Contura guide to help Brits embrace ‘Cosyology’ – the art of creating cosy – as the chilly season sets in.
Colder weather getting you down? You’re not alone. Nearly half of Brits admit to feeling low with the onset of shorter days and darker evenings.
The UK meteorological winter officially kicks off on Saturday 1 December and to mark the season’s start, show the warmer side to winter, and help winter whiners beat the blues, Europe’s leading manufacturer of wood burning stoves, Contura, has designated winter’s eve – 30 November – ‘National Cosy Night’.
What’s more, National Cosy Night falls on a Friday this year and in Sweden, there is no day more homely than a Friday, which even has its own cosy term…
Fredagsmys translates, quite literally, to “cosy Friday,” and refers to the Swedish end-of-the-week ritual of holing up at home to relax, indulge in comfort food, watch movies and enjoy quality time after a week of hard work.
So to help the nation see that winter can be welcoming, Contura Style Director and Scandinavian lifestyle expert, Catharina Bjorkman, shares ten ‘Cosyology’ tips to help us cosy our way through the coldest of months.
“Winter in Sweden is all about enjoying cosy as temperatures can drop to as low as-30°C,” says Catharina. “There is even a dedicated Swedish term to describe cosiness and the pleasure that being cosy provides: Mysig.
“At Contura, we believe that ‘creating cosy’ can really help to elevate our mood, allowing us to celebrate the season rather than scorn it. After all, there is so much to love about winter – cosy nights in, dimmed lighting, intimate gatherings with friends or family, comfort food and drink, roaring fires and snuggling up in layers or blankets.”
And with research from Contura revealing that four in ten of us believe cosy nights in are THE best thing about the colder months, we’d be well advised to take inspiration from the pros on how to master the art of ‘Cosyology’:
1. Fredagsmys & National Cosy Night
Embrace “cosy Fridays” the Swedish way by snuggling on the sofa with a good book or film, grabbing your favourite foods and getting ready to enjoy a relaxing evening. Blankets, slippers and flickering candles will add to the homely atmosphere. Light the fire and enjoy the glow of the embers for a truly cosy touch.
Four in ten Brits claim cosy nights in are the best thing about winter and with ‘National Cosy Night’ falling on a Friday this year, what better way to mark the start of winter than with a cosy night at home with friends, loved ones, or enjoying some quality ‘me’ time?
2. A hug from homemade bakes
Baking is a national pastime in Sweden, with typical wintery treats including cinnamon and saffron buns, caramel knäck and warming glasses of glögg. Not only does baking provide a welcoming aroma, it also warms the home and brings families together to create culinary delights.
Why not plan a winter’s worth of fun baking events or a competition with friends or colleagues to see you through the colder months?
3. Brighten dark nights with soft light
In Sweden, it’s customary to use lamps rather than ceiling lights in the home. To create a soft glow, keep overhead lights off and opt for strings of fairy lights and table lamps to create a cosy living space.
4. Roaring fires
You can’t get more cosy than a roaring fire in winter. The smell of the burning wood, the sounds of crackling logs and the warming glow from the flames will provide the much needed toasty temperatures and make your home inviting.
5. Comfort food and drink
Get creative in the kitchen and cook up some warming foods this winter. Soups, stews, casseroles, pies, curries and roasts are simple to make and will provide the comfort to see you through cold weather. Sweet treats could include crumbles, steamed puddings or warm chocolate brownies.
For warming tipples, stock up on mulled wine and cider, plus good quality hot chocolate and coffee. Brandy, whiskey, rum and Baileys are good warming alcoholic optionstoo, whilst mulled apple juice will help the kids feel part of the winter rituals.
6. Cosy clothes
Although it’s tempting to go straight for PJs after a long day, Swedes prefer to look casual but put together – after all you never know when a friend or neighbour may pop round for a cup of coffee!
Try a fleecy jumper with lounge pants or harem trousers for a stylish evening option and opt for natural fibres such as wool, linen, silk and cotton for your evening attire to win out on both aesthetics and comfort.
7. Outdoor cosy
We inevitably have to brave the cold in the winter but being cosy outdoors can be easy if you have the right gear. Invest in some new knits, a good coat, a smart hat, and start enjoying a winter wardrobe that can keep you both stylish and warm.
8.Indoor crafting for QCT (quality cosy time)
A great way to keep little ones entertained at home is to make your own winter decorations. Wreaths, paper chains, photo frames, Christmas cards, candleholders, tablecloths… there are endless possibilities. On a cold or rainy day, crafting is a great way to spend time indoors, get cosy and help pass the time.
9. Winter reads
Snuggling up with a good book is a splendid way to get through the long winter evenings. Rather than spending time glued to apps, tackling emails or scrolling through social media, reading is a great way to escape the daily grind and the perfect distraction for a successful ‘digital detox’. How about starting a winter book club with friends or family? An evening catching up on the latest best sellers over a glass of wine is the epitome of a cosy night in.
10. Embrace Cosyology
Embrace Contura’s Cosyology tips and inspiration by creating a cosy and welcoming environment at home and winter will be far more enjoyable. Incorporating Mysig at home is easy too. Try a relaxing candlelit bath, do some baking, enjoy cake with friends, start a new book or boxset, dim the lights and add lots of cosy soft furnishings.
Mysig involves being kind to ourselves, enjoying little indulgences and taking pleasure in the simple things. It’s about embracing downtime, making our homes cosy and spending quality time alone or with others. It’s fair to say that we Swedes get through our long winter by being devoted followers of Mysig living.
For more information on Contura, please visit http://www.contura.eu
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
- Rooster PR will coordinate comment, interview and profile opportunities for Contura UK Country Manager, Phil Wood. The Contura PR team will also arrange visits to the nearest Contura Design Centre dealerships or the Contura showroom in Doncaster to see the product range.
- Sources detailed in footnotes.
For further press information, please contact:
Elsa Findlay/Jo Kendall/Julie Aguilera
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8930
E: [email protected]
About Contura:
Contura is Europe’s leading manufacturer of wood burning stoves, offering an extensive range of classic and contemporary wood burners; from traditional insert stoves suitable for existing fireplaces, to freestanding statement models made with innovative materials such as soapstone.
Starting at £1,295, Contura stoves are premium yet affordable. Award winning, timeless Swedish design means the products complement or enhance any style of home, whilst also offering outstanding performance, maximum efficiency, practicality and ease of use.
Designed and assembled at the factory located in Markaryd, Sweden, and manufactured to the highest standards, Contura stoves are highly energy efficient, offering powerful convection, superior combustion technology and clean burning systems. Currently, 75% of Contura stoves are DEFRA Clean Air Act exempt and thus approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.
Contura stoves can be purchased through a network of 165 independent retailers nationwide.
Contura is part of the NIBE group, a Swedish manufacturing company producing world class solutions in sustainable energy across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
Contura is a founding member of the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) in the UK.
For more information please visit www.contura.eu
[i] Results taken from a poll run on social media
[ii] https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/fun-at-home/a13512063/fredagsmys-swedish/
[iii] Results taken from a OnePoll survey commissioned by Contura in November 2017
