Cozying Up For Holiday Gatherings

Fall is passing quickly here...we even had a couple of inches 

of wet snow last week!  I can feel winter approaching 

and am looking forward to upcoming holiday gatherings!

I am participating with~

This week I began in the dining room, switching out the bright colors of early fall for the more subdued cozy colors and neutrals I prefer for late fall!  

We have many family gatherings for the holidays...

and Thanksgiving is early this year! 

I kept the runner I had on the table, and added my big metal seed sorting tray 

and three demijohns. Then, I used faux pheasant feathers 

and eucalyptus in the center bottle.

One of my favorite ways to prepare our home for fall gatherings is to add pinecones.  Cinnamon scented pinecones are always fun to add to the mix, too!
Scents can bring a cozy feeling...
through baking, potpourri, simmering, and I often use a candle lamp (melts).

I love the mix of textures...

A fall leaf garland is pretty woven into the chandelier!

Remember my old folk art windmill?  It made the move 
to the lakehouse this week, and is now at home in the dining room.

Lighting is so important for a cozy feeling...
I especially like to use ambient lighting...table lamps and candlelight.  
We use battery-operated candles, as we often have many small children around. 
Our fireplace brings instant coziness, too.

Another texture I love to add to bring in a cozy feeling for guests...is wood.  I am loving this big, beautiful Serving Cheese Board and Platter I received from Wayfair!  They have a lovely selection of cheese boards and I love this one!
It goes so well with the natural wood feeling I am trying to bring in right now!

It is nearly 20" across, and holds meat and cheese assortments, as well as breads, pastries, appetizers...whatever I want to display beautifully!  

We often have a houseful of people, so this is a very useful piece!

 I love the carved decoration and iron handles...

We have a large gather sign I made, that we keep up in the dining room all year.

I also re-did the hutch/coffee bar area. 

It is mainly in black and white, with wood tones...

along with more of the pinecones and pheasant feathers.
I keep all kinds of hot drinks here...coffees, teas, and cider.

Music is another way to bring in a feeling of coziness!  

We stream music, or use our old-style record player.

Remember this apple sign I had on the hutch?  

I flipped it over and used a paint marker to make a new sign...

It brings a touch of warmth to a black and white hutch...

And this week, our lovely old corner cabinet made the move to the lake.  

It makes the living room feel very cozy...

as does the old Pendleton throw on the ladder. 

We try to keep things very relaxed and comfortable. 

And we often have four dogs in the mix, too!

I'm looking forward to some fun gatherings soon!
Are you cozying up your home?

This post was sponsored by Wayfair...all opinions are my own.

Until next time...