Autumn at Boxwood Old Town: A Season of Warmth, Art, and Elegance

Fall has finally slipped into Old Town, and I could not be happier. I live for the change of seasons, the first crisp morning that begs for a sweater, the slow turning of the leaves along our streets, and the comforting scents that drift from my kitchen when pumpkin bread is in the oven and a pot of homemade soup is simmering on the stove. That same warmth has swept through Boxwood. Our whole team has been buzzing as the shop transforms for the season.

Our boutique window by Mickey Sauls is a little work of theater —layered, clever, and downright magical – as our resident transformation guru has woven the entire space together with her signature touch. And because good things love company, we’re over the moon to welcome French artist and illustrator Aurélie Baudry Palmer for a “Meet the Artist” gathering on Tuesday, October 7. I can’t wait for you to experience her charming, luminous world with us.

Inside the shop, fall has a way of making every corner feel like home. We chose pieces that bring the season’s mood to life – subtle, elegant, and warm – so you can set a table, a mantel, or a tiny bedside tray that quietly says, “welcome home.”

I’m smitten with our new Verba candles this year. Their pumpkins, squash, and corn look astonishingly real, little sculptures that turn into soft, flickering light. When they’re lit, they feel like a gentle wink to the harvest season…graceful, a touch whimsical, and instantly elegant. Our staff favorites include the Pumpkin Candle in Terracotta, the Corn Cob Pillar Candle and the Fall Pumpkin Candle in Terracotta.

We are thrilled to announce we will continue this collection throughout the holiday season with trees, nutcracker, snowflake, and Santa candles beautifully detailed and quietly sculptural. They are perfect for mantels, tablescapes, and thoughtful gifting all season long.

We also leaned into scent because fragrance is the heartbeat of autumn. LAFCO’s new arrivals capture the cozy side of the season with Spiced Pomander and Pumpkin Seed & Candlewood – warm, inviting, and perfect for evenings at home when the daylight fades early and you want the room to feel like a hug.

For a bit of personality (and a smile), Anecdote delivered three crowd-pleasers, each as fun as its name. Dinner Party (saffron and sage) brings that savory, golden-hour glow, Cocktail Hour (cognac and tarragon) is smooth, unexpected, and just a little bit mischievous, and Charcuterie Board (hot honey and pepper) is playful and cozy, like a great conversation around a full table.

Tables deserve their own little moment this time of year, and Roseanne Beck makes it effortless. We’ve curated a delightful mix of tablescapes and a trio of placemats that feel festive without being fussy: an orange pumpkin with fall leaves pash, a pumpkin foliage with brown chinoiserie pash, and a hydrangea and pumpkin assortment pash. Pair them with our assortment of mix and match Caspari fall napkins and you’ll have a setting that looks special on a Tuesday night and celebratory on a Saturday.

One of my favorite parts of the season is lifting up our local artists. Meg Carter, dear friend and Alexandria treasure, has refreshed our selection with her beautifully made earrings, necklaces, scarves, and a charming UVA Rotunda dish that makes a thoughtful gift or keepsake. There’s something grounding about wearing or gifting work that’s been thoughtfully created by a neighbor because it ties us to place in the best possible way. See her Oak Leaf Pear Drops, Elle’s Acorn Chain and Acorn Pear Drops.

I can’t talk about local art without beaming about my dear friend (and fierce MahJong teacher!), Judy Heiser. Judy’s a stunning painter whose work lives at the intersection of Contemporary Fine Art and Abstract Expressionism. She builds her canvases in rich, thoughtful layers, charcoal, acrylic, ink, encaustic, graphite, pastels, and oils, letting the method set the mood and invite life onto the surface.

What I love most is her unmistakable hand: bold brushwork, sweeping strokes, and vibrant color that feels both spontaneous and deeply intentional. Judy is an action painter, and each piece hums with discovery and a little mystery, the kind that keeps you coming back for one more look. Her contemporary palette carries the season beautifully, and her paintings bring energy, texture, and conversation to any room. Autumn Upon Us beautifully distills her voice, capturing the essence of the season. We’re so proud to share her work at Boxwood.

Fall at Boxwood is about atmosphere more than anything else. It’s the small rituals – the candle you light when you get home, the napkins you lay out for a simple supper, the necklace you put on that makes you stand a bit taller. It’s about creating a home that feels like you, and a season that feels memorable without any extra fuss.

We hope you’ll stop by soon to 1205 King Street to soak in the window (thank you, Mickey!), wander the new displays, and say hello to the team. And please mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 7 to meet Aurélie Baudry Palmer. We can’t wait to share her artistry with you and to toast the coziest season of the year together.

With warmth and gratitude—

Joanna

P.S. We also have two great promos going on now: Zafferano Lamps and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.