Hibernation

photo from here.

I was recently inspired by Douglas Elliman's Florida real estate office to write a post about making one's home cosy for winter. I was delighted as this is my kind of topic and I had been thinking of making a few changes to my own living room, and was spurred on to do it!

I don't know about you but once Christmas is over and the decorations are down the place can seem a little drab and dreary, with all the sparkle packed away for another year. I know that one can then become a bit obsessed with Spring, constantly wishing for it. Let's face it, certainly here in the U.K. we could have a few more months of cold, wet, windy weather. So why not embrace it, unleash the 'hygge', make a cosy corner for reading, listening to music, sewing or knitting. Surround yourself with comfort and indulge in a little pampering. Have candles at the ready, something lovely to eat, a warming drink, something inviting to read, or just look at, and a comfortable chair with a cosy throw. I'm ready to hibernate, are you?

Three years ago I felt inspired to give my living room a French ski chalet feel, I painted the wooden floor to look like stone slabs, and painted the chimney breast with a pattern to look like wallpaper, with woodland animals, Christmas trees and chalets. My family thought I had lost the plot and couldn't think what it would be like once Christmas was over. I however, love Christmas and snowy, wintry places. My room faces North East and doesn't get any sun until the evening, so I rather enjoy having it cosy, the pattern on the chimney is quite subtle and so doesn't take over. The rest of the walls were colourwashed using Autentico's chalk paint in a warm grey colour called Dolphin. I still enjoy the way the room is decorated but just wanted to ring the changes with a little bit of warmth and depth.
 I have had a colour in my mind for a long time that I wanted to add to the room but was finding  it difficult to pin down on a colour chart. I wanted the colour of old leather books, tan, but faded, or the colour of whisky or brandy in a glass with light coming through it. I do like to make life difficult for myself.

image from Ralph Lauren

image from here

I decided the best way was to colourwash the walls. I mixed my own wash using powder pigment  in raw sienna, burnt sienna and vegetable black, then I added a little chalk paint in Cappucino to bind it and a lot of water. I used a large brush to paint it on with and then a cloth to get the cloudy effect. It took 4 layers to get the right effect, but it is quite quick to do, as you need to work fast to prevent getting a hard edge. I was very happy with the finished result an it immediately made my room feel more cosy. I decided to wash 2 lampshades that were very white.

My pretty lady has her best beads on!

My furniture was all grey so it still tied in with the new scheme apart from a bookcase which was blue/grey on the outside. I painted this with Rustoleum Chalk Paint in Flint. My room was now beginning to take shape. I just needed certain ingredients to make it more cosy. I added some candlelight which always softens and warms up your surroundings. The next step was to light the fire, a big hit with everyone, including the 2 dogs. There was a smattering of snow outside, but we were warm as toast inside.

I previously had silver things in my room. I always enjoy something shiny to reflect the light, but felt that gold or brass would now look better. I know its's not terribly fashionable but I have inherited a love of brass from my mother.

I have a favourite painting that my sister did a few years ago in the naiive style of an elegant country house, it makes a cosy collection on  the mantelpiece with other houses.

A faux fur throw on the chair comes in handy when the fire is fading.

Another cosy trick is to bring a little of the outside in. As the weather is cold and blustering ouside enjoy some spring bulbs inside, and something green always gives your room more life and energy.

Scent is an important element too and I am not yet ready to give up the smell of my home made pot pourri containing dried oranges, anise, cloves, cinnamon for something lighter and fresher just yet.

I hope you have enjoyed taking a look at my home and it's ever evolving interiors. The sofa is my next job, you will note it has been safely hidden from view. It needs to have a makeover. I really would love a new one, but with a dog and a puppy I don't see that happening any time soon. I plan to make a washable cover from a natural linen and to change the cushions for something plainer. 

Wishing you all a cosy winter, in anticipation of warmer days ahead. Linda xx