5 Ways Totake Your Home From Bleak To Chic This Winter

With the temperatures plummeting and blizzards pounding the Midwest

, now is the best time to escape indoors to your own private winter hide-away. It's easy to cozy up your home with some chic and affordable finds to suit your family's lifestyle and your design style.

1. The Fireplace. Nothing makes you feel more comfortable and cozy than a roaring fire on a cold winter day. A fireplace instantly infuses character and charm into any room and gives the space its personality. But to give it the winter makeover you're after - pack up the old accessories adorning the mantle and swap them out for some new seasonal ones. Be your own photographer, bundle up and head outside to capture some black and white photos of some winter scenes. Blow up your favorite image and frame it in a simple black, metal or white frame and set it on the mantle. To one side of your new winter scene, cluster a collection of three antiqued or vintage silver urns (or similar) in varying heights - and include some eucalyptus, feathers or other greens to give the composition added volume. On the other end situate some natural elements like a birch vase, pinecones, candles or dull greens to flank that artwork as well.Keep the accessories in the center to a minimum and very low. Perhaps a metallic framed photo or two. Either way, make sure there is some height on each side of the wintery photograph.

2. Furniture Layout. If you're lucky enough to gather around your living room or family room fireplace this winter you may want to consider a quick change to the furniture layout or floor plan - cozying things up a bit. If your fireplace is centrally located within a wall and is flanked by windows or bookcases that are the same dimensions on each side, then you're dealing with a more traditional space and personality - which speaks to a more traditional furniture layout. Pairs are important here. To take advantage of the roaring fire flank a pair of comfortable and inviting chairs on either side of the fireplace which will keep you and your guests warm and cozy. Place your sofa directly facing the fireplace for a comfortable conversation area and a great view of that crackling fire. After all it's the focal point of the room.

3. Flooring. Whether your home has carpeting, hardwood, stone or tiled flooring there are some quick and easy solutions to cozy up your space. Add more layers for warmth. Right on top of your existing flooring material don't be afraid to layer one or even two area rugs for texture and color.Incorporate a deep striped pattern, textured sisal or even a faux animal hide rug on top of the original flooring. Relax the formality and potential stiffness with some colorful patterns and textures.

4. Draperies. Again it's all about layering and adding weight to the walls particularly if your window treatments are sheer, billowy and romantic. If your window coverings are sheer or simple blinds, add heavier fabrics overtop those fabrics for an entirely new treatment. Find some ready made panels to attach over top your windows in a velvet or brocade fabric. Remember if you love the look of winter white install some off-white or cream velvet panels for the ultimate in winter chic.

5. Accessories. This is a simple quick fix. Remove all your existing accessories, store them and re-visit them again for another season. Look for vintage blankets, throws and pillows and blend textures. Mix and match your blankets from plaids to knits, to faux fir and drape them over sofas, chairs and ottomans throughout your home. They will keep you all warm and cozy during those frigid nights. Replace your old sofa pillows with knit sweater pillows, tea towels and even printed burlaps for added interest pattern and texture. Natural elements are all around us. Bring the outdoors in - even now by incorporating, birch trunks, light green foliage, pine cones and candles and sprinkle these elements in with family photos, framed in metals or whites for that monochromatic sophistication.

So light that fire, grab some hot chocolate and enjoy cozying up in your winter chic home.

by: Lori Gilder

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