I am obsessed with the idea of Hygee.  The word is Danish in origin and is a noun, but it is not something you can just go to the store and purchase. It is an acknowledgement of a feeling of  contentment or specialness in a moment. Confusing…but not really in its simplicity. Take any moment- ordinary or extraordinary and make it special, savor life and each moment lived and you can experience hygee.

How does this translate into decor? Well it’s the art of creating intimacy, kinship and comfort. If you search the web you will see tons of photos of nature. Obviously I am not Danish- I am  a southern girl with splash of India ( by marriage, not birth)  so this is a concept that I can only explore and attempt to conceptualize. I feel that the dining room lends itself easily to this idea- meals around the table are special times in this house. We sit for hours, drink a little, eat good food and solve the problems of the world through great conversation.

Step one in creating intimacy in my dining room, finding a table large enough to seat everyone comfortably. We are around 12 people at any given family meal so that is a lot to ask from a table. I searched and searched but also could not spend thousands of dollars. I found a guy on Facebook Marketplace who had tables- seemed to have a quick turnaround so I asked him to build me a farm style table that was 8 feet long. I was able to choose the stain and paint color for the base- a solid wood custom 8 foot table, delivered in 3 weeks for only $600. Yes, you read that correctly…

We enjoyed Thanksgiving around this table with 12 people sitting comfortable together. perfect!

Next- how was I to create a cozy, intimate and comfortable dining atmosphere? Furs..around a table? Absolutely! I already had these sheepskin rugs- used them in my living room last year at Christmas and during the winter. You can see that here. The little chairs with the black throws are metal, and cold in the winter. Now you can sit and feel soft cushy fur under your bum and on you back.

Next I added greenery- lots of greenery- all real. I used a garland that I purchased at our local farmers market and added extra greenery from around my yard- it took it up a notch from lovely to amazing. this is an easy way to vamp up a garland, real or unreal. Just go in your yard or woods and collect greenery. Stick it in the garland in the same direction the greens are already going and layer, layer layer.

Add candles for intimacy and that cozy feel- who doesn’t love candlelight??  The round candle holders are from the Target dollar spot, the black conical ones from their candle selection. The star lights also are from the dollar spot!

A little more Christmas in my Grandmother’s hutch….

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I used greenery from my yard, my milk glass and moss. All  these things I already had – I got the little houses from …you guessed it…. the Target dollar spot.

Christmas decor doesn’t have to be expensive- look around your house and use what you already have. do you have a cake plate? Then use it- there is a way to make it work, think outside the box. If you don’t have bushes and evergreens- take a walk in the woods. It will be good for you and you will get the added benefit of being in nature. Bring that bag inside (yes carry a bag to bring those greens home) and use them. You can do it!

This sign from Cottonwood Shanty encompasses the idea completely. Meals around a table with those you love are what is most important. I think I’ve created a lovely space where my family can experience Hygge. I know that I do, each and every time I pass by and look at it. And thank you for visiting my little slice of the web and hanging with me today! Drop me a line in the comments about how you create the feeling of Hygge in your home! I’d love to hear from you.

Theresa