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English Cottage Living Room - Before, Partly After & Still a Work in Progress

I am sorry for not posting more pictures of the progress we've made settling into this new (to us) home.   It seems life rushes by so fast and that at times, doing little things, even those that I love and enjoy, often get pushed aside and onto the back shelf of my mind where I tell myself, "I'll get to this later".  Well, it is later and though I don't have as much to share with you as I'd like, I'm going to at least share my favorite spot in our living room.  I promise to show the rest of the room soon but for now the opposite half of the living room has been occupied by my daughters boyfriend who has been staying with us for the past 7 or so weeks until his apartment is ready for him to move into, and so the couch is usually made up for him to sleep on!  

Here is a photo of the current living room just as we found it, a small room just off the entry of the house with a nice marble and wood fireplace surround, hard wood floors, beautiful crown moulding and a neutral shade of paint that I am really happy with and glad not to have needed to repaint.  


I've always loved to incorporate English Cottage style in my decorating but I wanted this room to exude an even cozier feeling like that found in a Country house, just a tad less formal.  This corner is my favorite place in the house to have my morning coffee.  The red checked French chairs are some I found years ago at an estate sale for $25.  I refinished them myself and then had them professionally reupholstered in a Schumacher fabric.  They really need reupholstering again but even if I could afford to do that right now,  I'd probably do a very similar fabric as I love the buffalo checks.  The chairs are really comfy too!





I am also working on a post about a fairly recent find.  It's shown in the pic above and I can't wait to tell more about it. Hint:  It's not transferware!






Here's a little peak at the room taken from further back, looking in from the entryway.   Although I like the arrangement over the mantle, I'm already considering changing it up a bit.  I may move the dog portraits to another wall and hang a large mirror or painting there instead.   Or, maybe raise the banjo clock several inches and add some plates in an arched arrangement around it.  Or, maybe I'll do both! One change first…leave it awhile…then the other!  Who knows?!?!?  What do you think?   I'll share whatever it is that I do, when I do it.


















Comments

  1. Your room is cozy and inviting. Love the chairs- they really make a statement in the room. I was admiring your fireplace mantel and wall design. I've been playing with mine and found yours to be inspiring. This looks so English Country to me and I adore it. Mirrors offer a classic look but what I like here is all the different things you have to look at with your current design. Creative minds get bored and want change so I imagine that's why you're thinking of changing it up, but seriously you have a wonderful look going on here!

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    1. Thank you so much Liz. I do like the arrangement but on the other walls I have things that go higher and closer to the ceiling so I think that maybe if I add something to the top it will match with the rest of the room. I will post pics of the rest of the room as soon as I can and I bet you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. I am glad it inspired you! I agree, it's more English looking and really that is what I wanted! You'll have to post what you do too!

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  2. L~O~V~E You're style is completely our style....only we need more stuff lol! Of course...we don't want to get the husbands freaked out so we just bring in a little at a time...and BAM they'll be surrounded by all the things we love lol! (I think they know what the future holds for them though!)
    We love the mantle ~ so pretty....maybe you need plates above....do you know where you can get some ~ hahahaha! I think our answer to any decorating problem is to add plates :) It's all good when you add plates isn't it?
    Have a wonderful day Nancy!
    Karla & Karrie

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    1. I have absolutely no idea at all whatsoever where one would find plates! lol You all crack me up!

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  3. What a gorgeous room-I love everything about it!

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  4. The room is stunning! I thought it was from a magazine! You have impeccable style and an amazing eye for design.Can't wait to see more.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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    1. Thank you Patti, you are too kind to say that, but it sure made me feel wonderful!

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  5. Nancy just stunning! I love your chairs. Thanx for sharing at THT!

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  6. You've asked the wrong person - I love it all and don't see a thing I'd change.

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  7. Your living room looks wonderful, Nancy! Very inviting and cozy feeling. I love those chairs and your window treatments, too.

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  8. Love, love, LOVE the room and your style. You have definitely achieved an English country cottage feel, and anyone would feel welcome. I can hardly wait to see the rest of the room.

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  9. Nancy ~ I love the English cottage look to your home. I love your checked chairs and they go with your drapes so well. I love the wall above your mantle as well.

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  10. I can see why this room would be a favorite place to start your day. I'd love to sit in one of those lovely red checked chairs and sip on a cup of coffee right beside you. The room is cozy and inviting. Your mantel looks great as is, but who doesn't want to have fun creating different vignettes. '-)

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  11. I agree with Sarah ^^^ ! I love those chairs and they look so comfy and inviting. I don't know how you do it, but your decorating is always perfection! If you do anything different to the mantel, I suggest a huge mirror. I love mirrors! :)

    xo
    Pat

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    1. I love mirrors too, Pat. I almost did put one up there that I have always had in my entry way and for whatever reason it still is! Everywhere we live, it's always in the entry. haha! I like the idea of a mirror up there too!

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  12. Nancy, your room looks gorgeous. I like your mantel and over the mantel wall display just like it is. And, I am in love with that chair on the hearth. You have so many lovely things.♥

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  13. This is a beautiful room, Nancy. You have used so many patterns that all look great together. Of course, the buffalo check is the best!

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  14. What a gorgeous room! I love those chairs, and the drapes are beautiful. You have everything done to the letter. Very stunning!!

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  15. It is like Y'all have always been there! Can't wait to see it all come together.

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  16. BEAUTIFUL room Nancy...love those chairs with the buffalo check fabric and the pretty bamboo table in between them too! That whole space looks wonderful!

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  17. I could move myself right into that room and be happy forever and ever, Amen

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  18. The epitome of English Country style! Those red and white buffalo check arm chairs look so comfy, and I can imagine how inviting this room will be in the winter! Thanks for sharing!

    Poppy

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  19. Oh, Nancy - you've nailed it! This room looks perfectly English and cozy - love the chairs and the baskets! I do appreciate you sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

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  20. Absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing at my Creative Ways Link Party! Hope to see you again this week.
    Blessings,
    Nici

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  21. English country will forever be my favorite style. I have some plans for things to rearrange when the two collage age boys move out. Maybe it can look more like a home and less like mess. LOL!

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  22. What a gorgeous room - you captured English Country and then some - and those chairs?
    Perfection - really - it's a beautiful room - can't imagine what you could do to make it even more so!
    Visiting from the Charm of Home
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  23. Love the buffalo print on your chairs!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  24. Nancy, this room is gorgeous! I love your mix of colors and patterns. The layers give the room such a cozy, inviting feel! You have captured English Country style beautifully!

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  25. Beautiful Nancy! Such a warm and comfy room...so much English cottage charm!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  26. Hi Nancy,
    I just found your blog. I just love your living room....absolutely gorgeous. Love the English cottage charm.
    I am now following your blog. Would you please follow mine back? It would be much appreciated.
    Warmest regards and blessings,
    Diane
    babiesbridesandlavender.blogpot.com

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  27. The window treatments!! ***sighhhhhhhhhhhh****
    IS that farbric still available? Do you know the name? THANK YOU I LOVE IT ALL!!! :)

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    1. I don't know if you can find the fabric or not. I actually had these made over 15 years ago and have moved them form home to home. At the time, I bought a Hendredon sofa and had it upholstered in the same fabric. I've been fortunate in that they drapes have worked with every living room I've had, which is a lot, for the most part.

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