Archives for January 2017

Hygge reads: What to read that’s cozy and comforting

January 30, 2017 by Suzanne Leave a Comment

By Hillary Copsey

Nothing is cozier than a good book and a comfortable chair. I’d argue that’s all you really need for hygge, though sure, add in a blanket, a cup of tea, and an early twilight so you can flip pages in the warm glow of a reading lamp.

For maximum coziness, consider these books.

The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien:

Hobbits understand hygge, so consider the parts of this book set at Bag End in The Shire to be instructions for maximizing the comfort of your own home. Same for the interlude at Rivendell, though elves are a bit more ostentatious in their luxuries. And when Bilbo and the dwarves are adventuring, pull your blanket around you and be thankful you don’t have to face off with Gollum in a cold, dank cave.

The Bullet, Mary Louise Kelly:

A tense criminal mystery with the added intrigue of mistaken identity, this novel will keep your pulse pounding and show you, in comparison to the protagonist, who finds a bullet mysteriously lodged in her neck, just how snug and secure you really are.

Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling:

Magic is real. Friendship saves the day. Humor drives away boggarts. Good defeats evil. Happy endings are very hygge.

Alif The Unseen, G. Willow Wilson:

Equal parts fairytale, sci-fi thriller, and love story, this is the kind of book that keeps you up all night. At the very least, you’ll want a second cup of tea so you can read just a few chapters more.

Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery:

What’s cozier than a childhood favorite? I’m assuming my childhood favorite is one of yours, too, but c’mon, who doesn’t love Anne Shirley? Who hasn’t wanted a bosom friend as loyal as Diana? Who didn’t dream about Gilbert Blythe? If you are the exception, pick one of your own beloved books to reread and remember what it felt like to be a child, completely transported to some other place, some other time, just through the magic of the written word.

Writer Hillary Copsey wants to #MakeAmericaReadAgain. Find her on Twitter @HillaryCopsey or sign up for her forthcoming newsletter about reading, books, and discovering new perspectives in the modern world.

Photo via Unsplash

How to be hygge: Our favorite cozy things

January 29, 2017 by Suzanne Leave a Comment

Winter has some terrible qualities, particularly if you live in an area that’s icy, slushy, or gray. But the season is a good excuse to cuddle indoors under a cozy blanket, binge-watch TV shows, read something comforting (or thoughtful or thrilling), and treat yourself to a snack.

When I heard the term hygge for the first time, I was captivated. It’s a Danish word that’s defined in a variety of ways, including “the art of building sanctuary and community,” “coziness,” and “making everyday moments more meaningful or special.” It may be a distant cousin to our English word hug. And it’s a term that’s become en vogue in recent years, particularly in the coldest months.

Since we’re in the depths of Midwest winter, with weeks of frigid weather to get through, I’ve declared this Hygge Week at The Smart Domestic. I asked some friends for suggestions on simple pleasures, and they’ve obliged with recommendations.

To kick things off, I’m recommending some creature comforts to help set the mood for us.

DRINK

We’re partial to Earl Grey tea in our house, but I also like herbal tea for late-night sipping. I’m eyeing this honeybush hazelnut as a caffeine-free option. (The tea shop I’ve linked is owned by a co-worker here in Ohio.)

If you’re a coffee drinker, I endorse A Love Supreme blend by Chicago’s Dark Matter Coffee. You deserve good coffee in your life, and this one is my all-time favorite with notes of cocoa, walnut, and cherry. If you want to slum it with something from your local grocery store or Amazon, I like Peet’s light roast. I’m also a sucker for novelty mugs, and this one by Adam J. Kurtz is my current “mug wishlist.”

EAT

Whimsy and Spice is an online sweets shop based in New York, and I’d like to try the chocolate butterscotch bars or some of their chocolate shortbread cookies.

If you prefer the Amazon Prime route, you can always go for some sea-salt caramel chocolates.

SNUGGLE

We have many throw blankets; I endorse this soft, machine-washable blanket as an all-purpose one (it’s often commissioned for pillow-fort building here). If I splurged on something new, I’d go for this modern blanket made of recycled fiber.

Who’s ready to get hygge? What’s your secret for staying cozy during dreary weather (or when you need some self-soothing nights at home)?

7 tips for finding affordable, original art

January 10, 2017 by Suzanne Leave a Comment

Over many years of decorating apartments (and now a house), my husband and I have moved away from movie posters and inexpensive prints (though we still have some around the house!) in favor of funkier art that reflects shared memories, travels, and cultural tastes. We’ve collected original art created by friends, paintings by my dad, prints from Etsy artists, and family photos.

Today, I’m sharing seven tips for how to start an art collection and add more personal elements to your home. I’ve certainly bought pieces from big-box stores and websites, but now when I look around my house, I see years worth of memories and personal connections. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way:

Shop local: Coffee shops. Art fairs and street festivals. Open houses at art studios. Antique shops and thrift stores. Art is all around us, when you start looking for it. I’m partial to hipster craft markets and antique malls. Our favorite coffee shop in Chicago had a rotating selection of local artists’ work on the walls, and we found many pieces we loved, including the big piece from our friend Shira Ballon below.
Make it personal: If your dad is a hobby painter (which is true, in my case), ask for a piece of his work to put in your home. If your cousin makes lovely watercolor paintings, commission a piece for your dining room. If a friend posts pictures of their art portfolio, make an offer to buy some of their work. You should always pay your friends for their work, OF COURSE.
Do it yourself: There are tons of tutorials for how to create abstract art, oversized prints, string art, or other custom art for your home. If you’re even slightly crafty, try your hand at making your own art. Add your kids’ (very messy) paintings, and let them select some obnoxious decals for their bedroom walls.
Collect pieces while traveling and exploring: On our honeymoon, we bought a small drawing at an art market in London. On a cross-country train trip to the Grand Canyon, we snapped lots of photos of American landscapes. On a family trip to Ireland, we shot photos of funny signs, gorgeous misty landscapes, castles, and cliffs. Now we have art peppered throughout our house that reminds us of some of our favorite trips.
Go vintage: If you know you like a certain theme, subject matter, or style, search eBay and Etsy for vintage art that you might like. Or scour thrift shops, antique shops, flea markets, and auctions.
Redefine “art.” Abstract sculptural pieces, sentimental objects, kids’ finger paintings… If you like something visually and you can figure out a way to mount it to your wall, IT’S ART. My husband found some giant, rusty gears at an auction for about $10 and mounted them on some rustic wood panels. Voila! Art!
Take your time! We have pieces we love that we printed from photos in the last few months, and we have pieces we bought eight years ago on our honeymoon. If you tweak your collection over time, slowly and thoughtfully, you’ll discover your preferences with styles, colors, and more. This amazing narwhal piece below came from our friend Rebecca, who sells her work on Etsy. We bought it several years ago in Chicago, but I love seeing it in our house now.

When I look at the art on my walls now, I see stories, connections, and memories. But more than that, our art is about what we like, no matter whether it’s trendy or “normal.” I’ll add one more bonus tip: Get weird, and keep it weird. Art should be fun, and weird, and personal.

What are the stories behind your artwork and collections? And where’s your favorite place to shop for art? Tell us in the comments!