Winter is all about those versatile and inexpensive items that can quickly become hearty meals, prepared in a variety of ways as needed. And yes, alongside the practical, I like to make my pantry look attractive and as coordinated as possible, like an updated version of a pantry Elizabeth Bennett might have been familiar with – except she probably didn’t have a self-adhesive label maker! It’s comforting rituals like these that mark the change of the season. For me, familiar patterns are an integral part of getting organised to make the transition into winter as easy and cosy as possible.
I live in a house filled with fireplaces, so ensuring that the outside log store is full to the brim and that each room has a basket filled with logs, kindling and firelighters is one of the most reassuring of seasonal comfort tasks. This includes remembering to book a visit from the local chimney sweep, cleaning the log burners (a wet rag with added ash is a weird but effective way of cleaning the inside glass), and the satisfying act of clearing out old ash from the open fire grates.
Like packing away summer clothing and checking the Wellington boot collection for holes and spiders, these may sound like mundane moments, but as the days grow shorter and the chill of winter creeps in, there’s a certain magic in transforming our homes into warm, inviting sanctuaries, even when some tasks are more monotonous than others.
I’ve always been one for embracing the comforts of the season, wrapping myself and my home in layers of texture, colour and warmth. In fact, I’ve always believed that fashion and interiors go hand in hand when it comes to seasonal living. We’re told that the first step in creating a winter-ready wardrobe is to master the art of layering, and it’s no different for how I treat my home. As a seasonal decorator, I like to think of my rooms as a canvas where the soft textures and rich colours of winter can come together to evoke warmth the minute the first fire needs to be drawn. In my wardrobe, out comes the tweed and corduroy, and at home, I’ll fling a few beautiful quilts and vintage throws over the backs and arms of chairs to join the summer ginghams and lighter florals that are already providing the base layers.
My layering goes beyond just textiles; it extends to surfaces, too. In anticipation of less time spent outdoors and more evenings by a glowing fire, I ensure my favourite coffee table books are within easy reach, stacked up on the ottoman or side tables. I swap over candles to winter scents like nutmeg and myrrh, and I make sure there’s always a few board games – backgammon, chess – or a deck of cards on hand for guests and family alike. Nothing speaks more to hunkering down for an evening in winter than a friendly game of cards played over a gently snoozing dog.
