Natural Look: By Nord

I find the natural, rustic look so appealing especially this time of year when the air is crisp and the smell of hot mulled wine fills the air from the many wooden glühwein huts dotted around town for weihnachtsmarkt. It's such a gorgeous time! I love the coziness of it all. The products sold by Danish brand, By Nord, come to mind when I think about seasonal winter decorating in a very natural style - I just love their products and I'm crazy about their shower curtains and simply must order one because it's rare that I find a shower curtain that I like -- most do nothing for me! Do you have that problem as well?

But yes, back to winter and why freezing cold weather doesn't have to fill one with absolutely dread! My co-author Joanna was just here to visit me for two days from London and she felt inspired by the spirit in the air as we sat outside around a cozy fire last night enjoying dinner. It's quite crisp outside yet the smell of burning wood and the sheer ambiance an outdoor crackling fire brings is so comforting -- especially when huddled around an old wooden table with friends, noshing on good food and sipping hot mulled wine with both mittens firmly holding the cup to enjoy the heat. This traditional German outdoor market "experience" got me to thinking about the sheer joy that comes from doing the most down-to-earth (primitive even) of activities - sharing conversation, looking for a heat source to be warmed by, cooking outdoors, eating well prepared and nourishing food and a crackling fire casting a warm glow while creating a special mood that only gathering around a fire can bring. I think the photo below is a gorgeous example of natural style and I imagine having a fire outdoors at a home like this would be magical at night, don't you? And how many of us would love to live like this?

So simple, so pretty... Some of the best things in life really are the simplest of things. This makes me think more and more about decorating the home for winter and how we don't need to spend a lot of money to create a little magic. Pine cones, branches, handmade objects, simple bowls and vessels, cheap pillar candles, twigs, pine, twine... Anything can change the look of a room so simply while adding warmth and beauty.

I recently found a pretty branch in the nearby forest and put it in my entryway in a large green vintage jug on the floor and decorated it with a few special things and it isn't for any particular holiday or reason, just because it adds warmth to my entryway along with a bit of personality and natural style. Have you down anything lately in your home to bring in nature? I'd love to know!

By Nord is available in England here or in their online shop here. They are also available in other parts of the world so email them for their nearest retailer: info@bynord.com.

(images: by nord)