Equestrian and Burlap in the Family Room

We used to call this the great room.

Previously there were two rooms where we could watch tv and entertain guests.  Just steps from each other, one room was the den and the other was this larger room with lots of windows, a fireplace and an exit door to the back deck, so we called it the great room which was fitting at the time.  We didn't use this room often because most of our leisure time was spent in the den.

A couple of years ago we began remodeling and combined our former den and tiny kitchen to make our new kitchen and keeping room. The great room was updated too.  We had already removed the popcorn ceiling and during the renovation we removed the old carpet and replaced it with hardwood flooring and the dark paneling was painted.  We now spend most of our leisure time in this room since our old den is now part of the new kitchen.

This is where we read, watch tv, visit with family and friends, and where the mister enjoys watching ballgames and napping on occasion.  The furniture is comfy, there are family photos all around, the antique chest in front of the sofa is where we prop our feet, and this is where our pup Ellie-Mae snuggles down in between the cushion and the back of the sofa for her naps.

Once the Christmas decorations were packed away the decor was kept simple compared to all the garland, trees and glitter.

We live down south in a colonial home built on old farmland, so as you may already know, my decorating style is traditional.  And though we don't have any horses, chickens or goats as some folks living close by do, you will find farmhouse touches throughout our home.

On the mantel I left the large mirror in place and just in front added this antique horse pull toy, an old crock filled with flowers and a horse watercolor painting.  Just below is a needlepoint fireplace screen.
















Not much was changed to the left of the fireplace.  The rabbit foot fern was placed in an ironstone compote and is doing very well in this spot near the window.  The basket on the antique chest has been filled with a few of my favorite decorating books, magazines, and daily devotional.




To the right of the fireplace are a few hearts since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, a red amaryllis found just before Christmas and a new burlap shade for the marble lamp.

This wingback chair is one of my favorites and is upholstered in a toile hunt scene fabric.  I made the pillow a good while back using a fabric with a English hunt rider in needlepoint and a friend monogrammed our initial on it for me.




I've been searching for a cabinet so the wide screen tv can be tucked away when not in use but I haven't had any luck yet.  In the meantime, the tv rests on a Duncan Phyfe table.

I have also been searching for something to go above the tv and last week while out with a friend I found it.  In keeping with the equestrian feel of the room I hung this pair of antique horse hames mounted on old barn wood and paired it with brown pastoral transferware dishes.

To the right of the tv is a small glass cupboard filled with Granny's dishes with a gallery wall just above.



If you ever stop by this is where we'll enjoy a hot cup of coffee and have a nice little chat together!
This is the place we relax and enjoy one another so the great room has become our family room.



Sharing with: Home Sweet Home  Treasure Hunt Thursday