Objects of desire: Cosy comfort

As the temperatures cool and we look forward to the winter months ahead, you may feel like a change of scene at home to reflect the changing seasons. It's time to move away from the minimalist light, airy fabrics that are favourable during the summer and indulge in feathering the nest again ready to cosy up and snuggle down. As with any season, when choosing the right interiors scheme or furnishings there are certain key considerations to help guide you through the overwhelming choice available:

Colours

Whereas in summer we turn to bright palettes and sunny shades to reflect the weather, as the sun fades in strength, so too should the colour scheme at home. Choosing more natural and neutral colours will allow you to enhance the use of soft, ambient lighting to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Equally, the use of warm, vibrant colours — evocative of winter berries such as deep reds and purples — will bring a warmth to your interiors and create an equally welcoming, homely feel.

Fabrics and textures

Pack up your cottons and reach for the velours, tweeds and woven fabrics. Using thicker, more textured fabrics in your soft furnishings will not only insulate you more effectively when you use them, but they will also evoke a feeling of warmth and protection from lower temperatures. Have fun with fabrics by mixing them up and incorporating creative embroideries and embellishments for that added layered touch.

Lighting

During the summer, most of our electricity bills will go on the air-conditioning needed to keep us cool while our use of artificial lighting is minimal during daylight hours. As the nights draw in through autumn and winter however, lighting is a crucial consideration for keeping your home cosy and inviting. Ambient lighting can be achieved using dimmer switches and corner or floor lamps placed in the corners of the room in order to maximise the use of light emitted and create a warm glow of light across the walls and surrounding area. Candles and lanterns are also an excellent means of creating a comforting aura in the home, so enjoy experimenting with different designs and styles depending on the occasion.

Layering

Layering fabrics and soft furnishings will yield a similar warming effect as using thicker, more textured fabrics themselves. Layering also allows you to be creative and change your arrangement or use of soft furnishings according to your mood. Invest in decorative or soft woollen throws and combine them with an array of colourful textured cushions to make your sofa more comfortable and inviting. This season's home collections feature heavily upholstered sofas, chairs and even other furniture which will give you a good base with which to work towards achieving the layered effect. Cover cold tiled floors with thick, richly coloured rugs and carpets that will be kind to your feet when they long for added comfort after a hard day's work.

— Beatrice Boardman is a UAE-based fashion and interiors consultant

Couture Sofa in grey from THE One's SophisticAsian Collection. Perfectly balanced, the maturely sophisticated monochrome palette of this classic, feminine style collection is infused with Asian elements for a look that oozes quiet confidence. The warm, grey velour looks soft and inviting and provides the perfect base for a creative layer of textured winter cushions. Available in two sizes. Dh3,995 (for 2.5 metres); and Dh4,495 (for 3.5 metres).

Cave Girl by Vivienne Westwood is an entirely handmade Aubusson tapestry — a very fine flatweave quality originating in France. The finished product is very fine, yet strong and durable, and works perfectly as a floor rug with the non-slip underlay which is supplied. This boldly coloured Scottish tartan design is reminiscent of the warm wool kilts of Scotland's traditional attire. Dimensions: 229x152cm. The Rug Company, Dh20,060.

Everything about this Florentine cushion by Alice Temperley makes it the perfect addition to your soft furnishings this season. Entirely handmade using traditional tapestry and needlepoint techniques and with a generous goose down filler, it's a winter warmer through and through. Dimensions: (W)75x(H)50cm. The Rug Company, Dh3,376.

DECO floor cushion from THE One's Ranch Collection. This collection blends natural textures, ethnic elements and light tones with a touch of the wilderness to achieve a luxuriously comfortable, lived-in look that has a distinctly colonial character. Cushions don't have to be limited to the sofa — this floor cushion provides an inviting extra seat together with a textured warmth in both colour and fabric. Dimension: (D) 1 metre. Dh1,995.

When considering layering, don't forget the bedroom. This luxurious satiny brown Eye Pattern Quilt from the Pale Radiance Collection will keep you snug during those long evenings. Dh1,390 (king size).

This Nickel Tilt Bowl from the Indigo Essential Collection offers both warm candlelight and a glowing reflection for added effect. Indigo Living, Dh149 (medium).

This Crest cushion cover from the Pale Radiance Collection is ideal for autumn/winter soft furnishing: thick, textured fabric, soft neutral colouring and layering with the ornate embroidery. Indigo Living, Dh269.

NAP Bedside Table in grey from THE One's Shanghai Sublime Collection. In this collection, stylish "nude" hues are combined with clean lines and sumptuous textures to create an effortlessly glamorous look, with a hint of the Orient. This unusual fabric-covered piece of furniture looks soft and warm to the touch and will be the perfect autumnal update piece for any bedroom. Dh1,095.

The Pluto Chair, upholstered in this thick, warmly coloured tapestry-esque fabric looks just like it belongs by an open fire in winter. Beautifully crafted and cosily inviting, it's the perfect place to snuggle up with a good book and offers the versatility of adding more layers: a cushion or two and a throw, perhaps? Dimensions: (H)114x(W)60x(D)65cm. Andrew Martin, Dubai, Dh14,100.

Ambient lighting is all about directing the glow of light and maximising reflection and this electroplated glass table lamp achieves both — through the coloration and shininess of its surface. Indigo Living, Dh1,090.

Lanterns and candles will give a warm glow to the room and this hurricane with stone base has more of a spa feel to it and would work beautifully with a warming spicy scented candle. Indigo Living, Dh945 (large).