COME IN FROM THE COLD
This month, we’re celebrating the comforts that can bring light and warmth to winter: playful mood lighting ideas, creating a cozy space at home, and restaurants where the fireplace is as inviting as the menu. As the giving season begins, we’re also spotlighting a local charity that provides coats and other essentials to children in need.
When daylight starts to fade by 4:30, there’s nothing like a little glow to lift your spirits. This season, think beyond standard lamps and overhead fixtures—mood lighting is where fun and warmth meet.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: Lava lamps are still groovy! Who can resist their slow, hypnotic bubbles turning any corner into a retro retreat? For something a bit more cosmic, try a plasma globe—the touch-reactive sphere that sparks electric color with a mere tap.
Prefer your glow a bit softer? A Himalayan salt lamp bathes the room in a rosy light and is said to release negative ions that purify the air and boost mood—though the science is debatable, the ambience is real.
Or try a mushroom lamp; these 1970s Murano-inspired styles are back, with a curvy silhouette and rich colors that feel both nostalgic and fresh.
Finally, consider a strand of fairy lights or LED neon signs to add personality to a shelf, mantle, or window. They’re instant mood-lifters—proof that light doesn’t have to be serious to be stylish.
Whether your taste leans cozy, kitschy, or cutting-edge, a splash of creative lighting can turn the darkest winter nights into something warm and inviting.
- Lava Charge Lamp from Docos
- Himalayan Salt Cylinder from Himalayan Secrets
- Ribbed Glass Table Lamp from West Elm
- Pearl String Lights from Anthropologie
When the days grow short and the air turns sharp, home becomes more than shelter: it’s also our retreat. Creating warmth isn’t just about turning up the thermostat—it’s the textures, colors and smells that can bring comfort.
Start by softening the edges. Toss a few throws over the sofa, trade crisp cottons for flannel or velvet, and roll out a wool rug that feels good underfoot. Even small swaps—a nubby pillow here, a shearling seat pad there—add instant tactile comfort.
Color also sets the mood: deep amber, rust, and mossy greens bring a sense of calm and warmth, while candlelight and mood lighting (see this issue’s SHOP feature) lend a gentle, fireside-like glow. Scents can also create another layer of coziness. Light a woodsy candle, simmer cinnamon sticks on the stove, or tuck a sachet of dried lavender into a drawer.
And remember, coziness comes from moments not makeovers. A favorite mug left within reach, a good lamp beside the reading chair, or music playing softly in the background—these quiet details can turn a house into a haven.
Because when the world outside feels cold, the real luxury is coming home to warmth you’ve created yourself.
When winter settles in, few pleasures compare to dining and sipping cocktails beside a crackling fire. These Chicagoland favorites pair good food and drink with a fire’s cozy glow.
L. Woods Tap and Pine Lodge, Lincolnwood
Experience the nostalgia of a Northwoods Supper Club just outside the city limits. Enjoy the wood-paneled ambience, American comfort fare, and a roaring stone fireplace that evokes a weekend getaway at the cabin.
The Dawson, West Town
The large brick fireplace that dominates one corner of the inviting patio may not be roaring this month. Fortunately, there’s another sleekly-designed fireplace on the second floor of this Michelin-recommended restaurant.
Scofflaw, Logan Square
This gin-focused cocktail bar is another venue that boasts two fireplaces, including one in the back parlor with plenty of vintage couches and armchairs. Their supper menu features a variety of appetizers and burgers.
The Graduate Homestead Room, Evanston
This cozy and inviting hotel restaurant is located just a few blocks from the Northwestern University campus. The grand hearth and vintage décor set the stage for refined but relaxed dining. Enjoy comforting classics with global influences and a creative cocktail menu.
Mesler Kitchen (Sophy Hotel), Hyde Park
Chic and inviting, Mesler’s stylish fireplace complements its unique art-filled setting, layered with nods to literature and science. With brunch, mid-day, and dinner menus, you’ll find an eclectic fusion of flavors that they define as New-American.
With plenty of winter still ahead of us, thousands of Chicago-area children are facing the cold without essentials many of us take for granted. Cradles to Crayons Chicago works to change that—providing kids from birth through age 12 with clothing, coats, shoes, school supplies, and more.
Through its Giving Factory in the city’s North Center neighborhood, volunteers sort and process donated items for distribution to local children in need. The organization partners with hundreds of area schools and social service agencies to ensure these resources reach families quickly and with dignity.
You can help by donating new or gently used children’s items, volunteering a few hours, or making a financial gift.
