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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Permission to Nest: The Winter Living Room


     





We moved into our current home two years ago during a really rough time for our family. I was separated and headed for a divorce and I needed to get out from under the family home we had owned for six years. I was ready for the move, and grateful to find a comfortable and safe place for me and four kids to "land" for awhile, but I guess I felt for a long time that this home would be temporary. While I love decorating, I didn't know what was coming next and I just wasn't capable of investing myself in decorating a home I would just have to leave. I just didn't have it in me. 

Images:The Graphics Fairy

In the past several months I'm feeling a bit of a shift. I still don't know what's going to happen next, or how long we'll be in this home, but as I have more emotional healing from the divorce, I'm finding I have more of a desire to "nest" in this home. I'm quite sure blogging and Pinterest have helped to revive my desire to decorate!
Since moving in, the living room has been a mostly neglected space that I tend to avoid. In our home the entire main floor is one room, the living room-dining area-kitchen. It's a small, awkward space and tends to be taken over by kid stuff, school stuff, etc. 
I had made some half-hearted attempts to hang things on the walls, etc, but never really tried to pull it together. My room is more comfortable and tends to be where we all end up in the evening to watch movies and read, etc.

So last week I decided that when all the Christmas stuff was out I was ready to invest some effort into making our living room a place where I might actually want to sit down and stay for awhile. I'm giving myself : Permission to Nest.

 


This is how it looked getting ready for Christmas



This is how it looked taking Christmas down : )




This is how it looked on Saturday-possibilities!


Keeping in mind my decorating budget is ZERO, I had to "shop" my own house to pull the room together. I brought the electric fireplace and faux mantel backdrop down from the master bedroom, along with a few other pieces.




Upstairs I used a black shelf as the faux mantel, but here I wanted it to be all white. I created this mantel shelf using an old drawer front and some shelf brackets I already had.







Candles on the ottoman tray? Not likely in everyday life in this room, but I was fantasizing about being ALL ALONE in this room (ha!) with my tea....a book....some soft music, maybe? A girl can dream...





The same side-of-the-road crib I used for the mantel backdrop also became this chalkboard several months back.


 
 
 


Oh, awkward PIECE of brown SECTIONAL, how I loathe thee! Alas, we must try to make this relationship work for now! : )




















I was inspired by Karianne at Thistlewood Farms to freshen up a twig wreath I had put together before Christmas. I sprayed it white (including the vintage sheet music leaves that weren't coming off). Added one of my snowy owls and a vintage hanger.





I tucked some nature inspired postcards and photocopies into these rustic frames and tacked them onto a white painted rough board, creating one larger piece.













My nearly 9-year-old Amelia is a prolific artist (and animal lover), and since she tends to spread out her supplies everywhere she goes, I thought I'd try to give her a little corner of her own here.



I used an old headboard to create a little backboard for the table. I won't mind if she tapes or tacks things onto it, and I thought the vintage hangers were kind of a charming addition.



This spot will certainly not contain all of her creative pursuits, but at least she'll have her own space to draw when we're together in this room.




I made this hotel sign several years ago from an old kitchen cabinet door.




Checkers and cards are more realistic than candles : )





This white crate has been one of the most versatile things I own. It has held firewood and toys, been a wall shelf, a book shelf and right now it's perfect for holding extra pillows and cozy winter blankets.















This hobnail glass mug from Target was a Christmas gift from my daughter. I love it!!



Totally charming antique Stickley settee on loan from my generous friends in China!
 







    I think I'm ready to spend some time in this room now. Movie, 
     popcorn, blankets, yep. Nesting success!




                                                                          

     
          If I end up having to leave this place soon and unexpectedly, 
     I'm going to need some hand holding, friends, ok? 


   Come join me over at
Debbiedoo's Newbie with a Twist Party
Thistlewood Farms
Homemaker on a Dime 
Knick of Time Tuesday 
Vintage On A Dime-Welcome Home Wednesday
House on the Way-Twirl & Take a Bow 
Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesdays 
twelveOeight-Pretty Things Link Party! 
Timewashed-Blissful Whites Wednesday 
Coastal Charm-Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 
Embracing Change-Creative Inspirations Party 
StoneGable-Tutorial Tips and Tidbits 
French Country Cottage-Feathered Nest Friday 
Common Ground-Be Inspired! 
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home 
Funky Junk Interiors-SNS 
Homemaker On a Dime-Creative Bloggers Party Hop 
Diana Rambles-Pin Me! 
Creative Cain Cabin-Budget Decorating Party 


   



50 comments:

  1. I think you did an amazing job!! The space looks so warm and inviting. I would definitely love to curl up in there and watch a movie. I now how you are feeling. I am divorced and had to leave a home that I loved so much and had brought my kids home from the hospital to. It was so sad and hard. I hope you are able to stay where you are for as long as you can. Sending hugs and thoughts to you!
    Hugs,
    Amy

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Amy! I appreciate you sharing your story with me. It's comforting to know someone who can "relate". Hugs back to you :)

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  2. Absolutely stunning! I wanted to comment under each photo. It must have been so difficult the last few years. I'm glad you now have a "nest" to settle down into, for however long. Just enjoy it, one day at a time.

    I LOVE the hangers over the desk area :)

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment, Rox. I really appreciate your encouragement!

      Jeanette

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  3. I love your bird pics! So classic and pretty. Great Nesting going on! Thanks for sharing at my party.
    Have a great week.
    Leslie
    House on the Way

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    1. Thank you Leslie! Hope you're having a good week as well.

      Jeanette

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  4. Just like a bird building a nest for the eggs, you have built a lovely nest for your family.

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  5. Looks very pretty...and cozy!!!! Deb Vintage On A Dime

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  6. Love your chalk boards and hobnail cup!!! sewsweetvinage.com

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  7. Your post caused me to remember that God has always given me a home with my very cozy husband and children, and that He has great plans for me in whatever future home He blesses us with! Today I am faced with a big bare room and not many places to "shop" (including my own home!) but I feel warmer after reading your post and seeing your pictures. Onward! Love and prayers, Dina

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  8. I wish you all the very best in 2013. It's going to be a good year. Thanks for sharing your wonderful decor too. LOVE the chalkboards.

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  9. I am new to your blog...love this post. You are doing a great job of creating a HOME for yourself and your children. Your living area looks so cozy and inviting. I really like how you made a chalkboard out of a crib. Genius! Blessings to you, and I hope to get to know you better through your blog. Come on over to mine and visit me as well! :-)

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    1. Thanks so much, Melanie! I'll be over to visit you back soon :)

      Jeanette

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  10. What an inspiring piece! Wishing you peace and joy in your nest this year and all the years to come.
    PS Just a bit worried about the clock on the woodburning stove, might it get damaged?

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    1. Thanks, Alison! The "woodstove" is just an electric heater made to look like a fireplace. It doesn't get hot on the top, so no worries :)

      Jeanette

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  11. I am touched by your very successful efforts to make a cozy home for you and your children. May the New Year bring you nothing but fond memories. Sally

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    1. Thank you for your kindness, Sally. I appreciate your sweet comment!

      Jeanette

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  12. Bravo! I love how you put all your sweet things togther!

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  13. Very cute and cozy. Love the view out the window. I would look at that all day.

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  14. You are doing a lovely job! I am so happy you have given yourself permission to nest. Thanks for sharing your story--I wish you the best!

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  15. I am SO glad you gave yourself permission to nest Jeanette! I couldn't do anything for a couple years around our home and something broke loose about a year ago and the creativity (on a shoestring) came back. Thank you for sharing your talent at the Pretty Things Party at twelveOeight!!

    xoxo, Tanya

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    1. Thanks so much, Tanya. Your creative projects are always inspiring :)

      Jeanette

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  16. I am so impressed with the wonderful job you've done. If it is your right now home or your home for a good while, you deserve for it to be as pretty and cozy as you have made it. I love the chalkboard- probably my favorite I've seen on all of blogland and Pinterest. Great job on the creative thinking on that one. I also love your framed bird. I think it is evident that a lot of creativity and love made a very charming room. Congrats and hang in there!
    Melinda

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    1. Melinda, your kind words have warmed my heart. I truly appreciate your sweet comment! Thank you so much for visiting.

      Jeanette

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  17. Jeanette,
    Shopping our homes is always so much fun, and you have done an outstanding job in your home. Stop by on Monday, because you will be featured at my NTT party this week:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda! (a little slow over here) How exciting to be featured at Coastal Charm!

      Jeanette

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  18. Your home is charming!! Happy to be your newest follower :)

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  19. I think nesting promotes healing.:) Great job shopping your home. So cozy and warm!
    Katie

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    1. Thanks so much, Katie! I appreciate you stopping by :)

      Jeanette

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  20. Thank you, Lenetta. I'll come visit you back :)

    Jeanette

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  21. Very pretty! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  22. Your place is so charming. I love how you created the faux mantel. Very creative. Thanks for linking up at the Cabin!

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  23. What a gorgeous space. I especially like the chalkboards! Thanks for linking up at my Pin Me Linky Party.

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  24. Adorable! Can I ask where you got the curtains?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brittany! The curtains were purchased at Bed, Bath & Beyond about 7 years ago.

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