Our Country Christmas Home

A very good rainy Saturday afternoon to all of you!  It is cold, wet, and wonderfully wintery outside!  I am cozy in the house, with a Christmas movie on the Telly, and Geeps just laid the fire he will light for us soon.  Everyone is off and doing their thing.  We are thinking of catching a movie later on, but first, that post I promised.  Remember in the last post, I told you I had summoned my Mom over to brainstorm with me on moving around my family room furniture?  Well, although there is still quite a lot yet to be done, as far as the details go, it is a far cozier space to enjoy, and finally, it fits for me! 
So come on in....let's have a look around.

Dolly Mouse is dressed in her Christmas finery. 

The apron she is wearing is one that Gennifer made when she was in grade school.  Dolly wears it every year.  When we painted our house a few years ago, and I had the front doors painted in barn red, I was thrilled with the outcome that brought new life to my old doors.  I swoon every time I see them, even still, and especially at Christmas time.

Stepping into the foyer, you can see the living room to the right, or walk straight ahead into the family room.

This carved wood table in the foyer belonged to my parents.  I have always loved it, and when my Mom moved, she gave it to me.

Those two quilts folded beneath the table are very special to me.  I had taken a trip to Tennessee with Mom, Dad, Nana and Drew, who was only 3 at the time.  We were driving along on a country road, and stopped at a big barn that had a sign,"Quilts for sale."  The old man sitting out front in his rocker, invited me inside to see them.  His late wife was a quilter, and he was selling many of them.  The one on top is a King sized double wedding ring quilt, with a lot of primary red and green in it.  The one on the bottom is a bow tie quilt.  Made mostly with fabrics from clothing that her children worn and outgrown.  The stitching is all done by hand.   I have treasured these for over 20 years, and they also remind me of the fun trip I took to Nashville with my parents and Nana.
The two holiday mice, in their woolen dresses and caps, were given to me by my brother Mark last Christmas.  He has carried on our Dad's tradition to give me mice.  So every one is so very special to me.

Let's peek into the living room.

Taking a few more steps, we head on into the family room.

The fireplace in the family room is huge, and really should be the focal point of the room.  However,  with so few actual walls in this room, furniture placement is limited.  There is only one wall big enough to allow for the sofa, and the half wall opposite, was the obvious spot for the cable and telly.  And so, this is how we have had it.  For TWENTY years! 

This large media center held our TV, and took up the entire remaining wall space.  The slider to the back patio is just to the left.  We used to have a big screen TV that looked much better in this piece, but it recently gave up the ghost.  I have had my wheels spinning ever since we got the new TV, on how to change this room.  And then it happened.  An epiphany.  In my mind I could see it perfectly.  I presented my idea to Greg, and he was interested, but couldn't picture it in his mind.  It was going to require him rewiring the cable through the attic, and dropping it down the fireplace wall.  This would call for the expert advice from our friend Tommy G.  He is my best friend Jae's husband, and the best electrician in town. 
Monday, I just couldn't wait another minute.  I. NEEDED. to.  Make. A. Change. NOW!!!  Hello Mom.....you need to get over here.  We have a job to do!!!!!  In my mind, as I waited for her to arrive, I kept hearing Robin Williams voice from the movie Tootsie..."HELP IS ON THE WAY!"  And it was indeed.  We split up that 4 piece unit.  Taking the two outside piers to the kitchen.  The top bridge, I used to make a bar out on the patio.  The shelf that went between the two piers, has yet to be used.  And the Telly was moved to the fireplace hearth.  We may mount it differently, but it will stay in that general location!  The cable wires and extension wires, are currently being hidden as best I could, in an ottoman, and also taped securely along the floor.  Partially covered by a Christmas rug.  Some is still visible, but none of it will be when we drop the cable in behind the fireplace.  This photo is looking into the family room and kitchen, coming in from the front door.

 This photo is looking into the family room from the kitchen.

We moved the rug to the middle of the room.  Angled the sofa toward the fireplace.  Put the rocking leather chair on opposite end, also angled.  Where the media center used to be, I have moved my kitchen table to this spot.  I took out both leafs, and put it back to a small round, using only four chairs.  It is a perfect fit!  The telly is up on the hearth, on a small table, that allows for the other television devices, like cable box, dvd player, wii.  I am in the market for either a new stand for the telly, or I may just paint this one black, so it kind of disappears into the hearth.  That small round brown ottoman has all of the wiring in it, and you can see a bit of the wiring along the floor.  That will be gone soon.
I cannot tell you how much I love having the table in here.  Our lifestyle has changed a lot since we were raising our kids here.  We always sat to eat our meals in the kitchen, together.  Now, more often than not, Greg and I sit in the family room with our dinner watching Jeopardy.  Noah loves to eat in here too, and is in the habit of sitting on the sofa, and our coffee table tilts up to table height. 

That wall behind the table is where the media center was.   After painting in here, I will be hanging some new things on this wall. The table is a perfect fit here.  We can eat here, play games, blog, etc.  And this room can now seat so many more people, all with a good view of both the Telly and the fireplace.

In the center of the table is my lazy susan by STIX that my Mom gave to us for Christmas last year.  Sitting atop the lazy susan are two of my Annalee holiday mice, gifts from my darling Dad.  And in the center is a Yule Log that our dear neighbor Carl made for us many years ago.  I  have always loved it, but it holds a very special meaning to me this year, so shortly after his passing. 
Behind the table, on the bar I have placed a tall and slender lamp, and hung a holiday wreath on an architectural piece I bought at an antique store.  I love to use things in unintended ways.

The bar that separates the kitchen and family room was poorly designed.  Not big enough to really use as either eating area, or buffet/island space.  With the bar stools gone, and not needing it for seating , it looks so much better, I think. 

I have some sprucing up plans for this area too. 
The big red chest was moved to the wall where the sofa used to be.

Oh how I love it there!!!  This piece was found several years ago at a shop a few towns over.  I dragged Greg back there with me, and luckily, he liked it too.  Home it came with us!!!  We got a fabulous price for it.  And we have never regretted buying it!
The coffee table, as I said earlier, is one I bought that has a tilt up on it.  This comes in handy often. 

As you can probably tell, I am a sucker for trays!  Wicker trays, woven trays, wooden trays, metal trays.  I love them, and use them all around my  house.  This wicker tray holds a wooden box that belonged to my Mom.  I painted it red, and it is perfect to hold our remotes, and some coasters, a bit of chapstick, and a pair of cheaters for me!  The little prim stichery was purchased last  year while shopping with blogging friends, Elaine, Patty, Shelly and Debbie.  Or was it the year before last?  Gosh time flies!  The felted snowman used to sit in the window sill of our family cabin in Big Bear.  I love our memories of that wonderful place, with family!!  And the set of antique keys belonged to my Great Aunt Emma.  She owned an apartment complex and these were the actual keys to those buildings. 
The vintage ski sweater pillow returns for the winter.

This was found in one of my favorite thrifting haunts, for one dollar.  I think Greg had one just like it in the 70's.  I stuffed it with a down pillow, and did a blanket stitch around the neckline.  The red stitching on the shoulder, is part of the sweater.  I did a flap fold on the back, and blanket stitched it closed with the same red floss as I used on the neck.  The arms are simply tied together and knotted in the back.  The quilt hanging across the back of the leather chair was made for me by my best friend Jae.
On the sofa, I took my red body pillow from the bedroom, and propped that right there in the middle.  Not only a perfect holiday accent, but so comfy!!!!

The red quilt above the sofa was made by me.  And the Christmas holiday sweater throw is folded there across one arm of the sofa.  The wall hanging quilt is from a 12 month pattern called Button Ups.  December quilt is so cute, with it's four panels of stockings.  I did a very small meander stitch to quilt it,

On the wall where the big red chest used to be, I hung this black frame with Christmas greenery and bows.

The filigree metal G was already there, above the chest.   After I paint the family room, there will be some changes as far as things on the walls, etc.  We probably won't rewire the telly, or paint til after the holidays.  Until then, I am loving this room.  It is cozier.  More intimate, and has more seating!  The whole family likes the changes. 
Tomorrow, I will show you the changes to the kitchen and living room.  Stay tuned!
XO  Kris