Southwest Florida is a melting pot, with many of its full and part time residents making the year-round paradise their home. Drawn to the warm weather, verdant nature, and proximity to the Gulf coast, many northern Americans have transplanted to the sunshine state. For some, trading the autumnal changing leaves for palm trees is bittersweet, especially this time of year when the flavors and scents of the season remind us of home. For this edition of our mini-series Destination Inspiration, Dwayne shares some tips for inviting fall into your Floridian home to evoke the charm and warmth of New England.

While Florida’s coast offers year-round water sports and pleasant seaside living, New England is a coastal community of a different kind. Rugged and unpredictable, dotted with inlets and harbors, it defines the communities that have tamed the natural resource over generations. The rocky coast lends itself to visions of rustic cabins, mysterious waters, blazing campfires, and heartwarming meals. To achieve a New England inspired coastal design style in your Southwest Florida home, consider incorporating natural stones like slate and fieldstone, juxtaposed with weathered wood and patinaed metals to evoke the north shores.