Even though I generally love winter—especially in the countryside—this time of year isn’t the most cheerful, particularly in Paris. Everything feels grey and dull. The dollhouse-like buildings lining the Seine (I love calling them that) barely stand out against the cloudy, moody sky.
Since I’ve been busy with renovations in my apartment, I haven’t had much time to escape to the countryside. So, I figured it was time to make the most of these somewhat gloomy weeks before spring arrives.
1. Researching décor for the Apartment
I really need to get motivated and move forward with the decorating process. I’ve finally chosen the wallpaper for the living room (there will be two different patterns), but I’m still on the hunt for elegant curtains—a bit tricky since my sofa, which is the centerpiece of the room, has quite a unique color and pattern. We’ve been spending our free time browsing fabric samples from different designers, and every time we settle on something, we change our minds a few days later. We really need to make a decision, or we’ll still be at it by next Christmas.
One advantage of this time of year is that wallpaper and fabric designers release their new collections alongside the Maison & Objet trade show. It’s best to avoid the rush of interior designers during the event, but afterwards, you can take your time exploring the new collections. I’ve seen some beautiful things from Colefax & Fowler, Manuel Canovas, and Braquenié—always a delight and a great source of inspiration!
Since these boutiques are ideally located near the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, I take the opportunity to grab a coffee on a terrace and meet up with my mom before heading to the Galignani bookshop or the MAD gift shop across the Seine (hey also have a nice selection of books).
2. Stocking Up on Notebooks
and Books for the Year Ahead
At home and at work, I have notebooks everywhere. And I always carry them with me—to the frustration of my loved ones. My mom is the same; she packs more books and notebooks than clothes when she travels or heads to the countryside. My dad just rolls his eyes, but honestly, that’s part of her charm.
I love jotting down ideas in different notebooks. Some are a bit chaotic, filled with notes scribbled on the metro or in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. Then there are my inspiration notebooks—my true treasures. My everyday notebooks are custom-made in collaboration with Artisan Paper, or I buy them from Letts of London (the Smythson ones are beautiful but out-of-budget), stuffing them with post-its to keep things organized. I also always have a paper planner—it helps so much with scheduling. I used to adore and use a small Letts planner with a faux-lizard cover all the time; it was so elegant, but sadly, they don’t make it anymore…
As for books, my mom and I plan an entire day dedicated to visiting Parisian bookstores. We stock up on great novels, but also books on interior design, cooking, and gardening. We then have lunch at a Korean restaurant in the Palais-Royal district. When the weather is nice, we don’t always have time for this, since we usually spend our weekends in the garden from March onwards. So winter is the perfect moment to indulge!
Some of my favorite spots:
– Librairie Galignani: The chicest bookstore in Paris, and the best for English-language interior design books. I always find something interesting, whether it’s a Cabana travel guide or a cookbook. Smith & Son nearby is also great for foreign magazines—though I’m disappointed they’re cutting back on gardening publications in favor of fashion…
– Librairie Gibert Joseph: My mom and I can spend hours here. It’s mostly for French books, and they have a great selection of second-hand finds.
– BHV Marais: This is where I buy my Letts of London notebooks when my local stationery shop doesn’t have the models I want. I practically spent all my childhood Wednesdays after school at BHV—it’s the go-to department store for Parisians (while Le Bon Marché is more for fancy outings).
3. Filling my Inspiration Notebooks
Whenever I have a bit of free time, I love working on my inspiration notebooks. I have several, each dedicated to a theme: general inspiration, gardening, interior design, cooking… I print photos, cut out magazine clippings, and stick them in (sometimes a bit messily, but I don’t always have time to do it neatly). These are my go-to references for both my personal life and work—especially my Design notebook, which covers everything from set design to graphic arts, lettering, and furniture.
Of course, I also find inspiration on Pinterest, but I struggle with digital formats. Flipping through a physical notebook with a good cup of coffee helps me remember ideas better and sparks creativity. I quickly forget things I save digitally.
Sometimes, I even go through them before bed—it’s comforting to look at beautiful, inspiring images.
I should probably write a whole post on this topic!
4. Arranging small hellebore bouquets
One of my favorite little joys is making floral arrangements for the house. In winter, there’s not much to choose from, except for beautiful hellebores. Mimosa from the South of France can be tricky to find (and expensive), but when I’m at the countryside on weekends, I can simply step outside and gather hellebores from the garden. We also have snowdrops, and those first signs of life are always uplifting—especially when everything else is cold, grey, and windy. (Though I love this weather in autumn, by January and February, it really starts to wear on me.)
5. Planning the year’s events
Cozy at home with a hot cup of tea, I go through the upcoming exhibition schedules. My friends and I plan museum visits before tourist season kicks in and the lines become unbearable especially on a hot summer day. It’s funny how, even as Parisians, we don’t always take the time to explore the incredible museums right at our doorstep. We tend to seek out faraway places, forgetting the little gems we have nearby!
One of my goals this year is to fully explore my own city and enjoy more spontaneous walks.
Gardens are another passion of mine, so I also mark my calendar with plant and flower festivals around Paris. These events are often held in stunning estates or châteaux and bring me endless joy throughout the year.
6. Trying New Recipes
Cozy at home with a hot cup of tea, I go through the upcoming exhibition schedules. My friends and I plan museum visits before tourist season kicks in and the lines become unbearable especially on a hot summer day. It’s funny how, even as Parisians, we don’t always take the time to explore the incredible museums right at our doorstep. We tend to seek out faraway places, forgetting the little gems we have nearby!
One of my goals this year is to fully explore my own city and enjoy more spontaneous walks.
Gardens are another passion of mine, so I also mark my calendar with plant and flower festivals around Paris. These events are often held in stunning estates or châteaux and bring me endless joy throughout the year.
7. Planting Seeds for Summer
In January and February, I start preparing seed trays with Cobaea scandens—one of my favorite climbing flowers. They take a while to bloom, but their foliage is stunning, with deep purple tones that shift to green. I plan to add more trellises in the garden this year, as they create such a beautiful structure.
By late February, I’ll start sowing tomato seeds, and in a few weeks, I’ll prep my dahlias in compost-filled pots, getting them ready for May. As for zinnias, I’ll sow those directly in the ground! I completely fell in love with them after visiting Sissinghurst Gardens in England.
It’s a lot of work, but there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing all those beautiful flowers in full bloom—and filling the house with fresh bouquets all summer long.
