Seven ways to love your home for October

When we received paint expert Annie Sloan’s new book, we fell in love with this sanded-chair project. Find matching sets of traditional chairs at second-hand shops and update them with a lick of paint, then sand to reveal a bit of wood. The trick lies in finding the right combination: Look for hues that are distinct but also complementary. Catch Annie Sloan at the Toronto Fall Home Show, October 6, and the Vancouver Home + Design show, October 19.

Color Recipes for Painted Furniture and More, Annie Sloan, $29, Indigo. Paint, $45/ Qt., Chalk Paint. 

Get more: Four ways to decorate with painted chairs

Whether you lean toward a darker, moodier palette or prefer the freshness of cool neutrals, a weekend spent painting can transform your home. Take a cue from this room, which was painted two ways using Farrow & Ball’s new 2013 colours, and go the distance by painting doors, baseboards, trim, ceilings and even floors for dramatic effect.

Floor paint, $125/ Gal., Wall paint, $110/ Gal., Farrow and Ball.

Do you dream of having a beautiful organized office space with everything you need at your fingertips? Us too! Meet Poppin, a line of simple, elegant office accessories in bright, bold colours. Choose all your pieces in one hue for a sleek monochromatic look, or punk it up by mixing and matching a rainbow of colours. Paying bills just got a whole lot more enjoyable!

Poppin office supplies from $3, Indigo.

Look to your own backyard for inspiration: Place beautiful twisting branches in decorative vases like these emerald green ones from Ikea’s new Stockholm Collection.

Vase, $40, Ikea.

With entertaining season upon us, now’s the time to start gathering your basics. Think about establishing a simple, neutral palette with your plates, and then add in seasonal flair with cutlery, napkins, flowers and place cards. You’ll be able to switch from Thanksgiving to New Year’s with ease!

Cutlery, $29/ place setting, West Elm. Dinnerware, $13-$16 each, Crate and Barrel. Napkins, $57/ set of 4, Pehr.

Get more: Thanksgiving decorating ideas