Stephen says, "As the days get shorter, lighting becomes an even more important design element. Chinese Lantern LED Lights add warmth and are perfect for the fall season."

Designer Stephen Saint-Onge

Stephen Saint-Onge, is a designer who is all about helping people make their homes be the best they can be — no matter who they are, where they are or how big or small their house is.

On his website and in his recent top-selling book, No Place Like Home, Stephen points to Gardener’s Supply as a favorite resource. Why us? Stephen believes our products are functional and stylish with a design approach that works for busy families.

We love his design approach and the recent photos he shot of our fall home décor and harvest-keeping products.

Changing rooms around at this time of year reflects the turning of the season. It's nice to have change. A simple addition of a wreath, such as this Harvest Wreath, can transform a door inside or outside. Or put it up over the mantel instead of the mirror or painting that is always there. Change is good.

These Birch Pillar Sleeves bring in that feeling of being at the lake or in the mountains — a perfect centerpiece or foyer table accent. Again, LED lights make it safe. The light looks like real flickering candles. I love that.

As a dad, safety is always a concern with kids around. I like the fact that the Pumpkin Lantern glows with light from safe LED bulbs. Plus, it's a great-looking harvest decoration that can be used inside or outside.

I love the look of these Wirework Storage Baskets with Jute Liners on the kitchen countertop with onions, potatoes or other things gathered in them.

Use Wirework Storage Baskets with Jute Liners in the pantry, or even in the kid's room for storing small items.

The Green Stoneware Compost Crock makes it easy for all of us to remember to compost our food scraps. Love the green glaze and it has a charcoal filter so there’s no odor. This is especially important when you’re busy and forget to empty it for a few days.

The Pear Fruit Fly Trap is a great solution for those that like having fresh fruit in bowls around their kitchens. A simple product that solves the fruit fly problem.

I love to cook, so I like having lemons, apples or other things at my fingertips. This 2-Tiered Counter Basket is something you can have right on your countertop.

I'm a big fan of chalkboard walls and signs — so the idea that you can organize your life with labeling bins in chalk — I'm all for that. Love the rustic feel and the slate surfaces of this Wall Organizer.

I love the Orchard Basket because of its vintage feel, yet it is very practical. In fact, I used it for my own apple harvest. It's also great for gathering kindling for the fireplace.

This practical Wine Bottle Stopper makes a great hostess present or just a gift for the wine lover or gardener.

I love to garden, so it's nice to have this Twine Dispenser, which is stylish enough to have in an open area.

Something so simple and stylish: Leaf Magnets. An instant reminder of fall in Vermont — whether in your office, kitchen or another location where you need magnets.

These Stone Owls are fun for the garden — just to have them around in various places or use them as creative paperweights in your home office. Something fun.

Budget Design Tips

Create a "look book" full of inspiring ideas from rooms in magazines, catalogs, notes from TV shows, movies, etc. When it comes time to make decisions about your likes and dislikes, you will have creative direction at your fingertips. Also, having a visual is a great way for couples to get agreement on a look or style.

Rework and rearrange what you currently have in the space. If you're designing a living room, veer from the traditional seating area and create different inviting spaces. For a bedroom, position your bed against another wall to change the flow of the space. Simply reorganizing what you already have will help you see the space from a fresh perspective, and you haven't even spent a dime.

Super Bright LED Tea Light

Don't feel compelled to buy everything for a different look. Redesigning can be as simple as new end tables and slipcovers or splurging on your favorite sofa. Focus your budget on accessories, such as throw pillows, interesting artwork, frames, books or candles. I love placing candles in a room, but if you have small children, allergies or are concerned about safety, consider using the LED votives or tea lights. These candles give you the look and feel of candlelight without the associated risk of an open flame.

If you don't know what your style is, determine a theme for the room. Themes help simplify your styling needs.

The background of any room is color. Painting a room is the most dramatic and inexpensive way to change the look of any room, large or small. Particularly in a small space, you shouldn't be afraid to work with color, even dark colors.

In small spaces, ceilings can help make a room look larger. A fun trick is adding trim five feet up on the wall around the room. Everything below the trim is painted white, and everything above, including the ceiling, is painted a darker shade or coordinated color. This color scheme helps create an infinite look to the ceiling, which gives the illusion of more height and space in the room.

Winter Branch Lights (set of three)

Whether it’s accent lighting such as Branch Lights or using the outdoors, lighting is key. To bring in more natural lighting, consider removing bulky or dated window treatments. Changing fixtures can also help brighten up the room.

If your room is carpeted, consider replacing it with hardwoods. Wood floors are a great way to open the space, and wood allows light to bounce off the floor, which reinforces the effect more openness. If you're using hardwood, area rugs are a great way to define seating arrangements or a place of interest in the room.

From a design perspective, technology can often take up a great deal of room, especially in a small space. Be smart about turning to products that are designed to make your life simpler, more efficient, and stylish.

More About Stephen Saint-Onge

A longtime friend of Gardener's Supply, Stephen's work is featured in magazines, such as Family Circle and Better Homes and Gardens and on television programs, such as Today, The Early Show, CNN, the Oprah Winfrey Network and The View, where he is known as Designer Dad. Stephen pays keen attention to the family-focused lifestyle and home with his many creative projects. Stephen believes that "good home design has the power to change your life."

His new book is No Place Like Home: Tips and Techniques for Real Family-Friendly Home Design. In the book, he speaks about his Vermont upbringing, and how it made him the designer he is today

Learn more at stephensaintonge.com and his posts on his blog, Designer Dad.