Patricia Odell

As we move into the cooler months with shorter days and longer nights, now would be a great time to brighten your home with greenery and flowers—even if they’re from the grocery store—and well-placed, but not overly scented, candles. I love handmade ceramics for their subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, texture and glow. And while I do enjoy pieces that are white or cream, a little color can add a lot. These ceramic pieces can be found at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art’s Museum Shop.

I don’t know if it’s a trend, or my age trending upward, but I’m attracted to earthier tones more than ever. Creams, browns, blues, and greens soothe in a way I hadn’t needed before. Seagrass, cottons, and linens deliver these tones expertly, as if they were introduced at a party and became fast friends. Sisals work well for us, because our dog, Jeff Bridges, likes to chew the corners when he’s anxious, which is anytime we leave the house.

Whether youhave children who are going back to school, or the promise of cooler weather is making you yearn for something new, fall is a great time to learn something new. Why not take an art class? It would give you the opportunity to fire some new synapses, meet new friends, and create something for your home. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has three classes starting soon. Drawing in the Park is a four-class session starting Sept.