The Interior Essentials

The festive season – a time to reflect and slow down, a time between looking back and looking forward. Well, allegedly… Because the hustle and bustle actually catches many of us out. Between the stress of Christmas and last-minute New Year’s Eve preparations, we often forget what’s really essential. It’s precisely this sense of the essential that we need to get back to in the new year. Peeling away what’s not important and focusing on the basics: the interaction between human beings and home. And all without making any sacrifices – quite the opposite, in fact. Because the more we give to our home, the more it gives back to us.  Here are a few ways to help you settle into home this Winter.

Bring in Nature

Every home should have something natural in it like living plants, flowers, natural wood or stone, or even branches or driftwood. When these things delight our senses on a daily basis it helps to ground us and renew our energy. Even if you’ve got a black thumb, there are indoor plants you can keep alive.

Photo Cred:  Pinterest

Bring special items out

If there is any one thing that helps to make your house a home, it's your personal touch.  Don't make your space a slave to interior design rules - a room should contain personal items that make you happy and are meaningful to you!

• Hang your favorite piece of art, whether it's the kids' drawings, a family heirloom or a crazy abstract piece sculpture that makes you smile.

• Have photos out of those you love.

• Use items bought on trips or special occasions as functional items - ex. a bowl in the entryway for keys.

• Stack up your favorite books at the sofa, or display some on the coffee table. 

• Bring your pretty antique chest or bench out from the storage room. If it elicits warm memories of Grandpa you should have it out to remind you of him often!

Photo Cred:  Pinterest

Whether it's an art studio or a chair for reading, each person in your household should have a spot in the home that's their own feel-good place to unwind. It should be comfortable and restorative. That means if everyone is fighting over the one comfy chair in the family room, sell the uncomfortable sofa and bring in more comfy chairs! 

Photo Cred:  Pinterest

It all begins with Color

For all of these meaningful and beautiful things to stand out in your home, the backdrop should be calm and light. For me, that almost always means white, off-white or light neutral colors.  What's your favorite go to color?  Drop me a note and let me know.

Photo Cred:  Pinterest

Nourish Yourself at Home

Finally, when we think about "nourishing" ourselves, we want to provide the body with proper, local, plant-based nutrition to encourage regeneration. Regeneration, which the body craves especially in such exhausting times. This is a brilliant concept to integrate into your kitchen this new year to create dishes that do you good.  Check out one of my recent favorites.  

RECIPE HERE