1/14/13

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










24 comments:

  1. Everything looks pretty but I really love your china cabinet.

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  2. Very pretty - you can never have enough pictures as far as I am concerned!
    -Shelley

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  3. Carol, thank you so much for dropping by my blog. Yours is lovely and I look forward to reading more.

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  4. You can tell you enjoy keeping your home. I especially like the white buffet, the books bundled with burlap and love the wall hanging.

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  5. I am loving it all, the heart quilt is just darling. I bet you could use it as a table runner too. Just another use for it. The lime green tone really pops against the dark wood of your hutch, that is a great accent color. Thanks for linking up the party this week:)

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  6. Everything is looking so pretty. Thanks for sharing. Have a super great week. Hugs.

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  7. You definitely have the cozy factor...it's lovely! Super cute supervisor too!!!Jane

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  8. I just love all of your springing up! Your china cabinet looks so pretty! Love the touches of green and red. So pretty.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  9. First...Miss Abby is adorable! Everything looks lovely and I was just thinking how bored I am with my vignettes..you just inspired me with all this beauty! Great china cabinet, you did a wonderful job. Have a nice week.
    FABBY

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  10. Thank you for dropping by. Your dining room looks so cozy. I love the reds and greens. Miss Abby says she likes them too.
    Annette

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  11. Gorgeous. You did a wonderful job of redoing everything and still having red and green. Love your new vignettes, very pretty. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, marty

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  12. Carol, your home is sure looking so pretty and welcoming. I love all the pops of green on your china cabinet and the quilted wallhanging is gorgeous! Very pretty!

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  13. Carol I'm new follower.I'm liking all this "cozy".You have some beautiful dishes.
    Love the pops of red,I have left my red dishes out and going to "cozy" up for Valentines also.
    Thanks for sharing @ Creative Cain Cabin!
    come see me
    ~Jo @ LoblollyLane

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  14. You have so many pretty pieces!!! Well done, Carol, I think the room looks lovely! :)

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  15. I LOVE your matryoshka doll! My grandmother immigrated here from Kiev and I have some of her pieces. Everything looks so inviting; you've done a great job. Blessings, Dani

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  16. It all looks so pretty, love the green colors and that Valentine hanging is adorable!

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  17. Hi, Carol

    You dining room is lovely. Love the candles on the table. Have a great week.

    Vanessa

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  18. You are ready for Valentine's Day! Love your cozy wall hanging...you made that!? Sooo pretty! You have some very pretty china pieces and so GREAT that you have such a nice place to store it!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  19. Everything looks wonderful Carol! You have such a beautiful home! Wishing you a lovely week! Angie xo

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  20. What a pretty room! I love everything about it Carol - especially that sweet heart wall-hanging.
    Have a great day!
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  21. Hi Carol, your display for your dishware is so pretty and I love the shabbiness (that's a word right ;-) of the ikea candles and white pillars. I also just wanted to take a second to say thanks for following along on my blog. I really appreciate that you took the time to do that! I am your newest follower :)
    Helen
    www.abritofhappiness.blogspot.com

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  22. Your home is so lovely, Carol.

    Coming over from Richella's link.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  23. I love your wall hanging (you're so talented) and the rich colors you brought in! And, your china is beautiful! Hope your temps warm up soon!

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  24. It sure is looking cozy Carol! Have a great day.

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol