Winter Decor Inspiration

December 1, 2023November 30, 2023 RefreshHer6 Comments

The temptations at Hobby Lobby are almost unbearable! ALL that beautiful Christmas decor pulls me into imaginative thoughts of turning my home into a scene from a Hallmark movie! I recently had to talk myself out of purchasing a giant, adorable sign that was shaped like a cocoa mug with cute wording on it.

“This would be so cute on the back porch near the fire pit!”
“We aren’t out there that often in the winter.”
I could put it on the front porch, too!
It’s not Christmas decor – I could use this all winter.
“Then where will I store this giant sign after winter is over?”

At that point the sign was placed back into its spot on the shelf. The thought of having to find space for storage was all I had to consider. I don’t want to keep buying stuff to make my home feel wintery and/or Christmas-y. I want my decor to be more conducive to the season of winter, adding little touches of Christmas and the birth of Christ. But we all know that the pull to keep buying pretty decor is strong and real! I have learned in the last few years that the best way to decorate is to decorate for whatever season it is and engage all the senses.

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Home decor · Winter

Cozy Winter Family Room

January 13, 2023January 11, 2023 RefreshHer5 Comments

I think it happens every single winter – I get in the mood to move furniture close to the windows. I bring in more soft lights to brighten dark corners and table tops. I think of ways to make things cozier in our living spaces. Last week I was straightening up the family room upstairs and I got to thinking about my small oak kitchen table downstairs. I wondered what it would be like to have it in the family room beside the window. It would be in the sunshine at lunchtime and then it could create a cozy inviting spot for supper. Would it be weird to have an eating space in the family room? I decided to give it a try!

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Decor · Home decor · Winter

Winter Back Porch

December 9, 2022December 9, 2022 RefreshHer8 Comments

Why have a fire pit in the backyard if you don’t/can’t use it when it’s cold outside? I’ve always wanted to add some winter touches to the back porch so we could use it in the winter as another entertaining area, and I’m happy to say I did that last week so this area will be more useable in the cold months!

What does a Winter Back Porch need?

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Home decor · Winter

How To Winter-ize Your Home Decor

December 4, 2020November 29, 2022 RefreshHer13 Comments

I hear people saying, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my house!” But I wonder, did the house transform into the winter season before the halls got decked with Christmas trees and holiday decor?

I’ve shared several posts with you about Myquillyn Smith’s book, The Cozy Minimalist and how it’s changed the way I look at decorating my home, but another lesson she’s taught me is to “winterize” before you “Christmas-ize.” I love this philosophy because when Christmas is over and the holiday decor is put away, it can still look like winter in our homes. It won’t have that bare, undecorated sadness that usually prevails in early January! Let me explain what this would look, smell and feel like…

All the senses need to see, smell, hear, touch and taste winter.

Fresh, Green boughs on the mantles, complete with the red berries that are on the bushes outside.
Logs in the fireplace.
A warm fire burning.
Thick, warm throws adorn the couch or chairs.
Throw pillows have thicker covers over them, adding warm colors and textures.
Candle scents are winter smells – citrus, evergreen or pine, and cinnamon.
Flickering candle light adorn the tables.
Tablecloths or placemats are heavier. Runners added are winter fabrics.
Serve soups, stews and chowders. Cups steam with coffee or hot chocolate.
Cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on brown pieces of toast, Snickerdoodles and Cinnamon Rolls baking in the oven.

It’s kind of like changing the clothes out in your wardrobe. In winter we wear heavier layers; the same goes for textures in our home. Add layers of texture, scents and vision that warm up the space. That’s what it means to Winter-ize!

If you need a lovely scent for your winter smells, here’s a potpourri that will make your home smell wonderful! This recipe is from my dear friend, Vickie Stykes.

Christmas Fragrance Simmering Potpourri

Ingredients:
5-6 cinnamon sticks, broken
1 TBSP. lemon peel
½ cup whole cloves
¼ cup whole allspice
1 TBSP. orange peel
1 TBSP. nutmeg
1 TBSP. bay leaf pieces
2 slices apples, optional
½ orange, cut into quarters, leave peel on, optional

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and place in a simmer stove pot or in a crock pot. Cover with hot water, turn on high to bubbly, then on low to enjoy simmering scent. May be placed in refrigerator and reused several times. Just add more ingredients if scent loses aroma.

Have you winter-ized your home? Does this idea make sense to you?

Refresh your home with winter,

home accessories · Home decor · Winter

Transitioning to Winter Decor

January 3, 2018January 2, 2018 RefreshHer3 Comments

The holidays are over and it’s time to pack away all the glittery décor into their red and white plastic containers and let them camp out in the attic.

Sigh.

Taking down the Christmas decorations wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t leave our homes looking as plain as a gingerbread house straight out of the cardboard box!

At least that what it can feel like.

My attempt at redecorating after Christmas is to think “winter.” I ask myself what we see outside in the wintertime and try to incorporate those elements into my home. I’ve taken pictures around the living spaces of my house to give you some ideas as to how I did that. Maybe it will inspire you might do the same.

Here we go!

Add layers onto your furniture just as you would your body. It’s gives the look of warmth and coziness. Quilts and throws on chairs and the sofa and also tucked into baskets are ready for folks to pull around them on those frigid days. Runners, place-mats, and tablecloths are other layers on the furniture that add warmth to a winter home.

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Add lots of low lights – candles, hospitality lamps, plug-in’s, and battery-operated strands are all great for adding the warmth that light adds. I put a string of battery-operated star lights inside this basket, just for the soft glow it adds!

If you have chalkboard signs, design one that’s appropriate for the season.

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A hot chocolate bar all set and ready for use is a welcomed sight on a cold winter afternoon or evening!

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I love these little wooden coffee spoons I found at Hobby Lobby. I think they’re perfect for stirring a cup of hot chocolate!

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Here’s another chalkboard design for anytime of the year. Oh, we need the Lord, don’t we?!

winter decor 9

Add fresh greenery from your grocery store floral department. It can make things feel more alive!

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A heart dish holding pine cones will welcome in Valentine’s Day!

Winter decor 1

There are lots of other elements you could add like,

Ice skates
Sleds
Long barren tree branches
Mittens and scarves

Don’t let your house be cold and uninviting during these winter months! There are lots of ways to cozy it up while we wait for the tulips to start popping through the frozen earth!

Do you make a conscientious effort to transition from Christmas to winter décor? How so?