Cozying Up the Dining Room

Hey everyone!  Happy Monday, and I hope this is the start of a great week for all of us.  It's another super-chilly day here in the 20's, with mid-40's for the high.  I have to say, though, that I've been enjoying wearing the sweaters, scarves and mittens that I didn't even touch last year.  This weather has certainly had me concentrating on keeping our home cozy, not just heat-wise, but the overall look.  One of the areas that tends to look a bit formal is our dining room, so I've tried to tone down the formality and make it more inviting.  I'll let you be the judge on how I did.

Oh, fare warning -- picture overload!  I can't help myself!  Is there a 10-step program?

This is what I see about fifty times a day as I walk back and forth down this hall and entry.  After many tweaks, I finally reached the "Ahhhh.......this is making me smile" look!

I do enjoy having touches of red, at least through Valentine's Day.

I simply toned down these timer-battery powered candles from Christmas with some 

burlap ribbon & twine.

This quilted wallhanging really helps "cozy" things up.

I made this a few years ago.

I borrowed the blue pottery urns filled with faux figs from the kitchen to tone down the formality

of this room.

I love the rich colors.

I added several informal elements to the china cabinet.

I like the mix of greens and reds for a cozier winter look.

I usually reserve fruit (faux or real) for my kitchen, but decided faux apples would 

raise the "cozy level" a bit!

Burlap, twine and a stack of my favorite home decor books!

All things old!  The little Russian nesting doll is from Russia.  It was a gift from The Man's

dear, sweet Aunt who painted the china.

My small collection of teapots.  The platter belonged to my Great Great Grandmother, and has  

"England" stamped on the back. 

This is one of my favorite teapots, but they were all left to me by my sweet MIL, and they are all English Bone China.  This one is Burslem and the one next to it is Wedgewood.  I have no idea if they are of any monetary value, and I don't care.  I love them and use them, because they came from someone so special to me.

I think it's kind of difficult to make an all-white piece of furniture look cozy, but I decorated  and filled my little buffet with things I love (or really like) and called it good!

I painted and added some shabbiness to these candle holders last year.  The candles were a sale purchase from IKEA during the holidays -- chocolate, almond & coffee scented!  The tray was a gift from my Aunt almost forty years ago.

I've had more fun with these little chalkboard ornaments that I picked up in the cheapie section of Michael's last year some time.  They are the perfect size to just tuck into a vignette.

I did some rearranging of my wedding china, removed it from the lower part of the china cabinet, and arranged it inside my little buffet.  In my effort to live a more "authentic" life, I want these "special" dishes to be easy to get to so that I actually use them.

My pattern is Wynwood by Noritaki, not an expensive china, but it's delicate and pretty and I love it!

This side of the buffet has wine glasses, quite a few Princess House sets, and some hand-painted china.

The Man's aunt started china painting when she was 75 years old, and we would get a few pieces each Christmas.  My MIL had a larger collection which we will be getting in March, when my SIL & BIL come for a visit.  We were the only ones who wanted them -- mainly to preserve the memories.

My supervisor, Miss Abby!  She has to approve all my moves around here!

That about wraps it up for home decor this week.  Hope you enjoyed the little tour and will continue to come back for more of whatever I happen to be sharing.  I'm really having fun kind of 

mixing things up and not taking life so seriously.  Let's have fun, I say!

I'm happily linking to these wonderful parties this week:

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Dawn at Creative Cain Cabin for Decorating on a Budget

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Table Top Tuesdays

Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow

Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 

Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading

Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty