes to Remember
Imagine setting one of your last outdoor meals for the season. The sun is setting, and your backyard/patio is the perfect temperature to host friends and family. The summer evenings are fading away for something more relaxed. Gone are the days of extreme humidity and extreme heat; it’s just cool enough to slip on your first long sleeve of the season.
To embrace September colors, your color palette for dinner starts with blue sapphire (the birthstone of September) as the base color, with the plates and bowls dressed in powder-blue sapphire. Next, layer in the greens and golds of September with glasses and even floral arrangements. A gold foil green-colored centerpiece or even stemware would look incredible. Finally, to add some accents of the fall to come, sprinkle in some cardinal reds, marmalade oranges, and even creamy pinks with napkins, seat cushions, or even appetizer plates! Picture all of this under some tea lights as the sun sets and stars come out; it’s hard to beat! This dining arrangement will look gorgeous inside as well, add a few candles across your dining table, and the September mood is set!
There are so many ways we can incorporate the colors of this shoulder season into our home.
A sitting room can be decorated in earthy greens and warm terra cottas. A sunroom can bring in the colors of nature with a blue and green theme that overlaps every season. You can even incorporate these colors into the bathroom if the colors are soft and soothing!
The bathroom should be a relaxing space, but it’s also ideal for accent colors and interesting design. Picture a pastel-emerald oak-leaf green base color for the walls with white wood trim on the windows and a softer off-white for the sink and shower fixtures. Touches of red, orange, yellow, and even a deep plum accent would pop as borders along with the mirror(s), artwork, candles, and even the soap dispenser – a soothing bathroom scene that’s far from uninspired!
If you have a fireplace or woodstove-centric living room in your home, try dressing the mantel with a floral arrangement of emerald greens, pinks, dark violets, and soft whites. These color arrangements are unique to the late/summer early fall colors found in nature, and they will help bring September colors into your home with ease!
I love September because it’s a calming mixture of the summer ending and the fall beginning, and you get the best of both worlds when it comes to colors!
Why Do You Love September?
Well, I could go on and on about my love for this magical time of year, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the charming month! What reasons do you love September, and what are your favorite colors of this time of year?
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Hi Amy – what beautiful color combinations for Fall! I especially love the deep pink one based on the floral arrangement on the mantle. Reminds me of sedum which turns that perfect shade in the fall.
Its a unique color palette and thats what I love about it! Thanks for stopping by and commenting Linda!
I have a love hate relationship with September…I love the new beginnings vibe of September as everyone comes back from summer to settle into a fall routine, but I’m always sad when the days get noticeably shorter and colder. These are beautiful color palettes, though. I love the greens with pinks and violets especially!
Thanks Janet, I love featuring the color palettes it opens our eyes to new possibilities!
I loved reading your description of the color palette for a September table setting… you set my mind to thinking! And, until reading this, I’d never heard of the term *shoulder season.* I loved learning something new!
Happy September to you, Amy. Enjoy your shoulder season there!
Thanks so much Leslie, I hope you enjoy your shoulder seasons as well!
I am not ready for summer to end because I love the warm weather SO much! But I do enjoy the changing of the leaves in fall and love seeing these color combinations!
Thanks Christie, I am so glad you enjoyed seeing the color palettes I added into this blog post!
These palettes are all so beautiful and fitting for September! It’s definitely one of my favorite times in the year. Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you enjoyed the colors of the season, its refreshing starting a new time of year! Thanks Lisa!
I have loved every bit of our summer and have a little bit of sadness that fall is here. While I love fall colours, it’s a precursor for what is to come – and for me it is winter (which I do not like). Just now I had to move inside with my morning coffee as it was too cool to sit outside.
I also have mixed feelings as the weather goes from summer warmth the winter cold! Stay warm Sheri, I’ll be thinking of you when I have my hot up of tea each morning!