Monday, November 3, 2014

The Living Room this Fall


I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like incorporating your own style into your home can be a tricky thing.  As we've gradually worked on our home the four years we've lived here, I've tried to consider the era of the house, what is functional, what is comfortable, what is within our budget, and also what appeals to my own style.  

What is my style?  I don't really know if it's something I can define.  I just know I love it when our home feels warm, comfortable, definitely cozy, but pretty too.  I like to incorporate things that are special and have meaning.  I don't mind taking my time, waiting for just the right piece or for inspiration to strike, even if it means living with a blank wall for a while. 

A home is a place where memories are made with family and friends, it's a place to rest, a place to laugh, it's a haven and so much more.  So I think ultimately it shouldn't matter what is popular, or what style is trendy, it's creating a home that is comfortable to live in.  It's creating a home that works for you or your family.   It's creating a place that you look forward to coming home to. 


 I think all these thoughts come to mind with our living room in particular, because this room has definitely proved to be the most challenging.  I know I've said this before, but the wood walls are something I've grown to love.  Along the way I've tried to figure out ways to lighten the room while retaining their originality and still creating a room that we love spending time in. My main goal, especially as time has evolved, is to create a living room that we can relax and have fun in, but a space that also cleans up well and easily. 


 Most recently Justus built a new coffee table and end table for the living room.  My reasoning for this was I wanted a coffee table that was just the right height for coloring and for propping feet on.  I wanted an additional place where we could store things like puzzles, toys and coloring books.  The end table was a bonus.  Once Justus built the coffee table, we both agreed that a matching end table is just what the living room needed. 


 Every basket and box in this room serves a purpose.  The majority of the girls' toys are kept in their rooms, but their favorites are all stored in the living room.  For instance, the old wooden box holds toys and the basket sitting on top of the table holds crayons (safe from Huck, our poodle that loves the taste of crayons).   



 I purposely left everything in the living room just how it looks on a daily basis, magazines and all.  I do think it's possible to have a room that is functional as well as pretty.  True, we do have a few rules in place, like the girls eat only in the kitchen or dining room, but they also roll all over the rug after they've been playing outside, draw and color at the coffee table, and have toys scattered every which way throughout the day. But we can also zip through the room and have it straightened and clean in no time. 


After Justus finished the tables, I was anxious to find some baskets that fit just right.  I measured and measured, searched many places, and in the end went with a couple baskets from Pottery Barn (I had a coupon and they were on sale, so they ended up being very affordable!).  They were each a different style, but made from the same material.  I love them, and this one that fits in the end table is perfect for storing coloring books, drawing paper, and a few small toys. 



 This pillow cover was a fall splurge from Ann's shop.   Believe it or not, pillow covers are one of the few things I can actually sew, but the other pillow covers in our living room that have come from Ann have stayed so nice that I really like to buy them from her.  Plus her fabric choices are superb!  



 The only other change I've made recently is I finally filled the blank spot on the wall above the sofa.  Last week I finally got the girls put in their pretty dresses and we went to the farm to get some fall photos.  Then a few days later I was at Target and just happened to see this frame on clearance.  I was so excited - it was just perfect for this spot! 


(The mat is actually a linen fabric - love!)  


We all love our new coffee table!  It has gotten so much use already... it's a place to set books and magazines, but also a great footrest and "table" for the girls. (You can read about the building/finish of the tables here.)




It's always a nice feeling to have a room feel complete.  We spend a lot of time here, and I love that it's a room that works for every member of our family! It's truly a living room!


Especially for these two little girls and this one big pup! 

39 comments:

  1. What a beautiful cozy room! I actually love the wood walls and the character they add! The tables are really stunning. I agree that it's nice to find a balance of style and function for the whole family. Your girls are precious, too!!
    Blessings,
    Leslie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely lovely! All of your work and effort certainly shows in the beautiful result. Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your mix of woods and whites! Your girls are darling!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The reds in the sofa, picture and flowers adds a richness and warmth to the room. Beautifully added, the girls and Huck! Kathleen in Az

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your living room...cozy but not cluttered. Wooden walls, nice rug, baskets...everything goes together beautifully! and I love your new coffee table and matching end table. Great post!
    Kathy L in Colorado

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really like your livingroom....everything is so Nice and cosy....love from me Ria...x!...❤️❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love how you embraced the wood walls. Such a pretty space!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very cozy & inviting ! I love Ann's pillows ,it pulls the room all together .

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful and cozy room. I love it! Where did you get your couch? It would be perfect for my home and we need a new one.

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cindy. Our couch is about 10 years old... I'm sorry, I can't even recall the store we bought it at. I do remember they were going out of business so we bought it on clearance. I think it was the first new piece of furniture we bought as a married couple! :-)

      Delete
    2. Gosh it has held up so well! Thank you for answering, even if I can't rush out and buy one for our family.

      Cindy

      Delete
  10. Your living room is everything a living room is meant to be, it's warm, inviting and comfortable as well as pretty and functional for your entire family. Lovely job!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Another fabulous post that I will revisit again and again for the peace and inspiration it gives me. Thanks so much for continuing with this blog!
    Johanne

    ReplyDelete
  12. It looks beautiful! Good job as always! marsha@tubbslanefarm.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. loved this post !!!!! first of all I love that your home is one you can live in, especially with children !!! I hate to see parents ALWAYS make kids go to their room, I think a family should be together !!! Your home looks warm, cozy, pretty & beautiful.....AND, so happy you left the wood and didn't paint it white.....now, I love the white/light look, but it doesn't have to be everywhere.........sometimes just leaving wood natural is so beautiful, meant to be.....bty, your home has a lot of light accents, so it doesn't appear dark....just wonderful !!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your living room is just the message that you and your blog is all about "Keeping it Cozy"...it is the epitome of warmth and coziness...I love the colors in the room and the things made from love...and those walls are so beautiful...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey I thought that my dog Lily was the only crayon eater ! Interesting that there are more out there like her : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! Every time I turn around he's getting into the crayons. :-)

      Delete
  16. Your living room is such a great space and everything blends so well together, the coffee table is fantastic! Like you, I have boxes and baskets spread throughout that people assume is for decor until they get a closer look and see crayons, glue, paper, toys, etc. hahaha. ~Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  17. You certainly achieved your goal- this room is cozy, comfortable, pretty, functional, warm and inviting. Definitely a room for everyone, including the dog! I love your "style" and love that you embraced the wood walls and honored the integrity of your home. I also love that this room depicts "real life" happening. So many blogs these days show picture perfect rooms that look like they jumped out of a staged magazine ad. I enjoy seeing and knowing that your house is clearly a well-loved, happy home!

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's all coming together nicely, Adrea. I love your style. It's simple, cozy and neat. I love the coffeetable! I have a hard time defining my style too...a little Victorian, farmhouse, shabby, traditional. lol

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the wood walls, and your girls are always so adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you for featuring my pillow cover...you are the best. Hope your November is off to a great start!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your living room is beautiful but I come from a family of tv watchers. Do you not watch tv or is it in another room?

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've always liked your red couch and everything in your room blends together perfectly. Your home seems very cozy and comfortable like happy people live there!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I just found your blog and I love it. One of the things that really attracts me to it, is the way you mix masculine and feminine in your decor. I see so many pretty homes all deck out in ruffles and lace, and they are beautiful, but I have a very masculine husband and I just can not picture him living in ruffles, LOL. You have done a marvelous job of combining this elements. I am your newest follower and I would be honored to have you follow me back. Have a wonderful day.
    Hope to hear for you,
    Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your comment really made me smile! My husband is very sweet about allowing me to decorate, but he would definitely not go for ruffles! I try to keep him in mind when I'm decorating - I want him to be comfortable too! :-)

      Delete
  24. Gorgeous living room, so tidy and clean, can't believe that you have kids and dog playing there!

    Domestic cleaning Fulham

    ReplyDelete
  25. Beautiful and cozy and you know I love that red sofa.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love your end table and coffee table!!!....Im new to your page and I love it!!!...thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love this room...absolutely everything about it. I admire your simple style and I so strive for that but I can't seem to ever get there. I suppose I just love stuff to much ;-) But my favorite part is the walls - In reading your posts in the past about these walls - I too, would have been tempted to paint them - because I love painted wood walls. But I think you definitely made the right decision by leaving them in their natural state - simple. elegant. perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your home is just lovely. I found your blog through Pinterest, and I'm so glad I did! What would you think about putting wooden x's in the 3 niches of your fireplace? It would tie in to the design of your tables, and continue the balance of wood and white that you have. Just a thought. :) Love your style!

    ReplyDelete

I always look forward to reading your comments... thank you for taking the time to leave one!

Copyright @ Keeping It Cozy. Blog Design by KotrynaBassDesign