Pulling It All Together- Cottage Style Living Room

Hi guys!

 I'm so excited to be over at A Stroll Thru Life today sharing how I pulled together our cozy, casual, cottage style living room. 

I would love it if you could pop over there for a visit!

Hope you're having a wonderful almost-spring week.

Jeanette

Rustic Pallet Decor: The Autumn Mantel

No, I don't have a real mantel. Having a real fireplace is something I've missed in this home. This time of year when those chilly evenings arrive and we're snuggling under some extra blankets in our beds and on the sofa, I sure miss the warmth and cozy ambiance of a wood burning fireplace!

Last year I created a backdrop and faux mantel for my little electric fireplace, and I've really enjoyed having that space for seasonal decor. Even if it's not 'real', I think having something that feels like a fireplace wall adds alot to this room, which has little in the way of architectural interest. 
The last time I shared this area was in my Summer Living Room post. 

This week I'm working on warming up this room a bit with more of a rustic, nature-inspired look-starting with the fireplace wall.

I started by replacing the white mantel shelf with a more rustic piece of weathered wood that I've used here in the past. 

Months ago I picked up this half of a pallet from a curbside junk pile. I've actually had a million ideas for it, but it's just been sitting down in the basement waiting for a new life. I'm kinda thinking this might be my son's next headboard, but...one thing at a time! 

Can I just take a moment to say how much my 16 year old loves it when her mom says, "Hey, can you come hold this pallet up on the wall for me?" She. loves. it. Don't let her tell you otherwise :)

 

Well, I knew I wanted to try it up there, but I didn't have a plan for what was going on it. I tried some words in chalk. Sorta kinda liked it, but....no.
I decided on a white-framed vintage mirror and some illustrations from a backyard birds book. Somehow, birds always seem to make their way into every vignette around here!

Above the pallet I placed a wreath I made with brown coffee filter flowers. I had envisioned it being much fuller, but I used up all the filters I had and didn't know when I'd get more, so there it is : ) 
I'll probably add some more to it at some point...

On the mantel shelf, a conglomeration of birdies and squirrels and other rustic, fall-ish feeling items. 

How cute is this little guy?? My daughter gave him to me this weekend as a little Fall gift.

My 9 and 6 year olds came in the room at separate times while I was working on the mantel and told me how much they liked how this area looked. It was so sweet of them to notice and take a minute to tell me that!

I am really liking this warmer look, but in all honesty I'll probably be feeling the urge to simplify within a couple of weeks : )


That's one more little area Fall-ified over here as I move slowly along into my favorite season. I'll share the rest of the space with you all soon. I hope your week is filled with Autumn beauty!



      "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, 

for beauty is God's handwriting."

                                            
                                                      -Ralph Waldo Emerson  


Joining the fun at these parties this week-


Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
The Fall Nesting Party at The Inspired Room
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

  













Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Be Inspired at Common Ground  
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage 
Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo 
The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm 
Party Junk at Funky Junk Interiors 
Empty Your Archive at Mums Make Lists 
Junkers Unite at Knick of Time 

This December Week

This week we had some snow.

We had some smiles.

Photo: Mikayla

We read some books.

We prayed.

We were stopped in our tracks by the winter beauty around our town.

Photo:Mikayla

We created some things, and had plenty of coffee and hot chocolate : )

I hope your week has had some sweet, funny, happy, beautiful moments!

Sharing over at:

Homemaker on a Dime-Creative Bloggers Party 
The Dedicated House-Make it Pretty Monday 

Warmed Up with Red-Master Bedroom

Recently I did a post called Perfectly Pale where I highlighted some of the whites and neutrals in my home, indicating that is where my design "comfort zone" is heading. Less color, more whites, in pursuit of a more peaceful atmosphere.  I also mentioned (and promised to show you) how I do still use and enjoy color at Christmastime. 

If there is ever a time to add an infusion of red to your basic neutrals the Christmas season is it! I have two areas in our home where I bring in the red most during this season, for an infusion of cozy cheerfulness. One is the kitchen/dining area, and the other is my master bedroom, which I'm sharing today.

Now, I've only been blogging "seriously" for about 8 weeks and I guess I feel a little shy about showing such a private area of our home to my 44 followers the WORLD! Awhile back I did share a little part of this room when I showed you my Faux Fireplace Mantel, so I guess I'm ready to go for the rest? Well, okay then, come on in!

 

 I know I always seem to be apologizing for my photography, but I'm doing it again. It was dusk AND it was gloomy and gray out, so some photos aren't too sharp. This actually works a little to my advantage because I didn't vacuum! : ) Oh, how I would love to snap my fingers and have that ceiling fan be replaced with a lovely chandelier. But we're not here for that!

Normally all the fabrics in my room are pretty white/neutral. Simply adding layers of linens and pillows in varying red prints instantly creates a warmer feeling in the cold winter months.

I sort of fantasize about painting the bed white someday, but I'm not ready to tackle it yet.

Yes, there is a superfluous twin bed in my room right now. It came out of the kids' room and I intended it to go to the basement, but it landed here and stayed. We use it sort of like a daybed/sofa when my laundry pile isn't there. 
Again, just adding layers of colorful blankets and pillows and decorative items, like the postcard garland on the vintage sled, immediately creates a warmer feel to the room.

Red print pillows and a soon-to-be skirt on my "project chair" in a Waverly floral fabric I've been in love with for years.

The name escapes me at the moment, but it has been used in many ways around my home(s).

  
This piece doesn't really have anything to do with cozy color (except it's warm wood tones) but I thought I'd show you just because it's a favorite of mine.

 I think it's the front panel from an old piano? But for now it's standing in the corner of my room being used as a clothes hanger!

 I'm thinking it's also destined to be painted white someday. 

Ok, so I only just realized today that my dresser has a FACE! I can't decide if it's funny or just creepy!

 All her "age marks" just make me love her more.

 An interesting note about the dresser top; the shop owner I bought this from told me that when she acquired the dresser the veneer top had been badly damaged. She removed the veneer and covered the top in this Ralph Lauren wallpaper (!) and a heavy piece of glass.

Over the years it's been fun to put photos, cards etc under the glass. I've been tempted to see what's under the wallpaper, but I'm sort of afraid to mess with it! Maybe I'll cover it with some of my vintage sheet music next?

Nothing says "warm and cozy" quite like a red plaid blanket, right? Especially layered on top of fluffy white duvets and charming red print bedding. The super heavy PB quilt is actually on loan from my friend who's living in China right now and the Waverly floral is a fabric remnant from a past project. I have always loved florals and plaids together, and I think I always will.

It's so easy to use things you already have to pull color into a room! I used some of my favorite crafting/decorating books here. Tired of this color? Swap them out for another! Don't get me wrong, books never need to match a color scheme, but when you are doing a seasonal (temporary) color scheme, why not use something you already have and love?

Blankets, pillows, books, candles, picture frames are all easily whisked away when your design mood changes, with very little time and no money spent.

There's my cozy (I do like that word!) little electric fireplace I made the mantel and faux brick backdrop for.

Thank you so much for visiting my warmed-up-with-red winter bedroom! Rest assured, in a few weeks I'll be ready to have things back to Perfectly Pale in here! It's been a long day....I am SO climbing in this bed right now : )



 









over at:

  

French Country Cottage-Feathered Nest Friday
At the Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday 

Common Ground-Vintage Inpiration 
Six Sisters'-Strut Your Stuff Saturday 
It's Overflowing-Overflowing With Creativity! 
Funky Junk Interiors-SNS 
Homemaker On a Dime-Creative Bloggers' Party 
Liz Marie Blog