Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
Style it oh-so comfy... And hot, hot, hot!
1 IT STACKS UP
Stack your firewood logs in storage racks to keep them dry, organised and off the ground. And did you know that there’s quite an art to stacking wood? Think of the logs much like you would bricks, overlapping them to stabilise the stack while allowing air to circulate.
2 CORNER NOOK
Nestle a table and chairs near a fire to carve out a cosy nook for winter meals. A rug will help lay claim to the space in an open-plan se ing. And, if your room’s proportions are less than generous, install your fire in a corner and opt for a circular table as the smaller footprint will help the flow of foot traffic.
the drop in temperatures outside makes it paramount to bring toasty warmth inside. And, while there is an inherent welcoming cosiness in country interiors, these ideas will inspire you to make your home an inviting refuge from the cold – even if yours is a new-build minimalist marvel. Must-have elements include textured, natural materials such as wool, boucle, suede, sheepskin and linen, comfy lounges you can curl up in, rugs, curtains and throws to help ward o the chill and the glow of lamplight and candles.
3 DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT
For a fresh take on classic country style, reinvent the traditional fireside scene with a modern stove framed by a lush outlook through glass, rather than a mantel.
4 BLANKET LOVE
It’s amazing the effect a woollen throw can have on a room. Seeing it draped on a chair or sofa immediately signals warmth. Choose a colour to blend with your existing decor.
5, 6 GLOWING WARMTH
The world owes much to the Scandinavian aesthetic and its interior design principles. But when seeking to create a welcoming, relaxing ambience, perhaps the simplest – yet most effective – decorative idea you can embrace is the mood-boosting Scandi habit of lighting a candle morning, noon and night! Burn natural scented candles for gentle stress release.
Pair earthy tones with neutrals for a soothing ambience
7 COUNTRY FOUNDATION
Timber-lined walls and open shelving suit a rustic-style kitchen to a tee. Storage is on display with neatly folded linens in baskets and foodstuffs in clear jars. Colours are earthy, white and black.
8 DISPLAY AND PLATE UP
Plain white crockery suits a country kitchen’s open display. With white in common, a mix of different styles is possible. Unfussy and unadorned, your food takes centre stage, minus the distraction of pa ern or colour.
9 LIGHT UP THE NIGHT!
With winter comes fewer daylight hours, so it’s important to make your home feel inviting. Along with floor and table lamps for cosy lamplight, stock up on candles.