How to cozy up for the holiday season
For a holiday season like none before, KATIE BERRINGTON asked an erudite selection of global tastemakers to share their ideas and inspirations for creating the coziest home – and for giving the most thoughtful gifts…
THE STYLE TEAM AT BRUNELLO CUCINELLI: Find the festive spirit…
“Create a cozy, festive feeling. A cashmere pillow or blanket is the perfect gift to add a feeling of warmth to any home.”
“It’s all about family and friends. This year has been an intense time for all of humanity, so this season, more than ever, the holidays will be spent at home, surrounded by our cherished loved ones.”
ELAD YIFRACH, FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF L’OBJET: Surround yourself with beautiful objects…
“A beautiful space needs good lighting, fragrance and music. I love dimmed lighting mixed with candles all around. With scented candles, I choose a signature fragrance for the main areas of the house and let them blend into each other. I also make a playlist of my favorite pieces of music that I put together for the holidays – anything from jazz to electronic, plus some classical.”
“I love to gift people something sentimental. Something that speaks to their passion; beautifully crafted objects that are also functional.”
“This year, we all discovered our homes in ways we never have before – 2020 has allowed us to slow our speed and enjoy the space we live in. With that comes the joy of making a house feel more like home, paying attention to what makes a room cozier and how important it is to surround ourselves with beautiful objects.”
CORINNE BENSAHEL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF BAOBAB COLLECTION: Create the right ambience…
“Light a candle – and more than one at the same time. Candlelight adds magic and warmth to any interior.”
“A scented candle always makes a good gift. Burning scented candles can become a bit of a habit. If it’s a scent you love, you become addicted.”
“Finally, my best advice is to cook. Or bake. I love the smell of cookies – especially if you have small children. Cooking and baking create beautiful memories.”
JIA-JIA ZHU, FOUNDER OF JIA-JIA: Create a space that feels right for you…
“This year has created mind-space, to really think about what I want in my home – and where I want it to go. With everyone at home at the same time on different schedules, it’s important to see the living space as an integrated sanctuary, instead of split between work and home. This has really pushed me to keep only beautiful objects and necessities around.”
“If something doesn’t feel right, move it or give it away. I like to do a ‘cleanse’ of what I want around me – and what I can let go – to bring in the newness of the year.”
“The perfect gift is a comfortable throw or blanket to cuddle under. I also like to gift crystals to bring good vibes into someone’s home – and to add a touch of beauty from nature. Pretty vases or vessels for flowers are a good idea, too.”
JEWELRY DESIGNER ROXANNE ASSOULIN: Keep it personal and positive…
“Things that make me feel cozy at home are lots of flowers and plants, cashmere throws, a fire, a hot-water bottle, games, puzzles, beautiful china teacups, striped socks, furry slippers and crisp, white cotton pajamas.”
“I love gifts that are personalized or send a positive message. Something happy and bright, something people wouldn’t normally buy for themselves: a great face cream, your favorite sea salt, a couple of books that have left their mark on you…”
“2020 has made us want to live in beautiful spaces, eat great food and entertain friends who nurture us. Life is too short for anything else.”