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Mark Twain said, "Shut the door - not that it lets in the cold, but that it lets out the coziness." Cozy is one word that sums up what we aspire our EcoNests’ to be: sheltering, snug, homey, intimate, and comfortable. Whether your home is modern, traditional, small or big - it can always be cozy.
Daylight savings time heightens the senses, as the sun goes down earlier, the lighting and temperature changes. Couple that with the changing leaves and we nesters gravitate towards the warm, cozy spaces in our homes. In this month’s Elle Décor, interior designer Holly Hunt gives another reason why we gravitate towards being cozy at home: "With the world being so chaotic, people want a serene space in which to feel safe and cozy."
Here are 6 EcoNesting DIY tips for giving your home an eco-cozy feel this fall:
1. Change your pillow covers.
It’s so simple to change the look of a room with an eclectic mix of pillows. Add a cover made out of an old (cozy) flannel shirt. Here’s an easy "no-zipper needed" pillow pattern. I love this (cozy) log pillow kit, or make felted pillow covers using my pattern here.
2. Spruce up your hearth area.
If you burn wood for heat like we do, requisition a new firewood or kindling holder. Wide magazine racks, antique planters, copper urns and even small trashcans are used for doing double duty as wood holders. Or, make a firewood rack.
3. Read an eco-craft book.
Here are my latest top three favorites: AwareKnits, Knit and Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher by Vickie Howell and Adrienne Armstrong provides not only great ways to green up your stitchery, but also lots of eco-tips for living a greener life. Eco-craft by Susan Wasinger has some of the most interesting and cozy DIY lighting projects. 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse by Garth Johnson is a totally inspirational read; it has so many ideas in every arena of art and design.
4. Make a natural fall scented sachet.
Here’s a recipe for an outdoorsy scent and sachet cover made from the cuffs and collars of old shirts. Also, check out my DIY holiday scent ideas.
5. Create an indoor nature inspired tablescape.
Bring nature in. Here is a video describing how to create a dramatic fall table centerpiece. If you use flowers, remember to use ones produced sustainably and organic. Better yet, dry flowers you already have.
6, Make some energy-saving drapes.
Here’s a pattern to make your own no-sew drapes. For a cool decorating idea make these cute felted window drapes using fall colors.
Please share some of your own cozy tips!
About the author: Ronnie Citron-Fink lives in New York with her husband, two children (when they come home to the nest), two dogs and a cat. Ronnie is a teacher and a writer. She has been a contributing writer for Family Fun magazine. She currently writes articles about education and home design. Her writings are in four books including Family Fun Home and Some Delights of the Hudson Valley.
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