Dear friends: Some shorter posts this week as I spend long days working in Manhattan on Anastasia. I’m not sure how many days, yet. I’m writing this one on Sunday afternoon. If, for some reason, you don’t see a post on a certain day, it’s simply because I have no time. These days will be 12 or 13 hours long, when I add in the commute.
A not-very-frequent observation on decorating and buzzwords:
The new home and hearth buzzword this season is Hygge. It’s being used to sell books, sell merchandise and sell people on a Danish word and the ‘lifestyle’ it represents. I’ve been amused by the books that are appearing on the subject, the tutorials and the blog posts on how to create Hygge. I’ve long thought that Hygge is something we already instinctively do – whether we live in a cold or warm climate, a house or an apartment, a tiny home or a tent.
I was pleased to discover an article on Houzz this week about this very subject. It confirmed my thoughts about the ubiquitous presence of Hygge. The article was entitled, “Busting Open 6 Nordic Design Myths,” one of which was Hygge.
Hygge is a Danish term/word for creating coziness and warmth. Presumably, those long Nordic winters have spawned certain decorating/coping skills that create that cozy feeling and that we need to learn over here on this side of the ocean.
But, in reality, as stated in a 2015 article on Houzz, Hygge is “spending time with the ones you love, in a home that is filled with light and well-loved items that fill you with everyday joy when you use them. You can’t buy Hygge, nor can you get someone to create it for you. It is the Nordic state of contentment that can only be found at home.”
Hurrah for the Nordic state of contentment that can only be found at home! I second that emotion. I’ve long felt the same way about my homes over the years, starting with my girlhood bedroom, through tiny studio apartments and onward to the home in which I currently live.
Most of us who love to create a cozy home filled with warmth and personality, who have things in our homes that have been collected and gathered, who love texture and textiles and comfy furniture, who love making a house or apartment a home, already do that. If what surrounds us matters to us and makes us happy – whether it’s furniture, books, objects, rugs, pets or people – then we’re already creating Hygge.
And if being in your home brings you contentment, then you’re already there.
I’m always a bit wary of trends and buzzwords and things like the ‘color of the year.’ I find them interesting, but I take them with a grain of salt. I suspect you do, too. If you love your home and have created a place that makes you happy, and that, at the end of the day, makes you sigh with contentment, congratulations! You’ve got Hygge.
And Rest in Peace, Al Jarreau. I filled many hours of my life playing your music, listening to your voice. Seeing you in concert was an incredible experience. Thank you. You will be missed.
Happy Monday.
Agreeing totally with you. I am not one for trends either. I will admit I did put one of the books concerning the Danish hygge on hold. There was another book that came out last year concerning decluttering. I didn’t finish it. I got as far as reading in it about dumping everything on the floor. I didn’t get it. Speaking of color of the year–it seems in the quilting world it is Flamingo Pink. Enough said. I hope your week goes well. Where I live the temperature yesterday was close to 78 degrees. Even had the A/C on. Today’s temperature is close to 50s. My mom called this type of weather “Pneumonia weather”.
I’ve seen that word and trend in blogs and when reading about it discovered that it’s something I already do! Ahead of the trend? Laughing. I have always felt my home was a reflection of me and I needed several things in it. Comfort, books, objects that are interesting to look at, a cat, more books, snuggly blankets in winter and good coffee.
I hope you have a great week, long hours but it’s doing something you love!
I don’t do trends very well but I have been Hygge for many years. As you say, it comes natural to those of us who enjoy creating a comfortable home filled with personality and enjoyment. Wishing you a not overly stressful week. I hope the snow is not affecting your commute too much. x
Al Jarreau is a favorite of mine too. I’ll be listening to him while I sew today.
I definitely have it, although I had never heard of it. My homes have always been about coziness, and my current small apartment is no different. I love walking into my home. I feel an amazing sense of contentment. xo Laura
I have never followed decorating trends – just filled my home with things I love and that appeal to me. As long as my home is welcoming and comfortable for me, my family and those who visit, it’s all good. Being surrounded by books, cats, a comfy couch and bed, sunshine coming in through the windows, fresh flowers and good food – my hygge. Funny you should mention this word – I recently came across an article about this subject and how the word has suddenly been overused: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/22/hygge-conspiracy-denmark-cosiness-trend
I was sad to hear about Al Jarreau’s death, too. I’ll be playing his music on Spotify today.
Usually don’t like trends but sometimes do try to see if there is anything of merit or lasting worth in them. Because I particularly believe in individual expression, for me, many are “no-brainers” that will seems silly or laughable in a few years and wouldn’t suit our home environment at all. I am one of those who particularly like the Wm. Morris declaration of only having things in your home that are either beautiful or useful and preferably both!…..We do live with material objects and they should be items that appeal specifically to us and not be the “current ” trends/fads. Most of all they should create an environment where people are comfortable and enjoy being .
Best of luck with your busy schedule. Dianne
Hygge is “umame” for the home.
I love your thoughts on hygge. I don’t care for anything that is contrived and so much of “cozy” and “cottage” and “hygge” on the internet is contrived.
Hygge…sounds like a warm hug. Our homes, giving us a warm hug every time we enter. For me, that warm hug manifests itself by way of collections, favorite pottery, books, and always plants. And it’s also the smells…scented candles, baking…dinner cooking. So, for once I can say I’m trendy? (wow) I really hope your week goes well for you!! ;)
Love your post, primarily because when I began reading the deluge of articles on Hygge my first thought was, “Rats!” I hate it when something I have embraced seemingly forever becomes trendy. Somehow it makes it feel less special and specific to me– and believe me, I hear how self-centered that sounds!
As an introvert who has always had to function in the world as an extrovert, my home has been more than sanctuary, more than shelter. Making my home life cozy was critical to my ability to function in the outside world, so I cobbled together a little life built of layers of coziness and comfort. Collected, gathered, curated from every thrift store, antique store, bookstore, music store, I have feathered this little nest that is equal parts comfy duvet and sheltering armor.
Garrison Keillor had a wonderful story about a “storm home” that I have always held close to my heart. The sigh of contentment that escapes me when he tells that story is, for me, Hygge. So be it—I’d better get out there and purchase some clothing in the Pantone color of the year ( since I do look good in green).
Yes, hygge is everywhere; it’s a hot topic…but it’s also a relief to consider it amid everything else in the world that’s so scary and unpleasant right now.
Al Jarreau. Sigh. Indeed so much of my 80s soundtrack. I always loved the theme song from the TV show Moonlighting (early Bruce Willis), sung and I think wrote by Al Jarreau.
Speaking of music, I was surprisingly engaged in The Grammys last night on TV. (I thought Bruno Mars did a pretty good tribute to Prince. And I thought Faith Hill looked fantastic.) Powerful performances by Katy Perry, Beyonce and Adele. I had tears in my eyes more than once. The words to Katy Perry’s new single are profound (“Chained to the Rhythm”). It makes one wonder if the younger pop generation will truly ‘get’ the meaning behind the words; I hope so. No, I think so. Have to believe so. The new and needed era of consciousness.
Gee, I’ve had HYGGE all my life and never even knew it. Cool! Have a great and productive week in New York – hope the nasty weather is of minimum hassle. Stay cozy and well. Peace.
#Resist
Good Morning, Claudia! I’ve seen “Hygge” once, and to be honest, I don’t like the look of the word, it doesn’t please my eyes. And how do you pronounce it anyway. How would I order a book with this title. Show it to the shop assistant written on a piece of paper? Or should I wait until I see the book in the supermarket where I can grab it without speaking?
I’m not into trends at all. But then, everything is better than this white-grey-black cool and heartlessness that is supposed to be “the style” in Switzerland. :-)
Regula