Houzz.com – Country Design Home

Warm and Cozy, Fireside Toasty

Here in the Northeast, we have been fortunate for the past two winters, with only an occasional dusting of snow that melted soon after. But today, this one looks like it might be the real deal, so we are hunkering down with firewood and food, hot cocoa and lots of candles… just in case.

As we sit and wait for what is reportedly to be “a potentially historic storm“, I would like to share some images of warm and cozy spaces from my Houzz.com Ideabooks featuring fireplaces, this week’s design High Five for Friday! These are spaces that invite you in to peel off your hats and coats, kick off your boots and cuddle up in a warm, fuzzy blanket to sit and read awhile. This space by Peace Design is so grand, but so warm and inviting, using wood and stone to create a cabin-like feel.

This spicy red walls of this space by Smith and Vansant Interiors envelop you in warmth.

Who wouldn’t want to cozy up in this lakeside cabin by Lands End Development.

Who couldn’t dream of sleeping in this spectacular space by Bill Poss, with the snow-covered vista in the background?

And this bedroom by Bess Jones Interiors is just plain dreamy

I adore the simple bohemian farmhouse style, with white wainscotting and stone fireplace by Bosworth Hoedemaker

And this copper clad fireplace in an eclectic dining space by SF Girl By Bay

Now if I had a library like this amazing one by Timothy Corrigan Inc., I wouldn’t mind those 5000+ books that Coach has collected…

OK, time to grab a good book (hey, check out my goodreads section, I have added some awesome decorating books!) and wait for this storm to pass. Keep warm and safe everyone!! Susan

Spring Stylings for the Mantel

I know you are anxiously awaiting the results of the Hall of Shame project, but that is still ongoing, and clearly will take longer than I first anticipated. In the meantime, I thought I would share some other design changes happening in my Little Red House.

The family room was in desperate need of a spring overhaul. Added a creamy slipcover to the sofa, a new tribal rug for the floor, changed out the curtains and added a fresh spring face to the focal point of the room- the fireplace mantel.

I find fireplace mantels, in general, to be a tricky design challenge. Whether you are using your mantel to display your prized posessions

or using mirrors for drama

or to stylishly decorate a flat-screen TVt

or to warm up an outdoor space-wow!!!

the scale has to be correct (2-story rooms require LARGE design!!and the overall effect should reflect the room decor

So I did some online shopping on Houzz.com and Pinterest to see how other folks are decorating their focal points. I found some eclectic and amazing ideas, including using mantels as headboards and barn doors to hide TV’s