:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/121395990_1292613531074704_2108874729818135054_n-06b1284e1b6c4072af65bdb4a407f73e.jpg)
Though winter fun this year may look a little different, that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice the warm, cozy feeling winter brings. There’s certainly a level of comfort that comes with settling in at home and enjoying calm winter days and escaping from daily craziness.
You might've had more than enough of your home last year, but trust us. There’s always a way to make things better—and these expert designer picks are certainly one of them. Below, check out what several top interior designers are purchasing to keep their homes fun, interesting, and calming this winter, especially given how chaotic this year has been.
A Portable Pizza Oven
“Cooking in our household has always been something we enjoy,” says Terry Lin, designer and co-founder of outdoor furniture company Outer. “Fridays are usually pizza night, and when we want to splurge, we’ll order wood-fired pizzas from Delfina or Fiorella’s here in San Francisco. However, due to COVID and people spending more time at home, I’m leaning toward an Oony Fyra Pizza Oven this Christmas."
Unlike massive pizza ovens that cost a fortune, this one is portable and more affordable. The wood pellet fuel source can get the oven to over 900 degrees in 15 minutes. At that temperature, it only takes about a minute to create a restaurant quality pizza. "While it is purpose-built for producing pizzas, we’ll also be experimenting with roasting meats, seafood, veggies, and flatbreads," Lin says.
A Gorgeous Marble Tray
Interior designer Robin Baron loves this marble tray for instantly upgrading your home. “You deserve to treat yourself to something beautiful and special," Baron says. "Gift yourself this stunning marble tray so you can have a cozy, glam night in. Prepare a decadent cheese and charcuterie board, pour yourself a cocktail or glass of wine, and plan a date night with your friends over Zoom. You made it through 2020, and that’s worth celebrating.”
Embroidered Cocktail Napkins
"These embroidered cocktail napkins are so fun and cheeky,” says Kentucky-based designer Isabel Ladd. “They are my favorite napkins to serve with a drink, whether I'm cocktail-ing on my own or with friends. I have started collecting these because they are so witty.”
A Cozy Pillow
“While we all can't wait to wrap our arms around our loved ones when it is safe to do so, we can still wrap our arms around a cozy pillow,” says Lauren Meichtry of Elsie Home. “Pillows are a grown-up's stuffed animal, after all.”
A Soothing Candle
“For me, getting cozy at home during the wintertime is all about curling up with a good book, with some soft music playing and candles aglow,” says Tiffany Leigh Piotrowski of Tiffany Leigh Design. “We love these coconut and soy-based candles, since they fill the home with nostalgic scents tied to happy memories. They are a BIPOC, female-founded company from Toronto where I live, and we love supporting small or local shops during this unprecedented time.”
A Marble Terrazzo Board
“This fun marble terrazzo board is my absolute favorite affordable find for the home,” says Maureen Stevens of Maureen Stevens Design. “As we spend more and more time in our living spaces, this is the perfect pick for making your own scrumptious charcuterie board for one. Dining and partying solo doesn't mean you can't do it in style.”
A Plush Throw
“lf you're staying at home alone during the wintertime, it's so important to find little ways to stay cozy and feel happy,” says Cara Woodhouse. “I always recommend curling up with a pillow and luscious blanket, especially during the winter. This is a favorite affordable find from CB2, and it can go in pretty much any space you want to lounge around in.”
An Electric Fireplace
Joseph A. Berkowitz, founder of Philadelphia-based interiors studio JAB Design Group, highly recommends purchasing this electric fireplace. “Just run the electric and mount it on the wall—with its realistic flames and several heat settings, there is no better place to read a book, listen to music, or enjoy your favorite cocktail than next to a cozy fireplace," he says.