Tuesday, August 7, 2012

My Cozy Family Room!


Welcome to my cozy, barn red family room!!! 
Why don't you take a seat and have a banana chocolate chip muffin I just made!  (Recipe coming soon...)   The family room is where we kick our feet up every night, where we eat our popped popcorn and watch movies together --Downton!--, share our stories with friends and family, and where I do most of my blogging from. This room is already filling up with memories, though we moved in only 3 months ago!

It's situated in the back of the house, and when you come for a visit, you'll enter through the back door here.  So I knew that I wanted this space to feel inviting as you enter.  I've always loved a red room, and I love this one, too.  I'll admit that sometimes I think about painting it a lighter color, for it seems those are more trendy at the moment.  I've seen so many light and bright room from different blogs that are just beautiful and airy!  I'm in my comfort zone in a red room, and I think it exudes coziness!

The window treatments came with the house.  I've never had anything like them, but I think they look good and I love the way they function.  Even pulled, you can still see out a bit.  They're only in the family room, but the rest of the house has plantation blinds.  I've thought about curtains...still mulling over the idea. 
 I'm just showing you part of the room right now, because I'm still working on the decor. 

You know when you move it's a process that takes months for me of getting each room the way you want it.  It's trial and error with decor, furniture placement, colors, and so on.  I say this because I should know after moving into 5 different places during our 7 1/2 year marriage!  I'm considered a pro by now!....I wish!!!  :)  This is our first house to buy, and although it's not a "big house" it's definitely the largest we've lived in and more than enough room for the two of us.  (Hopefully the latter part will change before much longer....In Jesus name!)

"With God All Things Are Possible"
That's what you see above the back door of our home.  I want those who enter to feel the peace and love of  Jesus Christ in our home!

If you could see out this door and the window, you would see our brick patio.  There's also a cute little fence that separates our drive from the patio that I have black lanterns hanging from.  I think sources of light are a sign of warmth and welcome.  That's probably why I've always appreciated Thomas Kinkade's work so much.  He always put emphasis on light in his paintings.  I'm sorry that he left this earth so soon, but I wonder if God is teaching him His ways of painting the sky!

I found this truck while antiquing with Mom one rainy, early spring day a year and a half ago.  It was in a peddler's mall, and the price was really good.  I got them to come down even lower.  The rest is history!  In the summer, I like to drape it with this pretty white cotton runner my Grandmother gave me.  I think it softens it up for the warmer weather.  I crave light colors in the summer.

I'm still adjusting my pillow situation in this room, although I do love what's on this couch!  The two green French inspired pillows are brand new from Home Goods!  Love!  The others came from a furniture consignment store a few years back.  The rug is also from Home Goods, and I've had it a couple of years now.  It looks even better in this house, because of the hardwood floors.  The other place had tile, but I'm sooo glad we found a house filled with hardwood floors! 

As we look out of these window you'll see our precious, little backyard. It's lovely with trees and mostly shade, although when this pictures was taken mid-morning it's filled with sunshine! I love sitting in this chair in the morning with my coffee. :) It's one of the "happy places" in my house.  You'll notice I have a few of them!  Yes, the vase of sunflowers are real.  They're my favorite summer-time flower!

I'm probably going to recover my sweet, little foot stool with new fabric.  It was a gift that I use all the time, but the palm trees don't really match the look I'm going after.  The quilt was handmade who know how many years ago by Mr. Cozy's great-grandmother.  I love that!  I get it out in the summer, because I think the bright colors are cheery and fun!  Though I have to say, if I ever happen to go tent camping in Alaska I will bring that quilt....it weighs a ton!!!

Here's one of my new lamps, and I just love it! Thanks to my Honey for letting me buy it at--yes-- Home Goods! 
(Can you see a trend?..) 
I can be quite frugal when it comes to home decor, and although I'm sure it was a good deal for the quality of lamp, $49 is still a big purchase for me. It's worth it though, because we needed the extra light at night and I think it's beautiful! I wanted one that was lighter and more of a contrast, like the rug, against all the rich colors in the room.

This table--that's difficult to see well in this picture--we bought at an antique store for a song just before we moved! It's clearly old --which I love!--but we have some work to do with it to enhance it's beauty.  I'm not sure if I want to restore the wood or paint it, or a little of both. I'll have to take more pictures to show you and get your opinions.

Mom sent me this beautiful card last week.  She is the best at finding cards that I need to read that very day!  Look at those delicious,steamy pies in the picture. I want a slice!  The scripture verse is wonderful!  I love His promises!

"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places."  Isaiah 32:18

God is the one who gives true peace, no matter the circumstances we face.  Whether every day problems that arise, or life changing news we receive He wants us to run to Him!   It's good news to hear that He actually wants for us to talk to Him and have the faith to give Him our concerns and dilemmas everyday so that He can do the work!  He gives His children a promise of peace.  It's easy for me to be a controller in all areas of my life, but I'm learning more all the time that to truly trust Him with my life.  I've been saved almost my whole life, but all the time I'm learning more about Him.  I guess it's like any other relationship...you want to know them better, but that means spending time with that person!

I'm just speaking from my heart!  When I received that card, that's what came to me. :)

Here's just a peak of the other side of the room!  I love that I have a fireplace that's flanked with built-in bookshelves on either side! I think it's a very classic style that is fitting in our 1945 Cape Cod house.  Long story but now that mantle in gone.  In a nut shell, here's what happened...

In the middle of the night a couple weeks ago, the anchors that supported it gave way and the mantle crashed into the floor breaking almost everything on it! :(  Mr. Cozy was working overnights, and being home alone I was terrified to wake up to the noise of a crash and glass breaking!!!  It was that loud! It sounded like someone was breaking in the house. I prayed and didn't move.  God gave me a peace that I was safe, so I managed to fall back asleep. When my husband came in very early that morning, he was literally running up the stairs to our bedroom to make sure I was okay!  He said when he walked in and saw the huge mess and broken candlesticks that were shattered in a million pieces, it scared him for a minute.  We were both thankful to be together again, for it was a scare for us both before we understood what really happened!

I say all of that to say that now I don't have a mantle.  I have found a gorgeous(!) mantle surround reclaimed from a historic house that I'm thinking about buying.  I just hope it fits!  That's one of the reasons why I'm not showing off the entire room right now.  It's not totally ready and completed yet. When it is, there will be another tour!

Thank you for stopping by for a visit at my cozy house today!  I hope you'll come back soon, because I love having visitors!!!
Have a blessed day, Friends!


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16 comments:

  1. Your room looks great! The paneled walls reminded me of my Mom's family room. I like what you've done and I believe it's important to stick to the look you like, rather than trying to be like everyone else! The red really creates a cozy feeling for the room and I love the trunk! My sister has the one my Mom had for years, I"ll have to show her how you are using yours! Your new lamp is lovely- you chose well! I like how you brought out the colors of the wall and rug with your pillows too! Great job!

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  2. It is a beautiful, cozy and charming space!!!
    XO Kris

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  3. Now that would have scared me also,wonder why the mantle fell?..I love your cozy sitting room and especially the red wall color!Visiting from TTT.

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  4. Hello, Leslie,
    Well, I have to tell you how much I enjoyed this post. Your little room is indeed "cozy" to the max. Sorry about the mantle, but I know you will find one you love, and will love the look even more.
    Thank you so much for sharing that Bible verse. I have made a note of it for my Bible. Such a wonderful promise, and I loved the comments you made about it. I REALLY needed that this morning.
    Thanks for stopping by, and I do hope you get to visit the Stream Cliff Room.
    D

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  5. What a warm and cozy space. I love color for the sense of joy it brings and I would love to curl up in one of your chairs for coffee and a morning visit. You are doing such a great job bringing your new home to life.

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  6. Absolutely cozy and so warm family room.

    Happy TTT,
    /CC from rainy Stockholm

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  7. Leslie, what a delight to come across your blog!! I love red too and my dining room is a brick red. I also see all the trends to lighter colors but I have always felt at home in a room with rich colors. I also love trunks and have several in my house and always on the look out for more. I enjoyed reading your post today. The bible verse seemed to be what I needed too. Blessings to you and your family.

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  8. Love, Love, Love your family room! So warm and cozy and inviting! I so enjoy your blog. You have such wonderful recipes and your decorating is lovely and your words about our Lord are so encouraging and uplifting. I guess all that is why your blog in on my "favorites" bar at the top of my browser!

    Zephaniah 3:17

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  9. What a wonderful room with that cozy fireplace. Wait till winter and the fires. How romantic. We use a trunk too for a coffee table.

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  10. Love your room. The red walls are beautiful. So warm and cozy. I can just see a fire in the fireplace on a cold evening. Beautiful page. Cindy

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  11. Hi Leslie,

    What a warm and welcoming room. The fabric and colors are perfect.. and I would love to have a seat and have a muffin :) Just found your blog. The Mexican Casserole in your last post looks so good!

    leslie

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  12. I love the red on the walls! I wish our home that sense of boldness!! Very cute and cozy:)

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  13. The room is lovely and so warm and cozy. I'm sure there is a lot of wonderful conversation in there.
    blessings to you.

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  14. Your entire room is stunning and so warm and inviting. Defiitely looks welcoming to anyone who might be there. You've done a great job with all of your decor. Can't wait to see the mantel. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  15. This room looks like something out of a magazine, so warm and welcoming, I could just curl up on that big chair by the fireplace with a good book and never move again. Your story of the mantle is such a good reminder that God is always there with u, to give us peace and comfort.

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  16. so pretty! i especially love the trunk you repurposed as a coffee table! so unique. :)

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Thank you for sweetening my day with your cozy comments!