Outside of o–hanami (cherry blossom viewing), the ginkgo trees turning gold is one of the most important botanical moments in Tokyo. Traffic comes to a screeching halt, out come the cameras and the crowds. In general, I am a cool colors person. I tend to decorate with cool colors, dress in cool colors and my eye rarely responds to warm tones. But this autumn I am irresistibly drawn to the gorgeous golden ginkgo trees and the carpet of leaves they have strewn around Tokyo.

So how to add a bit of that golden goodness to my life? I went through my tear sheets to find some ideas.

Michael Maher’s New Jersey home has long been in my favorites. I love the pieces in the room and the soft buttery wash of the walls and fabrics.

This elegant New York City apartment designed by Paula Caravelli layers warm tones against a cool background. I love the formal furniture with the large modern abstract.

Grant White gives us a bit of gold and traditional fanciness in this apartment at the Dakota in NYC.

Strong lines and strong color in this modern Pennsylvania country living room from Jeffrey Bilhuber.

Strong lines with softer color in this modern Connecticut living room from Michael Leva.

Painted a soft yellow, Carol Glasser’s charming entry hall makes me feel all warm and sunny.

Brazilian fashion designer Carlos Miele’s bedroom has an ethnic mix with a bit of everything thrown in – Portuguese bed, ikat pillow, hide rug, modern painting and mirrored wall – but it is the coverlet that has me riveted.

Or how about this tropical paradise, elsewhere in South America?

And the color doesn’t have to come from fabric or paint, as shown here by designer Jonathan Berger. How about a bit of beautiful golden Biedermeier? I have been missing the glow of wood from the current trends in interiors.

Perhaps my favorite – Stephen Shubel’s bedroom with its luscious curtains and gilded accessories.

For a simple non-permanent solution, a bouquet of bright yellow flowers will do. I would happily take the Gracie wallpaper too…

My current solution for my craving for gold? This antique bamboo basket filled with the mikans I picked last week out in the countryside. Mikans are like mandarin oranges or tangerines, but not exactly like either, and more delicious!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am off to Guam (which is basically the equivalent of saying off to Florida) for family fun in the sun. Cheers!

Image Credits: 1-2 & 14, me, 3. Elle Decor, July 2007, photo credit: William Abranowicz, 4. Elle Decor, March 2010, photo credit: Simon Upton, 5. Grant White, 6. House Beautiful, March 2009, photo credit: Julian Wass,  7. Elle Decor, October 2004, photo credit: Pieter Estersohn, 8. Carol Glasser via Cote de Texas,  9. Elle Decor, October 1010, photo credit: Simon Upton, 10. Elle Decor, October 2007, photo credt: Simon Upton, 11 House Beautiful, July 2009, photo credit: Francesco Lagnese, 12. Stephen Shubel, 13. Elle Decor, September 2007, photo credit: William Waldron