Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") means taking pleasure in the simple things, the cosy things. Making your home a sanctuary is a very simple and fun way to bring more pleasure to your life by creating a beautiful and relaxing space that hugs you, supports you to be completely restored and ready for what you want to do.
Detail of “Summer Morning”
There are endless ways to create a home that meets our need for safety and relaxation, and whatever the size of our space and budget, it is easily done with a few simple things. I have applied the following principles whether I was living in a tiny student room, an attic studio or a two or three-bedroom cottage. In my experience, paying attention to those simple elements always enhances self-care, quality of life, inner peace and relaxation. That in turn makes me more available for the important things, it helps me to be focused, efficient, and very caring.
A simple blossom in a glass bottle is one of my favourite ways to display flowers.
Making your Home a Sanctuary
Paying attention to just a few elements throughout the home can make a huge change to its atmosphere and make it a very lovely space to spend time in by ourselves, with our family, or with guests, offering each of us a perfect opportunity to be inspired and refreshed, giving us a chance to relax and simply be ourselves.
Lights
Lighting can completely make or break an atmosphere. It is usually the first thing I take care of in any space I want to make more welcoming. I only ever use overhead lights if I have lost something and need full-on brightness to find it! The rest of the time, I favour diffused lights placed waist-height in corners, so that the light is reflected in a soft but luminous way.
This magical display of lights illuminates my staircase.
I am a huge fan of fairy lights and can never have enough. Especially on a gloomy day (and we get plenty of those on the West Coast of Scotland) they make the house look bright and magical. "Fairy lights aren't just for Christmas!" is a motto of mine. Candles are also a wonderful way to create a relaxing atmopshere and make the day feel special. I always have a candle on while I am painting and I love lighting candles at dinner time.
The dinner table is an ideal recipient for ephemeral, seasonal displays and candle light.
Cosy Corners
To me home means safety, security, shelter and calm. I love creating cosy corners everywhere, knowing they are always ready to welcome me whatever I have to do. Placing a sheepskin on my office chair and keeping a beautiful and warm throw there immediately makes the office more welcoming. Being comfortable and warm helps me to function better.
“Winter Shore” Blanket by Gaelle Chassery
For relaxing and inspiring moments, I create cosy corners with blankets, cushions, books, artwork, favourite photographs, plants... It all helps to take good care and to recharge the batteries. I keep my handmade blankets and throws everywhere, reminding me of nature and inviting me to keep warm and cosy while wrapped up in something that I made slowly and mindfully, which is beautiful to touch and look at, and is an object with profound meaning to me.
“Rocky Shore” Hebridean Wool Throw by Gaelle Chassery
Soothing Art
Soothing art is a big part of my life, and I am lucky to be able to produce art that immediately calms the mind and expands horizons. Nature-inspired art is essential to me, honouring nature and keeping me connected with it from every corner of the home. In our modern world, we can invite ourselves to take time to slowly look at works of art: take the time to be with it, absorb everything that the artist has tried to put there, enter that atmosphere and make it our own.
“Fireflies” by Gaelle Chassery
I think that is a very special thing to do with the artwork we choose to have in our home. If it is there with us, it is because it resonates with us deeply, and we should take some time to place it in an honoured spot and truly look at it, fully honouring its presence and effect in our space.
“Stargazing” by Gaelle Chassery
Natural Elements
A mini Crassula forest invites playful contemplation.
I have always loved being outside as much as possible, but unfortunately it has not always been possible for many years now. The next best thing is to bring nature in, and that is such a fun and stimulating part of making our home a sanctuary. There is no end of possibilities with that and I enjoy it wholeheartedly. Firstly, I gave myself permission a few years ago to have as many houseplants as my heart desires. They can really make a corner cosy!
A mini rock pool invites ephemeral contemplation.
I am so lucky to have very caring loved ones. Anywhere they go, they always find some natural treasure to bring back to me: a beautiful shell, a piece of sea glass, an intricate piece of seaweed, a glittery pebble, an interesting twig, some moss or lichen... or even abandoned wasp nests! Can you spot the moss used by wasps in this one?
An exquisite wasp nest showing amazing skills.
I welcome all these treasures with huge delight and my house is filled with natural works of art. One of my hobbies is to create mini worlds with plants, pebbles, shells, etc. The play on scale can completely transform a space and the mini worlds always makes me smile when I look at them and rearrange them.
Treasured gifts from a beloved friend.
Only Favourites
After reading this you might be under the impression that my house is full to bursting with random piles of stuff. But actually, my house is a very breezy space with no clutter. Everything I own has its own spot, its home within the home, and is something I am sure to use and love. Those are my three criteria for possessions: I love it; I use it; it has a home in my home. It means that there is only space for beloved items that truly give me joy and truly make my life easier by being useful, beautiful, or both.
I love using my space to enhance quality of life and to make it easy to take care of myself and of my possessions. That is the whole point in making your home a sanctuary: it helps you to function well, to have your favourite colours always in sight, your favourite things always easy to find, to use and to enjoy, like an extension of your own beautiful self, your own bubble to thrive in.
Cosy reading corner
I love reflecting on what supports me best in life. In making your home a sanctuary you simply give yourself permission to have what you love and to love what you have so that everything that is important to you can become a priority without the complications of clutter. A space always inspiring, refreshing and beautiful can really make a huge difference to our wellbeing and fulfillment in life.
More ephemeral treasures for seasonal contemplation.
Thank you for reading this week's blog! Until next time, I wish you much enjoyment and a lot of self-care ^_^
