apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

no cabin fever tips, but i LOVE that clock (in the second image)! where's it from?

nickety, it's the Ghost clock by Yee-Ling Wan and can be found at MoMa store and other places. http://momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Ghost%20Clock_10451_10001_19069_-1_11524_11532_null_shop_

i love the kitchen! are those bamboo cabinets? what about the countertops?

What really causes cabin fever is the dark. If there's nice lighting or candles, that helps a lot.

So do "cosy" things, like slippers, throws, fun books/videos, and a pot of herbal tea always at the ready. Take it from a Montrealer -- winter's not the time to edit possessions (unless you have messy clutter). Spare and bare decor is incredibly depressing in winter.

Find a local rock climbing gym and try it out!

As an alternative to the 'affordable flowers' suggested above, you might try taking your clippers with you on your walk. If there are any public woodsy areas nearby, now is the time to clip branches of bittersweet, crab apple, rose hips, sumac ... any number of colorful (and free) offerings. I've found that along railroad tracks there are often interesting and often invasive wild plants ... one man's weed is another's bouquet.

Lisa (Montreal), good point about being cozy. Also, to me, editing home items doesn't mean "bare" but rather seeing what you don't need or use. If you have items like this in your home, then you can probably move them out of your main living space. You'll still have tons of design elements and decor, just not that item you don't even use.

Hi, I realize this question is off topic, but I've been trying to find a yellow Eames-type fiberglass shell like the one in the first photo. Modernica seems to have mustard and chiffon, but not a bright, true yellow, and DWR and Room and Board don't have anything either. Any ideas or leads would be really appreciated. Thanks. Katharine

I was feeling cabin fever-y just yesterday. So I threw on something cute, did my makeup, leashed up my dog, and headed to the Little Italy district for a fancy latte on an outdoor patio. It was fun to play dress up!

Rebecca -- I agree with you about things that are useless clutter. But in a COLD climate, winter's not a good time to purge the bookshelves, toss the "extra" throw pillows , clean out the larder, etc. A sense of being "well stocked" is what makes a home feel safe and cozy.

But obviously, it's a different story in L.A.

Make nice seating areas near windows so you have a view out into the world. Place mirrors strategically to reflect views outside the windows.

When I lived in a 400 square foot studio I would go outside for a walk or take a drive. That place gave me horrible cabin fever.
There was no 'view' when I opened my blinds, just another apartment building 8 feet away. I didn't even get sun and this was in sunny Southern California. I lived there for 3 years and am now happily in a new place with plenty of windows and sunshine.

thanks so much for the clock link! now, if only i had money falling out of my arse... i will file that one away for the future.

I like the idea of having a little party as a way to get you motivated to do little home fix-ups, clean, etc. My problem isn't so much cabin fever but the winter blahs--a lack of motivation or energy to do things. Nothing like the prospect of people seeing your messy house to get you off your butt to clean up and beautify your home.

Indulge yourself with luxuries at home everyday, whether it's serving dinner on your fine china, lighting candles, soaking in expensive bath salts, enjoying a congac while reading or listening to music........these luxuries make your house feel like home.

I think #3 has been the most crucial for me, and on a weekly or at least monthly basis I turn to #2 and #4.

"Thorndale," I wholeheartedly agree; with the few windows I have, it has made all the difference when my big couch was moved to FACE the windows instead of being up against it and blocking them slightly in my living room...