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October Is For Preparing | The Lavish Letter No. 08

Published about 18 hours ago • 3 min read

KEY DATES

October 10 | New Moon and my son turns 17

A new cycle begins. Set an intention for what you want.

October 19 | My birthday

A moment to reflect with gratitude and look ahead with intention.

October 25 | Full Hunter's Moon

Pause to reflect on what’s grown since you set your intention.

October 31 | Halloween

A little imagination, a little magic, and something sweet.

November 01 | Daylight Saving Time Ends

Set the clocks back and settle into the slower rhythm of fall.

A Note from Carrissa

October in Missouri asks you to be ready for a little of everything. One day it's 90 degrees and the next barely reaches the 70s. Some days start with cool mornings as everyone heads out the door, turn warm by afternoon, and bring a chill again by evening. Layers are the only answer.

The fall equinox arrived last week, marking the shift into shorter days and longer evenings. I always feel that change. I find myself getting ready for the season ahead and looking forward to the house feeling cozier.

This week I'm swapping summer clothes for fall ones and pulling out the fall decor, which always feels like the moment the season becomes real. And as the weather cools, my mind starts preparing for the holidays too, even before the pumpkins are out.

THIS MONTH ON THE BLOG

Preparing for the season ahead has me thinking about the details that help a home work well every day. That's the idea behind this month's post. Custom Home Details You'll Be Glad You Thought About Before Building covers the small decisions that make everyday life easier, from where the holiday lights plug in to where the laundry baskets go. Many of them are easiest to make before construction begins.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

September's post on high quality furniture walks through where to invest and where to save, with my picks for credenzas, counter stools and accent chairs.

As the evenings cool down, the accent chair is the one I keep coming back to. If it's your chair, the one where you read or have your coffee, it's worth investing in comfort and quality. If it mainly finishes a room, you can spend less and still get the look.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

A night with Marie Flanigan. At a Metro Lighting event in September, which John and I turned into a date night, I got to meet designer Marie Flanigan, author of The Perfect Room and the designer behind a lighting collection for Visual Comfort. Hearing how she has built her studio and leads her team was inspiring, and a good reminder of what's possible in this industry. I came home with two signed copies of her book.

New connections. I've been reaching out to more professionals in the area, and in September I had great conversations with a couple of luxury custom home builders and a local architect. I'm grateful for people who see the value of bringing design into the process early, and I'm excited to see where these relationships lead.

A new project. I'm starting a lower-level renovation, and we're still working through the best floor plan. Our first meeting with the homeowners and contractor is on the calendar, and I'm looking forward to getting into all the details.

The 2027 calendar is here. I designed it so your whole year sits on one page, where the things that matter most can go on the calendar first. After hearing from people who loved the idea but didn't have room for a 48-inch calendar, I added a compact size that fits on a door or smaller wall. The Signature Kit is coordinated the way I'd coordinate a room: warm notes with a gold marker for Sandstone Gold, cool notes with a silver marker for Gallery Gray. If you're already looking ahead to next year, it's not too early to start mapping it out.

The Signature Calendar Kit​
36 × 48 inches · Sandstone Gold or Gallery Gray · $50

  • Six pads of transparent notes
  • Matched metallic marker
  • Calendar Guide and Weekly Planner

The Compact Calendar​
18 × 24 inches · Sandstone Gold or Gallery Gray · $35

  • Sized for a door or smaller wall
  • Plan with your own pens
  • Calendar Guide and Weekly Planner

CLOSING THOUGHT

October asks us to prepare: for cooler mornings, busier calendars and the holidays ahead. Our homes can be prepared too. When the small details are planned with care, a home quietly takes care of the little things, so you don't have to.

With gratitude,
Carrissa

Thank you for supporting Lavish.

Lavish Interiors and More

Carrissa Hickey

Level up your home with intentional design guidance, seasonal inspiration, and expert styling insights from Lavish Interiors and More. Each month, you’ll receive curated ideas to help you create a home that feels calm, beautiful, and deeply personal—without the overwhelm.

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