Rustic Charm Interiors & Design : Winter Magazine 2023

One kind word can warm three winter months

-Japanese proverb

wwwrusticcharminteriorscomau

Welcoming Winter . . .

After a beautiful and fulfilling autumn season, we ' re excited to make the next three months just as lovely by embracing all winter has to offer Each season brings something new and unique; we simply need to be open to see the beauty in it all

With more time spent indoors, it's the perfect opportunity to make a list and check it off! Prioritise what house projects you want to accomplish to make your space ready for the arrival of spring

A few things I'm looking forward to this season are: winter bakingexperimenting with no-refined sugars and gluten free recipes hosting a candlemaking class for the ladies in our family, exploring new restaurants with friends and re-discovering our favourite movies (a Nancy Meyer marathon is guaranteed)

We hope you'll find inspiration to create hygge in your homes this season and make the most of the opportunity to cosy up with loved ones

From our home to yours,

Crystal Chomba

WARMING LAYERS

Winter Warmth

Grey days and dark nights make for a moody colour palette that is rich in browns and deep greens, paired against a backdrop of wintry whites and neutrals

Layered textures add interest and bring a sense of cosiness to a space Pair different materials and fabrics together for a warm, inviting aesthetic that will enhance your interior as the seasonal chill arrives

Be inspired by our mood board and see how you can embrace winter through dreamy art, soft throws and cushions, statement lamps and luxurious wool rugs underfoot

W I N T E R

STYLE TIP

Carved timber side tables make a great statement piece in a living room and serve a dual purpose Choose natural timbers and welcome texture through the grain or sculptural shape for added interest

Simple styling with foliage adds a seasonal touch, next to your coffee cup

Curl up in cosy linen for a light and warming layer of luxury Our seasonal go-to hues include moss greens & terracotta palettes with inky blue's & grey's

STYLE TIP

Choose quality baskets or trays with strong base and handles and they'll last you a lifetime

Use smaller weaved rattan in a bathroom to or entry to corral everyday items, and more robust weaves on coffee tables or in kitchens where they can hold bulkier items

Rattan is great material to introduce in our homes for it's tactility Smaller furniture pieces make a textured statement while decorative trays add purpose and can be used in every room in the house!

Timber furniture and accents pieces add so much warmth to a space Experiment with scale as you decorate with timber, think timber bowls or trays which can act as a base to ground a vessel of seasonal blooms Decorative timber pieces that tell a story and show signs of patina will bring enhance a collected home aesthetic that's effortless and welcoming

NINE THINGS TO EXPERIENCE THIS WINTER

DO A CLASS Flex your creative muscle and learn a new skill From culinary cooking school to ceramic workshops and cake decorating, there is something for everyone to try this winter

Visit a MUSEM or ART GALLERY A great family 'indoors' activity, FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT Winter is a perfect time to get dressed up and book in a family photo shoot and create lasting memories Plan for an in-home shoot where you feel most comfortable.

POTTERY Keep your hands and mind busy this season and enroll in a pottery class

Display your handmade treasures with pride in your home or gifted to loved one.

JAM Make jam with the abundance of citrus fruit on offer this season Marmalade reminds us of slow days, plus it makes a great gift to share with neighbours

ORGANISE & DISPLAY Frame a beloved family photo (perhaps form your photoshoot) or organise photos on your phone into a coffee table album

Host a BOOK CLUB. Get the ladies together for a monthly book club at a local cafegood conversation and hot coffee are always a winning combination And the best part is you'll have plenty to read as you cosy up at home on those cold winter nights.

Escape for a WEEKEND GETAWAY Set aside some time for an overnight stay in a countryside Air BnB with your loved ones You'll enjoy browsing the boutiques, sampling the local produce and having the opportunity to reconnect without those daily chores in the way

Clear out that CUPBOARD or DRAWER that's been on your to-do list. Tackle a cupboard or drawer by clearing out, and create a manageable system to keep it organised

FRIENDS WITH FOLIAGE

We had the opportunity to chat with Debra Hayes of Debra Hayes Floral for an expert look at all things winter foliage and blooms

Her store is a treasure trove of inspiration and heavenly scents with seasonal blooms on offer, unique gifts for the avid gardener or purveyors of finer things from treats to lotions and candles

Read on for her invaluable advice

Q 1 With winter upon us, what is your go-to floral arrangement for the season?

Tall bare branches as an impactful stand alone design that you can also add to for a pop of colour or texture Tulips or winter foliage are a beautiful choice around the base of the branches Keep an eye on our Instagram for weekly updates of what is in season and how we getting creative with it

Q 2 What inspires you during the winter season? Florals, foliage or otherwise?

Winter just feels natural and abundant to me - almost garden-like in its inspiration I love flowering bulbs like tulips, bearded iris and the heady fragrance of jonquils and hyacinths, gnarly lichen covered branches and moss Branches are such an under utilised decorating element - they can completely elevate a space with height and substance They are also really affordable, considering they last indefinitely But clients sometimes don't realise that they are not available all year round My hot tip is to get them in winter or spring, especially if you want them for Christmas decorating

Q 3

What tips can you share on how to display foliage in our homes? How can we best care for them so they last longer?

The extra longevity of flowers during winter is a bonus as long as you keep them away from heaters! Think simple at home rather than mixing lots of flowers, as everything ages at different rates (which adds to your workload) Think big and try one amazing tall vase of flowers, twigs or simple greenery in your kitchen, instead of little vases everywhere Sometimes less is more and your home will look magazine worthy!

Experiment with natural, dried foliage and flowers at home or get them professionally arranged if you ' re not creative We encourage you to bring in photos of the area and your vases if you have them - then we can work with you on bespoke arrangements They needn't be fancy, sometimes simple is best, but when you get it right it makes the whole room lift Don't hesitate to ask for advice or bring in inspo photos if you are unsure, we love these home styling jobs

winter inspiration

Be inspired to create something special this winter and decorate with branches or moss

Bare branches can be a springboard for hanging Christmas or Easter decorations and their interesting shapes make a statement when gathered in a pretty urn or pottery piece Terracotta is a complementary material to natures moss We love to use live moss as a ground cover to the base of indoor potted plants or on as filler in garden pots and urns on an outdoor table

Fast Five with Debra: Which would you rather?

Coffee or Tea

Fresh Flowers or Dried Flowers

Autumn or Spring

Summer or Winter

Glass Vase or Ceramic Vessel

Specifically, White Vessel & White

everything!

STYLE TIP

Always re-cut your stems and change the water often, adding in a few drops of bleach. Dirty vases are a fast way to reduce the life span of your blooms.

Debra hosts floral shortcourses and seasonal workshops throughout the year. From beginners- no experience necessary, to budding florist wanting to expand their skills. Head over to her website here and register for the next workshop

LIGHTS OF DELIGHT

Light the way

Short days and long nights mean more hours by lamp light.

Winter is a beautiful time to add feature lighting to your home or garden to enjoy as dusk falls

Consider lighting your path, letterbox and front door for instant street appeal, plus the soft glow will give all the cosy vibes.

Previous Page: Feature sconce in Palm & Co's renovated kitchen Get the look with our LAWLEY Sconce

This Page: BOSTON Sconce in Brass is a versatile choice Use as feature lighting or task lighting or in a bedroom where bedside table space is a premium Shop SCONCES online here

Experiment with scale in a kitchen or dining room and think outside the box when hanging pendants over a space Pendants help to anchor zones within an open-plan area and are a key element for creating depth, dimension and personality in a space

winter lights

Statement Chandeliers create a focal point in any room, get the Look with our ORB or ANDIE Chandelier

Perhaps you ' re searching for the right lamp so set the scene on your console table? Our DURHAM lamp features an organic ombre style base in neutral grey with crisp white shade for contrast while our oversized CLAREMONT Table lamp makes a favourable coastal presence Shop CHANDELIERS here or TABLE LAMPS here and find the right piece to cast an ambient glow in your home this season

Wall sconces are a stunning source of ambient lighting and can be used to highlight your front door entry, artwork or an interior element - like feature stone or long hallway

Style Tip

Table lamps are often larger in size and are the perfect scale for a nightstand or larger bedside table, especially next to a King-sized Bed

Look for a tapered shade which adds a softer, more elegant style especially in a bedroom

winter lights

Lighting has the ability to complete a room A few good selections can make all the difference to your space looking and feeling complete

Glass pendants are great for task lighting over an island or dining space The glass shade can anchor a space without blocking the view Get the look with our Glasden Glass Ceiling Pendant Shop PENDANTS here

Our Stanhope Outdoor rated wall light sets a classic and timeless look, when used repeatedly against on an exterior wall Shop OUTDOOR lights here

Source: Riverfeild Homestead & Sinclairs of Berry

CURIOUS CABINETS

Form and function

Cabinets play an important role in offering storage solutions, organisation and visual aesthetics, making them a valuable addition to any home

Cabinets contain clutter and make a space feel more organised

A beautiful cabinet can be a statement feature in your home

They provide the perfect place to store and display treasured items.

Large cabinets create depth, dimension and personality in a space.

Next Page: French Window Cabinet in Polar White & Black

seasonal details

Contain the curiosities and treasures, Open shelving provides a unique opportunity to showcase your favourite collection Arranged en masse for an artful and meaningful display

Look for a cabinet with multiple features such as open shelves for pretty display, cupboards to store larger essentials and drawers for ease and everyday accessibility

Opposite Page: Maxwell Cabinet in Navy

Reminiscent of an English Farmhouse, our SOMERSET Cabinet offers the best of all worlds with room to display and room to hide Four generous drawers to house everyday items such as cutlery or dish cloths plus sliding doors which are a practical option where space is limited

Available in our signature Polar White or other favoured colours; navy, grey or black Shop

STYLE TIP

Hide practical items in decorative baskets for a seamless look that's always polished.

Tall, dark and handsome is our Ford Cabinet. Striking two-tone timber finish creates a layered and refined look that's hard to forget.

The elegant arched doors and simple black hardware elevate this piece to another level.