Winter is well and truly here - the temperature has dropped massively, trees are adorning every household and Christmas fever has taken over Instagram.
Here are few little touches to make your home feel cosy and warm over these winter months.
1. Fairy Lights & Candlelight - All of the Lights
You can never have too many in my opinion. I am currently ordering more as I type! As much as statement pendant lights and chandeliers look impressive and really make a room, the warm soft ambiance of floor lamps, fairy lights and candles are the best for creating a cosy mood.
My favourites are battery powered copper wire lights that I normally order from eBay. They come in different lengths and are very flexible, meaning you can wrap them around almost anything. I tend to move them about the house to where my mood suits. Current favourite places are in lanterns and jars.
Also I have never been one for Christmas cushions but this H&M deer cushion was too cute to resist and it really helps make the room look cosy, bringing the Christmas cheer. I reckon I can get away with it all year round.
2. Festive Stars
These Rose and Grey stars were an absolute must when I visited the showroom in November. They are reasonably priced too. Again a few fairy lights, candles and a gorgeous mug of hot chocolate bring a subtle festive style into the house.
3. Christmas Quotes
The letter-board is perfect for adding little seasonal updates without breaking the bank. I used the smaller Rose & Grey star with the faux Eucalyptus stems that were bought from Home Sense last year. Nothing beats real Eucalyptus and the smell is divine but I love that I can have these all year round and the only maintenance they need is a bit of dusting every now and then!
4. Celebrate the Gloom
As much as the dark nights and mornings can play havoc with taking photos, I'm an advocate for embracing the darker light into your photos. Mid afternoon around dusk always seems perfect for me at the minute, with a bit of help from an extractor light this photo of my normally boring kitchen became really atmospheric. I introudced the faux Eucakyptus onto the worktop and it really lifts it!
5. Add a little Christmas Tree
This £10 Christmas Tree from Sainsburys is the perfect addition to the dining table even if I did have to trim it slightly to fit under the lights! It's also good for anyone with a small space to still bring the Christmas cheer into the home without breaking the bank. I dressed this with the battery powered fairy lights (no I am not being sponsored but I most definitely should be! :D) The pot was a bit ugly so I've just wrapped a bit of hessian around it for now, but I want to add some twine and ribbon to make it look a bit prettier when I have the time.
Another addition to the tree are these gorgeous Worker Bee decorations from Bonsall Mill. They are handmade by my lovely cousin, based in Derbyshire but made with Manchester grit and determination. They are the ultimate tribute to Manchester with the gorgeous little heart addition on the underside, I'm absolutely in love. There are also loads of other animals in the Countryside Christmas collection so go check them out if you are fans of handmade treasures you can keep forever.
6. And Finally...
Grab a cuppa, a few mince pies and a good interiors mag. Now is the time to take some time off, surround yourself with loved ones and get some good old rest. Christmas used to be a dreaded time as 10 years in retail ruined all the festive ideals for me but now I relish being able to take a couple of days off with the fire blazing and a good old Christmas film. Go on, you deserve it!
