With the holidays behind us, I’m ready to share our winter decorating family room tour. We actually had snow a few days ago, but instead of snuggling by the fire we stood at the window with coffee in hand watching the big flakes.
Cozy Winter Home Tours
Today I’m in great company, joining the Cozy Winter Home Tours, hosted by my friend Amber of Follow The Yellow Brick Home. This is the place to be for winter decorating inspiration across the country.
Thank you so much for stopping by after visiting Carol of Bluesky at Home and welcome to Thistle Key Lane. I just love Carol’s green and white rustic winter decor ideas, don’t you?!
Winter Decorating Family Room
With the family room back in order after the holidays, we’re enjoying our cozy fireplace along with a few wintery touches starting with the coffee table.
Last year I found an interesting oversized metal tray at a local antique mall. It’s clearly not an antique, but it does have a vintage feel about it.
One reason why I was drawn to an oversized tray is that it fits the scale of the coffee table. The round shape also adds interest while breaking up all the rectangular shapes in the room.
Pinecones and Evergreens
Pinecones and evergreens are two of the best elements to decorate with this time of year. I spotted these huge pinecones during my after Christmas bargain shopping and love that wow factor they provide on the tray.
A simple green fern brightens up the tray to balance all the brown tones.
On the mantel I’m back to my minimalist decorating, this time with evergreen topiaries on stacks of books and one tall candlestick. To get the look, start with a square piece of fabric and gather it around the base of the tree, then secure the fabric with cotton string.
You know what I’m always saying about decorating with what you have? Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. The topiaries are sitting in plain white cereal bowls that I grabbed out of the kitchen cabinet. They may not be flower pots but they work just as well.
Winter Sunshine
Right before Thanksgiving we had shutters installed in several rooms including the family room and breakfast area. At night they keep the cold out, and during the day are open to let in as much sunshine as possible.
The arched windows take on a whole new personality with shutters and have completely changed the look of the room. In fact, every time I walk in I feel like I’m in a new home. For more decorating ideas in this room click on Winter Decorating Ideas.
More shutters brighten up the breakfast area, where my Norfolk pine tree is soaking up the sunshine. It’s growing like crazy since I repotted it last year in a beautiful vintage looking white clay pot.
Cozy Throws And Pillows
This year I’m using what I call everyday pillows, these are ones that I can use any time of year. I fell in love with these authentic grain sack pillow covers because they have a timeless appeal and look at home in any room.
Looking for extra winter storage? Try a hammered metal drum as a side table with storage under the lid for pillows and throw blankets.
For serious winter snuggling I reach for a chunky throw blanket because it’s warm and soft like a fisherman’s sweater. Here’s a Braided Cable Knit Throw similar to mine from the same source.
On regular cold days, I reach for my plaid throws that I’m currently storing in a picnic basket. I found this cute basket last year at the same place I found the metal tray, which reminds me I need to go exploring there again.
The winter tour isn’t complete without a photo our wheaten Sandy, she knows the best spots for winter naps.
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with seasonal inspiration you’re going to love!
Next on the Cozy Winter Home Tours is Kelly of The Tattered Pew sharing tips on growing gorgeous paperwhites. Grab your favorite beverage and click through any of the tour links below for more winter inspiration .
Cheers!
Michelle, I love the simplicity of all your winter decor. Using a white bowl as a planter is a wonderful idea. Love the Norfolk Pine on the breakfast room table. Can’t get enough throws for snuggling. I need to go shopping with you!!
Thank you so much Carol, I think we need a lunch and shopping date soon!
Your home looks lovely decorated for winter. You were clever to think to use a white cereal bowl as a planter for the evergreen on your mantel. Love your new shades. You are lucky to get great light in your home.
Thank you Paula, we are so pleased with the shutters and the overall transformation. So worth it!
I love all these gorgeous cozy winter decorating ideas, Michelle! They’re so pretty. You have such a beautiful style and I love to see how you display everything in every season. I’m definitely on the hunt for some textured containers after seeing all of yours. They’re amazing! Hugs, CoCo
Thank you CoCo, this is the easiest room to decorate for seasonal changes because of the natural light. I haven’t quite mastered photographing the widows but they are the highlight of the room. Have a great week my friend!
So so pretty. I love the added greenery and that you saved some of the pinecones to spread around for winter too. Beautiful room.
Thank you Marty, we really love these amazing pinecones. Everyone keeps asking if they are real! Wish now I had bought more. 🙂
Your pup is adorable. Great tips. I love winter throws.
Thank you Katie, the more throws the better!
I really enjoyed seeing your home. I scored 5 picnic baskets this year to help corral remnants–and to hang them off bedroom beams where my sewing machine is! Hope I don’t see any more for a while, caz I really love them! I agree with your theory of shopping your own home and using easy-to-use things like your pine cones and cereal bowls. They may be simple, but they still make a big statement for little investment!
Hi Kathy, I can just picture the hanging picnic baskets from the beams. Sounds pretty and practical! Thanks so much for stopping by for the tour. Hope you are enjoying your winter and staying warm.
Love all of your ideas but my fave look is your small tree wrapped with ticking fabric! I can hardly wait to try that. Hope I can remember to look at my pins next year! Love Sandy too. She’s got the right idea… and spot. 😉
Thank you Cindy! I know what you mean about pinning. There are tons of great ideas in this tour group and you never know what will inspire you next year when we start fresh again. 🙂
I love your minimalist winter decor Michelle, especially your lovely throws! And the shutters! Wow – they’re gorgeous! Plus, I never thought to put a house plant up on my mantel – thanks for that great idea too! 🙂
Thank you Barbara, it feels great getting the family room back in order. Now I just need to get the rest of the house organized.
You have such beautiful light entering your room which is perfect for the winter months. Your home looks so pretty and elegant adorned for the season.
Thank you Shannon, the natural light really helps to chase away those winter blues!
your new shutters are amazing, your rooms are so light and bright. Love your winter touches, and had to go check out those wonderful clay pots. they’re gorgeous and really add a rustic touch to your beautiful winter decor.
Thank you Debra, I searched for a long time to find clay pots that had a vintage look about them. I think my plants are really happy too! Hope you enjoy this winter season and stay warm.
Michelle, the natural light in your living room is wonderful! I love using unexpected containers for plants and flowers like your clever use of cereal bowls. Your picnic basket of throws also caught my eye. Stay cozy, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thank you Cecilia, I’m looking for a few more picnic baskets to use for storage. Antique malls here I come! 😉
Your winter decor makes me smile…that simple greenery in the bowl with the fabric is just genius. It really is a great reminder to look around and use the items in our homes. The Norfolk pine is looking great..just be ready for it to keep growing and growing. My friend had one that got out of control! So pretty though! Great to hop with you again. You always inspire me!
Shelley
Thank you so much Shelley for your sweet comments. I hope the Norfolk pine will slow down a bit and not go too wild lol! Stay warm and cozy! Hugs!
Michelle, I’m taking all kinds of notes here! I love your style. Those giant pine cones are amazing! I love the hammered metal side table/storage, the pine on your breakfast room table and so much more. I always enjoy seeing what you’re up to.
You are so sweet Crissy! My winter decor is lighter than usual but I do wish I had a few more of those amazing pinecones. Hope you and your family are enjoying the season. Hugs!
Michelle, you take the best pictures — truly a talent! Like from a magazine. I love the simple, clean, fresh vibe of your decor styling.
Thank you Debbee, your sweet comments have made my day. I do love photography but still have so much to learn!
Aw, I’ve always loved Wheaton’s. Our golden doodle looks very similar;) That galvanized tray is awesome, and I love it with the textural pinecones and pot. Everything is so fresh-looking for the new year; love it. Norfolk pine is the perfect live plant for this time of year (thumbs up).
Thank you Lora! I read a post recently listing the top ten indoor trees, and the Norfolk pine was on the list. I felt like wow, I’m doing something right!
Beautiful styling, Michelle! Cozy throws are the BEST! And I love that hammered metal storage drum too!
Thank you so much Janet! Have a great weekend!
Michelle I love your cozy style and Love that beautiful tray and how you styled it! You always have the best ideas and I enjoy following along for inspiration! Stay cozy this winter!
Thank you Kelly for your sweet comments. The tray has become one of my favorite accessories. It has some good character with dents and paint but it’s a keeper!
Michelle everything looks so calm, cozy and elegant! I love your new shudders on those amazing windows and your natural winter elements and cozy throws. Your dining table vignette with the Norfolk pine is so pretty and the basket of plaid throws is winter perfection!
Thank you so much for joining the winter home tours!
Thank you so much Amber for including me in this fabulous tour. It’s so much fun seeing how winter decorating differs across the country and I found so many new ideas I want to try. Hope you’re enjoying this beautiful winter season. Hugs!
Michelle I just love touring your home. So welcoming and cozy. Beautiful home!
Thank you Terrie. We’ve had a mild winter so far but I still love adding all the cozy touches.
This is so pretty! I love all the big pinecones! Your photography and styling is so stunning!
Thank you Kristin, the big pinecones really steal the show!
I LOVE the use of all your natural elements for winter. The green brings such life during these cold months. I too love using pinecones for winter decor because of the pretty wood color and the texture that they bring. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for the sweet comments! I’m adding more wintery accents to our entry table including pinecones so be sure to check back. Hugs!