The nights have turned chilly on our little island, so I’ve started making small updates to our “winter cottage bedroom.” You might be surprised to see I’m using the same quilt I’ve shown in summer rooms before — I’ll explain why and how simple changes can refresh a space for a new season.
I’m always trying to create or embrace a mood in our home. Changing seasons offer an easy opportunity to make subtle swaps that make a room feel cozier and more welcoming. The best part: you rarely need a full redesign to get the atmosphere you want.
Below I share a few small updates I made, along with the reasoning behind them. I’m intentional with our home’s look even when it appears casual — that intentionality helps a space feel lived-in and comfortable rather than overly styled. I hope reading about my thought process gives you practical ideas for your own home.
I usually add product sources throughout and at the end of a post if you want to reference them.
Creating a sanctuary begins with paying attention to how a room feels. Feelings shift day to day and season to season, but small adjustments often fix what feels off. It’s the sense of comfort and belonging that matters most — after all, we’re the ones who wake up and retreat there each day. My goal is that your space feels as welcoming to you as mine does to me.
I aim to photograph our home as we actually live in it, not as a staged set. Once the bed is made and the room is tidy for the day, I capture it naturally. That approach gives a more authentic view and, I hope, offers realistic inspiration for readers who want to make changes that fit everyday life.
I’ve been adding more art and swapping accessories slowly over the past year. Those small edits keep the room interesting without major upheaval.
One affordable change was switching the framed prints on the bookshelf to winter-themed art. You can use wrapping paper, printable downloads, or free images to change the look of frames seasonally. It’s a small swap that brings seasonal personality to a space without replacing permanent artwork.
Scalloped Wicker Frame // White Faux Bamboo Frame // Winter Art Printable File
The white bookcase has followed us between homes and I painted it a few years ago to freshen it up. It holds books, accessories, and quilts — practical storage that also contributes to the room’s layered look. I’d love a fireplace someday, but for now the bookcase provides useful charm in a small space.
If you missed the post about the bird art and checked curtains, I’ve written more about that in a previous article.
A few weeks ago I found a ticking-striped ruffle duvet cover and shams that felt like the perfect compliment to our buffalo-check curtains. Together they create a relaxed country house mood — soft, layered, and cozy. Because I already had a duvet insert, this change was easy and affordable. I especially love the ruffled edges for a relaxed, cottage feel.
I layer the duvet with whichever quilt or blanket is currently on the bed. Mixing and layering what you already own keeps things practical and warm, while seasonal shams or small accents add a fresh touch without replacing every piece of bedding.
Our blue quilt is a longtime favorite — super soft and reversible — and it works year-round. A small hole our dog made is happily concealed by the striped duvet, which is a reminder that real homes are lived in and imperfect.
I also love my vintage grain sack pillow, filled with feathers and soft enough to use all year. Classic, well-loved pieces like this are easy to mix with newer accents.
The wall color is Bunny Gray by Benjamin Moore. It was already painted when we moved in and I appreciate its soft blue-gray tone, which pairs nicely with the coastal PNW light and scenery outside our windows.
I shared more about the floral painting in an earlier post about decorating with art that speaks to you. I decided to hang that painting above the bed and added a couple of blue-and-white dishes to complete the vignette. The result feels layered and cheerful — more of that country house vibe.
A small black vintage bookshelf that belonged to my grandparents returned to the room recently. We’d stored it in the garage during a move and then rediscovered how useful and charming it is once brought back inside. Small heirloom pieces add personality and continuity across rooms and homes.
If you’ve followed along, you’ll notice many items have appeared in past rooms. My approach is simple: use what you have and love, collect classic pieces over time, and refresh the room with a few new accents. That keeps the space feeling current without erasing its history.
I’m enjoying this cozy corner and the winter layers for now. I’ll likely swap many of these elements when spring arrives, but for the moment I’ll savor the season and the chilly days ahead. If I add more winter layers, I’ll report back.
If you enjoy embracing the mood of the season in your home, you might like my newest book, A Lovely Life, which explores creating a home that reflects how you want to live.
Blue and White Gardenia Ginger Jar // Rope Photo Frame // Jute Magnifying Glass // Blue Shell Set // Blue Sea Glass Beads // Winter Art Printable File
Click thumbnails for details; product notes and sources are listed below for reference.
Ruffle Ticking Striped Duvet Cover and Shams
Winter Art Printable File
Buffalo Checked Curtains (chambray color)
Similar Grain Sack Blue Stripe Pillow
Cane Bed
White bookcase (similar)
Navy dresser (similar)
Battery Window Candle
Floral art print (similar)
Tassel Pillow on chair
Blue and White Gardenia Ginger Jar
Rope Photo Frame
Jute Magnifying Glass
Blue Shell Set
Blue Sea Glass Beads
Acrylic and Brass Curtain Rod
Set of 2 White Wood Boxes
Rattan Frame
Scalloped Wicker Frame
Boxwood Topiary in Pot
Bird Art in brass frames
Faux Potted Moss
Rattan Basket Tree
Wall Sconce
Blue Floral Coverlet
Blue and White Bowls on Wall
Similar Rattan Starburst Mirror
Similar White Ceramic House on Windowsill