Podcast Summary: Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode: 2025 Fall Favorites: Must-Have Interior Design Picks For The Season

Date: August 28, 2025

Hosts: Jessica Bennett, Suzanne Hall, and guest Corey
Podcast Description: Jessica and Suzanne of Alice Lane Interior Design share their top fall design favorites and tips for making your home cozy, stylish, and ready for the season, with lively banter and expert insights.

Overview

This episode is a deep dive into the hosts’ favorite fall interior design must-haves, mixing practical designer tips and trending picks with playful, witty conversation. The team walks listeners through everything from cozy textures and scented candles, to movie recommendations and entertaining essentials for autumn. Whether you want to totally refresh your living space or just add a few thoughtful touches, you’ll finish this episode ready for sweater weather.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating Fall: A Designer's Perspective

00:22–01:14

• The hosts agree: fall is the most romantic and magical season, especially in Utah with its pronounced, colorful change.
• Jessica: “I always want it to last longer than it does… it can be like a snap. I just love a long fall.” (01:03)
• The purpose of the episode: share favorite seasonal tips and tricks ("all the tricks that we do as designers") for transforming your home for autumn.

2. Favorite Fall Movies: Setting the Seasonal Mood

03:28–06:57

• Fall is movie season for the hosts, a time to "hibernate and start to cuddle" (Jessica, 03:54).
• Movie recommendations:
  • Remember the Titans & Friday Night Lights (“very fall, like football... Football starts. There’s something so magical...” – Jessica, 04:44)
  • Good Will Hunting (“It’s inspiring but also emotional, too.” – Corey, 05:17)
  • You’ve Got Mail (“The obvious answer, of course.” – Suzanne, 05:44)
  • Gilmore Girls background comfort (“so wholesome and sweet and funny” – Suzanne, 05:48)
  • One Fine Day, Sweet Home Alabama, 100 Foot Journey (“It is like one of my top, like probably top 10 movies. I love it so much. It’s beautiful.” – Jessica, 06:46)

3. Designer’s #1 Fall Tip: Foraging for Live Branches

07:03–11:28

• Suzanne’s top tip: Bring in nature with live branches, which are abundant and beautiful in fall.

  • “I always keep snips in my car because you just never know when you’re going to come across a flowering tree... I love foraging, and I think this is, like, the easiest thing for anyone to do to bring fall into their home.” – Jessica, 07:14
  • Pro tip: Use Fiskars snips (“You can get them at Home Depot... so lightweight and the engineering of them is so easy to clamp.” – Jessica, 08:16/Bennett, 08:42)

• Vessel choice is key:

  • For taller ceilings: Large ginger jars like the Opal Shell Jar.
  • For lower ceilings: More squat, weighted blue and white jars with a narrower mouth.

4. Adding Layers for Fall: Pillows, Throws, and Ottomans

11:32–18:58

• Textiles bring the warmth:

  • Emphasis on velvets, warm colors (olives, mustards, rusts), and animal prints. (“The 70s is having a massive moment.” – Suzanne, 12:55)
  • “You don’t need a lot of pillows, you just need good pillows... get the good one, get the shearling.” – Jessica, 15:57

• Unique shapes add interest:

  • Ball (sphere) pillows in real shearling are a luxe, whimsical touch (“It adds whimsy, I think, to the house.” – Jessica, 16:13).
  • Mushroom ottomans—for extra seating or style (“This shape, again, back to the 70s, that mushroom shape is so iconic... I dig it. I’m so into it.” – Jessica, 17:08)

• Throws: Preferably mohair or faux fur for cozying up ("The bubble cuddle blanket from Cozy Earth… softest blanket I’ve ever experienced." – Suzanne, 19:38)

5. Home Fragrance: Sophisticated Fall Scents

20:35–26:24

• Avoid cliché pumpkin spice; opt for deeper, more mysterious scents.

  • “I don’t want to smell pumpkin spice... you want to keep it a little mysterious, a little smoky and luxurious.” – Jessica, 21:11

• Three candle picks:

  1. 1889 Trapper: “Oak, moss, oud, cloves, and deep amber… ambiguous and so good.” – Jessica, 23:09
  2. Lafco Big Sky: “Pink pepper, cognac, and patchouli... you feel like a wealthy rancher when you smell it.” – Jessica, 25:25
  3. Lola James Harper Alice Lane Home: “The vessel looks like fall to me... it smells vintage.” – Corey, 25:52

6. Well-Dressed Details: Tassels and Candlelight

26:24–32:23

• Ivory key tassels:

  • Hang on doors, lamps, or gifts for a traditional, layered touch (“Traditional is trending, and there’s nothing more traditional than a tassel.” – Jessica, 28:12).

• Candlesticks & lighting for romance and sparkle:

  • Keep the lighting low; use beeswax tapers for a warm glow ("Let me just say, fall is for keeping the lights down low, the lamps on, and lighting the candles." – Suzanne, 28:24)
  • Crystal candlesticks: For “sparkle and a wetness that we always love” – Jessica, 31:19

7. Bedroom & Entertaining Essentials for Fall

32:23–36:01

• Cozy layers for the bedroom:

  • Switch white bedding for stripes, velvets, and deeper tones (Favorite: LeapCo workshop stripe duvet – “I feel like his [Ralph Lauren's] best friend sometimes when I walk past my bed.” – Jessica, 33:38)
  • Linens from Belgium for natural, long-lasting coziness.

• Entertaining with style:

  • Teak grazing boards for casual, "effortless" snacks or appetizers ("You just need a grazing board... throw it on there and you’re gonna look like you went up to Sundance to eat." – Suzanne, 35:04)
  • Crystal lamps for extra sparkle during dark months.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Fall is the most romantic season. Well, it’s here.” – Suzanne, 01:13
• “I always keep snips in my car... foraging is the easiest thing for anyone to do to bring fall into their home.” – Jessica, 07:14
• “You don’t need a lot of pillows, just need good pillows.” – Jessica, 15:57
• “No zebras were harmed in the making of this, but you get that.” – Jessica, 14:17
• “Let me just say, fall is for keeping the lights down low, the lamps on, and lighting the candles.” – Suzanne, 28:24
• “You feel like a wealthy rancher when you smell it.” – Jessica, 25:25
• “Traditional is trending, and there’s nothing more traditional than a tassel.” – Jessica, 28:12
• “My life is a party.” – Suzanne, 31:43

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Fall arrival, why it’s magic | 00:22–01:14 | | Seasonal movie favorites | 03:28–06:57 | | Foraging branches & vessels | 07:03–11:28 | | Cozy layers: pillows, ball pillows, ottomans | 11:32–18:58 | | Throws & Cozy Earth blanket | 19:03–20:35 | | Fall scents & best candles | 20:35–26:24 | | Tassels & designer details | 26:24–28:24 | | Candlesticks, lighting, crystal candlesticks | 28:24–32:23 | | Bedroom fall bedding picks | 32:23–34:44 | | Grazing boards/entertaining | 34:47–35:46 | | Crystal lamps & wrapping up the fall look | 35:46–37:53 |

Summary & Takeaways

The Dear Alice team’s fall favorites episode is a master class on layering home (and life) with intention and style for autumn. From foraged branches in striking vessels, to rich textile layers and designer-worthy scents, the hosts break down exactly how to evoke warmth, sophistication, and a bit of whimsy in every space. Their witty, approachable banter makes even the highest-end designer tips feel attainable. Fall is for slowing down, cozying up, and refreshing your home’s spirit—and Jessica, Suzanne, and Corey offer the inspiration (and product recs) to make it happen.

Pro-Tip Recap (36:48):

• Get a pair of snips for foraging
• Stock up on jars/vessels appropriate for your ceiling height
• Invest in a few high-quality, textural pillows and throws
• Try a uniquely shaped pillow or ottoman for a whimsical designer touch
• Burn a sophisticated, autumnal candle (not pumpkin spice!)
• Add details like tassels and crystal candlesticks
• Switch up bedding and lighting for extra fall coziness

Listening not required – you'll have your fall transformation plan!