Let's get cozy
Swedish-style sweetness (Mezamé version)
When winter really arrives, the cold, the night falling at 4pm, the children who systematically refuse to put on their slippers… we have two options: complain (we're very good at that) or do like the Swedes : transform the house into a warm little cocoon where we live better, more gently (spoiler alert: they also need slippers).
Good news: you don't need a wooden chalet or to know how to pronounce "hygge". You can do everything just like them, simply.
We'll explain how it works in their country so we can adapt it to our own!
In Sweden, when winter arrives, you don't fight the cold. You welcome it . You tame it. You transform it into the perfect excuse to slow down , turn on a soft light, light candles everywhere (in short, you experience a power outage in the neighborhood) , and curl up in a soft corner where it's nice to breathe… The principle is to create comfortable, simple, and sincere moments.
What the Swedes teach us about winter. That comfort is something you build , that warmth isn't just found in radiators. That the floor can become the best place in the world ( we at Mezamé were already convinced of this ) and that softness changes everything. And above all, we don't just wait for winter to be pleasant ( guess what, cold feet are never pleasant) , in short, we make it pleasant .
The basic rules
Low lighting, a soft ambiance, no fluorescent lights, no harsh overhead lighting. Swedes light from below (you know that lamp right next to the table? Well, that's Hygge!) with small accent lamps, (lots of) candles, and little string lights. Warm materials. Soft cotton, wool, linen… and above all, nooks and crannies where you want to settle in (and do nothing). They live “on the floor”… that reminds us of someone. Families sit a lot on the floor, on rugs, close to each other.
A truly simple yet powerful way to reconnect. We slow down. No need for a schedule. A game, a snack, a story, a hug. We do little, but we do it well! We cultivate "lagom." Not too much, not too little. Just enough to feel good. (This part is still a little unclear to us, haha)
What would Hygge look like at our place? Come on, let's do nothing and do it well… Come on, let's love each other and not care, in short, you get the picture, right?
Because yes, we have children. So, let's face it, a candlelit atmosphere and deep silence are rarely on the agenda… So, here's a possible (and not perfect) version: A shared space where everyone can settle in. Soft lighting, even if the string lights are a bit too flashy. A simple snack, even if it makes a mess. A quiet moment, even if it lasts 8 minutes and 24 seconds. Spontaneous hugs, even if they quickly turn into chaos.
No need for elaborate decor, we have what you need… a rug, soft lighting, a warm blanket, a corner where you can really relax.
The true recipe for coziness? Softness, comfort, and simple moments shared close to the ground. Because that's where everything happens. That's where we breathe. That's where the family comes together. In short, THE ART OF LIVING ON THE GROUND (in the dark).
So let's get cozy. Really.
