Thanks for all the lovely comments about my living room. That’s the way I decorate. I gather pieces slowly, over time. Every piece has a story. Not the story of how my decorator found it, but a story of personal discovery: an auction, a visit to an antique store, something inherited. Frankly, I could never afford a decorator, nor would I want one if I could. It’s our home.
The coffee table has a story. When we were living in San Diego, my husband’s childhood friend, Rob (who was also our neighbor) stopped by one day and showed it to me. It was an old oak table that had been cut down to coffee table size and Rob had refinished it for a client. He did a beautiful job. But the client no longer wanted it. So I got it for a song. I think of Rob every time I look at it. Its sturdy – perfect for putting your feet up and drinking a cup of coffee.
Some of you commented on the wicker rocking chair and the piano bench. I found the chair during the summer about 3 years ago. It was meant for the front porch and remained there all summer. Fearful of the elements, I brought it inside for the winter. And here it has stayed. We like it in the living room.
I covered the piano bench several years ago with some fabric I had in my stash. Take note of the colors and the flowers. After I brought the rocking chair inside, I did a double take.
It’s not the same fabric, of course, but the colors are almost identical. Who knew?
It’s hard to get a good photo of the paintings because they’re in a dark corner, but since many of you mentioned them, I’m going to give it a try.
My father surprised us with this painting not long after we moved in to MHC. We took a photo (with newly planted boxwood) and proudly sent it to my parents. I hadn’t even started on the large garden yet. For some reason – maybe the sun hitting the house, a trick of light – Dad thought it was yellow. It’s not, it is a green/gray. But the quirky color makes the painting more dear.
My grandmother grew up on a farm in Orillia, Ontario. Her sister, my Aunt Ruth, did this painting of their house years later. We took Gram on a last trip to her hometown in the late 80’s and visited the farmhouse (the new owners had painted it white.) Many years later, after Grandma had passed away, we heard the sad news that it had been destroyed in a fire.
Remember the inspiration books I started many months ago? I was in the process of going through piles of magazines that I no longer had room for, ripping out pages I wanted to save, putting them in the books, and then recycling the magazines. Unfortunately, that was put on hold when I had to leave for San Diego and the piles of magazines remained in a corner of the den for several months. The daily sight of them was irritating me. I finally couldn’t take it anymore and I finished going through them yesterday afternoon.
Done. Magazines recycled and my books are full of inspiration.
Good Morning Claudia Sweetie..
I absolutely adore the story behind the coffee table. What a great idea by the way. (Lots of times on Craigs List I have seen a really pretty small oak round table, but couldn’t think of what to do, cut it down and make a gorgeous coffee table.) I love it Claudia.
Your wicker rocker is just full of character and it is SO meant to be in the living room. It brings the room to life. That would be the chair I would want to rock in, if I were a guest. Love it.
The fabric for your piano bench is so happy. Don’t you just love Happy in a room? Job well done.
The picture your sweet Dad painted is a piece of history with Mockingbird Hill Cottage. I love it and it is in it’s perfect place. How wonderful that you inherited the painting done by your Aunt Ruth, a treasure to keep for years to come.
Your inspiration books are just beautiful. What a great idea, able to toss the magazines but keep the photos inside that we were cherishing.
Thank you for sharing as always sweet Claudia. I love it when you do.
Many hugs and much love, Sherry
I do love reading your post. It reminds me so much of memories from my past. I should really get pictures painted of the homes I grew up in, the one we raised our girls in, and the one we’re in now. The coffee table is great. My grandmother had a table very much like that. I wish I had it now. I don’t know where it is. It’s amazing that your fabrics are so near the same.
Most of our bedroom furniture and some pieces throughout our house have stories. I just hadn’t really realized it until you started posting about your living room.
so beautiful claudia. and was your grandmothers house red? oh boy.
~janet
Hi Claudia, That wicker chair is so inviting! My husband had a painting made of our first real house–not an apartment or coop in the city–the one we lived in when our children were born. I love it. It captures something that a photograph does not. Have a great day. Linda
Good morning, Claudia:
Traveling, but trying to keep up with my blog buddies while I’m away. I’d missed your Living room post on the 14th, but now I’ve read them both. What a lovely, restful place you have!
Thanks for sharing the pictures of your room, along with a few closeups.
It would be a beautiful place to share a cuppa tea and a story or two.
xoxo
Donna
I have a coffee table just like yours! I bought the table and had it cut down after a friend and I bought one done the same way at an auction. She took it home and I decided I needed one too. It is one of my favorite things. Looks good in your room too!
Debbie
Hi Claudia,
Your living room looks as warm and comforting as it’s owners. You’ve done a beautiful job, and with so much personality.
Hugs,
Meri
I love your “personal discovery” style of decorating. I feel the exact same way about hiring a decorator– no offense to decorators, their blogs are wonderful and inspiring– but it’s MY home. I’ve dreamt of decorating it myself since my Barbie doll days!
I love your coffee table. Isn’t having a coffee table you can put your feet on and be comfy a must?!
Your paintings are wonderful… I love that they both have a story, and that they were painted by special people in your life.
Hugs,
Jill
hi claudia,
you are in serious nesting mode! a cool breeze brings that out in us, don’t you think?
everything looks wonderful and i love to read your stories.
xo
elyse
It’s always a joy to stop by your cottage for a visit. It is so relaxing and peaceful. And well,…charming. Love the paintings too.
Interesting story about the coffee table and paintings. Things that mean something are always better than any other kind. I’d love to have a wicker chair like that for my Florida room. I’m waiting to find just the right one.
so fun to visit here today…looks like we decorate the same way..i love your home….i never could figure out the “decorator thing” either…having someone else telling you what you would want in your home…..i just want simple and cozy…
sending love,
kary and teddy
xxx
I’M WITH YOU, IT IS MORE “HOME SWEET HOME” WHEN YOU DO IT YOURSELF. GREAT IDEA WITH THE MAGAZINES, CREATIVE CARMELINA JUST DID THE SAME THING ON HER BLOG, I THINK I WILL DO SOMETHING TOO. HAVE A NICE DAY, ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER WE ARE HAVING, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE RAIN TONIGHT. RIZZI
Claudia you have such a beautiful house…it is no wonder it was published in a magazine.
I am glad you put up close ups of the paintings….they are lovely.
Love the inspiration books…I have a pile of mags sitting here with the intent to do that but haven’t got round it it. I must before it gets too big a task.
I love what you did with the magazines. I’ve got a very large collection of magazines that have been annoying me as well, so I think I’ll steal your idea and do mine this weekend. LOVE IT!
I forgot about the painting of Grandma’s farm house. Aunt Ruth was quite talented. I wish I could be with you enjoying the cool breeze, it is 91 degrees here today.
Send the Rays some positive mojo please,
XO,Mere
Claudia, I’ve enjoyed reading through your posts and catching up. I’m so sorry about your mother. That post brought tears to my eyes. It’s so hard when we want to will someone better, and there is no response. I will keep her in my prayers. Lovely picture of her.
Your living room is so cozy and warm and welcoming. I like to look around my house and feel all the memories and connections to people and events. So much nicer than just “decorating,” but I guess I do some of that, too!
I started a photo-a-day blog, but have neglected it the past few days. It’s fun to look back and see what stood out for me on a particular day.
Blessings to you:)
Karen
Those two paintings are SO special, Claudia! I absolutely love them. How sad that that beautiful home was destroyed in a fire. Thank goodness it lives on forever, in it’s former beauty, in your painting.
The chair and bench pads coordinate beautifully! Serendipity for sure!
I have stacks and stacks of magazines as well. The problem is, if I ever attempted what you have so tidily done, I would end up with as many stacks of inspiration books because I’d be ripping practically all the pages out of every magazine! haha I tend to love everything that Country Living, Country Home, and ME Home Companion feature. And then I’d have to start with the recipes in each magazine! I’m getting tired just thinking of all the work I would have in store for myself!!
Donna
Hi Claudia. I know I have been here before but somehow lost my way. I love your blog. Such an easy, cozy read. So sorry about your mother. She sounds a bit depressed.
There were so many things in this post that I could relate to. I am going to follow and not get lost this time.
Such a homey, cozy space. I love that you let your home reflect you and your hubby, and not let the decorating gurus rule your choices.
Is that a slip on your couch? I love the ruffled skirt! I need some ruffles :)
That is how we decorate also. I know all the stories of our collected objects and usually what we paid for them. Having family treasures here and there comforts me. Like the painting your Dad did for you of MHC. hugs♥olive
I love the paintings and the stories behind each one.
I myself have stacks of magazines and probably each one just has a few pages that I really really want to keep so I will be using your Inspiration idea!!!
I really emjoy reading your blog.
Sherry
Claudia, I have right here on my desk next to me a notebook and stuff for my magazine clippings still in the grocery store bag from last weekend. I’ve simply GOT to get stuff done! I don’t know where the time goes. I put these things next to me so I’ll have to look at them. STILL doesn’t get done. I absolutely adore that room. Some day I plan to be sticking my feet up on that gorgeous coffee table, so stock up on Splenda for coffee. I had one very much like it and gave it away. I know! Stupid, stupid, stupid. I love the sight of the wood grain.
Brenda
Hi Claudia
You home is just soo inviting. It just evokes cozyness. Sending you wishes for a great week!
Leann
Hi Claudia,
I love, love the wicker chair…and yes, it was meant to be IN the house after seeing those two fabrics! I love when stuff like that happens.
The paintings are precious treasures..Now I want to know why you are not painting too? I see that it runs in your family. :0)
I really have a massive magazine collection of which most of it other than my Stampington issues, Romantic Homes and Country Living have wound up on multiple shelves downstairs. I can’t bring myself to part with them. I’ve got magazines that went out of business when this dreaded recession began. {sigh, so sad} Oh, and I have several years of Victoria magazine from the “first time” it was published back in the 90’s I guess.
So what do I do? Do I clip from them and make my inspiration journals or leave them alone? I know I’m missing so many great ideas by leaving them on those shelves. I guess I could just begin with one year worth of one magazine and see where it leads.
I’d love for you come visit with me. I’ve finally got the main level about 99% finished. I found some pretty pieces at a consignment shop a few weeks ago and have transformed them.
Happy Day to you,
Stephanie ♥
Since I lusted after your coffee table, I am so pleased to know the backstory! It makes it even more special as do the details behind the paintings I was too shy to ask about.
I so much agree with your philosophy about being your own decorator and surrounding yourself with things that are meaningful to you. It’s always comforting to me to look around my house and see familiar things that bring a memory of my parents or my husband’s grandfather. I would much rather have these treasures than the finest designer duds. I hope my kids will one day feel the same way.
Thanks for all your kind comments – I appreciate hearing from you!
Since I lusted after your coffee table, I am so pleased to know the backstory! It makes it even more special as do the details behind the paintings I was too shy to ask about.
I so much agree with your philosophy about being your own decorator and surrounding yourself with things that are meaningful to you. It’s always comforting to me to look around my house and see familiar things that bring a memory of my parents or my husband’s grandfather. I would much rather have these treasures than the finest designer duds. I hope my kids will one day feel the same way.
Thanks for all your kind comments – I appreciate hearing from you!
Orilla is not too far from where I live. It is a beautiful place. That is sad about the fire. What a lovely keepsake of that picture though…
I LOVE making my journals from old magazines…I have quite a few on the go here…Like you I need to finish them off though..good for you for getting it done..Just been checking out your posts..been ages since I’ve visited…
Blessings.
Hello Claudia! I love your coffee table, it looks just perfect in your living room! Your home is so welcoming. The paintings from your family are such beautiful keepsakes. xoxo
Your coffee table is to die for perfect!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…..just wanting to cozy up there and have a nice long visit… I so agree. I’d never want a decorator. I know they’d tell me to edit… I ALREADY did that… :-)
I was trying to remember the www for the blog simply called Cottage…. You know, Elise… I put on my thinking hat… Hmmmm…. who would have that on their sidebar?? Well…. look at that… there it is!
So, double thanks!
Loved my visit…as always!
Huggies,
Spencer
A year and a half ago, I started tearing out pages from the cooking and other magazines of recipes I wanted to try, etc, and was going to put them into a binder. But it got sooo unwieldy so fast … but using school notebooks — I could have a book for each course …. much more manageable in size…
Guess I need to get back on that horse….
I remember your father’s sweet painting from another post – what a treasure to enjoy every day as you pass by.
Glad you are getting organized Claudia, I’m still working on mine too!