A seasonal post to inspire some home decor today! Better late than never, right? If you follow me on Instagram (@amieelwhite), you'll have seen a few crisp white spaces and some dark cosy corners which just scream winter, along with my excitement for darker nights and frosty days. You'll also know that I love Christmas, and spend hours in department stores looking for my own inspiration amongst their glittering displays. But one thing I prioritise is interiors which stand the test of time and can carry us through seasons without being attached to one single event or style. Although Christmas defines Winter for many, it should not define your home decor entirely. In simplest terms, your home should be liveable and lovable beyond this, whilst providing the best base for all your baubles, wreaths and glitter, and for your spring clean which follows. There are so many ways you can cosy up your space for Winter, so I've selected a few of my go-to essentials that can be switched out with ease or kept relevant and stylish for future months when the ice begins to melt.
1. Layers. They aren't just an essential for your body. Layers play a key part in the physical warmth of your space as well as the psychological welcome that your home offers - the first key principle for Winter styling. Textiles absorb the heat lost through bare walls and solid surfaces. In effect, thick knits and mohair blankets continue to provide you with warmth whether you're underneath them or not. I always love to mix different textures and the more you do so, the more luxurious your winter space will become. Given the choice, keep your pallet crisp whites and greys, or go natural with creams, wool and furs. But don't be afraid to test colours and patterns too. My bed is currently styled with a Burberry check and a dusky pink velvet over the top, with an oversized knit to add to the mix soon. The selection below is all from NEXT Home so you can see how accessible and how gorgeous mix and match layers can be.
2. Lighting. Don't underestimate the importance of lighting for both day time and night. During the day, you want to get as much natural lighting as your space will allow - so open those curtains and make the window space as eye-catching as possible. Use your accessories to draw the eyes to this area, especially golds and silvers which will reflect any coming in. Mirrors are also a great way to do this, just make sure they don't reflect the sun directly.
Come evening time, it's all about the ambience. You want to soften the tones and create warmth and welcome to ease you from the day's events. Use golden glows, candles, darkened shades and lots of lamps. Yes, fairy lights are allowed. But please stay away from rainbow colours and garish flashing which only serve to agitate the atmosphere. One of my favourite styles of lighting to serve this purpose is sconce lighting - these are a chic way to get a soft stream of light in one area so that shadows form elsewhere to create those cosy corners. Even more glam is in-floor lighting like used in the home below. I am trying to get my parents to run these through their conservatory, so if anybody has them please do send me pictures so I can prove how gorgeous they are!
3. Candles are an essential to any Winter interior. They add atmospheric light, add warmth, and of course they smell great. Whether you're a fan of fresh peppermint or candy flavours, love the comfort of cinnamon and tobacco, or go herbal with thyme and sage, there is a huge range of scents that have the ability to take your Winter interior from display-only to a complete sensory experience. Play with clusters and heights, and add glam with fashioned candle holders and platters. If your guests are dispersed throughout the house then use different scents between rooms to maximise on stimulating the olfactory system with each new space. There are numbers of articles online and in-store experiences where experts will talk to you about how certain notes can alter a persons psychological state. I love these experiences and learn so much every time. so would definitely recommend it. Some of my favourite candles and Winter scents to follow:
4. Colour scheming? Go Mono. Black and white, cosy and cold, like coal and snow. Dress it up with colour or keep it raw. There is no way you won't be able to carry monochrome into the new season and every season after that, no matter where your interior journey takes you. That's why it's always bang on trend. It's also fantastic for table decor (coming up below...)
5. As always, add Greens. Make them relevant - use ivies, ferns and herbs, with warm coloured flowers or bold roses and white snowdrops. For your garland, go natural and rustic, laced with dried fruits and crimson berries. Come Christmas, add draping bows and glitter-covered stems for extra sparkle. When you de-decorate, the garland can stay and be used as a base for freesias, bluebells and candy shaded ribbons in the spring.
6. Manners. (Table manners, that is!) This is all part of the 'Welcome to my home' aura you want to radiate any time friends or family invite themselves through your door without any previous notice. It also gives a personal satisfaction and pride, just knowing that your table is already set and ready to be used, laced with glamour and waiting for compliments. Centrepieces add atmosphere, whilst silver wear, serving platters and set places add sophistication and organisation. Pay attention to small details and ensure that everything has its place. So, when people do arrive, you can concentrate on being the hostess with mostest, without stressing about the location of your napkins.
7. Last but not least, my 3 C's of Winter: Cognac, Cointreau and Clicquot. Whether mastering the art of the cocktail or keeping it simple and straight, a bar is the ideal place to showcase your drinks collection and more importantly, the gorgeous accessories which go with it. Just like your dining space, this is an area where you can really show off your decor style and be as outrageous or as traditional as you wish. Alessi and Audenza are my current favourites.
So there it is, my Winter essentials. Add each of these to your home and your space will become the welcome retreat from Winter blues that creep up once the big day has passed. My main point from this post really is to remind you that however you choose to accessorise your home this Winter, do it with love. That's what this season is all about, and what better way to show it than the place you live in. Let the festivities begin! x