It's the time of year when every Sunday evening our tots are tumbling into bed and falling right to sleep after a long (but never long enough) weekend spent running around outdoors. We try as often as we can to make it up to the mountains, layering the kids with sweatshirts and rain jackets and scarves and mittens, only to have them peel the layers off again as soon as their little boots hit the hiking trails. The air smells damp and smoky while our fingertips go a bit numb while our foreheads prickle with sweat in the mountain sun.

Who can blame the tykes for being reluctant to leave such a beautiful, magical place? A cozy bedroom made of the colors of mountain mist may help coax them back home for one more week at least. A wall-sized mural of frosty trees and rocks is complemented by soft wool blankets and furry chairs. Funny bear-faced pillows and bookshelves in the shape of spruce trees keep imaginations running while pops of color in fall foliage-pink keep the excitement for next weekend's adventure within reach.

Photo Reference 1-2

We're smack in the middle of that totally discombobulating time of year where it still feels like summertime when we go to bed and we're awoken by a crisp breeze that cools our cheeks. Rather than the sun softly falling across our eyelids and nudging us awake, it is our alarm clocks that are jolting us from slumber. We sit up, blinking in the darkness for a moment before the September chill urges us to sink back down into our sheets while we decide to hit snooze once or twice.

Fall brings with it the opportunity to really experiment with layers, in fashion as well as in bedding. And this year, we are over the plain white match-y sheets and duvet. We want patterned sheets, and homey cozy quilts, and yummy knit throw blankets. We are adding and subtracting layers as we see fit, worrying less about matching throw pillows with bed skirts and focusing on the more important things in life, like whether we want coffee or hot chocolate in bed this morning.

Below, you'll find some of our favorites, free to mix and match any which way.

Photo Reference

marlena design group llc - 100 S. Madison St. Denver, CO. 80209