You have probably heard the Danish term Hygge which is described as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being” (Oxford Dictionary) but have you heard of the Swedish term Mys?
“Hygge is much broader than mys,” said Malin Lindqvist, a Swedish fabric designer who moved to Denmark seven and a half years ago. The essence of mys is the feeling of warmth, like being wrapped in a woolen blanket amid lighted candles while sipping a steaming mug of tea with a purring cat on your lap. (New York Times)
As the holidays approach I yearn for that cozy lifestyle….where comfort, candlelight, soft sweaters, wooly socks, and warm beverages are a priority!
Keeping this idea in mind…I pulled cozy decorations out of the Christmas closet this year…digging deep into the boxes to find old treasures and a few new woodland ornaments.
Here is a little tour of how it came together. I hope you find something that inspires a bit of coziness in your home!
On the Mantle
White trees, wood reindeer, knit stockings, two moss wreaths, and a green soft furry tree.
I found these reindeer buried in the bottom of a box and thought they fit nicely with the woodland theme. I made them years ago…cut them out of wood, painted them white, stenciled the design with antique gold paint and embellished each of them with a copper wire bow!
By the Fireplace
Small red chair that I used to stand on at my grandmother’s house when we made cookies, vintage mittens, rubber boots, and a camp lantern.
On the Hutch
Top: A collection of wood, paper, bottle brush and fur trees with a camp lantern to add light.
Inside the hutch: A metal basket filled with pinecones, two toy reindeer that I found in the dollar section at Target, and more trees!
On the Tree
I wrapped the tree stand with two berry garlands in place of a tree skirt.
A variety of ornaments that feel cozy and woodsy hand on the tree…mittens, pinecones, dried orange slices, a tiny ski sweater, knit wreaths, and paper cones.
On the Side Tables
A collection of brass candlesticks that were found at a thrift store, pinecones, twig wreaths, wood sheep, and a vintage glass ball.
Beside the candlesticks is a vase filled with fresh greens and pinecones. A berry wreath sits around the bottom of the vase and is filled with more pinecones and orange slices.
Woolly Santa and more red boots.
In the Nook: A gold tray with green candlesticks, a metal tree, and wood donkeys.
On the ottoman…a large wood tray holds a green bowl filled with pinecones and green bells. The bowl is nestled into a berry wreath. A stack of deconstructed books and two brass candle holders also sit on the tray.
On the Bookshelf
Vintage green vases and bowls are filled with red and green felt garlands and jingle bells.
On the Table
Linen table runner with red stripes.
The centerpiece is a long wooden bowl. I added a small tree in the center of the bowl and a brass candle holder on each side of the tree. Then I filled the bowl with pinecones, small green ornaments, dried orange slices, and two twig stars.
At each end of the wood bowl I added a small gold vase with fresh greens and three deer.
Mix and Match Plates
This year I’m using a set of dishes that have been handed down three generations. They were originally my great aunts, then they went to my mom, and then to me. My aunt called them her “Christmas dishes” but I think they could be used other times of the year as well.
To carry on the woodland theme I layered the “Christmas dishes” with a set of smaller woodland animal plates.
And on top of that…a small twig wreath.
I also added some small red lanterns and gingerbread cookies that sit inside the twig wreaths.
A wicker placemat sits under each plate. Linen napkins and black flatware finish the look.
Can’t wait to fill this table with family, friends, and food!
In the Kitchen
A basket filled with wood spoons and a bowl of dried orange slices sit on top of a wood cutting board…
and four new rolling pins await cookie baking time! They are so pretty…I displayed them on the counter!
In the Guest Bathroom
A arrangement with fresh greens, sticks and pinecones sit next to a wood box filled with pinecones and orange slices.
I hope you found at least one cozy decorating idea that you can incorporate in your home this year!