The Viral 'Strega Nona Fall' Aesthetic Proves Grandma Knows Best—Here's How to Get the Nostalgic Look

Bring the storybook character's impeccably cozy and witchy vibes into your space.

Brat Summer is solidly in the rearview and the leaves are brilliant shades of red and orange. We're deep into fall now, but not just regular fall—it’s Strega Nona Fall.

Maybe you recall Strega Nona from childhood. She’s the subject of Tomie dePaola’s eponymous children’s book . Originally published in 1975, the book follows Strega Nona, or “Grandma Witch,” and her helper, Big Anthony, as she produces potions and cures in her corner of Calabria, Italy. She’s also the keeper of a magical pasta pot that’s always full, naturally.

Strega Nona effortlessly cultivates a cozy aesthetic, with elements of witchiness and cottagecore . It’s exactly the vibe that TikTokers are embracing this autumn.

To channel Strega Nona yourself, you’ll want to pay special attention to accessories for your kitchen and living areas. Ahead, design experts share their tips for achieving her look in your home.

Meet Our Expert

• Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum , better known as the Brownstone Boys
• Madelaine Mayer , founder and design principal at AD:ROIT Architecture and Interior Design

Load Up on Candles

The Grandma witches of medieval folklore were certainly champions of soft, dim lighting—the kind you get from, say, dozens of candles .

“Strega Nona did not have electricity,” reasons Mayer. “And there are few things that feel more magical than lots of candles placed on every available surface in a room.”

While plenty of taper and pillar candles will do the trick, Mayer points to a freshly baked bread-scented candle from The Burlap Bag. There are also baguette-shaped candles, noodle-shaped candles, and even a pasta-water scented one. These embrace staying inside and overloading on carbs, Mayer jokes.

Hang Up Your Pots and Pans

For Slocum and Bordelon, the magic of the Strega Nona aesthetic is the way her odds and ends complement one another without coordinating. They recommend using a hanging rod to display vintage items like copper pots, then incorporating cutting boards and other organic wood accents. “Pair with vintage cookbooks for spellbinding style,” they say.

Opt for Fresh Herbs and Plants

You’ll want to add more potted plants into your kitchen. Opt for particularly aromatic ones, Mayer explains, like rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil—all the Italian herb staples .

“These are your basic ingredients for any potion, and really, what is a great meal if not a magic potion to care for yourself and others?” she says.

Creating a natural and slightly woodsy scent will underscore the comforting atmosphere you’re curating, no matter if you live in a high-rise apartment or a house in the suburbs.

Invest in Runners and Rugs

If witches love anything, it’s playing with (and mixing) fabrics and patterns.

“ Rugs play a huge role in warming up a space, and one thing we've done in our own home as well as our projects has been customizing our stair runners with multiple vintage rugs,” say Slocum and Bordelon. “Combining multiple textiles that complement but don't necessarily coordinate is a great way to bring texture, warmth, and eclectic Strega Nona charm.”

Embrace an Abundance of Books

To embrace a character from literature, you must also embrace books.

“There is something inherently magical about old libraries and overcrowded bookshops, and this feeling is so easy to recreate—just leave your books out!” Mayer says.

Create small piles on tables, under chars, and even on the floor. She recommends scouring flea markets and thrift stores for used versions to fully embrace a vintage feel.

Find the Perfect Rocking Chair

During a recent project in Brooklyn , the Brownstone Boys found a vintage rocking chair to top off the bedroom’s old-world charm. You can do something similar to live as Strega Nona does.

“The best way to channel your inner witchy grandmother is to cosplay as her in a vintage rocking chair,” they say. “Give yourself a space to sip tea, chuckle at the children, and watch all the happenings of a town you love so much.”

Feed Your Friends

“Strega Nona fed and cared for her entire village,” Mayer reasons. With that in mind, she recommends cooking a giant bowl of pasta for the people you care about. Light your many candles and offer up a magical cure in the form of home cooking.