Happy Friday everyone. Today I am sharing our completed (almost) globally inspired den. We sold our upholstered family room furniture with our former home, so we had to purchase new foundation pieces to compliment the antiques and accessories we already own. Let’s chat about How to Create a Cozy Globally Inspired Den.
The former owners used this room as a combination office/ tv room. This cozy room is right off the back door (that everyone uses) and behind my office space which I revealed in this post How to Create A Stylish Productive Workspace here. Here is what we had to purchase:
Here is what the room looked like when we purchased the home. It was a very functional space for the former owners. They used it as a combined office/tv room. Her art studio was off this space (which is now my office/studio).
We have lived here since May. I am not good at “instant decor”. I like to live in a space and kind of let it speak to me for a while before I start making decisions. In this post Simple Ways to Create a Globally Inspired Den, I shared my original plan for the areas.
How to Create a Cozy Globally Inspired Den
We are placing the TV (thank god Steve did not want another giant tv), in the same area. Here is what that space looks like now. I had long admired this great tv cabinet from Ballard Designs. It is on sale for $599. It is very well made.
The twig table was made by a local artisan (I think he may have passed) over 20 years ago or more. You can see it in our fixer-upper living room here, and our longtime former home in this post decorating a difficult space.https://cindyhattersleydesign.com/decorating-difficult-space-part-ii/. The chairs were thrifted several years ago. They supposedly came from the Ahwahnee Hotel originally. The decoys on the top of the tv cabinet and on the table we have owned for over 30 years. They resided on the wall of our entry in our longtime home.
I love the textural component created by mixing the baskets, the rough finish on the tv cabinet, the chairs, and the twig table. The Makenge baskets from Pauski Art are the icing on the cake in my opinion. FYI they are having a 25% off black Friday sale. The pillow on the chair is also from Paulski. The cushions on the chair are from my old house and don’t fit. I plan to have new ones made and covered with an old cowhide (white) that I have owned for years. The grained box was purchased on eBay many years ago.
To the right of the above vignette,is a treasured American Corner Cupboard. We have owned this corner cupboard for years. It resided in the family room of our lifelong home, and the living room of our recent fixer upper. It is filled with redware some American and some European that we have collected over the years. The covered basket on the top is an Algonquin. The art on both sides of the cupboard is by my good friend artist Pat Huber. If you see something you like Pat is happy to reproduce something similar. The pouch hanging below the seascape was a gift from our sister and brother in law when we first moved into our “lifelong” home. The rattle/shaker is Native American.
The seating area is located on the long wall on the left when you enter the room. This was my original plan for the area.
As you can see several things changed. The metal coffee table was going to be too big in the space. We did not need the art, we had something better (the antique sign) that served the same purpose. After living in the space I think the wall sconces would be too much. I may add a simple pharmacy floor lamp in time if it is needed. We found side tables that we liked better at Habitat, and a coffee table that was smaller that fit the space better. This area is not that big so I wanted a coffee table with an open base.
The sofa is from Pottery Barn. It is slipcovered in a performance fabric. It has a bench cushion. I always select a bench cushion when purchasing a sofa or loveseat. They are more comfortable and inviting in my opinion. The pillows on the right are from my friend Erin from Homegirl Collection on Etsy. the document box on the tale is antique. The bowl was purchased recently on Ebay. I think it is vintage Ethiopian, but I am not sure. I love the textural drama created by the different textiles, rustic wood, and antique objects. I love the Pottery Barn rug which is currently on sale. All items are linked in “Shop My Den” at the bottom of the post. Fyi those little windows will get shades as well. I wasn’t sure if they needed them but they do.
The two pillows on the left were in our former entry in our “lifelong” home. You can see them in my post, Simple Ideas to Update your Entry. The antique sign is a favorite of ours. I have never really had a great place for it, but I love it here. The throw is from Libeco Home, expensive but well worth it. I used it in our former fixer upper.
SHOP MY DEN
The little corner cupboard was an inheritance from Steve’s parents. It is filled with vintage and antique items collected over the years. This cupboard was in our wine cellar in our former home.
Last but not least is one of our very favorite pieces an antique American grained blanket chest that we brought back from Maine on one of our antiquing jaunts many years ago. The painting came from Center Street Antiques a few years back. You can see him on the mantle in this post Spring Mantel Four Ways.. The box was purchased in Maine on an antiquing jaunt many years ago. The terra cotta vessel has special meaning because one of Steve’s favorite employees brought it back from Romania many years ago and gifted it to us on Christmas. The grained document box was also found in Maine many years ago as well. I placed the pottery barn chair in front of it so you could get a good look at it. I think it is a great chair for the money. The pillow is also from Homegirl Collection.
SHOP MY DEN
Sorry, this post was so long for such a “small but mighty room”. We are so happy that we could add some new upholstered pieces and a few accessories to our own collection to create a globally inspired collected den.
Judie Olivero says
This room is absolutely fabulous! I suspect you might be tiring of me saying you have once again NAILED IT!
(Surely by now you’ve come to expect that from me!) I love the INTERESTING rooms you create. Pretty is easy, INTERESTING is created by remarkably talented individuals. Thank you for sharing.
Bonita Gillespie says
Hello Cindy
OMG when I first saw the room it reminded me of our living room. We went to Africa in 2018 and I’m obsessed with th decor. I also paint so I’ve been painting African animals since then. Then today I saw the reel with the John Barry music and fell I love in love with the space all over again.
Keep up the good work. I’m heading back to Africa next spring.
FYI. My website is : bgillespiefineart.com
Barb L says
Your den turned out beautifully! What a warm, inviting and cozy space filled with pieces with history. Thanks for sharing and love hearing your thoughts on designing. Always inspiring.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Barb
Thank you so much. We really love it.
Annie Diamond says
Cindy! It’s beautiful! I love seeing how you used important pieces from your former home mixed with new. Love the warmth of antiques, leather, Pat’s art! So pretty!!!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Annie
thank you so much!!
Katherine says
Cindy you created such a warm, cozy and inviting room full of history and meaning full
pieces of art. The fur baby is the big treasure.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Katherine
“Furrie” is the last man standing so to speak. Her brother passed before we moved away from our “lifelong” home, and Beau passed not long ago.
Shelley Humpal says
Hi Cindy: I have been enjoying you for quite a while now. Our tastes are quite similar and I always love to see what you are up to. Like always this room is perfectly you. I too love old boxes, red ware, corner cupboards, document boxes and antiques. You might enjoy my blog as well https.//fortheloveofold.net. I invite you to take a look.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Shelley
I just signed up for your blog! I will be excited to follow you!
Holly says
This is a Goldilocks room – just right! So much inspiration at every stop of the eye. With so many homes going English cottage or Blue and White-ware, this is a delightful change and so California! Thanks for the ideas. Now off to buy more pillow covers just don’t tell my husband!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Holly
Perfect analogy. We think so too..ooh pillow covers…never!!
EVA Popovich says
Dear Cindy,
I love your colors, organic and very comfortable to live with. I have enjoyed seeing the changes you have made (and probably will later) as you go along. I have always moved things around to try different combinations of color and texture. My husband often calls this “moving the furnituure, again?”
I don’t care — I like variety, and like you, I enjoy what I have and like to see how I can make it better.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Eva!
Same to you and your family. I feel like this is the first almost completely normal Thanksgiving post covid. I so appreciate your kind comments. Interestingly enough I rarely move furniture around, but boy do I move the accessories around the house!!
sharon says
Cindy, I love your posts on your home (s) and gardens. You are so talented and always true to your personal style that is so beautiful as well as interesting because you incorporate meaningful vintage items and antiques from your past. Its also fun to see the items change rooms in your home!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Sharon
You and Jim have to come visit (spoiler alert you might want to move!!). I think of you every time I look at the beautiful Pat Huber portrait of our former home and that wonderful candle. Let’s get together soon!
Bill and Judy Castor says
Nice room arrangement — very comfy!
We have a Pottery Barn Manhattan leather chair (probably 25+ years old) — love it!
J&B
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Judy
I bet you recognize a few things, or maybe not! You might remember that little hanging corner cupboard that was Steve’s moms, and I am sure some of that redware was purchased on one of our jaunts! Oh and the basket on the top of the corner cupboard came from Doug’s auction I think!
Carol S. says
Warm and cozy, stylish and rustic. Love all your details and sources. That rustic sign might be my favorite piece. So fun to hear the rooms and decor pieces history. The adjoining office w a view to outdoors is dreamy.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Carol
We love the little room and are very happy with how it turned out.It is always fun to remember the history of each piece.
kim says
Cindy this is a gorgeous mix and I love how you repurposed things from he other homes in a new way. That twig table is such a treasure and I love that the chairs are from the Ahwahnee.. They totally look it. The pillow mix and rug is perfect and the couch is so inviting. . and the wall baskets are wow.
I do love having a small space to curl up in and this has a cozy feel. Fun to see what you’re doing in this house!
xo Kim
La says
Truly inspiring! Gorgeous collections and curated design! Thank you for sharing!
Rose says
The slides of pictures is not working. Is it on my end?
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Rose
I do believe it is on your end as no one else has complained. Try to clean out your cache. That should fix it.
LA CONTESSA says
GRAIN BOX WITH A LOCK?
I HAVE A RED COW AS BIG AS YOUR WHITE ONE DO YOU NEED A MATE?I DON”T THINK RED IS YOUR ACCENT COLOR HERE!!MY COW IS A BANK………..you would have to shatter him to get THE GOODS!
I am the same I have to live with a space and then start moving things around but its been a long time since I have done that!Our newest addition are blinds in the bedroom!Wow what a difference keeping the moonlight and the solar illuminated house across the street OUT!!We are both sleeping so much better………..
Fun getting a peek into your new abode!
franki Parde says
Ot looks like a vacation @ home!! franki
Gray says
Love love love it. It is so different than my aesthetic, it feels like a vacation to me! Almost exotic. I love how you mixed American primitives with more southwestern things and then the cool sign. It’s just great! And interesting that you got so much from PB. Honestly – the search for furniture is real.
Jennifer says
Such a great cozy room! I love how it turned out.
Pursuit of Perfect says
This is so cozy and inviting. Well done!
Elizabeth$pineconesandacorns says
Cindy this small but mighty rooms looks AMAZING! I love those chairs, we have been thinking about the same ones for years but never seem to fid the right setting for them.
It is always fun to see your process of how you design and use a room. I also love ALL of your stories and collected pieces.
Have a wonderful weekend Cindy!