Cabin Fever Has Never Felt So Good

There are those who feel a little glum after the holidays have passed, but I’m not that guy. In fact, I still take joy in the cold winter days ahead where outdoor chores are kept at bay and I can cozy into the digs of home with my family and friends.

Comfort food and comfortable surroundings is the key to setting just the right atmosphere and it’s the small touches that make those cold winter days even more bearable. Before the first foot of snow falls, I ready my home to ward off the potential effects of cabin fever.

WARM THOUGHTS
There is nothing better than a crackling fire, but I opted for gas logs a few years ago to make things a little easier and cleaner. However, I did find logs that were authentic and create an amber glow with warmth to boot. I also light lots of candles, but only burn one scent – my preference is Votivo’s Forgotten Sage which has the distinct smell of pine.

Vintage camp blankets fill a large basket and everyone grabs their favorite to snuggle up for family movie night. I’m still looking for a stylish version of the snuggie but haven’t had much luck there.

WINTER GAMES
Nothing says “bring it on” like a good game of cards or a board game that takes you late into the night. I recently came across some beautiful antique wooden checkerboards that are as pretty on the wall as they are in a high stake game of checkers. On a recent antique buying trip I found some vintage wooden lawn pins that we use in a version of indoor bowling.

We also take the games outdoors because that’s what makes the return indoors all the more fun. Though with it comes all the muck and mire and the abundance of coats, scarves and gloves that seem to multiply on their own. Invest in some rugs that can take the wear-and-tear of foot traffic. We use old colorful Persian rugs that have ample pattern and look better with age. We also have a large basket and a large scale coat rack right at the door to greet shoes and coats.

EATS & TREATS
I get a little fluffy in the wintertime and it’s not because of the goose-down coat that is hanging in my closet. Whether it’s an evening of entertaining friends or hanging out with the kids, food is usually in the spotlight.

Something that is fun is to get everyone involved by making individual specialty pizzas. We plan ahead by placing various toppings and sauces in vintage ironstone bowls that can be passed around the prep island. The crust is a blank canvas and everyone is an artist as they layer on color and texture.

So here is to greeting winter with a smile and warm heart. Wishing you a new year of good health, happy homes and great memories.

SurPrize & Delight.....

It has been said many times that it’s “all about the hunt” and that’s exactly right. There is no place too far or too remote nor anything that is of any magnitude of trouble that would keep us from hunting down the good stuff.

I love the gasps and awes from those who visit our retail store and get to experience these things first hand – they are always surprised and delighted. However, we’ve come to realize the appreciation for such good things should be extended beyond a showroom and our website really hasn’t delivered over the past few years.

So, as we revamp our site to make it more shopper friendly we will begin a weekly blog post called “SurPrize” with a listing of new items to our shop. We hope you will find something to fall in love with along the way.

Now at Prize: Nathan Falter Pottery

"My pots investigate the sculptural nature of objects and the desire for useful ware." - Nathan Falter


Nathan Falter's current work takes inspiration from the beginning of the industrial revolution--a time when things were mass produced but not fully mechanized. It was a moment when man was just beginning to master machine. His pieces embody the quirky nature of discovery and reflect a desire to revisit the past.

Falter prefers to work as immediately as possible in small groups, six to a dozen pieces at a time. Most pieces are wheel thrown, altered, and assembled. He uses a limited palette of very sensitive glazes and fires often in a small gas-fueled kiln. His work cycle is chaotic, but it allows for the whole making process to be seen as a moment, a moment where the piece reveals itself.

Raised in southern Missouri, Nathan Falter earned a B.F.A. in ceramics from Missouri State University in 1995, and an M.F.A. in ceramics and sculpture from the University of Delaware in 1998. In addition to creating pieces for exhibitions and commission work, he teaches as an adjunct professor at Missouri State University. In 1998, he co-founded a community clay center with his wife, Jennifer Falter.

Come visit Nathan and watch a live demonstration at Prize on Saturday, December 10.