How to make your home cosy for winter
Interior designer Enis Karavil shares his top tips to hibernate in style
Enis Karavil is one of Istanbul’s most influential designers. Since launching his multi-disciplinary design studio SANAYI313 with his brother Amir Karavil in 2015, he’s completed high-profile commercial projects for fashion brands, restaurants and hotels, including Siedres, Melis Goral and the Mandarin Oriental. His portfolio of residential projects spans the globe, from Istanbul to London, New York to Miami.
He’s also opened a restaurant (SANAYI313 Kitchen) and a store (SANAYI313 Store) that sells a curated offering of vintage treasures, furniture, lifestyle products and home and fashion accessories. It also stocks pieces from his own furniture line that harmoniously blends form and function. Expect clean lines, a soothing palette and his signature range of materials — wood, bronze and glass are essential to his blueprint aesthetic. Each piece is conceived to his design and crafted by local artisans in Istanbul, with some taking over 100 hours to produce.
His design philosophy, centred on ‘maximalist expressions in minimalist details’, is shaped by the history, heritage and fusion of cultures in Istanbul. ‘As a designer, I draw inspiration from my travels and experiences as well as from history,’ he says. ‘Finding different ways to express myself always excites me.’
There’s nothing he likes more, it seems, than mixing contemporary pieces with antiques to spark unexpected conversations that inspire curiosity in his clients and collectors. But he’s equally committed, he says, to creating interiors that feel warm and approachable. ‘I want my clients to really enjoy the space they live in,’ he says. ‘If they don’t feel at ease and comfortable in it, the house won’t feel like a home.’
Which is why I asked Enis to share his favourite winter decorating ideas to hibernate in style. From cashmere luxuries and festive foliage to layered textiles, here’s how to make your home warm and cosy for winter.
1. Don’t be afraid of warm colours
For me, a winter colour palette revolves around burgundy, black and dark greens. I like to mix these colours with white and muted neutral tones, which are my general preferences when it comes to colour, to create a sense of warmth and intimacy in the space. You don’t need to go all out with bold colour. Instead, look to introduce wintry hues through soft furnishings and finishing touches such as lampshades, pillows or rugs.
2. Introduce rich, textural layers
I love to play with materials that remind me of winter and being cosy at home such as velvet and faux fur. These materials have tactile textures that are inviting and comforting, making a space feel more lived in and loved.
Natural materials such as wood, but in darker finishes, can also help to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. One of my favourite wintry pieces in the collection is this woolly stool with patinated paw feet (below right) — it’ll instantly bring a little cheer and cosiness to your interiors as the temperature drops.
3. Add comforting luxuries
Warm blankets, throws and plush pillows like those from Ragno make great company for cosy nights cuddled up next to an open fire. If you’re feeling extra decadent, opt for cashmere examples that’ll add a welcome dose of luxuriousness when the mercury dips.
Come winter, I prefer dining tables to be more ‘clothed’, with runners placed over tablecloths. This layered effect can make large entertaining rooms feel warm, welcoming and more intimate. I love employing home textiles in unusual ways, like using a hand-woven Karabag kilim rug in festive colours as a tablecloth. Ornate candlesticks with flickering candles will add a romantic touch and bring your tabletop to life in winter.
4. Embrace soft lighting
Lighting can really determine the mood of a space, especially during the winter months. I always try to create different scenarios and evoke different sensations by playing with light when working on interiors projects. I also believe in controlling the natural light flow in a space.
That said, candles and candlesticks with layers of melted candle wax on them combined with the warm glow coming from the fireplace are a good sign that winter has arrived. Scented candles, especially those by Mad Et Len, make for an extra special treat when the cold nights draw in.
5. Bring the outdoors in
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