The Heirloom Edit №7
Finding a little slice of summer in the depths of winter
I know the word romanticizing gets thrown around a lot, but today I’m going to offer a small defense of it, and of the mental health benefits it can bring. I’m going to risk another cliché while I’m at it:
“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.”
— Henry David Thoreau
Still here after all that basic-ness? Good. Let’s take Henry’s advice.
The world — this country — has felt dark, scary, and upsetting, especially lately. Finding joy in simple moments and small actions is one thing we still have some control over.
What follows are a few of the ways I’ve been finding that joy in daily life, from the inexpensive to the slightly more involved.
Greenhouse Visits, Flowers, & Indoor Farmers Markets
I bring my kids to school one day a week. (The temporary perk of having a senior who drives is that I don’t have to the other days. Next fall is going to be rough when he goes to college.) Because of that, my one weekly morning foray into the world feels more like an adventure than a chore.
A few weeks ago, after seeing a New Year’s social post, I impulsively stopped at our local greenhouse, Wentworth Greenhouses, which is once again open daily. Friend, I cannot recommend this enough. It’s warm. It’s bright. It smells like earth and other lovely things. Visually, it’s a verdant feast my eyes have been starved for. It’s almost — almost — like that feeling of stepping off a plane somewhere warm in the middle of winter.
A local florist—Mellow Botanical— delivers the most beautiful bouquets to the cooler there, and I’ve been grabbing one each visit. She always puts together the most romantic color and flower choices. It feels joyful and reasonably priced, and it supports two small businesses at once. Yes, there have been a few impulse buys (see below), but those have been indulgences, not requirements — though I do think it’s just good form to buy a little something in exchange for a mini-tropical vacation. Right?
I also noticed a flyer for an upcoming indoor farmers market. As much as I don’t love crowds, this sounds worth it. I’ll just plan to introvert and hibernate afterward.
Cozy Bedroom as a Winter Refuge
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Winter is the best time, in my humble opinion, for a bedding refresh. This is probably the heaviest lift on this list financially, but it’s also deeply decadent — and winter sales help soften the blow.
Here’s my recipe for a cozy winter bed:
Sheets: If nowhere else, here’s where to invest. I go for the good ones. We have a split king, which means two Twin XL fitted sheets, and the best in that size I’ve found are from Brooklinen. However, the rest of my sheet set is the one below.
Top sheet: I know this is controversial. I’m firmly pro–top sheet. I like to wash our sheets a couple of times a week, and this keeps the layer closest to my skin feeling fresh.
Waffle blanket: A place where I saved a bit. This one adds texture without too much warmth. If you’re a warm sleeper, skip this layer.
Duvet: I use an extra-fluffy, oversized duvet — not necessarily warmer, just fuller — with a Boll & Branch Reserve duvet cover.
Quilt: I love this thick quilt. In summer, we ditch the duvet and use just this.
Coverlet or throw: This usually covers the entire bed because Gracie gets up there, and her paws aren’t always 100% clean. It’s easy to remove and wash the coverlet without disturbing the white layers beneath.
The result is a bed that feels cozy and indulgent without being too warm (we keep the room cool), and it makes winter nights feel like something to look forward to rather than endure.
I know this isn’t quite the same as The Curio, but it will be back next week in its original format!
If you’d like to see more previously unseen spaces in our New Hampshire home, let me know. I’ve missed the home tours from the blogging days of old, and it might just be time to bring them back!
At its heart, Thoreau’s idea isn’t really about seasons. It’s about preserving warmth, joy, and vitality through intention. It’s about the hope of new green growth, even when the world feels cold.
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Just lovely - thanks for sharing! And I'm here for a home tour, please and thank you!
Home tours? Yes, please! Love them!