Snuggle up for winter
With wintry weather descending over New Zealand, we naturally gravitate toward our woolly blankets, Ugg boots, hot cups of tea and thoughts of hibernation.
Creating a cosy nook for winter, even in a small home, is a great way to embrace the coming colder months.
A dedicated space
Making room in a busy household may seem like an impossibility, but even in a transitional area, such as a family room, a few essentials can be tucked away. The corner of a sofa can act as a nook, with books or magazines close at hand, and a soft blanket tucked away.
An occasional chair or window seat is a perfect place for creating a dedicated space – look for deep-set cushions and add an ottoman for extra comfort.
Hanging chairs make for instant seating, and can be moved indoors for winter and out to a patio in the warmer months.
If you are building or renovating, consider areas that can be utilised for a reading nook, such as under the stairs, unused wardrobes, and out-of-the-way spaces, like a corner of a spare room.
Create layers
Warm layers are an essential element in winter, and not exclusively for the bedroom.
Set aside a few soft, feathery pillows for your nook, along with soft wool blankets.
New Zealand blogger Amy Tennent designs beautiful thick cable wool blankets which add a touch of luxury (see miloandmitzy.com). Consider purchasing cushions in a few different textures such as velvet and linen.
Storage
In a small space, sorting storage for blankets and books to be tucked away in when they’re not performing nook duties is a great idea.
Stackable crates, such as New Zealand-made ones from The Mood Store (moodstore.co.nz), not only look great, but are perfect for storing candles, blankets, books and cushions.
Mood lighting
Whether your nook is for snoozing, reading or watching movies, lighting is essential – creating a functional area begins with the right lighting. The obvious need for a direct reading light is often a knee-jerk addition, but soft uplighting is also perfect when watching TV, creating a non-glare, diffused light.
If you are creating a nook in an existing home, then often a multifunctional freestanding light works best – ideally an adjustable one for both directional task light and ambient uplight.
When building a home, consider installing discreet wall uplights and correctly placed downlights.
Tina Stephen is creative director at roomie.co.nz.