It is cold here in North Carolina.  Yesterday we had a little sleet and snow, today it is sunny and in the mid 40's, however tomorrow is when the fun is to begin.  The forecast for Friday is 28 degrees with freezing rain and Saturday 37 degrees with s-n-o-w.  I hope so!  I would like at least one good snow this winter.  I understand that might seem a bit silly to those of you who live with that white stuff all winter long; but we don't get a good snow often so it's a treat when we do!

Enough about the weather, let's get on to the changes in the guest room...

Adding to Collections

Those of you who follow me regularly know my home is decorated with pieces collected over time.
Family heirlooms are my favorite, I'm drawn to the old and well worn, and most pieces have tugged at my heart in some way...speaking to me.

I love nice things, but they must be practical, comfortable, and keeping the budget in mind I've found that searching and patience go hand in hand.   Above all, I do hope our home is a warm and cozy place for all who enter.

I enjoy the hunt and it's especially fun finding pieces that help complete a set, like this Blue Onion sweets canister.

Five Chickens in the Keeping Room

No more blank walls!

I have been searching for months to find artwork for the keeping room.

At first I thought a long and narrow canvas would be the way to go.

A painting of a cow or cotton field; something farmsey (should be a word!) since the keeping room has a farmhouse style.

After searching on etsy and visiting local shops, I finally found it!

Scattered about in a consignment shop were five antique prints that spoke to me, so home they came!

Small Antique Chair Solution for Clutter

I've found that my new spot for reading is in the keeping room.

It's close to the coffee pot,

just beside the laundry room,

and is in the heart of our home, the kitchen,

so it's the perfect spot to pull up the footstool and cozy up with a book.

There's been one problem.

I'm one of those that doesn't finish a book before starting another

and have several daily devotionals that I read, so there's clutter!

There is always a stack of books, my journal and pens cluttering up the table.

I needed a solution for keeping my books close by without all the mess

and

that's

when

this

small

antique

chair

came

to

mind.

Colonial Farmhouse Style in the Great Room

We are just home from touring southern plantations and I am appreciating simplicity.

The historic homes on the tour had so much character and charm.

They were not museums, people still live in most of them.
Many are descendants of the original owners.

The homes were full of antiques and pieces that make a statement, some of great value and some not.
Each piece as though it was carefully chosen and thoughtfully placed, having a purpose.

Simplicity, stately but restrained.
Nice furnishings but not cluttered.
Useful pieces with a purpose.
Utilitarian pieces made by local craftsman.

Endearing.
Each home, though different, captured a bit of my heart.
I found myself wishing the walls could talk.  How I would love to know more of the "life" lived there and the history of the furnishings, who crafted it and how did it came to be in this home?

These homes were inspiring, and the good news is...
you don't have to live on a southern plantation,
in France,
or on a farm,
to add any style you like to your home!

As we renovate our southern colonial, more historic touches and farmhouse style are added,  it takes a while but we keep plugging along.

I've been doing some spring cleaning and made some simple changes in the great room.

Primitive Equestrian

I'm drawn to the primitive decor style of the 18th and 19th centuries,
but the rooms can become a bit drab, which I love but don't necessarily want to live in.

While the white vintage and primitive decor style many use to decorate with today is lovely,
I do love color.
To stay true to the furnishings I love,
I temper myself by keeping some things on the lighter side,
so the walls in the great room are painted a gray-white.


I love horses too.
And though we live on old farmland,
our neighbors have horses, goats, and chickens,
and my sister raises Friesians on her farm,
it's been a long time since I've owned a horse.

Farmhouse Touches in the Great Room

 It was a whirlwind as we moved back in the house,
and with little thought we quickly placed things here and there.
We were just happy to be back home and in the nick of time to do a little decorating for Christmas.

With all the decorations packed away,
I am eager to do some fluffing and have started in the great room.




Itching to use these old farmhouse shutters, I pulled them down from the barn shed out back.  They still had the tag on them from years ago when they were priced for sale in my shop.