It’s getting a bit chilly here on our small island, so I’ve started a few updates in our “winter cottage bedroom.” You might find it funny that the quilt I use in winter is the same one I’ve shown in summer rooms before. I’ll explain why I keep certain pieces year-round and how I adapt the room for different seasons in this post.
I’m always inspired to create or embrace a mood for our home, and the seasons are a great reason to make simple changes that make a room feel cozy and welcoming. You don’t need to redecorate the whole space to shift its atmosphere; small adjustments usually do the trick.
In this post I’ll share a few easy updates and the thinking behind them. I’m intentional about how our home looks and feels, even when it seems casual. I hope reading about my process offers a more authentic view of decorating than the polished social media moments—this is how we live.
(I usually include product sources in the post and at the end if you want to reference them.)
Creating a sanctuary is about paying attention to how it feels to be in the space. That feeling changes day to day and season to season, but it rarely requires a full makeover. If something feels off, a small change typically fixes it. Photos can hint at that feeling, but what matters most is how the room makes you feel, since it’s the place you return to each day.
I try to photograph our home as we actually live in it, rather than staging an idealized scene that disappears after the shoot. Once the bed is made and the room is tidied for the day, I capture it as a real snapshot of our life. I hope that authenticity encourages you when I share our progress and seasonal changes.
Over the past year I’ve made small updates—adding art to walls and switching accessories. These incremental changes keep the room feeling fresh without overhauling everything at once.
One easy, inexpensive update was adding winter prints to frames on the bookcase. You can swap artwork using wrapping paper, downloadable prints (what I used), or free images. It’s a small change, but seasonal prints in frames make the room feel timely without replacing permanent wall art.
Scalloped Wicker Frame // White Faux Bamboo Frame // Winter Art Printable File
The bookcase in this room has traveled with us through several homes. I painted it white a few years ago to refresh the look. Now it displays books and small accessories, with quilts stored below. I might eventually change it out or add a fireplace to the room, but for now it’s a practical and charming piece in a small space.
If you missed my post about the bird art in the corner, I wrote about it previously.
A few weeks ago I fell for a ticking striped duvet cover with ruffled edges. After hanging buffalo checked curtains, the ticking felt like a natural extension of that relaxed country-house mood I wanted. Since I already had a duvet insert, this was a simple, affordable change. I especially love the ruffled trim.
I layer the duvet with whatever blanket or quilt we’re using at the time. Seasonal bedding sets are lovely, but we prefer mixing pieces we already own. Layering existing items is practical and creates a personal, lived-in look. If you want a seasonal touch without buying a full new set, try adding themed shams—small, affordable, and easy to store.
Our blue quilt is a favorite I use year-round; it’s soft and reversible. A dog once made a small hole, so the striped duvet helps hide that—real life and all. I’ve had a vintage grain sack pillow for years; it’s feather-filled and comfortably squishy, so it stays out all the time.
The wall color is Bunny Gray by Benjamin Moore. It was already painted this shade when we moved in and I like how the soft blue with a hint of gray complements our coastal Pacific Northwest surroundings.
I shared more about the floral painting elsewhere, but when I moved it above the bed it instantly tied the colors together and reinforced the country-house vibe. To balance the wall, I added a couple of favorite blue-and-white dishes—small details that make the space feel finished.
The little black vintage bookshelf belonged to my grandparents. We actually had it in the garage during a move, but when we brought it back in it fit nicely and is now handy for my husband’s books and small items. Many pieces in this room have traveled with us—my approach is to use what I love, collect classic items over time, and add something new occasionally. That keeps the home feeling current without sacrificing longevity.
I’m really enjoying this little corner right now. When winter and holiday decor come down I’ll probably miss some of these elements, but I’ll welcome the fresh look of spring when the time comes. For now, I’ll savor the season and keep layering cozy pieces.
I’ll share any more winter layers I add as the season progresses.
If you enjoy embracing seasonal moods in your home, you might like my book A Lovely Life.
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 below for details and find more links at the end of the post:
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 to mine)
Navy dresser (similar to mine)
Battery Window Candle
Floral art print (similar to my painting)
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