Hello Friends!
Today I’m sharing the progress we’ve made around our fireplace. When we first moved into this house I just knew I wanted to create a cozy seating area in front of our fireplace. I imagined myself sitting there, listening to the crackle of the fire while enjoying a quiet moment with a hot cup of coffee. The space around our fireplace is not large enough to be a room all on its own, but I approached decorating this space with the mind set of how I would want a keeping room to feel. I had a few challenges in making sure the furniture I brought in not only fit the space well, but could hold up to the everyday traffic. And I think you will see I found the perfect chairs to create this cozy fireplace seating area.
Come and see ~
Recognize the Sign on my mantle?! You can read all about it HERE.
Just in case you don’t know – our house is a historic colonial built in 1775, with a center chimney. Since they heated homes with fireplaces in each room during the time our home was built, it was common to have a large center chimney with a working fireplace in each room. This is why there are fireplaces in each of our kids bedrooms as well. The main fireplace in our kitchen, was also where they would cook their meals, hence why it is the largest.
After our homes latest remodel done by the previous owners, they opened up the walls a bit more, allowing room for a larger kitchen, that flows into an open dining room area. When we moved in, we shifted the dining room area over, to create a bigger dining room space, which also left the space in between our kitchen and dining room, where the fireplace is located, now open.
Here’s what this space looked like just after we moved in ~
You can read more about our Dining Room Progress HERE.
I just knew that if I could find the right furniture to make this space cozy, this would be our “gathering” spot. So the hunt began for something that was slender enough to not overcrowd the space, but also be comfy enough we wouldn’t want to leave the space. I knew that in order to create the cozy fireplace seating area I was envisioning that I needed chairs that were practical, but also beautiful to look at.
My search concluded when I found these beautiful navy blue striped chairs at Grandin Road. From the moment I saw them, I knew they were perfect for what I was wanting for our cozy fireplace seating area. Actually, they were better then what I was envisioning, because not only do the fully swivel, they are gliders too!
This is the place we go to first thing in the morning with a steaming cup of coffee. Where you can often find me catching up with the kids about their day when they get home from school in the afternoon. And where my husband and I take time to connect and share about our days.
They nestle in perfectly, just after the pantry cabinets that surround where our fridge is in the kitchen. Creating the perfect cozy fireplace seating area that I was longing for.
This cube footstool from the Studio McGee line at Target, is the perfect size to prop up our feet, or act as additional seating when the kids start to trickle in.
I patiently waited until these chairs went on sale, before I purchased them. While they were initially more than I was thinking of spending, the swivel / glider feature paired with the perfect blue fabric color makes them perfect for this space.
There is still plenty of walkway space to walkthrough, so you can easily get to the dining room table with food. And I’m still thinking about what or if I want to add any additional chairs opposite the two blue ones. I don’t want the space to feel congested or heavy (visually speaking), so I’ve resolved to living with it for a bit before I make any final decisions.
I also love how the blue in the chairs ties in with the blue in our kitchen island, and the darker upholstery color makes them not only kid friendly but dog friendly too! Another detail that I think adds a cohesive feeling, as you flow from space to space in this open floor plan area of our home.
We’ve been working on the interior of the chimney, getting it back to a working fireplace condition, because all I can dream about is coming and curling up in our new chairs with a soft fire going as the snow falls outside.
I finished off this cozy fireplace seating area with the round pedestal table (found HERE) that I had been using in our previous living room, nestled in between the chairs, which provides ample room to place my coffee and down and such. My DIY terra cotta lamp, a faux fern for a pop of green, and some soft landscape paintings for artwork.
See how I gave this side table its weathered look HERE.
This truly has become one of my favorite places in our home. It might not be the easiest to photograph, but trust me when I say that cozy exudes from this place, drawing us all back to it again and again!
Just a wonderful space. It does look so relaxing and I noticed right away how the chairs spoke to the kitchen island. I love your use of subtle neutrals and color. That, to me, is so relaxing.
Well those look just lovely. You said maybe you’d do two more opposite the chairs you just got. I too think it would be too crowded, both visually and actually. That being said, I see an antique/primitive bench I front of the fireplace. That would give you seating without the “weight”. Just an idea. As always thanks for sharing your space and the process getting there!