Which Décor Styles Have “Winter Appeal”?

 If you’re a transplant to Florida, you may miss the warm and cozy winter feel of more northern climates... especially as loved ones share photos of the snow-covered landscapes outside their northern doors. Missing that snug, comforting sensation you get when you walk in the door, shed your winter coat, and enjoy a hot coffee or tea?

In Florida, we have a different kind of winter — one that's celebrated in the sunshine. If you want to enhance the winter vibe in your home, however, you may want to adjust the décor instead of the thermostat. Certain design styles immediately put one in the mind of the winter, so if you want the winter feel in your Florida home, try these décor motifs.

Cottagecore

What is more wintery than a cottage in the woods? As the name implies, Cottagecore is a European-inspired style that emulates European rural or farm life. It’s appealing to many of us because so many childhood stories were set in cottages in the woods. Cottagecore combines unfinished wood, floral or botanical prints, vintage accents, and other rustic details. 

The white-washed wood in this quaint bedroom featuring the Royal Palm Queen Louvered Bed is ideal for a Cottagecore space. As you can see, the room is bright and airy but has the coziness of a small single-room cottage in the mountains.

Traditional 

Even though many of us were born after the latter half of the previous century, our image of the winter is heavily influenced by older period films, like “Citizen Kane” and “Miracle on 34th Street.” Consequently, the traditional aesthetic can match our vision of the winter. 

Traditional décor is characterized by wood, leather, and other natural materials. Accessories are often jewel-toned and have classic prints, like pin dots, herringbone, and subtle stripes. 

We love this traditional space with the Fraser Island Desk from the Tommy Bahama Island Estate Collection. With a few accents, it would be the perfect backdrop for a little gift exchange with the kids. 

Tropical

If you think we included tropical by mistake, you’ve probably never seen “Blue Hawaii,” starring 26-year-old Elvis Presley and Angela Lansbury. This light-hearted 1961 musical forever changed our vision of warm-weather winters, and as Floridians, we couldn’t be happier.

Tropical interiors make liberal use of rattan and bamboo, dark greens, and the type of vivid colors that one might see in exotic flora and fauna. This colorful backdrop is perfect for winter décor and celebrations. 

This tropical living room makes inventive use of the Nobu Square Cocktail Table by Tommy Bahama Home. Now picture it with a row of stockings hanging from the stairs and a few occupants wearing winter-themed Hawaiian shirts (snowmen, poinsettias, or igloos) and you’ve set the stage for your tropical winter.  

Mid-Century Modern

The period from 1945 to 1969, from which Mid-Century Modern derives its inspiration, was primarily a prosperous, hopeful time. There was a celebratory spirit in the air, and this was amplified during the winter. Many Baby Boomers and Generation X people fondly remember celebrations at their cool grandparents’ homes or even in their parents’ living rooms. 

Mid-Century Modern features modern shapes, geometric patterns, and a lean toward minimalism. The basic, clean look of MCM makes it easy to dress up for the holidays. One of our favorite Mid-Century Modern pieces is the Hooker Furniture Big Bang Entertainment Console. The gilded doors with the starburst pattern almost give this retro piece a winter feel. 

Winter Style Tips 

The following ideas will help you better enjoy your winter-friendly furniture. 

Create a Versatile Look for Your Home 

One of the biggest mistakes that home decorators make is purchasing furniture for specific occasions. You may win accolades from your friends and family for having the perfect winter home, but you may not appreciate the warm coziness of winter décor in July and August. We intentionally showed you how these versatile pieces would look without the traditional holiday decorations, which only tend to stay up for a month or two.

Embrace the Sunshine

If you happen to live in a warmer climate, don’t fight it. You may be tempted to artificially darken your home to emulate northern winter weather, but chances are good that you will cast a drab pall over your space. You can create plenty of atmosphere with mood lighting and wintery décor, but feel free to leave the windows open. You can always spray some artificial snow on the window panes if you’re really missing the northern freeze. 

Winter is a fantastic time to upgrade your home furniture and reinvent your look. Baer’s Furniture is one of Florida’s premier furniture retailers. With 16 furniture stores in major cities throughout Florida, there is bound to be a Baer’s Furniture near you. Stop in today!

Furniture with Art and as Art

Looking to spruce up your space and add in more eclectic pieces? Or perhaps you're simply searching for a unique pattern and pop of color? We have just the tip for you!

Now more than ever, many people are purchasing furniture featuring murals and paintings, as well as other types of art, to add a custom aesthetic to their living spaces. In other words, the furniture becomes part of the art and isn't just offsetting it. However, another great way to create a cool, fun aesthetic in the room is to invest in furniture that pairs well with art pieces such as paintings, gallery walls, or even sculptures in your home.

Why Artistic Furniture Is Trending

Before we delve into what types of furniture to look for, let's talk about why artistic furniture is so popular.

Designers frequently refer to furniture as "functional art." Functional art is usually aesthetic objects that serve utilitarian purposes. Furniture is already an art form, but furniture that features art adds a uniqueness and niche quality many spaces don't have.

Have you ever seen a console with gorgeous carved images? Or what about a dresser with a painted mural? Believe it or not, this type of furniture brings more joy into a room because the art tells a story. You don't just have to hang pictures or find someone to paint a cool mural on your wall if your furniture is the art.

Types of Furniture to Look For

Pieces with images on them or that complement other art in the room are among the best types of furniture for this aesthetic. Typically, a nice neutral or solid-colored sofa will do the trick in complementing paintings on the walls or photo galleries on shelves.

On the other hand, when looking for furniture that features art, you want pieces that are bold and stand out to add that bit of fun and texture to the space.

Furniture Featuring Art 

When looking for furniture that features art, consider pieces that have more surface area and are wider so that they really show off the art. Try looking at cool coffee tables, dressers, end tables, and even consoles. A beautiful console can liven up a living room and also create a much more appealing place to put a TV so that this part of the room doesn't look plain and dry.

The Hooker Big Bang Entertainment Console is a perfect example of a piece that stands out as a metallic piece with rays carved into relief. Its shine will instantly brighten up your TV room.

If you want something colorful for your bedroom, dining room, or hallway, the Coast2Coast Cottage Credenza will fit perfectly with many decorative motifs. 

Furniture That Complements Art 

To complement art in a space, we often recommend large pieces with solid, neutral tones, like couches, loveseats, and chairs. These furniture pieces are great for offsetting intense textures and ornate patterns that you might have in your wall art and/or sculptures and murals. The Lansing Sectional Sofa is the perfect piece for this purpose. Look at how it balances the light coming into the room with the painting hung directly behind it and also serves as a link between the floor lamp and wood accent. Its beige tone is also great if you're going for a more modern look in the room. 

It's always important to add personality to your space, and it can be easily done by including pieces with art on them. For more information and selections on these types of pieces, visit the Baer's website. With 16 furniture showroom locations throughout Florida, Baer's Furniture has dozens of artistic pieces on display. Stop in today.

Preparing Your Home for an Extended Vacation

 You may know Florida by its official nickname, “The Sunshine State,” but among locals, it’s affectionately referred to as “The Snowbird State.” Many part-time Florida residents also keep a home in another state, Canada, or even further abroad. The advantages are that they can enjoy the sun and fun in December and return home when the weather is more palatable. 

But how do you prepare both your northern home and your Florida home for an extended absence? Leaving for a few weeks is not always a big deal, but if you leave for a few months or more, there are some steps you should take to ensure your home is safe, clean, and intact for your return. 

Why Preparation is Important

The longer you’re away from your home, the greater the chance that a damaging event can happen. Your roof can develop a leak, the water heater can break and flood the basement or garage, or you could be the victim of vandalism or burglary. Sure, some of these events could happen whether you’re home or away, but if you’re home or nearby, you can take measures to mitigate the damage. 

Tips For Preparing Your Home Against Damage

Whether you’re preparing your northern home for a long trip to Florida or your Florida home for a return north, the following tips will help preserve the comfortable state of your home. 

Ask A Neighbor to Check In

If you have indoor plants, you may have already thought about this, but even if your interior is decorated with faux foliage, your neighbor can check around and look for anything of concern: a cracked window, leaks, odors, or anything that’s out of place. They can also take in the mail and water the plants. 

Buy a Dehumidifier

We believe having a dehumidifier in Florida — where humidity is frequently in the 80s and 90s — is essential. Some models have an attachment for a garden hose to drain automatically. If you’re not going to be there to empty the water trap, you’ll need this feature. Can you imagine what several months of humidity could do to the supple leather of this Natuzzi Astuzia 5-Piece Reclining Sectional?

Don’t Completely Shut Off Your HVAC System

For the same reason we mentioned in the previous section, you will want to leave your HVAC system running. You don’t have to keep your Florida home cooled to 72 degrees when you’re not there, but you don’t want your interior to climb to the 80s. High temperatures can cause wooden furniture to expand and contract, causing it to crack. If you set your thermostat to 79 or 80, your bill will remain relatively low, and it will keep your home ventilated. You may also leave a ceiling fan on to promote airflow. 

A beautiful, high-quality piece like the Easton Hills Relaxed Vintage Credenza may be durable enough for extensive use, but high humidity can shorten its lifespan. 

Let the Police Department Know the House Will Be Empty

Many Florida police departments provide extra watch services for homes and businesses that will be unoccupied for periods of time. It lets the officer patrolling your zone know to keep an eye out for your property. Additionally, you should do your best to give your home a “lived-in” appearance. That means you leave a light or two on, make sure you either stop your mail or have a neighbor bring it in, and your landscaping is maintained. 

Hire a Housekeeper

Few things are quite as satisfying as coming home to a clean home. Without expending a fortune, you can hire a housekeeper to come in every two weeks for half a day. In addition to dusting, ventilating your home, and conditioning furniture, they can water the plants, toss out junk mail, and examine the home for any signs of neglect. You may also choose to have a deep clean done while you’re away. 

Have a Storm Contingency Plan

This works both ways. If you’re away from Florida during hurricane season, you need a plan to prepare your property ahead of a storm. If you’re away from your northern home during the winter, your property may experience a blizzard in your absence. 

Taking Advantage of Your Absence 

If you aren’t going to be home for a few months, it may be the ideal time to tackle extensive home remodeling or home renovation projects. You can avoid the dust and disruption while you’re gone and return to an amazing new home. 

Who wouldn’t want to spend the summer away and then return to this Florida dining room featuring the Tommy Bahama Home Ocean Breeze Formal Dining Room Group? 

If you are planning to remodel, make sure that you stop by one of Baer’s 16 Florida furniture stores. With their white glove delivery service, you can be sure that your furniture will be assembled and in the right place when you return. Just make sure you make arrangements for someone to let them in with your gorgeous pieces. 

Host a Cocktail Hour or Wine Tasting for the Holidays

The holidays are a celebratory time that helps to reconnect with family and friends. These joyous occasions often occur in our homes, and while we all would like to believe that we're entertainment-ready, it's helpful to have a little notice. Hosting a small party for family and close friends can be a great way to bring people together without investing a substantial amount of time.

If you are seeking a solution that will be both memorable and relatively easy, we recommend hosting a wine tasting or cocktail party. 

The Advantages of a Smaller Event

When you invite people to a cocktail hour or wine tasting, you manage their expectations. They are aware that your event will include alcohol and food but not a full dinner. It also has a finite time frame since these types of parties usually have a one-hour to three-hour lifespan. 

Additionally, you can schedule your small party at an earlier time. That way, guests with conflicting plans can excuse themselves and continue on to their other obligations. Finally, there are several different approaches to serving cocktails or conducting a wine tasting, and all are conducive to both small and large spaces. 

Steps to Hosting a Small Event

1. Choose a Date

Weekend nights between Thanksgiving and New Year are at a premium. If you want to have a weekend event, set your start time early. “We’d like to welcome you to our home for a cocktail hour starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.”

2. Procure Alcohol, Mixers, and Garnishes

You are not required to have every ingredient for your cocktail hour, nor do you have to purchase 20 different bottles of wine for your tasting.

For a cocktail hour – stock essential drink ingredients or preannounce the drink menu. “Guests will have a selection of cocktails including the Old Fashioned, Vodka Martini, or our Signature Margarita.” This approach lets guests know that if they want something else, they should bring the ingredients. 

For a wine tasting – Tasting pours are two to three ounces, which means a bottle of wine has about 10 taste servings. If you’re hosting eight or more people, purchase two bottles for each vintage and serve a minimum of five different types of wine. You can preannounce the wine or just let it be a surprise for your guests. Expect to buy 8 to 12 bottles. 

3. Serve Light Foods

Keep it light and prepare in advance with these popular snack items:

• Charcuterie Boards have become extremely popular in recent years, and they are an ideal selection for both wine tastings and cocktail parties. You can prepare a charcuterie board in advance, cover it with plastic wrap or foil, and serve it right out of the refrigerator. 
• If you have a sommelier you trust, ask them which cheeses pair well with the wines you’re planning on serving. Like a charcuterie board, you can slice the cheese in advance and place small cards in front of each one to let guests know which wine to pair with each cheese. 
• Crudité is another great option — particularly if you have a vegetarian or vegan friend. Like the other suggestions, you can do the prep in advance without worrying about it going bad. 

4. Choose Your Setting 

These types of parties are perfect for smaller condos and apartments, but even if you have a large Florida home, you can host them in a single room. In fact, selecting a smaller area within your home may make the event cozier and more intimate. The obvious choices are the dining room, kitchen, or living room. 

Here are some examples of spaces that would be ideal for a smaller holiday party and some suggestions for how you can utilize each space. 

This open-space dining area features the Coastal Rectangle Dining Table from Hooker Furniture’s Surfrider Collection. Seating eight people, the table is large enough to hold several bottles of wine, a selection of cheeses, wine glasses, and small plates. The host can either take the head of the table or walk around and pour as they present each new wine. 

One of the most essential pieces of entertainment furniture you can own for your home is a long buffet. The surface area can be used as a bar, while the hidden storage is ideal for keeping spare glasses, plates, or silverware. If you have a piece like the Carol Benson-Cobb Slated Four-Door Credenza in your dining room or living room, you could place cocktail ingredients and glassware on one end and your charcuterie board and plates on the other. Guests can mix their own drinks and help themselves to the delicious meats and cheeses. 

For a smaller group of maybe four to six people, you can always arrange the party around a coffee table on the patio or in the living room. This Key Largo Cocktail Table from the Tommy Bahama Home Island Estate Collection has a hexagonal shape, so it’s perfect for six guests. You can place a tray of finger foods or sandwiches in the center, and your guests will have plenty of room to eat their food and sip their drinks. 

Remember that great hosting starts with great furniture. Baer’s has 16 furniture store locations throughout Florida. For a memorable holiday get-together, stop in at Baer’s today!