How about a little dose of touchy-feely, tactile imagery today? Few do cold weather better than the Scandinavians, don't you agree? From an outsider's perspective anyway, it seems they fully embrace it and take whatever northern light they have and use it to their advantage. When I read Danish design magazine, BoligLiv, I am aware of just how lovely interiors can be when you let a little winter in. These images are from the home of designer Kim Samson from a recent issue. Samson graduated from the Danish Design School in 1991 and went on to work for IKEA and to form the design firm Harrit-Sørensen + Samson and now she designs lighting as a freelancer for Le Klint in Copenhagen.Anyway, these photos below are from her gorgeous home. (Don't tell her that I want to kick her out and move right in, okay?) When it comes to lousy weather, I adore this attitude of, "Let's make this work!" as so many "hate winter", "wish it would end" and "dread this time of year". I understand why, and I complain like everyone else, but let's try to be more positive about it and create our own winter mood at home, in our yards, with our families that is filled with twinkle lights, comfort food, mugs of hot cocoa and really cute mittens and hats to keep us warm.

Maybe you can try to create a welcoming winter vibe in your home by bringing in more tactile objects -- knitted pillows, leather, wool throws, velvet drapes, a handsome throw rug to add texture, a branch collected from a walk that you've placed in your favorite vase -- decorate it with small artwork from your children or something you make by hand -- your jolly old tree may have been taken away after xmas but that doesn't mean you can't decorate a branch to give you good cheer. I'm in the mood for this kind of thinking... Why be miserable until March? It's been so dark for the past few days and after a dose of warm weather and sunshine last week I feel a bit fooled by mother nature! Instead of feeling annoyed and down, I've decided to embrace these dreary days and enjoy the pause that a gray day can bring. Looking at gorgeous rooms from homeowners who embrace winter give us clues as how they're using winter as inspiration in their decor.

Earlier today, I asked some of my twitter friends what they do on dreary days and here is some of the advice that I received...

Now back to beautiful things that make gray days good. Sometimes all you need is great lighting, a little warmth, and a cozy spot to curl up with your favorite book, person, pet - or all three if you are lucky!

What is your recipe for joy on an otherwise dreary day?

(images: kristian septimius krogh via kool and kreativ.)