Colour me cosy Creating a warm and inviting aesthetic

By Michaela Pointon

There are many elements to creating a ‘cosy core’ aesthetic in your home this autumn. Inspired by the popular ‘cottage core’ springtime design style, these cosy insights will make you want to get wrapped near the fire with a hot chocolate and cinnamon candle.

Donna Hydes Design is an interior design studio, owned by Donna herself. She has many years’ experience in the industry, specialising in textiles and fabrics, as well as working alongside her clients to create their dream home interiors.

Donna says when wanting to create a cosy autumn themed space, adding texture to create visual warmth is key.

“As the seasons change from warm to cooler temperatures, we start to retreat back inside from outdoor living.

“Creating focal points for a new season and defining elements which add visual warmth is at the heart of autumn.”

She says this can be achieved by adding rugs, tones of rust, moss greens and heavier weaves of fabrics into throws and rugs.

Scented candles are another texture which play with our senses and add ambience to a room.

Donna says her current favourite candles are the Lyttelton Lights in amber and clove.

The best room in the house to start to create a cosy core theme is the living room, “The living room is a great place to start.

“Simple aspects such as changing your cushions, adding rugs, throws, coffee table styling with books layered, beautiful tones of dried flowers and scented candles make this space cosy.”

Another tip for adding autumn into your space is greenery. Donna says greenery is an easy way to add ambience and calmness to create internal focal points to conversation areas.

Making someone feel comfortable is at the centre of the cosy core aesthetic.“I personally feel like autumn is the calm after the storm.

“Summertime is busy with entertaining, being outdoors on the lake or sea. Autumn brings you back inside to rest and take time to enjoy our own company again.”

Adding soft furnishings such as a fluffy rug under your feet or a beanbag for the kids to lounge in adds to the cosy atmosphere of your newly decorated home. Swapping light bulbs for warm tinted lights instead of cool whites can also bring the ambience of peace and softness into the space during the season.

Elevating your home for the autumn season into a cosy core cottage is easy with these few steps.

Conversation areas are places to watch movies, read, listen to music and share time with family. During the autumn, you want these spaces in your home to be as comfortable as possible for people to enjoy.

Finding your personal flare when prepping for the autumn season will make your home feel unique to you and trendy for the season ahead.

To find out more about Donna and the work she does, make sure to visit her website at: dhdesign.co.nz.