Mixing It Up A Bit

Happy New Year my friends!  Life has settled down a bit since the holidays and I have been mixing my sweet cottage up a bit. I really enjoy the Christmas holidays and they always seem to go a bit fast for me. But, on and on we all go into a new year, new challenges . . .

I was really spoiled and blessed this year and received new area rugs for my sitting room and studio area as well as new draperies.  I really wanted to mix things up a bit in the sitting room so I reconfigured all of the furniture and I really like how it turned out.

I couldn’t quite get the whole room in one shot so just use your imagination and put the two pics together. I chose grey and ivory flowered rugs with grey buffalo checked curtains. I just love the soft look and the colors blend in nicely and lend some contrast to the neutral palette. I can add pops of color and switch my decor around for the seasons and holidays without spending any extra money and still have the change that I crave.

I am looking to upholstering my pink chair and making cushions for the seats of my French sofa and chair. My French sofa and chair were made in the late 1800’s and I think people were much shorter back then so it makes it a little uncomfortable when getting up and down from them.  I thought maybe a 5″ mattress type pad would be just perfect. I want to make the covers removable so I can change them out from time to time as I do with the pillow covers.

 

I used two wooden boxes for a lamp table in front of the window. This is where I had the sofa before I moved it.

Using some of my Christmas decor I made a few winter scenes and using the same pillow covers from Christmas. Since I took these photos I have already started moving my decor around for Valentine’s Day. I just can’t leave my house alone for very long! lol   I have even started a new Pinterest board for next years Christmas decor.

I always put down some kind of cover on the sofa to protect from stains. Having the mattress cover will really help with that. I’m thinking of using grain sack fabric that have blue stripes on them.

I love using candles and twinkling lights especially during the deary days of winter, so I have scattered a few around the winter vignettes. It is extra beautiful in the evenings when they are on.

I also received this great toy metal truck for Christmas and I will have fun filling the bed of it with seasonal pretties.

On the door of the truck it say’s True Value.

I was gifted this beautiful Madonna. She is a lovely addition to my collection.

Some changes are going on in my studio area. I will show you a couple of them today.

A matching area rug is under my crafting table and I also recovered the pink harp back chair with vintage fabric.

I made a new curtain for my work bench in a soft faded blue floral. This hides all of my plastic drawers that are full of crafting supplies yet keeps them close at hand.

 I think that I need to make a cover for my black printer it really is an eye sore in a home with soft colors. They really should be made in white. (SMILE)

That’s my tour of the changes that I have made for the new year.  Have a wonderful week!

xoxo Jo

 

I will be at these amazing parties this week, come and join me!

Monday

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings-the heart of our home

The Creative Gallery @ Making it in the Mountains.

Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Tuesday

The Scoop @ Cedarhill Farmhouse

Talk of the Town @ Interior Frugalista (after 7 pm)

Wednesday

Designthusiasm @ Shabbyfufublog.com

Thursday

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Cup with Mrs. Olson

Share your Style @ The Essence of Home

Blog Hop @ Katherine’s Corner

Friday

Home Sweet Home Party @ The Charm of home

Shabbilicious Friday @ Shabby Art Boutique

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

 Saturday

Pretty Pintastic Party @ Seeking Lavender Lane

Upcycled Linky Party @ Funky Junk

Best of the Weekend @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Snickerdoodle Linky Party @ Blue Willow House