Creating a Cozy Home
Old Man Winter is out in full force and most of us are huddled in our homes trying to keep cozy. I try not to make my winter decor too heavy. Instead, I like to use candles and a snuggly throw or two.
The first thing that comes to mind when creating a cozy home is to add blankets and pillows.
Lots of fluffy things to keep you warm on a cold winter’s day!
At my desk, a chenille throw adds softness and provides warmth if a draft comes through the door.
But more important to me than a knitted throw is plenty of natural light!
The days are short so I try and capture as much daylight as I can. For me, the warmth of the sun is the best way of creating a cozy home. If you look at Scandinavian interiors, the color palette has lots of white to combat the long hours of darkness. In Stockholm, there’s only an average 6 hours of daylight in January. Go slightly further north and the days are even shorter!
To help bounce the light around, I use lots of mirrors in my house.
The butterfly prints remind me that spring is on the way!
Cozy textures like a barn wood shelf and well-worn vintage books keep the decor from feeling cold.
The aqua bottles add the slightest shade of blue – similar to the hue seen in drifts of snow.
A small white vintage mirror is layered with a larger gray mirror.
If you can layer blankets, why not layer mirrors?
The reflection in the mirror shows all the light I’m trying to capture during the winter months.
What better way for creating a cozy home than enjoying the warmth of natural sunlight?
Shiny surfaces help reflect the light on gray days.
A twine bow and a twig of greenery softens this vignette.
In the dining room beyond, a trio of white candles creates a cozy glow.
In the adjoining living room, I added more candles tucked in mason jars. Wine corks add texture.
It goes without saying, of course, that a smooth glass of wine always helps in making you feel cozy!
The jars are filled with Epsom salt to resemble snow. They’re leftover Christmas decorations.
I swapped out the tinsel garland bows for twine and raffia to create a more natural look.
More candles, aqua bottles, and worn vintage books. My home has a lot of Scandinavian influence within its walls. For me, Scandinavian style magically captures the light despite the short winter days.
I’ve tried to capture this same natural light in creating a cozy home so it doesn’t feel so dreary.
It’s all beautiful, Jennifer. Yes, let the sun stream in.
What beauty. I love how you added the corks to the candle jars. Happy WInter!
Absolutely beautiful, Jennifer! I love all of the blues against the neutrals! I just want to curl up on that lovely couch with a cup of tea and book! ~Christy
I love your ideas for creating a light decor to counter gray days of winter. Your use of mirrors in just the right places always catch my eye because I love using them everywhere. Jennifer, you have a real knack of creating a serene, warm, and inviting home, and I can sense a sweet spirit throughout as well.
Mary Alice
Beautiful….I could just curl up and chat or take a cat nap!
Beautiful “cozy” touches Jennifer…love it all especially the layered mirrors…so pretty!
Everything is so beautiful and looks so warm and inviting. Hugs, Marty
Your rooms are so beautifully appointed to capture beautiful light and a true sense of calm…one cannot help but feel so relaxed in your home…just gorgeous!
Wow, I LOVE your gorgeous home and phtos. I really like the styling and really everything. Well done friend. It’s all gorgeous, warm and enviting!!
Jennifer,
Your home always looks so inviting and comfy. The natural light you get in your farmhouse is amazing. It really is so pretty. Well done.
Kris
Your home is so pretty, Jennifer! I am loving all the mirrors and mercury glass!…hugs…Debbie
Everything looks so cozy and comfy! I love your colors and textures, I know this time of year is hard and I have added some things back after Christmas that I had out in the Summer just to help get through these next couple of COLD and cloudy months. Thanks for sharing, have a great week.
The light in your home is just glorious, Jennifer! It does look all warm and cozy. Love the little splashes of color you add for interest and texture. 🙂 I have layered mirrors in the guest room, too, because that room is so tiny, It really does add alot of light and brightness to a space.
Counting the days til spring….!!!
xoox laurie
Jennifer, your house always looks amazing! Your eye for decorating is exquisite! Beautiful job!
I love the idea of layering the mirrors.
Great to be co-hosting with you.
– Alma, The Tablescaper
Love your beautiful touches that make your home look so cozy! And I am in love with your blue chair! Is that new?
xx
Anne
Just beautiful, Jennifer! You’ve done a masterful job of layering textures and adding more light to your home. The neutrals are so pretty with the pops of blue that you added. I enjoyed partying with you at the Cozy Home Tour this week!
Love your style so much! This is so beautiful!! The epsom salt candle jars work great for winter, and your pictures made me smile. So warm and inviting!
The mother in me wants to warn you about something that seems very safe but can be quite disasterous. The twine on your candle jars can catch fire, same with doilies mod lodged onto Mason jars. Please be careful. A candle in a jar seems so safe but when you start adding decorations it’s amazing how hot a jar can get. Love your style.
Whatever you do to your gorgeous home, it always looks cozy and welcoming! I adore your textured throws and twine candles and all the corks along with them. Every time I visit I leave smiling… today a warm and cozy smile!
The mirrors in your home are absolutely beautiful!
I love the entire look it is very similar to my own. I am wondering what kind of fabric you have draped above that single window, is it burlap? I love that look and I wold love to try it.
Where did you get the owiega board rugs? Would love the have one.
Jennifer your home is just so, so lovely! It’s incredibly warm and cozy and you have so many beautiful details in this space. So happy to be part of the tour with you this week!
Vanessa
Jennifer – I’m just now catching up on the tour – so far, your cozy home is my favorite! I love how bright your rooms are – thanks for sharing the tip about the mirrors. I’ve been concerned about having more than one mirror in a room, but not any more after seeing how using different sizes, shapes, textures are perfect spaced out in a room and the light factor is obvious!
Your home is just amazing!! I feel like I could just cuddle up and read a book or have a nice chat with you☺ I agree that sunshine has SO much to do with the feeling in your home, and yours is lucky to have a lot! Thanks for your beautiful inspiration.
Jennifer I never tire of seeing your home. So cozy and warm during these tough months. Your rooms are so bright with the sun streaming in. I am playing catch up with email.
Cynthia
Sweetie – you’re home would look comforting and cozy no matter what you did or what time of year it is. It just has that feeling. But I sure do love your small additions. 🙂 Have a great weekend. xxoo, barb
Your home is so bright and clean– I love that blue chair. So happy to be on the Cozy Home Tour with you!
Your home is so cozy! I love using mirrors to bring in more light! 🙂
~Angela
In all the times I have visited your blog I never noticed the burlap window treatments in your living room. I love them. Your home is just so inviting and yes…cozy!
So pretty Jennifer- love all your cozy touches!
Absolutely exquisite taste. I loved it. My favorite were the candles in Epson salt.
I love the layered mirrors and all the gorgeous candles. Beautiful as usual 😉
Hugs,
Jamie
Your home looks so inviting with all of your cozy touches. Love the mirror on mirror and the candles on the mantel.
Kristi
Never thought about using mirrors to spread sunlight around, nice tip & thanks
I love this! Every room. I do have a question – I would love to create a burlap curtain like yours. Any advice on how to do so? Looks like our windows are about the same exact size. Did you just buy burlap or faux burlap? If so what should size?