A Fresh Start at Home: Cottage Style, the Krystle Way with Decor Steals

The start of a new year has always meant the same thing to me... clearing the house of holiday layers and letting our everyday pieces take their place again. I’ve done it this way for as long as I can remember. Not because I feel the need to change everything, but because I love how a home feels when it settles back into itself.

After Christmas, I don’t rush to decorate. I move things slowly. I put pieces back where they belong. I notice what feels heavy and what feels right. That quiet reset is something I look forward to every year, and it’s very much the heart behind this season of Cottage Style, the Krystle Way with Decor Steals.

I almost always begin with greenery. It brings life back into a room without asking for attention. The faux potted eucalyptus tree is one of those pieces that instantly softens a space. Tucked near a bookshelf or beside a chair, it makes the room feel calm and lived in again.

From there, I add in pieces that feel warm and familiar. A soft glow goes a long way this time of year, and the fruit topiary table lamp brings just the right amount of charm to a table or console. Paired with the iron pedestal plant holder, even the simplest corner feels intentional without feeling styled.

Storage pieces play an important role in this reset too. I love when function and beauty live together. The wood cabinet with glass doors allows everyday items to be seen instead of hidden away. Inside, I layered folded blankets alongside the set of three bronze planters (coming soon to Decor Steals), mixing soft textures with a little weight and character.

One of my favorite details in this refresh is the apothecary style wood cabinet, styled on my end table. It’s practical, charming, and full of personality. The kind of piece that feels like it’s been part of our home for years, even when it’s new.

This is how I’ve always started the year... by returning our home to a quieter rhythm. Surrounding ourselves with pieces that feel comfortable, collected, and meant to be lived with. And it’s why I love working with Decor Steals for this series. These are the kinds of pieces that don’t rush a space. They let it breathe... Cottage style, the Krystle way.  Be sure to follow me on Instagram (@krystlemarienickels) for more design tips, DIY home upgrades and so much more friend! xo, Krystle