Tara's October Letter

We are now in full autumnal glory, as the trees turn amber and gold before winter arrives. It is one of my favourite times of the year: a season of fire and farewells, with the flaming colours of autumn foliage, berries and flowers at their finest.

Bringing autumn indoors

This is the moment to bring autumn indoors, with vases of birch and crab apple branches, rose hips, hydrangeas and autumn foliage from the garden and nearby hedgerows.

At the beginning of October I start collecting miniature pumpkins, gourds and squashes to dot around the home and decorate the dining table, setting the scene for autumn. It is something I have always done, and it has become a tradition at this time of year.

A season of fire and farewells.

My dahlias and rudbeckias are still flourishing outside, and they join the pumpkins on the autumn table. A few coloured glass votives dotted around the table are the final touch.

Two events to look forward to

PAD London, held in October in Berkeley Square in London's Mayfair, is London's leading fair for 20th-century design and decorative arts. It is the sister fair to PAD Paris, which takes place every April in the beautiful surroundings of the Jardin des Tuileries, and it inspires collectors, art consultants, museum experts, interior specialists, design practitioners and the general public alike.

Then there is the 'Spirit of Christmas' fair at Olympia London, one of my favourite end-of-year events: a superb Christmas shopping occasion featuring the best small, independent boutiques and British artisan producers.

Both are well worth the visit, and I look forward to them every year.