With winter upon us (at least for some of us) – it’s a cold frosty sunny day here in London we look to our homes to evoke comfort and warmth. Its time for rugs to skim floors, for slubby knitted cushions to hang out on sofa’s and if you happen to have a fireplace a fire burning in the hearth. I use oodles of candles from scented to lots of little t lights at this time of year. They set a flickering, flattering glow and light up nooks beautifully. I string fairly lights over mantles and paintings to create another softer layer of lighting and as odd as it sounds am beginning to prefer winter over summer.
The light is so soft and low that with my house painted out in various dark hues my walls almost look and feel like velvet. With the days becoming shorter its important not to over light rooms – shadows are a good thing as they create atmosphere and intrigue lots of low wattage lamps will create the most beautiful atmosphere. Couple that with a hearty stew on the stove a good glass of wine and winter’s suddenly not looking so bad.
How cosy is this – red walls require all out bravery (not that brave yet I hate to say) and cast a soft beautiful note particularly in winter.
A beautiful room – I love the crooked candles in the candelabra – somehow it adds to the opulence. All seasons have their charms, and the best thing is living in a spot where there is a change of seasons. When I lived in the tropics {top of Australia} I really missed the cool winter nights and cosy dinner parties with roaring log fires. Your description sounds enchanting… but as I look outside to shiny green spring leaves and a garden going verdantly crazy, I am also excited for summer…
Couldn’t agree more when you get to experience the different seasons you get to enjoy each and everyone.
I agree – nothing worse than harsh, bright lighting. In some of the flats in my block I can see people just have a blub hanging down from the ceiling and no shade – yikes!
Yikes indeed – I see that all the time and I want to put notes through the door with stylistic advice on lighting. Crazy schedule makes it impossible but it if ever goes quiet thats exactly what I shall be doing!
any suggestions for places to get nice fairy lights in London?
Habitat is pretty good or at least used to be for fairy lights and Ikea do some sweet little snow flake ones
Over here in the antipodes, where I sit at my desk in a summer frock and look longingly out at a clear blue sky, these piccies make me mourn the loss of Winter…well, at least for a moment. Quite the feat. Everything looks so cosy and gorgeous and festive.