Interior expertise

Five easy steps to get your home interior feeling warm and cosy this winter.

It can be difficult to know where to begin as we ease out of the warmth of summer and find ourselves wondering how to warm up the world around us as winter settles over our homes. With a passion for interior design and a keen eye for detail, Owner and Creative Director of Cotton Mills Design House, Helen Grundy-Smith shares with us her top five recommendations for a cosy winter interior.

Layer throws and blankets
Throws and blankets are wonderful to wrap up in this winter. Cashmere, wool and fleece are all soft, cosy and inviting materials and add plushness and elegance to sofas and chairs. Fold and store in pretty wicker baskets or chests when not in use over summer months.

Use textured rugs abundantly
Hardwood flooring and stone tiles are beautiful but do not lend themselves to a warm and cosy feel. Wool runners, faux sheepskins and woven or chunky loop jute rugs are comfortable and soft underfoot and a decorative detail to any room.

Add drapery to windows and spaces
Lightweight sheers and voiles are beautiful in the summer months but in the colder, darker evenings heavier, weightier fabrics with interlining are a dream. Drawing curtains, setting the fire and lighting a candle as the darkness creeps in is somewhat of a ritual that I adore, making home feel like a warm, cosy little sanctuary while outside is blustery and cold.

Scatter lamps and candles enthusiastically
I am crazy about lamps. Lamps and candles create soft lighting which is incredibly calming and cosy. LED bulbs come in two different tones, the two I use are soft white and warm white.  Candles of course add a soft warm glow and using scented candles fill the room with fragrance which lifts the spirits. I use The Cornwall Candle Co. for gorgeous scents as well as Pott Candles for the handy and sustainable refillable options.

Change up bedding for a wintry set
Switching your spring and summer sheets to fabrics such as cotton, flannel or linen means that chilly cool feel you experience as you enter your bed is much less. Nothing is worse than cold toes whilst you’re trying to relax in bed, so a more warming set of sheets will improve your Z’s in no time.

If you’re looking for bespoke curtains made right here in Cornwall, make sure to get in touch with the team at Cotton Mills to find out exactly what they can do for you.

COTTON MILLS DESIGN HOUSE
1 Infirmary Hill, Truro TR1 2JB
01872 278545
mail@cotton-mills.co.uk
www.cotton-mills.co.uk