Creating a Cozy Glow for Long Winter Evenings

This post is in partnership with OKA.

As we rapidly approach the shortest day of the year I'm focusing on ways to create a cozy glow for the long winter evenings ahead of us. I'm thrilled to partner with OKA, a longtime favorite for furniture, lighting and decorative accents, to brighten this corner of our dining room and share my top picks for designing a space you'll be thrilled to come home to each evening. 

OKA's casual British aesthetic works in a range of homes – offering modern takes on classic designs at a very appealing price point. I first stumbled into their brick and mortar during a trip to England and loved the designs and the quality, so I was thrilled when they decided to expand in the US!

Here are my top tips for brightening corners of your home throughout the holidays and beyond: 

Add pretty lighting - OKA is such a great source for fun lighting and reasonably priced pleated lampshades. Whether you want to make a statement with one of their substantial Fenghuang lamps or illuminate a corner with their petite wireless Grisewood lamp, OKA has just the thing. I have a pair of the blue and white Fenghuang's (pictured in this post) and love their substantial size and subtle patina. For smaller spaces, this petrol colored lamp (pictured below) is perfect for brightening your desk, bar cart or kitchen counter. And of course, you can transform your existing lamp with a pretty pleated shade! (Just don't forget the lampshade converter if your current lamp has a US harp!) 

Hang a mirror - Mirrors helps bounce light around the room and the gilt frame on this Chrysta mirror hung over my fireplace adds a beautiful shimmer. Generally I'd recommend selecting a mirror that is a little narrower than the piece of furniture you'll hang it over, and prefer placing mirrors on walls perpendicular to windows to maximize bouncing light around the room. (If you place a mirror directly opposite a window it will often bounce the light right out!) Also consider what the mirror is reflecting. Is it an attractive scene? If not, leaning the mirror on the wall instead of hanging it can change what you see! 

Pops of Color - Easily add a pop of color with a throw pillow or two, especially one with lovely embroidered details like my berry colored Ocellus Pillow Cover. They're an inexpensive way to update your room to reflect each season, and during winter I love something with rich hues and a bit of texture! 

Live elements - Adding greenery or fresh florals brings life to a room, as does a flickering candle flame. Arrangements can be easy, like rounding up a dozen roses or elaborate, just pick a pretty vessel and you're good to go! Similarly, a few well placed candles or lighting a fire brings ambiance, warmth and life to a room. Whether you're a traditionalist, or like to mix things up with a mod moment, there's something for every room here! 

Additionally, Oka just launched their winter sale with some fabulous pieces up to 50% off and I've got my eye on these blown glass baubles, this chic pair of bookends and this stone and oak console table! 

SHOPPING LIST: