Prepare your interiors for winter

Have you noticed the temperature dropping?

Does it have you dragging out your warmer coats, hats, gloves and scarves?

Yes, 'tis a 'twee bit colder out now and 'tis also time to bring out and prepare your home décor interiors for winter, unless you're into self-torture and want to freeze your katookus off, which makes it a bit hard to sit down!  These tips help keep the cold out, the warm in and the bills down.

What do you do to prepare your home interiors that is decorating-related?  Following are a few tippers:

Curtains
Change your curtains to heavier fabrics or add a liner to the backside.  Gaiam usually has tie-on liners, as seen on the right, but seem to be temporarily not carrying them.  You can make them very easily from sheets.

• Lay sheet flat against curtain.  Cut to fit if necessary and use either iron-on hemming tape or a machine to create a hem.
• Attach ties at hanging intervals and tie them to back of tab tops or to the rod itself.  If you use clip-on curtain rings, just clip the panel up with the curtain.  The funkiest, cheapest, yet effective way is using safety pins to attach to back of curtains, which don't show if you're clever about it!

Throws and Blankets
Swap that lighter sofa throw or blanket for a heavier one - perhaps wool or something heavy knitted.  Add a blanket or two to your bedtops or if you have different weight comforters for the seasons, it's time to change that one out too!

Sheets
Nix the poly/cotton sheets from your life and go purchase a top quality organic cotton set, be them flannel or regular cotton.  Flannels are warmer than cotton when you climb in, but cotton in general is warmer anyday than the poly combos, and healthier to sleep on, especially organic.

Firewood
Stock up your fireplace - check Craig's List for people giving wood away from home remodels or cutting trees down.  If you buy the pre-made firelogs, make sure they don't contain chemical bonders, petroleum waxes, etc.

Candles
Not necessarily an energy-saving tip, though good if the power goes out during winter storms.  Great for ambient lighting and relaxing, whether taking some "me" time, entertaining that one special guest or a whole slew of friends!  Look for alternative wax candles like soy, beeswax and plant oils, as well as natural botanical and aromatherapy oils.

Where to Shop?
Check out your local second use consignment and thrift stores for curtains and blankets.  Sometimes, there is a good find on Craig's List or Freecycle as well.  Shop your local or online eco retail shoppes for sheets, candles and pre-made firelogs.  Here are just a few resources.  Check out the EcoKind website for more listings.

Local Seattle
Collective in Ballard
One Earth One Design
SPACE
consignment shoppes
second use retail

Online Retail
Viva Terra
Gaiam
Anna Sova Luxury Organics