Autumn in the Hudson Valley with Helene Heath

There are almost too many to list! Autumn is my favorite season so as soon as the temps start to drop, I want to do all the things. I grew up going apple picking every year so that’s always a good nostalgic one. But in more recent years I’ve really been enjoying making a day of turning over the seasonal decor around my house (we don’t talk about the pumpkin budget, lol).

I live in the countryside about 2 ½ hours north of New York City in a bucolic region called the Hudson Valley. It’s farmland meets mountains shouldered by the majestic Hudson River, where a range of small, charming towns stretch for hundreds of miles alongside it. I’m right outside the small but mighty town of Hudson, a particularly well-preserved historic gem in the area that’s become equally known for antiques and its restaurant scene over the years. Its ideally situated railway station has made it a hub for visitors while giving us locals very easy access to NYC, which perfectly balances my peaceful rural life and periodic urban cravings.

An ideal day would be one of relaxation and taking things slow: starting it off with a piping hot cup of coffee while sifting through the latest issue of Architectural Digest, puttering around the garden with no clock hanging over my head, a long walk or hike with the dogs, and spending hours in my kitchen cooking dinner. The latter is one of my favorite rituals: I put on a favorite guilty pleasure podcast, pour myself a glass of wine, and get to chopping.

I’ve become quite the homebody since moving here several years ago from New York, and as a typical taurus, I love nesting. This to say: it’s very important for my home to feel cozy, comfortable, and above all, personal and reflective of my husband and me. I lean maximalist and love to layer textures, colors, and materials. Intentionally collected vibes are my jam – decor that tells the tale of its inhabitant’s path, filled with objects and furniture that’s been accumulated over the years, picked up from travels, inherited from family, unearthed in an antique shop, etc. If you come to my house, I can tell you the story behind each item in every room. This is of course a practice in patience, which is a tough feat in today’s culture of immediacy, but my favorite homes (including my own, if I can say so) are always the ones that feel lived in and reflective of the person’s journey.

As a hot sauce enthusiast, please don’t make me choose! Let’s put it this way: each has their ideal food pairing, but the most versatile and universal is the Sweet Hally P – packed with flavor, zingy acidity, and less of a kick than its siblings. But I don’t discriminate when it comes to hot sauce and I put it on everything.

I love pieces that add warmth and character to a table, and each of these does just that. The splatterware serving dish has an artisanal feel that makes any meal feel like a feast, while the twist candleholder brings in a touch of sculptural elegance. The footed glass strikes the perfect balance between vintage charm and modern style, and the burlap runner and napkins add that beautiful, down-to-earth country vibe.

Color! After a lifetime of white walls, I’ve decided I can’t stand them anymore and want to paint every room in a different color. I’m done with being a white wall person.

Every year, I make my maple apple crisp to much acclaim. It’s always a crowd-pleaser.

The autumnal vibe shift always pulls me towards moodier music, but the one song that’s forever number one in my seasonal book is Neil Young’s Harvest Moon. It’s all the fall feels in a melody. My movie list would be too long to outline!

Depends on the season and the occasion. I love a series of poppies in bud vases during warmer months, baby’s breath in the winter, and olive branches or eucalyptus during the holidays.