In recent years, the Danish notion of hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) has taken the world by storm. The term, which does not have an exact English translation, has been described as a sense of coziness, relaxation and an overall feeling of contentment. With Denmark consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, it comes as no surprise that many people are searching for ways to adopt a “hygge” lifestyle.

If you type “hygge” into Instagram or Pinterest, you’ll come up with an endless stream of cozy lifestyle images flaunting the simple joy of fuzzy socks, crackling fireplaces and mugs of hot cocoa. But hygge also describes a sense of thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship and understated luxury.

For interior designer Ashley Garelick of Ashley Garelick Designs hygge aligns perfectly with her passion for creating inviting, well-edited living spaces. The Cohasset resident credits much of her minimalist design aesthetic to her mother’s influence.