There is a particular shade of winter that settles in once the decorations have been tucked away and long before the light finds its confidence again. It arrives quietly: shorter days, low grey skies, and the familiar feeling that the kettle has been boiled one too many times before midday. They call it the winter blues, although we have always felt they deserve a far more colourful response. At our Design Studio, we believe that darkness outside is simply an invitation to be braver inside. Winter is not a season to endure, but a season to decorate.
Colour as a Candle
When daylight fades early, colour becomes the warmest form of illumination. We are endlessly drawn to jewel tones at this time of year, sapphire, emerald and ruby, used generously and without hesitation. A boldly upholstered armchair, a striped ottoman or curtains with a handmade touch can shift a room’s mood instantly. Think of colour as a candle: soft, glowing and quietly uplifting.
Layers, Like a Good Outfit
Winter dressing is not only for people, it is for rooms too. Stack rugs, drape throws and mix cushions in a medley of textures. There is deep comfort in a room that feels properly layered for the cold, as if it is gently encouraging you to settle in and stay a while.
Pattern Therapy
If winter feels monotonous, it is because it often is. Pattern is the perfect antidote. Florals, stripes and checks can sit happily together like guests at a lively dinner party. Pattern sparks conversation, even if it is only between you and the wallpaper as you sip your morning tea. At this time of year, we are especially drawn to prints with a story, hand painted murals, folkloric motifs and designs that transport you to another season or another place.
Light the Corners
Overhead lighting is much like winter itself: practical, but rarely the most flattering. Table lamps, sconces and standing lamps create pools of soft, inviting light that feel warm and optimistic. We always say a room should glow rather than glare. Do not worry about perfect symmetry, a slightly off-centre lamp often brings more charm.
Bring the Outside In, Gently
Winter gardens have their own stark beauty, but inside you can borrow from nature a little. Bowls of bright citrus, tall branches arranged sculpturally or hyacinths pushing their way into bloom all bring a quiet sense of life. Even the smallest nod to nature reminds us that the seasons are always moving forward.
Winter blues are not a shortcoming, they are simply a response to the world growing quieter. Yet in that quiet, we have the chance to notice the things that comfort us. With a little boldness and plenty of heart, winter can become a season of cocooning creativity rather than one of retreat. So light a lamp, fluff the cushions, put the kettle on once more and decorate your way through to spring.