Inviting textures - perfect for cold winter nights. Photo / Thinkstock
With the evenings drawing in and the nights and mornings definitely cooler, it's time to think about keeping warm over winter and making our homes more inviting.
Isn't it funny how when we turn the clock back to real time and the mornings become lighter, we suddenly seem to be plunged into winter overnight.
Days become shorter and the time for painting the exterior of our homes also shortens as the dew takes longer to shift and falls earlier in the day. It is a great time for thinking about sprucing up the interior, perhaps a lick of paint or wallpaper. If you work towards a plan, it's surprising how one or two changes in a room can make a big difference. It can be as simple as changing the kitchen cabinetry handles to something a little smarter and more up to date or giving the laundry cabinetry a lick of paint.
It's time to bring out the winter bedding and freshen up the bedroom. Leave your feather duvets and pillows out in the sun to fluff the feathers. Over time, the feathers tend to dampen and stick together so this is a good way to inject some life back into them.
I put my pillow in the drier for a quick spin in the winter and this keeps the pillows plumped and dry and it's really nice on a cold night. It is like sleeping on a little electric blanket in your pillow if you like feather pillows.
Change into winter colours and put away those more cooling tones.
Warmer-coloured bedding is more inviting on winter nights, as is a mixture of texture, snug mohair or possum fur throws.
Changing the bedding from crisp linen to flannelette or stonewashed sheets makes a difference. I supply a selection of flannelette and stonewashed bedding and stonewashed would be my favourite to sleep in.
It is very warm and inviting and has a relaxed, comfortable feel about it.
Crisp, smooth or glossy textures tend to cool things down and we all know what it feels like to get into a freshly made bed with crisp linen sheets on a cold winter's night, when bedrooms should be more inviting.
Another simple decorating idea is a change in accessories. Cushions are an easy option. Brighter, warmer colours in soft textures or throws for the couch can be easily done.
Think about changing your art work around. It can make you feel like you have just purchased new art as you bring out stored pieces or simply shift others around.
Flowers are also a good touch. Some will remind you more of winter and others of summer. If you're not into flowers perhaps try a bottle of scented oil with bamboo sticks to diffuse a lovely soft scent through the home. I stock a lovely selection of these diffusers and as long as you don't mix up the scents and put food smells in the bedroom or bathroom smells in the kitchen it is a very inviting way to change a room. Different scents for different spaces, perhaps heavier ones for the winter to the lighter, more flowery scents of summer.
And the most inviting thing I find about winter is a fire, real flames, not necessarily a wood fire - though I think that is the best for winter and, with it, brings a flood of childhood memories.
You can't beat that invitation to sit and talk around an open fire watching the flames and listening to the crackle of the wood burning. Not quite the same with a heat pump, but the warmth that gives to a house is better than none.
Terry Lobb is an interior/kitchen designer and personal colour and style consultant who takes a holistic approach to living with colour, texture and style. email: terry@terrylobb.com or visit terrylobb.com