Carrots + Ginger + Apple - Supports and strengthens your immune system. Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevents cancer, reduces cholesterol, relieves indigestion and headache. Tomato + Carrot + Apple - Improves skin color and eliminates bad breath. Bitter pepper + Apple + Milk - prevents the appearance of bad breath and lowers the temperature. Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improves skin color and moisture and lowers temperature. Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon - Removes excess salt, nourishes the bladder and kidneys. Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi - Improves skin color and moisture. Pear and banana - regulates blood sugar. Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango - Increases internal body heat, resistance to toxins, lowers blood pressure and fights general body oxidation. Grapes + Watermelon + Milk - Vitamin C + Vitamin B2 which increase cellular activity and increase the bodys immunity. Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Vitamins C, E, Iron. Improves skin color and metabolism. Banana + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamins with nutrients, prevents constipation.
Wellness juices
Carrots + Ginger + Apple - Supports and strengthens yo...
The cabbage diet is a low-calorie mono diet, such a diet is difficult to tolerate by the body, therefore it is not recommended for people with a sick stomach, resorting to it is not recommended more than once a year. With such a diet, it is necessary to eat only cabbage for 5 days, you can not limit the amount eaten per day, you can drink light kefir in the morning, and throughout the day only water and not sweet tea. This diet is very effective, and also has a positive effect on the body, since cabbage contains useful vitamins, minerals and fiber, which stimulates the intestines.
Cabbage diet
The cabbage diet is a low-calorie mono diet, such a di...
Almost every one of us indulges daily with hot, aromatic tea that has a lot of types and tastes, with and without additives, they also differ in their properties. In this article we will talk about the two most popular types of tea, black and green. In fact, they are made from one plant, the difference is only in the method of processing this or that tea, but the most important difference between them is the effect on the human body. Black tea goes through a longer processing path before going to store shelves, and green tea practically skips all these processes, and for this reason many people consider this type to be more useful, and is this really what we will examine in detail. Basically, we only hear about the benefits of black and green tea, this is primarily due to advertising that manufacturers use to increase sales of their products. Green tea differs from black not only in color but also in taste, it has a light grassy note, slightly tart and at the same time fresh. Black tea is heavier, has a rich and astringent taste, in its aroma you can catch a honey note. High-quality tea in no case should not be bitter, it is best to opt for large leaf tea. Green tea has a color from pale yellow turning into greenish, black - from orange with a red note to dark brown. The composition of both types of tea includes such components: 1. Tannin - it has an anti-inflammatory effect, also bactericidal and astringent. This substance in green tea contains twice as much as in black. 2. Catechins are excellent antioxidants, they will help strengthen immunity, as well as reduce the number of microbes in the body. 3. Theonin - is an analogue of caffeine, it is slightly softer, but it has the same effect as caffeine - it activates the brain, gives energy, invigorates. 4. Vitamins P, B1, B2, K and C, all these vitamins are part of black and green tea, but in green tea they are many times more since it almost does not undergo processing. The composition of tea has been studied for a long time by different scientists, but at the same time they have not completely disclosed all the ingredients that are included in it, at the moment it is known that tea plants include at least 130 chemicals. Of these, 30-50% are extractive - this means that they dissolve in water and completely enter our body. The largest number of extracts is in green tea, about 50%, in black tea about 35%, and also it decreases depending on the age of the tea and how it was stored. Now we analyze in more detail the benefits and harms of tea. The benefits of black tea: 1. Stimulates the cardiovascular system 2. Improves kidney and digestion 3. Enhances cerebral circulation, thereby reducing the risk of stroke 4. Improves skin condition and appearance 5. Cleanses the body of accumulated toxins 6. Activates metabolism 7. Serving lemon tea reduces the risk of cell degeneration into cancer 8. It contains tannin which reduces the number of bacteria, black tea will help with diseases of the throat 9. I also use black tea in cosmetology to relieve puffiness and eye fatigue, as well as rejuvenation compresses The benefits of black tea are great, but there are also negative, even harmful aspects of drinking tea, but they are much less than the benefits that can not please all lovers of this drink. The harm of black tea: 1. Strong black tea stains tooth enamel 2. Pregnant women should not drink more than 2 cups of tea per day, as it contains caffeine, and it can reduce the weight of the fetus 3. Hot tea irritates the esophagus and stomach, which can lead to diseases of the digestive system or even organ deformation 4. Tea is worth drinking immediately after brewing, after 20 minutes of infusion, the oxidation process begins and you will receive all the harm of black tea to the fullest To avoid all the troubles and enjoy tasty and healthy tea, you need to not only choose the right product, but also be able to cook it. In China, to drink tea you need to conduct a whole ceremony, it is not only beautiful, but also makes the drink surprisingly tasty and healthy. The British call themselves connoisseurs and connoisseurs of this drink, who claim that only they know how to properly brew and serve tea, here are some tips: 1. The taste of tea directly depends on the quality of the water, for cooking you need to use pure spring water or one that has been thoroughly cleaned of heavy metals. 2. In no case should tea be brewed in iron utensils; this should be done in china or, in extreme cases, in glass. The Chinese are very reverent and carefully approach the choice of dishes, it should be made of special breathing clay. 3. It is also not a little important point to properly heat the water, namely, bring it to the desired temperature. Water only needs to be brought to a boil, which means that when small bubbles begin to rise en masse from the bottom, then you need to remove it from the fire. It is important not to overexpose the water otherwise it will destroy most of the beneficial substances in tea, and boiled water is also harmful to the body for a long time, but if you do not hold water then the tea will simply not be brewed. 4. In a teapot with a teapot, pour 2/3 of the water from the volume of the kettle itself. Black leaf tea should be brewed no longer than 5 minutes. If the tea is finely leafed, 3-4 minutes will suffice. When tea is brewed, add hot water to the brim, let stand for another minute and serve. Green tea, as already mentioned, practically does not undergo processing, for its production you only need to collect young leaves from the bushes and dry at the right temperature and suitable conditions. The beneficial properties of green tea are proven not only by many years of experience, but also by official laboratories. The benefits of green tea: 1. Normalizes digestion and speeds up metabolism 2. Improves the functioning of the liver, kidneys and intestines 3. With regular use, teeth and gums strengthen 4. There is a lot of zinc in tea, which helps strengthen nails, hair growth, and also accelerates wound healing 5. Helps fight fatigue 6. Vitamin P that is present in tea helps strengthen blood vessels and makes them more elastic 7. It lowers blood sugar and also protects the liver from toxins. 8. In addition to all this, tea is also used in cosmetology in the form of compresses or frozen to wipe the face. The skin becomes soft, healthy and fresh. The benefits of green tea are very great and can be described for a very long time. Green tea contains many trace elements that not only benefit our body, but can also be harmful in some cases. The harm of green tea: 1. Due to the high content of theophylline, green tea is not recommended for people with irritability 2. It is also worth consuming in large quantities for pregnant women, people who suffer from stomach ulcers or serious liver diseases 3. A large amount of green tea leaches iron from the body 4. You should not drink during the temperature, since the composition includes components that will only increase it even more. If the tea is properly prepared and has an acceptable temperature, then it will bring only pleasure. In order not to harm green tea, you need to properly prepare it. Brewing green tea is practically no different from the black brewing process, only the infusion time is from 8 to 10 minutes. You can squeeze hot water into a teapot about three times; this will in no way affect the taste and aroma of tea. How to choose the right tea? Several rules will help us with this; they apply to all types of tea. 1. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the color of the leaves, it must be uniform, for black tea from brown to black. Green tea can have several shades, but exclusively green, from light to dark. 2. All tea should have almost the same size of leaves, no matter what kind it is, but they are divided into three: 1) Loose tea is the most popular tea, it is packaged in metal or cardboard packaging, individual tea leaves with various additives that have differences in leaf size. 2) Pressed - less popular, these are briquettes weighing 2-2.5 kg. 3) Extracted - are tea concentrates, it is a powder or granules that are synthesized chemically, such extracts are used in tea bags. 3. In a quality tea there should be no foreign matter such as sticks, dust or other garbage. 4. The stronger the twisted leaves of tea, the better it is, it will also have a rich taste and strength. Also, more twisted tea leaves are easier to store and it does not lose its taste for a long time, and therefore this tea will fully give its aroma and taste when brewed. 5. High quality tea should have a moisture content of about 3-6%. Strongly overdried tea easily turns into a peel if rubbed between the fingers, it is neither tasty nor healthy. And if the humidity is higher than indicated, then there is a risk that such tea will mold, and this is very dangerous. 6. To choose the right tea, you need to smell it, it should not smell like burnt, mold, metal or anything else, the smell of good tea is usually not sharp and has a grassy touch. 7. The inscription China National Tea & Native Product Import & Export Corp should be written on the packaging of real Chinese tea, if you see that only Made in China is written, be sure that such tea never crossed even the borders of this state, much less produced there. With Indian tea a little more complicated, it is produced by several large companies at once, so Made in India can guarantee that the tea is produced there. But to make sure you look for the inscriptions Packed in Sri-Lanka or Davenport and A. Toch, then you can be sure that you have real Ceylon tea. Now you know how to choose the right tea and how to prepare it in order to get the maximum benefit and pleasure, do not be afraid of this drink, the main thing is to know the measure of consumption and then each tea party will bring only benefit and joy.
The benefits and harms of black and green tea
Almost every one of us indulges daily with hot, aromat...
Idea 1. Winter library look. This library look is a perfect fit for a snowy winter day. Filled with shelves of leather-bound tomes, tufted chesterfield sofas and focused lighting from brass sconces, the study is the perfect spot to curl up with a favorite novel, enjoy a cup of tea or nap away the afternoon. Built-in bookcases may run up a tab, but two or three flat-pack units arranged tightly in a row can nearly fill a wall without breaking the budget. Pack them with as many books you can find — the fuller the better. Check out garage sales, thrift shops and library clearance sales for additional hardback books if you’re short. Sure, you may not have a tufted leather sofa on hand, but any love seat positioned in front of the bookcases will look dramatic. Instead of square throw pillows, try round bolsters in the corners for a more formal style. A vintage rug is ideal underneath, but convincing reproductions can be found online for a fraction of the price. For the coziest of lighting in the evenings, add sconces to your bookcases. Inexpensive clip-on downlights work perfectly in a pinch. If possible, flank the love seat with a pair of floor reading lamps, swiveled low over the arms of the sofa. Idea 2. The Scandinavian chalet. Crisp white paint, whitewashed wood and neutral furnishings make even the gloomiest of days feel bright. This aesthetic is definitely modern, yet it’s touched with woodsy rusticity and directly connected to nature. Winter-friendly accessories bring in a bit more comfort and prevent the space from feeling cold. Compatible with the popular all-white color scheme, the Scandinavian chalet look can be achieved with a few tweaks — some more involved than others. For an amazing yet affordable chalet transformation, consider covering one wall (ideally around a fireplace) in inexpensive pine boards. You can run them horizontally or vertically, and you may choose to either paint them to match your other walls or seal them with a whitewash or light gray stain. Embrace irregularities and small gaps between the boards — they’ll give you the modern, woodsy touch that makes these spaces memorable. Define a seating area using a generously scaled jute rug. Build on this surface’s natural color and texture with pieces of upholstery. If your furniture isn’t neutral, try slipcovering it or even tossing a large canvas dropcloth over it. A stack of substantial floor pillows encourages a more relaxed gathering beside the fire or around a board game. And a faux sheepskin throw or two will further warm the space. For accessories, try hanging a white papier-mache deer mount over your hearth and stacking paper birch logs beside the fireplace. For lighting, overscale paper lanterns affixed to a simple plug-in pendant light make a big 1970s Scandinavian statement at minimal cost. Idea 3. The boho nest. Longing for the warm colors of summer? This look brings them indoors using tapestries, artwork and an abundance of houseplants. Layering is the name of the game, with floors covered by an arrangement of inexpensive flat-weave rugs, upholstery draped in throws and embroidered pillows, and groupings of mixed-media art on the walls. While many seeking the boho style focus on white walls as a backdrop, you can create a warmer space with a bold color or dark earth tone. Paint one or more of your living room walls to invite contrast. Start building your nest from the floor up. Instead of purchasing one large expensive rug, try layering a mixture of smaller and more affordable rugs of varying styles and colors for an eclectic and relaxed feel. If you have walls that feel a little barren, consider draping them with floor-to-ceiling curtains. This will envelop and soften the edges of the room. If premade ones aren’t in the budget, you can easily make your own perfectly fitted drapes with fabric. Create a simple hem around the edges with a quick pass through the sewing machine or a little bit of ironing with hem tape. Use ring clips to attach the fabric panels to curtain rods. A gallery wall can also give your living room a warmer feel. While typical galleries consisting solely of framed art tend to be the decorating norm, you can keep the look fresh and more bohemian by integrating a broader spectrum of art types. Hang clay or wood pieces, textile art, paper sculptures and even wall-clinging plants — like staghorn ferns — to give your gallery wall life and personality.
3 Ideas for turning your home into a winter paradise
Idea 1. Winter library look. This library look is a...

1. Avocados are considered Mexican fruits, but there are two more different types of Guatemalan and West Indian avocados.

2. The Spaniards were the first to discover this fruit, but the name given to them by the Aztecs ahuacatl meant "testicle" in them, and they considered the avocado the strongest aphrodisiac.

3. The chemical composition of avocados is very close to vegetables. These fruits grow on trees up to 20 meters high and belong to the laurel family. But you can also grow such a miracle in living conditions, but you should not expect any fruits.

4. At the moment, around the world there are about 400 varieties of avocados, they differ in appearance and size, the weight of which ranges from 40 grams. and up to 1 kg. Colors also vary from light green to dark purple, from pear-shaped to round.

5. Avocados are plucked only when they are fully ripened, the fruit on the tree does not become soft, it can hang on the tree for many months without losing its elasticity, and only after harvesting does the fruit begin to become soft.

6. Avocados can not be stored in the refrigerator there, it will become hard and not ripen.

7. The fruit does not contain harmful fats, it is very nutritious but does not contain carbohydrates; therefore, it is considered dietary, although it is almost twice as high in calorie content as lean meat. As part of avocados, there are substances that break down cholesterol in the blood.

8. To maintain the freshness of the cut avocado, sprinkle it with lemon.

9. Avocado normalizes blood circulation, focuses attention and memory, promotes proper heart function. Very useful for digestion. It contains copper, iron and vitamin B2, as well as a lot of potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium and other minerals.

10. A harmful avocado is only due to the fact that there is a certain accumulation of toxins in the bone, but since it is not used for food, you can not be afraid of anything.

Carrots + Ginger + Apple - Supports and strengthens your immune system. Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevents cancer, reduces cholesterol, relieves indigestion and headache. Tomato + Carrot + Apple - Improves skin color and eliminates bad breath. Bitter pepper + Apple + Milk - prevents the appearance of bad breath and lowers the temperature. Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improves skin color and moisture and lowers temperature. Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon - Removes excess salt, nourishes the bladder and kidneys. Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi - Improves skin color and moisture. Pear and banana - regulates blood sugar. Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango - Increases internal body heat, resistance to toxins, lowers blood pressure and fights general body oxidation. Grapes + Watermelon + Milk - Vitamin C + Vitamin B2 which increase cellular activity and increase the bodys immunity. Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Vitamins C, E, Iron. Improves skin color and metabolism. Banana + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamins with nutrients, prevents constipation.
Wellness juices
Carrots + Ginger + Apple - Supports and strengthens yo...
The cabbage diet is a low-calorie mono diet, such a diet is difficult to tolerate by the body, therefore it is not recommended for people with a sick stomach, resorting to it is not recommended more than once a year. With such a diet, it is necessary to eat only cabbage for 5 days, you can not limit the amount eaten per day, you can drink light kefir in the morning, and throughout the day only water and not sweet tea. This diet is very effective, and also has a positive effect on the body, since cabbage contains useful vitamins, minerals and fiber, which stimulates the intestines.
Cabbage diet
The cabbage diet is a low-calorie mono diet, such a di...
Almost every one of us indulges daily with hot, aromatic tea that has a lot of types and tastes, with and without additives, they also differ in their properties. In this article we will talk about the two most popular types of tea, black and green. In fact, they are made from one plant, the difference is only in the method of processing this or that tea, but the most important difference between them is the effect on the human body. Black tea goes through a longer processing path before going to store shelves, and green tea practically skips all these processes, and for this reason many people consider this type to be more useful, and is this really what we will examine in detail. Basically, we only hear about the benefits of black and green tea, this is primarily due to advertising that manufacturers use to increase sales of their products. Green tea differs from black not only in color but also in taste, it has a light grassy note, slightly tart and at the same time fresh. Black tea is heavier, has a rich and astringent taste, in its aroma you can catch a honey note. High-quality tea in no case should not be bitter, it is best to opt for large leaf tea. Green tea has a color from pale yellow turning into greenish, black - from orange with a red note to dark brown. The composition of both types of tea includes such components: 1. Tannin - it has an anti-inflammatory effect, also bactericidal and astringent. This substance in green tea contains twice as much as in black. 2. Catechins are excellent antioxidants, they will help strengthen immunity, as well as reduce the number of microbes in the body. 3. Theonin - is an analogue of caffeine, it is slightly softer, but it has the same effect as caffeine - it activates the brain, gives energy, invigorates. 4. Vitamins P, B1, B2, K and C, all these vitamins are part of black and green tea, but in green tea they are many times more since it almost does not undergo processing. The composition of tea has been studied for a long time by different scientists, but at the same time they have not completely disclosed all the ingredients that are included in it, at the moment it is known that tea plants include at least 130 chemicals. Of these, 30-50% are extractive - this means that they dissolve in water and completely enter our body. The largest number of extracts is in green tea, about 50%, in black tea about 35%, and also it decreases depending on the age of the tea and how it was stored. Now we analyze in more detail the benefits and harms of tea. The benefits of black tea: 1. Stimulates the cardiovascular system 2. Improves kidney and digestion 3. Enhances cerebral circulation, thereby reducing the risk of stroke 4. Improves skin condition and appearance 5. Cleanses the body of accumulated toxins 6. Activates metabolism 7. Serving lemon tea reduces the risk of cell degeneration into cancer 8. It contains tannin which reduces the number of bacteria, black tea will help with diseases of the throat 9. I also use black tea in cosmetology to relieve puffiness and eye fatigue, as well as rejuvenation compresses The benefits of black tea are great, but there are also negative, even harmful aspects of drinking tea, but they are much less than the benefits that can not please all lovers of this drink. The harm of black tea: 1. Strong black tea stains tooth enamel 2. Pregnant women should not drink more than 2 cups of tea per day, as it contains caffeine, and it can reduce the weight of the fetus 3. Hot tea irritates the esophagus and stomach, which can lead to diseases of the digestive system or even organ deformation 4. Tea is worth drinking immediately after brewing, after 20 minutes of infusion, the oxidation process begins and you will receive all the harm of black tea to the fullest To avoid all the troubles and enjoy tasty and healthy tea, you need to not only choose the right product, but also be able to cook it. In China, to drink tea you need to conduct a whole ceremony, it is not only beautiful, but also makes the drink surprisingly tasty and healthy. The British call themselves connoisseurs and connoisseurs of this drink, who claim that only they know how to properly brew and serve tea, here are some tips: 1. The taste of tea directly depends on the quality of the water, for cooking you need to use pure spring water or one that has been thoroughly cleaned of heavy metals. 2. In no case should tea be brewed in iron utensils; this should be done in china or, in extreme cases, in glass. The Chinese are very reverent and carefully approach the choice of dishes, it should be made of special breathing clay. 3. It is also not a little important point to properly heat the water, namely, bring it to the desired temperature. Water only needs to be brought to a boil, which means that when small bubbles begin to rise en masse from the bottom, then you need to remove it from the fire. It is important not to overexpose the water otherwise it will destroy most of the beneficial substances in tea, and boiled water is also harmful to the body for a long time, but if you do not hold water then the tea will simply not be brewed. 4. In a teapot with a teapot, pour 2/3 of the water from the volume of the kettle itself. Black leaf tea should be brewed no longer than 5 minutes. If the tea is finely leafed, 3-4 minutes will suffice. When tea is brewed, add hot water to the brim, let stand for another minute and serve. Green tea, as already mentioned, practically does not undergo processing, for its production you only need to collect young leaves from the bushes and dry at the right temperature and suitable conditions. The beneficial properties of green tea are proven not only by many years of experience, but also by official laboratories. The benefits of green tea: 1. Normalizes digestion and speeds up metabolism 2. Improves the functioning of the liver, kidneys and intestines 3. With regular use, teeth and gums strengthen 4. There is a lot of zinc in tea, which helps strengthen nails, hair growth, and also accelerates wound healing 5. Helps fight fatigue 6. Vitamin P that is present in tea helps strengthen blood vessels and makes them more elastic 7. It lowers blood sugar and also protects the liver from toxins. 8. In addition to all this, tea is also used in cosmetology in the form of compresses or frozen to wipe the face. The skin becomes soft, healthy and fresh. The benefits of green tea are very great and can be described for a very long time. Green tea contains many trace elements that not only benefit our body, but can also be harmful in some cases. The harm of green tea: 1. Due to the high content of theophylline, green tea is not recommended for people with irritability 2. It is also worth consuming in large quantities for pregnant women, people who suffer from stomach ulcers or serious liver diseases 3. A large amount of green tea leaches iron from the body 4. You should not drink during the temperature, since the composition includes components that will only increase it even more. If the tea is properly prepared and has an acceptable temperature, then it will bring only pleasure. In order not to harm green tea, you need to properly prepare it. Brewing green tea is practically no different from the black brewing process, only the infusion time is from 8 to 10 minutes. You can squeeze hot water into a teapot about three times; this will in no way affect the taste and aroma of tea. How to choose the right tea? Several rules will help us with this; they apply to all types of tea. 1. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the color of the leaves, it must be uniform, for black tea from brown to black. Green tea can have several shades, but exclusively green, from light to dark. 2. All tea should have almost the same size of leaves, no matter what kind it is, but they are divided into three: 1) Loose tea is the most popular tea, it is packaged in metal or cardboard packaging, individual tea leaves with various additives that have differences in leaf size. 2) Pressed - less popular, these are briquettes weighing 2-2.5 kg. 3) Extracted - are tea concentrates, it is a powder or granules that are synthesized chemically, such extracts are used in tea bags. 3. In a quality tea there should be no foreign matter such as sticks, dust or other garbage. 4. The stronger the twisted leaves of tea, the better it is, it will also have a rich taste and strength. Also, more twisted tea leaves are easier to store and it does not lose its taste for a long time, and therefore this tea will fully give its aroma and taste when brewed. 5. High quality tea should have a moisture content of about 3-6%. Strongly overdried tea easily turns into a peel if rubbed between the fingers, it is neither tasty nor healthy. And if the humidity is higher than indicated, then there is a risk that such tea will mold, and this is very dangerous. 6. To choose the right tea, you need to smell it, it should not smell like burnt, mold, metal or anything else, the smell of good tea is usually not sharp and has a grassy touch. 7. The inscription China National Tea & Native Product Import & Export Corp should be written on the packaging of real Chinese tea, if you see that only Made in China is written, be sure that such tea never crossed even the borders of this state, much less produced there. With Indian tea a little more complicated, it is produced by several large companies at once, so Made in India can guarantee that the tea is produced there. But to make sure you look for the inscriptions Packed in Sri-Lanka or Davenport and A. Toch, then you can be sure that you have real Ceylon tea. Now you know how to choose the right tea and how to prepare it in order to get the maximum benefit and pleasure, do not be afraid of this drink, the main thing is to know the measure of consumption and then each tea party will bring only benefit and joy.
The benefits and harms of black and green tea
Almost every one of us indulges daily with hot, aromat...
Idea 1. Winter library look. This library look is a perfect fit for a snowy winter day. Filled with shelves of leather-bound tomes, tufted chesterfield sofas and focused lighting from brass sconces, the study is the perfect spot to curl up with a favorite novel, enjoy a cup of tea or nap away the afternoon. Built-in bookcases may run up a tab, but two or three flat-pack units arranged tightly in a row can nearly fill a wall without breaking the budget. Pack them with as many books you can find — the fuller the better. Check out garage sales, thrift shops and library clearance sales for additional hardback books if you’re short. Sure, you may not have a tufted leather sofa on hand, but any love seat positioned in front of the bookcases will look dramatic. Instead of square throw pillows, try round bolsters in the corners for a more formal style. A vintage rug is ideal underneath, but convincing reproductions can be found online for a fraction of the price. For the coziest of lighting in the evenings, add sconces to your bookcases. Inexpensive clip-on downlights work perfectly in a pinch. If possible, flank the love seat with a pair of floor reading lamps, swiveled low over the arms of the sofa. Idea 2. The Scandinavian chalet. Crisp white paint, whitewashed wood and neutral furnishings make even the gloomiest of days feel bright. This aesthetic is definitely modern, yet it’s touched with woodsy rusticity and directly connected to nature. Winter-friendly accessories bring in a bit more comfort and prevent the space from feeling cold. Compatible with the popular all-white color scheme, the Scandinavian chalet look can be achieved with a few tweaks — some more involved than others. For an amazing yet affordable chalet transformation, consider covering one wall (ideally around a fireplace) in inexpensive pine boards. You can run them horizontally or vertically, and you may choose to either paint them to match your other walls or seal them with a whitewash or light gray stain. Embrace irregularities and small gaps between the boards — they’ll give you the modern, woodsy touch that makes these spaces memorable. Define a seating area using a generously scaled jute rug. Build on this surface’s natural color and texture with pieces of upholstery. If your furniture isn’t neutral, try slipcovering it or even tossing a large canvas dropcloth over it. A stack of substantial floor pillows encourages a more relaxed gathering beside the fire or around a board game. And a faux sheepskin throw or two will further warm the space. For accessories, try hanging a white papier-mache deer mount over your hearth and stacking paper birch logs beside the fireplace. For lighting, overscale paper lanterns affixed to a simple plug-in pendant light make a big 1970s Scandinavian statement at minimal cost. Idea 3. The boho nest. Longing for the warm colors of summer? This look brings them indoors using tapestries, artwork and an abundance of houseplants. Layering is the name of the game, with floors covered by an arrangement of inexpensive flat-weave rugs, upholstery draped in throws and embroidered pillows, and groupings of mixed-media art on the walls. While many seeking the boho style focus on white walls as a backdrop, you can create a warmer space with a bold color or dark earth tone. Paint one or more of your living room walls to invite contrast. Start building your nest from the floor up. Instead of purchasing one large expensive rug, try layering a mixture of smaller and more affordable rugs of varying styles and colors for an eclectic and relaxed feel. If you have walls that feel a little barren, consider draping them with floor-to-ceiling curtains. This will envelop and soften the edges of the room. If premade ones aren’t in the budget, you can easily make your own perfectly fitted drapes with fabric. Create a simple hem around the edges with a quick pass through the sewing machine or a little bit of ironing with hem tape. Use ring clips to attach the fabric panels to curtain rods. A gallery wall can also give your living room a warmer feel. While typical galleries consisting solely of framed art tend to be the decorating norm, you can keep the look fresh and more bohemian by integrating a broader spectrum of art types. Hang clay or wood pieces, textile art, paper sculptures and even wall-clinging plants — like staghorn ferns — to give your gallery wall life and personality.
3 Ideas for turning your home into a winter paradise
Idea 1. Winter library look. This library look is a...