Cozy Cottage Farmhouse Winter Decorating Ideas

Hello again! I am always so excited when I have something new to share, and today is no different. If you are visiting from Christina’s Adventures welcome. Don’t you love her entryway and that barn door? Me too. While today’s project isn’t a new DIY project or a major room reveal, it feels so good have some of the chaos in my home contained. I tell ya, that whole de-Christmasing business is not near as much fun as dragging it all out and decking the halls!! And because I had company until the 4th, and didn’t want to subject him to hurricane Shannon as I tore my house apart, I felt like I was late in getting it all put away too. My dad is safely back in California now, after our wild snow adventure (and a terrifying drive home for me)… and I’m ready to share our Winter living room with you!!

When my longtime blogging friend Taryn from DDD asked me if I’d be interested in joining in with a few girls to share “Winter” decorating, I was so happy to say yes! After Christmas has always felt a little floaty to me. I’m often not really ready to say goodbye to Christmas, and Spring… well it’s a long way off. Living in the PNW, in Oregon, means lots of rain. In fact, it is currently pouring out right now, this minute, as I type. And it will continue to do so, on and off until… quite possibly June. If you are somewhere warm and sunny, I’m sure it makes perfect sense for you to fast forward straight to Spring, and I’m not knocking that at all. For me though… I’m going to slow it down, and revel in the season of Winter.

Cozy Cottage Farmhouse Winter Decorating

Now… I seriously debated keeping up my naked, snowy flocked mini trees… but instead settled on the simple pines. I’m surrounded by them, so they feel very natural to have out, and are a nice transition from the festiveness of Christmas… into the starker Winter season. I picked these little cuties up at HomeGoods this season, and I can already tell they are going to be a favorite for years to come!

Sometimes, the simple stuff is well… the simplest to decorate with. I’m definitely more about using the basics and then sprinkling in the wee extras, like the brass deer. Which I also left out. They glow so warmly at night, in the candlelight.

I kept my farmhouse shelf [find it here] pretty simple. I really wanted sparse and uncomplicated here.

The set of horses was found, gosh, I think about a year ago! I intended them for the mantel, but he just galloped up there and I thought, why not? I’ll share his brother in a minute. For the last several years, I’ve started picking stuff up that really catches my eye, when I find it, even if I’m not sure where it’s going to live. I figure if I have a strong reaction, I must like it. Especially if it’s for a good price! Actually, only if it’s for a good price, because we all know I like a great deal.

Pine Cones make the perfect vase filler this time of year! I ran across a huge bag at Goodwill one season and I’ve been using them for years. I’m surrounded by trees, but mine produce these flimsy little non-decorate-y kind! I popped a bunch in my big glass jars, and topped two with crowns.

And I promise… this is my scale, after being cleaned. I know. Poor thing. But I like it.

I often joke that the closest I’ll get to marble are my cake stands… maybe one day? So far, it hasn’t been my top priority. Even though I love the look so much.

I shared this pretty snow globe that HomeGoods sent me in my Instagram stories, all shook up and looking like magic! I’m not doing it justice here… but I really love it and I wasn’t ready to put it away. It looks so pretty here on the silver stand. It was such a nice surprise and I really appreciated the gesture. All the snow globes that HomeGoods sold benefited Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital so that was so nice to learn too! Aside from buying for Austin, Jim and I have really gotten away from the whole “present” thing over the years. We tend to find children’s charities and local organizations to support instead. We consider our new workshop a heck of a gift to ourselves, so there is that too. And we already have more than we need. Do you ever feel so content… and lucky, it’s almost scary? I do!

Okay, well that took a turn… I never know what is going to fly out of my fingers?

I referenced the weather adventure earlier, and while I was up in Eugene, I hit HomeGoods the night before the snow did. They had some lanterns that were a total steal!! In fact I shared them on Instagram in the story mode to give y’all a heads up!! The big one was only $16.99 and the smaller one I put on the side table was $12.99 – Those are crazy awesome prices. And lanterns are a staple decorating item for sure. I put candles in mine this go-around, but you can fill them with such a variety to create a statement or add to a vignette.

I’ve got a white one with the galvanized top and rope handle too. I love the nod to nautical those accents add, and find them perfect for our coastal location.

In addition to the mini trees, Deer, and the snow globe, I was able to continue to use a surprising amount of the things you saw at Christmastime. Like my B&W fur throw. I knew when I picked that up it was going to be, say it with me…

Versatile.

I know… it’s my M.O. – B&W is a classic, so I knew it was a good choice.

My seating is where I loaded on the cozy! Winter to me is plaid, flannel, fur and lots of layers!

I stole the flannel pillows from The Little Cottage bedroom, brought my Mongolian fur pillow out from storage, and added in this new addition…

Those tassels? They are so soft.

And hey… when your own MOTHER calls you a “pillow whore”.

Just own it.

I love them. I do. They are my weakness. But in my defense, I don’t know of a single other decor item that can change the look and feel of an average room as fast as a few “just right” pillows. They are affordable… at least the ones I pick up. They are definitely my little splurge. There is so much I don’t spend money on, I refuse to feel guilty. They make me happy!!

Winter can tend to have an absence of color, so I mimicked that here, using neutrals. Shades of white, cream, sandy beige, grey, charcoal… and even a little black to ground the space.

If you follow me on our group Facebook page, you’ll know I’ve since painted the coffee table because I shared it on a LIVE! I knew I wanted to paint it, but that I didn’t have time before the weather changed to paint and get pictures to share with you. This was the last sunny day we had before a big storm blew in, and I knew it would be too dark for pictures.

Putting up those DIY Picture Ledge Shelves [tutorial here] I made was one of the best things I did last year! They make it so effortless to decorate the walls behind the sofa that flank the window. No nail holes… just lean up something new. Mirrors, art, shutters, small vases, layers of empty frames… anything goes.

And there is the second horse. Isn’t he so cute? They may need a paint job though. We’ll see…

I love mixing old & new, vintage finds, and our DIY projects and painted pieces.

I’m just as tickled with something brand new as I am with a rusted, holey-old enamelware bin… filled with couple-year old Goodwill Pine Cones. I know lots of you like your vintage treasures too!!

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I hope 2017 is shaping up to be a wonderful year for you. And now mater what your Winter weather is like, may your home be filled with happiness!!

For more Wintery goodness and ideas & inspiration for your home, please visit Annie at Zevy Joy

and the rest of my tour mates!

Design, Dining and Diapers Hamby Home Decor PMQ For Two

A House and A Dog Mis DIY The Posh Home Tale of an Ugly House

1111 Light Lane Life of Alley Lauren McBride

SOURCES:

HomeGoods: Collected over time – mini trees, snow globe, B&W throw, white throw, Mongolian fur pillow, Ralph Lauren plaid pillows, XL white ruffled pillows, grey tassel pillow, Donna Karen matte sequin pillow, wood/glass lantern, horses, white wreaths.
Better Homes and Gardens: Farmhouse Shelf [here]
Better Homes and Gardens: Table Lamps
DIY: Console Table & Coffee Table
RugsUSA: Maui Chunky Loop Rug in Bleached
All Other: Vintage, Thrifted, Garage Sale Finds

Thanks to HomeGoods for their continued support!! Some items were supplied gratis.

U P D A T E: As much as I wanted to, I wasn’t able to get the coffee table painted before I published this post, and the after is so much better! If you want to take a peek, and get my secret weapon for battling the dreaded bleed-thru, CLICK HERE.