Decorating
Best of the Week: Winter-Ready Homes
Feeling the chill? Our hand-picked selection of the cosiest and most inviting winter spaces is sure to warm you up
There’s no denying it – winter is well and truly on its way. As the temperature drops, we start to think about cosying up in chunky knits, warming our toes by the fire and tucking into a good book – steaming mug of hot chocolate (or glass of red) optional. We’ve gathered together our favourite luscious and cosy spaces to get you in the mood.
2. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Owner: Tracie Ellis, of bedlinen company AURA by Tracie Ellis
Why we love it: Inky blues and dark timber give this room a cocooning vibe, making it a dreamy retreat on a cold night. We’re also loving the Eames chair as a casual bedside table.
Owner: Tracie Ellis, of bedlinen company AURA by Tracie Ellis
Why we love it: Inky blues and dark timber give this room a cocooning vibe, making it a dreamy retreat on a cold night. We’re also loving the Eames chair as a casual bedside table.
3. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Owner: Photographer and stylist Kara Rosenlund
Why we love it: A crackling fire, a table set for two, a medley of sumptuous natural materials – what more could you want on a chilly evening?
Owner: Photographer and stylist Kara Rosenlund
Why we love it: A crackling fire, a table set for two, a medley of sumptuous natural materials – what more could you want on a chilly evening?
4. Location: Adelaide, SA
Kitchen designer: Space Craft Joinery
Why we love it: Dark-painted timber cabinetry punctuated with a bold geometric-tiled splashback give this kitchen a warm and welcoming feel. And we can’t drag our eyes away from those gorgeous pale-grey pendants.
Tip: Worried that lighter features, such as the pendants here, will get lost in your colour scheme? Make them stand out by setting them against a darker backdrop.
Kitchen designer: Space Craft Joinery
Why we love it: Dark-painted timber cabinetry punctuated with a bold geometric-tiled splashback give this kitchen a warm and welcoming feel. And we can’t drag our eyes away from those gorgeous pale-grey pendants.
Tip: Worried that lighter features, such as the pendants here, will get lost in your colour scheme? Make them stand out by setting them against a darker backdrop.
5. Location: Thirteenth Beach, Victoria
Architect: Auhaus Architecture
Why we love it: The ultimate parents’ retreat… a three-sided fireplace to warm every corner of the room, a cool floating wall that keeps sitting and sleeping zones connected while affording a sense of privacy, and a sunny spot to relax and read.
Architect: Auhaus Architecture
Why we love it: The ultimate parents’ retreat… a three-sided fireplace to warm every corner of the room, a cool floating wall that keeps sitting and sleeping zones connected while affording a sense of privacy, and a sunny spot to relax and read.
6. Location: Perth, WA
Interior designer: Kim Pearson
Why we love it: What better way to take the edge off the chill than by featuring a touch of glamorous gold? Add in a funky tiled fireplace and a pair of leather tub chairs, and you’re onto a winter winner.
Interior designer: Kim Pearson
Why we love it: What better way to take the edge off the chill than by featuring a touch of glamorous gold? Add in a funky tiled fireplace and a pair of leather tub chairs, and you’re onto a winter winner.
7. Location: Point Piper, NSW
Interior designer: Scott Weston
Why we love it: A dreamy pre-teen space – a funky and invigorating colour scheme, a comfortable spot to chillax after school, and a pull-out drawer at the base of the built-in to keep mess at bay.
Interior designer: Scott Weston
Why we love it: A dreamy pre-teen space – a funky and invigorating colour scheme, a comfortable spot to chillax after school, and a pull-out drawer at the base of the built-in to keep mess at bay.
8. Location: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Architect: Kennedy Nolan
Why we love it: We’re like the thought of spending time in this coastal weekender, where time slows down and life revolves around a cosy slow-combustion fire… think lounging in the warm winter sun, and family games in the sunken living area while soup bubbles away on the stove. Irresistible!
Tip: If you and your family enjoy ‘floor time’, opt for soft flooring, such as textured wool carpet, over tiles or timber. If you’re not in a position to commit to wall-to-wall carpeting right now, you can soften hard flooring for less with a cosy area rug.
Architect: Kennedy Nolan
Why we love it: We’re like the thought of spending time in this coastal weekender, where time slows down and life revolves around a cosy slow-combustion fire… think lounging in the warm winter sun, and family games in the sunken living area while soup bubbles away on the stove. Irresistible!
Tip: If you and your family enjoy ‘floor time’, opt for soft flooring, such as textured wool carpet, over tiles or timber. If you’re not in a position to commit to wall-to-wall carpeting right now, you can soften hard flooring for less with a cosy area rug.
9. Location: Potts Point, NSW
Interior designer: Darren Palmer Interiors
Why we love it: Warm neutrals and pops of aquamarine give this cosy space a modern feel.
Interior designer: Darren Palmer Interiors
Why we love it: Warm neutrals and pops of aquamarine give this cosy space a modern feel.
10. Location: Sorrento, Victoria
Architect/interior designer: Robert Mills Architects and Interior Designers
Why we love it: Cool concrete is made cosy with the addition of slubby linen and injections of bright orange.
Tip: Low-slung sofa styles will give you a casual, relaxed vibe.
Architect/interior designer: Robert Mills Architects and Interior Designers
Why we love it: Cool concrete is made cosy with the addition of slubby linen and injections of bright orange.
Tip: Low-slung sofa styles will give you a casual, relaxed vibe.
11. Location: Aireys Inlet, Victoria
Architect: Millar Robertson Architect
Interior designer: Camilla Molders Design
Why we love it: Layering up different patterns and colours creates a sumptuous look. To make this look work, stick to a tight colour palette. Here, the designer has chosen black, white, navy and touches of burnt orange, which she has carried through from the scatter cushions and flowers to the drawer handles.
Architect: Millar Robertson Architect
Interior designer: Camilla Molders Design
Why we love it: Layering up different patterns and colours creates a sumptuous look. To make this look work, stick to a tight colour palette. Here, the designer has chosen black, white, navy and touches of burnt orange, which she has carried through from the scatter cushions and flowers to the drawer handles.
12. Location: Aireys Inlet, Victoria
Architect: Millar Robertson Architect
Interior designer: Camilla Molders Design
Why we love it: Positioning the stacked bluestone fireplace off-centre and surrounding it with a pair of comfy sofas creates a cosy conversational corner. Plus, it’s a clever way to draw attention away from the television.
Architect: Millar Robertson Architect
Interior designer: Camilla Molders Design
Why we love it: Positioning the stacked bluestone fireplace off-centre and surrounding it with a pair of comfy sofas creates a cosy conversational corner. Plus, it’s a clever way to draw attention away from the television.
13. Location: Thirteenth Beach, Victoria
Architect: Auhaus Architecture
Why we love it: Positioning the fireplace in the corner of the room is a masterstroke here – it keeps everyone, including guests lounging on the sofas and the chef at work in the kitchen, warm and comfortable, and creates a central focus for all who are gathered here.
Architect: Auhaus Architecture
Why we love it: Positioning the fireplace in the corner of the room is a masterstroke here – it keeps everyone, including guests lounging on the sofas and the chef at work in the kitchen, warm and comfortable, and creates a central focus for all who are gathered here.
14. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Poliform Australia
Why we love it: The perfect set-up for a winter dinner party… a deep colour palette, sumptuous natural textures, and the crowning glory – a weathered timber chandelier that says winter wonderland.
Designer: Poliform Australia
Why we love it: The perfect set-up for a winter dinner party… a deep colour palette, sumptuous natural textures, and the crowning glory – a weathered timber chandelier that says winter wonderland.
15. Location: Bedford, WA
Architect and interior designer: Etica Studio
Why we love it: A well-loved leather chesterfield, artwork casually propped in the corner, and plenty of breathing space on the petrol-blue feature wall – proof that you don’t need to try too hard to create a cool, moody vibe.
Architect and interior designer: Etica Studio
Why we love it: A well-loved leather chesterfield, artwork casually propped in the corner, and plenty of breathing space on the petrol-blue feature wall – proof that you don’t need to try too hard to create a cool, moody vibe.
16. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Owner: Photographer and stylist Kara Rosenlund
Why we love it: A traditional clawfoot tub, a handy shelf to rest your book, and a trio of candles to set the mood for relaxation… chicken soup for the soul at the end of a long winter’s day.
Owner: Photographer and stylist Kara Rosenlund
Why we love it: A traditional clawfoot tub, a handy shelf to rest your book, and a trio of candles to set the mood for relaxation… chicken soup for the soul at the end of a long winter’s day.
17. Location: Chippendale, NSW
Interior designer: D’Cruz Design Group
Why we love it: If you’ve got a predominantly white Scandi interior, and you’re looking to give it a quick winter makeover, try draping your chairs and sofas with luscious creamy sheepskins, as the owners have here.
Interior designer: D’Cruz Design Group
Why we love it: If you’ve got a predominantly white Scandi interior, and you’re looking to give it a quick winter makeover, try draping your chairs and sofas with luscious creamy sheepskins, as the owners have here.
18. Location: Aspendale Beach, Victoria
Landscape designer: Bayon Gardens
Why we love it: Proof that you don’t need a huge backyard to create an appealing and functional outdoor space. We love how the owners have created a cosy, sunken spot for conversation, with a fire pit at the centre to keep toes toasty.
Landscape designer: Bayon Gardens
Why we love it: Proof that you don’t need a huge backyard to create an appealing and functional outdoor space. We love how the owners have created a cosy, sunken spot for conversation, with a fire pit at the centre to keep toes toasty.
19. Location: Bronte, NSW
Architect: Luigi Rosselli Architects
Why we love it: A thoughtfully considered layout and practical inclusions, such as built-in seating so guests can linger while the chef’s at work, and a slatted timber screen to protect against the wind on cool nights, make this an outdoor room for all seasons.
Architect: Luigi Rosselli Architects
Why we love it: A thoughtfully considered layout and practical inclusions, such as built-in seating so guests can linger while the chef’s at work, and a slatted timber screen to protect against the wind on cool nights, make this an outdoor room for all seasons.
20. Location: Preston, Victoria
Architect: Destination Living
Why we love it: A glass of wine, a beautiful view, and a crackling outdoor fire… could anything be more enticing? Someone pass the marshmallows!
Tell us
Which wintry space did you like best? Tell us its number in the Comments below and we will see which is the most popular. And while you’re at it, which other spaces would you like to see in this new series? Your wish is our command.
More
Best of the week: Beautiful spaces inside and out
Architect: Destination Living
Why we love it: A glass of wine, a beautiful view, and a crackling outdoor fire… could anything be more enticing? Someone pass the marshmallows!
Tell us
Which wintry space did you like best? Tell us its number in the Comments below and we will see which is the most popular. And while you’re at it, which other spaces would you like to see in this new series? Your wish is our command.
More
Best of the week: Beautiful spaces inside and out
Stylists: Nathan + Jac
Why we love it: Texture, texture, texture! Layering up different touch-me textures in a soft Scandi colour palette gives this room a soothing, wintry feel.
Tip: To make this look work, it’s best to stick with natural materials – think hides, wool, velvet, linen and timber.