Keeping it Cozy in My Winter Hearth Room

This is the perfect time of year to look for the "Cozy" elements for our homes and personal life. Whether we're crazy about winter or not, we all want to make our homes warm and comfortable for our family. It's been cold and windy here this month so I'm sharing a few ways I keep it a place where we can snuggle up and enjoy our surroundings. 

Hi Friends, so glad you came by today for our fun gathering on "Keeping It Cozy". Our good friend Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home thought it would be fun to share the ways we each use to bring a cozy, comfortable feel to our homes for winter. If you're coming from Marty's blog, A Stroll Thru Life, thanks so much for following the tour. 

Today I'm sharing my most comfy spot in the house, which is our Hearth Room right next to the kitchen. It's my go-to spot to cuddle up, watch tv, read a book or take a quick nap. I can take a breather and put my feet up while keeping an eye on dinner or something on the stove. When we moved here I had a vision of an intimate place that our family could gather near the kitchen to sit, talk and relax. 

Last year I left the small naked tree up until the end of January. This year I decided to go ahead and put it away and try to come up with a light source for this dark corner. I've mentioned upteen times how dark this room is because it's in the middle of the house. I only have a small narrow spot for a lamp, so whatever furniture is here has to be compact. I'm not fully sold on this small table/vintage suitcase combo, but at least it provides some much needed light for now. I'm on the lookout for something a little more sturdy. I'll know it when I find it.

I'm sticking with basic lighter neutrals in here on the off-white slipcovered sofa 

and adding in a couple of woolen Tartan throws and quilts.

I still have the basic pieces from late Fall and Christmas here on the mantel. The evergreen topiaries, white lanterns, and candlesticks made it an easy transition to "Winter" from Christmas. I just took down the wreath and leaned a print on canvas up against the mirror. 

I'm also leaving the small faux evergreen garland in place 

for these next couple of months till Spring.

The most obvious element in this cozy space is the lit fireplace. It puts out a lot of heat and it's such a cozy spot snuggled up around the fire. When I was a kid we spent many evenings around the farmhouse living room fireplace, reading or watching TV wrapped in quilts and blankets. 

I've kept my small faux evergreen trees out for January.

This one on the hearth has deer shed antlers and burlap

in an old wire basket.

Stacked antique bank deposit boxes are here on the opposite side

joined by an old Burberry print umbrella. I love using small amounts 

of black with neutrals, especially this time of the year.

The little cobbler's bench/coffee table has a vintage crockery bowl with 

pinecones, a small ironstone covered vegetable and platter, 

and a candle in a vintage jam jar.

Texture is such an important element in winter, 

so I brought the brown wool plaids back out to cuddle in.

The vintage ticking pillow and a new ticking quilt

work as neutrals, no matter the paired pattern or season.

One of my "cozy" requirements has always been big squishy sofas and chairs,

with blankets and throws for a warm place to cuddle up.

Between the sideboard against the wall and behind the sofa provides a walkway 

to the kitchen without having to meander through sofas and chairs.

I kept things pretty neutral and simple with old crocks

and a birch candle in an ironstone tureen.

White bottlebrush trees are perfect for after Christmas.

No you're not crazy, I changed out the square beeswax candle (unlit)

for a round votive that's lit.

Do you live in an area that's chilly/cold/freezing this time of year?

Here in the lower Midwest we have some cold weather before Christmas,

but our really cold weather always hits in January and February.

So we have a good 2 months of "winter" left to brave.

Hello snow, ice, sleet and wind...

Stay cozy friends!

Thanks so much for coming by to visit.

We hope you'll follow the tour by clicking on the next link

and head over and visit Stacy at Bricks and Blooms.

Stay warm and well, friends!

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