Illustrator and graphic designer, Sarah Neuendorf, is the founder of the Berlin-based boutique Gretas Schwester and an ambassador for slow living. Read on for her five top tips on how to create a calm and cosy household this Autumn/Winter. Embrace the season.

1. Start the day slowly…

Every morning when we wake up it is still dark. I light a candle on the kitchen table and switch on the fairy lights in my daughter’s room. Then I make some porridge and a hot strong jasmine tea. We snuggle up in her room and read books or I check my emails while she is playing. We do it every morning and are enjoying the routine. Every so often we have to recover from a tantrum-style wake up.

2. Declutter and clean your home…

A messy home (don't get me wrong, our home is messy most of the time) is not really cosy. Try to declutter and clean your home before the holiday season so you don't have to feel guilty staying in bed all day (if you don't have kids) or spending the whole weekend with friends outside without thinking about household tasks.

3. Nature in your home… 

Buy yourself some eucalyptus and a branch with red berries at the farmer’s market. Or you can buy some small apples and put them on a string and hang it in your window. Just like that your home will be ready for the holidays and all those three things will last until after Christmas.

4. Use your kitchen…

Make some nice easy meals like roasted vegetables with yoghurt and chopped dill or a pumpkin and beetroot soup. The smell of the vegetables and fresh garlic create such a nice atmosphere.

5. Treat yourself… 

A big Falcon plate of cookies for lunch, a s‘more in the afternoon or roasted apples after dinner. Very often we just sit on the floor surrounded by pillows and pretend we are camping in the woods.