It’s a tough world out there. But at home, peace, serenity and comfort await through decorating, furnishings, cooking and relaxing with family and friends.

Want to make your home a sanctuary that welcomes everyone (including you!) with a warm, welcome hug? Here’s how.

An updated take on an iconic British design dating back to the 1800s, the Chester sofa is cozy, comfy and spacious with deep, plush seat cushions made for curling up with a soft blanket throw to tv binge watch or read a book by the fire. Classic yet contemporary, this beautiful Chesterfield sofa features a classic rolled-back frame with button tufting and is upholstered in a trendy mid-tone blue hue that’s warm, inviting and colorful.

With decorative hand-carved mango wood doors in the shape of a mandala (an ancient, universal spiritual symbol for serenity and the wholeness found within the circle of life), this entertainment console furniture is as much art to be admired and contemplated as it is practical storage for tv and stereo components.

The Gallin, Kirby swivel tub  and Kirby stationery chairs mix classic and contemporary style with comfort and ease. And by placing these luxe leather chairs in a circle facing one another, they form an inviting place to gather and gab with friends over coffee or cocktails.

For the 23% of Americans who now work from home at least part of the time, a home office that’s not only functional but fashionable, too, can make going to the office (even if the daily commute is now 30 seconds) something to look forward to. Crafted of soft white oak veneer with eglomise mirrored accents, the Rustic Glam trestle desk, credenza and bookcase  are mirrored furniture pieces that transform conventional office essentials into chic focal points.

Studies show that clutter and messiness at home contribute to stress.  With its antique mirrored, pearl essence finish, the Sanctuary ten drawer dresser  is a pretty, practical problem-solver. With 10 spacious drawers, you can store more and stress less.

Restore the tradition of breaking bread together. Whether you cook like a Food Network star chef or excel at take-out, when family and friend gather around the spacious  Beaumont rectangular dining table, the time together will feel special.

Fried chicken evokes fond childhood memories for many people, including me.  This comfort food brings to mind Sunday lunch at my grandmother’s home where our big family of aunts, uncles and cousins would race after church to feast on her crispy fried chicken with gravy, homemade rolls and pie topped with sky-high meringue.  No matter how many of us were at the table, somehow there was more than enough to eat. And there was certainly more than enough love to go around, too.

This recipe is tasty, easy to make and delivers on three popular trends—home cooking, bacon and the resurgence in comfort foods like fried chicken and gravy. Try it. You’ll like it. A lot.

Buttermilk-Soaked, Bacon-Fried Chicken in Gravy

from

“Fried Chicken” by Rebecca Lang

Serves 4

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

2 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Tabasco

1 chicken (about 2 pounds, 8 ounces), cut into 4 pieces

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

12 ounces bacon, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

Vegetable oil, for frying

Gravy:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon dry sherry

1/2 teaspoon salt

To make the marinade, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce. Pour into a large zip-top bag and add the chicken. Seal the bag, rub to coat the meat, and refrigerate for 6 hours.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper.

In a large heavy skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until browned and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on a paper towel, reserving drippings in the skillet.

Reprinted with permission from “Fried Chicken” by Rebecca Lang copyright © 2015, published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Photographs copyright © 2015 by John Lee.

In January, nature cloaks itself in a stunning monochromatic color scheme of winter white.

In the colder months of the year, nature cloaks herself in winter white and the results are breathtaking. From the plains to the mountains to the coast, the absence of color around us during winter illustrates the serene beauty of a monochromatic look. Here’s how to incorporate nature’s subtlest — yet most sophisticated — palette into your home and furniture. 

Before looking outside for inspiration, kick off the new year with a signature homemade drink creation in these creamy tones. This Southern Living Recipe from country legend Alan Jackson can be made with or without whiskey. Try rimming the glasses in graham cracker or gingerbread crumbs for an extra-special touch. 

A winter white palette doesn’t have to be boring. It can include soft wood tones, natural stone and muted finishes. A decorative furniture chest like the Amani is a great place to start if you’re thinking of trying this elegant design direction.

Whoever said, “White is boring” surely hasn’t seen the Anders Chair. Enrobed in a plush, shearling-like cover, it’s the epitome of easygoing elegance and the perfect choice for a winter white color scheme. 

Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year, Metropolitan, is a soft grey that works perfectly with the elegant sophistication of winter whites. As Benjamin Moore puts it, “The calibrated silence of layered grays helps a modern home find its soft side.”

Once the holidays are over, getting back to work seems more appealing in a calming workspace like this one.  Surely, a soft, clean home office will make it easier to stay organized in 2019.

Use texture to add visual interest to your monochromatic color palette. A chunky throw blanket, extra-plush rug and stone accent wall give this space dimension while maintaining its minimalist color story.

To get the full effect of the understated winter white palette, start with the largest furnishings in the room — your sofa or sectional. 

It’s easy to create a dreamy dining room furniture area with a table, chairs and buffet in a timeless creamy white, such as this one from Arabella.

No matter what room you’re updating in the new year, you can’t go wrong by looking to nature for guidance. Even in the coldest of winters, there’s inspiration to be found. This year, when the weather has you indoors looking outward, consider bringing some of the beauty of winter’s whites into your home decor.