After Christmas it seems that most people feel their homes look bare. The color of the Christmas decoratons are gone, and the room can look spare. So what I did was add some color, texture and coziness to my home to give it some warmth and appeal. Here’s a BEFORE photo of my fireplace. Note the lack of color. I love the neutral look, but in the photo it looks like it needs something.
Now you probably know I am in my neutral, white mode, where most fabrics in my home are white, but a little color makes a home feel more cozy. So… I’ve added some pillows by my fireplace with some color. Do you know what else makes a home feel cozy? How about the chairs the pillows are on? Oh yeah, I added those over the holidays. Merry Christmas to Me!!!!
I also added the French blue enamel pitcher on the mantle for more color. And for an added bonus, the little blue wool ottoman works beautifully in front of the fireplace. It is a fabulous place to warm yourself by the fire, and provides extra seating for parties.
Another thing of course you can do to make your room feel more cozy is to have a fire in the fireplace… well… if you have a fireplace. Otherwise, candles do nicely.
I also added these FAB antlers from Ballard Designs. Oh aren’t they just the PERFECT thing for the room? (This is not a sponsored post, I just LOVE my antlers and Ballard Designs!)
Obviously some of my cozy ideas cost more than others, so if you are on a seriously tight budget you can always light some candles. Looking the other direction, I added a quilt on the back of the sofa for more color and coziness.
There’s just one more thing that we need to get cozy, and that’s a cup of tea. My personal preference is Chai. Yum!
Beautiful table, I love your new plates and the chargers are so unique/
Sandy
The above comment should have gone to the tablescaper, that’s what happens when you have to many windows open and you haven’t had your first cup of coffee. I do love the way you have warmed up the room with just touches of color. I think I could sit for a long time with a good book and tea.
Anitia, you family room is absolutely stunning. I have the Ballard antlers in my daughter’s room….they are a perfect addition. I plan to tackle slip covers this year so I am sure I’ll be referring to your tutorials. Happy to be touring with you this week! ~Christy
Love the punches of color, Anita.
Your room is gorgeous, Anita! Loving the pops of color you added for winter warmth.
Mary Alice
I love the addition of blue to your decor!
Love the pops of blue! Everything is beautiful – as always.
Very cozy! I love the pops of color you added. If the room wasn’t your neutral white they wouldn’t have popped so much! Wish I was brave enough for white.
Your home is so beautiful… I love your vintage style. I was wondering if you have a tutorial on the technique achieved on the two large cabinets flanking either side of the room, or did you purchase them this way? I would love to replicate that someday!
Brandi,
That is a fabulous idea. You can achieve it with chalk paint covered with dark Annie Sloan wax, that is buffed off. The base coat is SW Pussywillow with some Calcium Carbonate mixed in.
The blue really makes it pop!!! I love the arrangement and would not have thought about putting the chairs like that by the fireplace.
Oh Anita everything is just GORGEOUS!! I love this room (and all of your other rooms!) so much and you added the perfect winter-y touches. You have incredible style and make it look effortless. So glad to be part of this tour with you!
Vanessa
I would love to win this contest! I have one window that has no blinds right now..the ones we had broke.
Love your blog! I would love love to win because I’ve been in need of roller shades for my living room and Blinds.com have the perfect ones. Thx for sharing such a generous giveaway.
I’m a chai lover too and last year discovered this little gadget that heats and froths milk. I love it so much I’ve thought about buying an extra one in case they ever stop making them! It’s the Capresso frothpro:
http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-202-04-frothPRO/dp/B003LXY2HA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1389630231&sr=8-4&keywords=milk+frother
Just moved into a new (old) house and we need new blinds!!!!! Would love to win!
I really like the pops of blue added to your family room. I would like 2 of the enamel pitchers for our mantel. Our sunroom needs solar control and solar shades on the floor length windows flanking the french doord would be a good solution.
Love the color! My Christmas tree is still standing all lit up right beside me as I type this, for the very reason you stated. Taking all the Christmas stuff always makes me so sad each year. I love all the warmth and coziness that the Christmas decor and just the incredible celebration of Christ’s birth brings to our home. Thanks for sharing your tip about adding color. I will definitely be trying that! I am so sorry if you have answered this on a past post but is your tv behind the doors over your fireplace? I really love the look either way! Thank you so much for this blog. It is one of my very favorites!
Yes the TV is behind the doors over the fireplace!! Thank you!!
Love the color you’ve added, especially the tea cup and saucer in radiant orchid???
Love the blue accents! I need that gift certificate to buy some woven shades for my den. Crossing my fingers!
Your home is definitely warm and cozy, Anita. Just beautiful!
I absolutely LOVE your pops of color after the Christmas decorations are packed away for another year! It really brightens up the room! Simply beautiful!
I love the colors. I would never be content in a home without color.
Anita, Gorgeous! Your home is beautiful decorated for any season.
xx,
Sherry
Fixing up my living room on “no” budget and would love to add new shades. I absolutely love your neutral decor. What a great canvas to add seasonal pops of color.
I would love to win the beautiful window coverings from Blinds.com because I definitely need to do something with my living room windows. These are attractive and stylish with a good amount of choices to pick from. I am picturing them right now at my windows and they look wonderful in my minds eye, now to really get them up. 🙂
Would love to win! We are slowly fixing up our old house as time and money allow, and we need new blinds. It would be wonderful to have the gift certificate to help with that!
Slowly redoing bedrooms and have need of new blinds for them 🙂 thanks for the giveaway!
I love your style Anita and I love Ballard Designs too. They have that European decor style I appreciate. Thank you for the opportunity to win the gift certificate.
You’ve created a lovely room. So very inviting.
I can truly say that every time your post hits my email I know that I am in for a treat….cannot say enough how much I love your beautiful home…it is warm and cozy all year round!..
Oh how I would love to win this give away! I am currently shopping for window treatments for two rooms with large windows and I’m sure I could put it use at Blinds.com! BTW, I also love Ballards!
Thank you!
It’s a beautiful, cozy tour, Anita. Sharing on my FB page today 😉
Hugs,
Jamie
Lovin’ that blue enamel pitcher!
Your home looks so warm and cozy, Anita! I love those two chairs by the fireplace!…hugs…Debbie
Love the chairs and pillows by the fireplace! Love your whole house and style!
I would love to win the Blinds.com gift card! I can really use a new blind for my oversized
master bedroom window!
I always get excited anytime I get to look through your house (sorry if that sounds stalkerish). You are such an amazing decorator Anita! Beautiful job!
Beautiful, Anita. I really like you home with splashes of color. It does warm it up! You knew just the right amount to add so your neutral color scheme still takes center stage. LOVE all you do!
Love your new chairs. They’re a great touch.
Happy to be cohosting with you.
– Alma, The Tablescaper
Your home is gorgeous Anita! What a lovely cozy room!
xx
Anne
What a gorgeous room, Anita. It was beautiful before and is equally beautiful with the pops of blue that you added. The cabinets flanking the fireplace are amazing. I sure did enjoy partying with you this week!
Anita, your new additions are just lovely. I adore those antlers too! I’m gonna have to go make myself some Chai tea now. xoxo
Anita – you definitely have a signature style and I love it! Your new home is just beautiful and cozy!
Anita, your home has inspired me☺ The chairs, pillows, ottoman, etc; has added just the right amount of warmth and pop! Thank you for your wonderful blog! It is helping me SO much!
Anita – your home always looks comforting, no matter the season. I LOVE the new antlers and new chairs. And what a beautiful tea cup. Have a great weekend. xxoo, barb
Your home is always so welcoming and cozy. Those blue pillows are the perfect touch of color, I would love some in my home. Thank you for including me on the Cozy Home Tour!
Your changes look great! AND your home looks very cozy and inviting!! 🙂
~Angela
I love this room Anita…it’s just perfection. Your special touches are everywhere! Thanks for hosting this tour…I have loved being a part of this group!
Can you please tell me the paint color on the walls in the living room?
Hi Carla, those wall are Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. Have a blessed day.