Winter Nesting: 5 Cosy Vintage Touches for Your Home
As the cooler months roll in, our homes naturally become a place of retreat. It’s the season for curling up, slowing down, and surrounding ourselves with pieces that feel like comfort. At Saint Atlas, we believe winter is an invitation to nest - thoughtfully and beautifully. Here's how to bring in that vintage warmth this winter:
1. Textiles with History
Layering is the key to any good winter wardrobe – ask any stylish Melburnian – and the same goes for your home. Think mohair throws, handwoven kilims, woollen blankets, or vintage sheepskins. These aren’t just for warmth – they add character, texture, and a sense of story. Toss a blanket over the arm of a lounge or layer one at the end of your bed. Bonus points if it’s in mustard, rust, or deep forest green – these colours age gracefully and tend to hold depth and feel lived-in without ever looking tired.
2. Low, Ambient Lighting
Nothing says “winter evening” like a soft, moody glow. Vintage lamps with ceramic bases, smoked glass, or fluted shades are perfect for turning a room from harsh to hibernation-ready. Dimmers help set the mood – and so does simply switching from cool to warm-toned bulbs. We have a striking collection of one-off desk lamps in-store - each crafted from antique and mid-century pieces like sewing machines, vintage books, irons, fans, and telephones. Designed by @steampunkmark, these functional sculptures reimagine forgotten objects as dimmable lamps, each one full of character, charm, and history. Like the black telephone lamp pictured, no two are the same. Light, after all, is a design tool.
3. Earthy, Weighted Furniture
Solid wood side tables, leather armchairs, or a well-worn timber bench – winter is a season for grounding pieces. These materials not only feel warm to the touch; they add a sense of permanence and calm. The kind of furniture that says, “stay awhile.”
4. Old-World Scents
Scent has the power to transform a space instantly. This time of year, we’re drawn to notes like sandalwood, patchouli, amber, clove, and fig. Try burning incense in a vintage brass holder or drop essential oils into an old ceramic diffuser. We have a pair of antique brass cottage-style candle holders that are perfect for this season, and we have just started stocking Lantern Cove candles in dark, dispensary-shaped bottles – burning candles is a sensory ritual that feels timeless.
5. Ritual Over Routine
More than anything, winter is a season of small rituals. Reading by lamplight, sipping something warm, rearranging a room just to make it feel new again. Create a little corner of calm with a vintage chair, an old side table, and a stack of books you’ve been meaning to read. Make it somewhere you want to spend time.
Need a piece to cosy up your home this winter?
We’re curating our warmest edit yet – from vintage throws to perfectly worn-in chairs. Come by the store or follow us [@saintatlas_] on Instagram to see what’s just landed.