Does Your Family Room Need a Rescue? By Jen Griswold--Vacaville Home Stager/Interior Redesigner

Often I get asked, “What do most people hire you for?” And the reply is always an easy answer. Hands down, our most common job is the redesign of a family room. Along with the kitchen, the family room is “the heart of the home.” It is where families spend the majority of their time when they are home together. It is usually designed to appeal to each member of the family and it is where just about everything happens: TV watching, children playing with toys, reading, lounging, collection displaying, and more. All that activity usually comes along two of our dreaded nemeses: messes and clutter. Once you have messes and clutter in front of you, it is hard to see past them to the potential that lies beneath. That is often when our business, Cozy Chic Design, gets a call.

Over the course of the many family room redesigns, my decorating partner and I have noticed five similar decorating faux pas emerge in a good majority of homes. The following are the most common decorating problems we see in many family rooms:

1. The walls are the wrong color.

As designers, when we assess a space the first thing we look at is wall color. The wrong color can have a huge negative impact, while the right color can really make a room come together. The color choice should be based on the color palette of the furnishings, as well as on the mood you want to inspire in the room. In my home the family room serves as a place to nestle in for the night and enjoy a good movie, play a children’s game, or to just lie on the couch and watch a movie. The room on its own is fairly dark without artificial light, so to combat the shadows and invoke that “comfy, cozy” feel I want, I painted the family room in a creamy beige with a hint of gold in it to lighten and soften the darker corners. Together with my accent colors of white, hazel and a little black, the room has a very calming and relaxing feel.

2. The furniture is not arranged around one focal point.

Once you have the wall color right, the next major item to look at is the furniture arrangement. The pitfall we see over and over again in houses is that the furniture is incorrectly arranged because there is a lack of a defined focal point. Many times in a family room, the natural focal point is the fireplace. However, with the inception of flat screen TVs, there is now some focal point competition in the room. What do you arrange your furniture around -- The TV or the fireplace? The easiest way to solve the problem is to marry the two together by placing your TV above the fireplace. However, if that is not possible because of heat or wiring problems, then pick whichever is the most important and arrange everything around it. Or, think outside the box, and if your room is large enough, create two spaces that give due attention to each focal point.

3. There are not enough natural outdoor elements in the room.

The next error commonly made in family room is forgetting to add a touch of life. Almost all rooms can be improved by adding some greenery to them. You can find plant-life in any style, shape or texture. Add faux greenery if you don’t have a green thumb. And if you aren’t a plant person you can add rocks, twigs, wreaths, or pine cones. Any way you do it, by bringing some of the outdoor elements inside, you’ll add a layer of ambience that makes people want to come, sit down and share in your family room experience.

4. The room has nice accessories, but the room still does not look “coordinated.”

Finally, what most clients need help with is in proper placement of their accessories. Many people have purchase beautiful items for their room, but cannot figure out how to place them together harmoniously -- upon a shelf, table or wall. They need some help making their room come together. The art of placing accessories can not be easily explained in a short paragraph. It requires some instruction on what is pleasing to the eye, and practice with accessories to get the hang of how to repeat the process over and over again.

5. Homeowners think that buying something new will “fix” their room, rather than finding the answer in rearranging, repurposing and reusing good items they already own.

Most people do not have it in their budget these days to completely redecorate an entire space. However, we find many homeowners continue to acquire things in the quest to make their space better. We recommend you stop spending your money on “things” and invest it in decorating education where you can learn a 5-step process to decorating that will help you beautify EVERY room in your home and many rooms into the future.

For homeowners interested in attending a one-day course to learn more about how to “do-it-yourself” the next class on the “Art of Redesign” will be held on March 27th from 9 AM-2 PM here in Vacaville. You can call 707-447-0977 for more details or to register for the course. The class sizes are limited so that each student gets plenty of hands-on practice and instruction. Each attendee will walk away from the class with the confidence to recognize and fix what is wrong with their own family room and how to help others fix theirs!

The Warmth of Winter by Janet Davison

When the weather started to cool down in the fall, Mother Nature warmed us up visually with bright orange pumpkins and an abundance of falling leaves in brilliant colors.
In December as the weather took on a chill and the days got shorter, we brightened up our homes with the deep hues of the most vivid of contrasting colors – Christmas Red and Green.
Now, winter has set in. The holiday trimmings have been taken down. We have stored away all the lights, tinsel and ornaments and are deep into a long cold season of gray skies, short days, and wet weather. The absence of vibrant color coupled with the weather can make our homes feel especially cold and can sometimes weigh on our emotions.

Here are some ideas on how to add warmth to your home this winter and create a comfy-cozy atmosphere indoors.

1. Create a welcoming front door. Wreaths are not just for Christmas time! Adding a door decoration to your home brightens up the entire area and gives a warm and friendly welcome to your family and friends. Dried flowers, twigs and evergreens with pinecones all make great winter wreaths.

2. Cozy up with warm colors. As a decorator, my first thought turns to color – our least expensive, most effective decorating tool. When you want your home to embrace and cheer, decorate it in variations of the warm colors – red, orange, yellow – mixed with shades of earth tones. Like the sun itself, these fiery hues visually heat up any space and take the chill off of emotions at the same time.

3. Arrange the furniture for togetherness.
Create “conversation areas” by nestling two comfortable chairs together near an accent table. Try pulling the furniture away from the walls and anchoring the legs of the sofa and loveseat onto the edge of the rug. You can make the fireplace the focal point of the room by positioning the furniture to face it. By placing reading lamps on the end tables you will create a circle of warmth and light where you can enjoy many a good book.

4. Add snuggly textures. Rugs and carpet runners help to counteract the coldness of hardwood and tile floors. You may want to add fleece throws to your décor. When not in use, rather than folding them across the back or arm of the furniture, you can create a more inviting look if you toss them casually over the corner of the sofa or chair. A basket of blankets is always welcome in the winter – as are over-sized corduroy pillows used to enjoy the evening fire. Animal print fabrics make wonderful accents.

5. There is warmth in the details. Accessorize with books – on shelves, on tables, in short stacks under decorative items. Use an abundance of candles and enjoy the fragrance, light and the ambiance they create. Decorate with fire logs on the hearth and baskets brimming with knitting projects, pinecones or magazines.

6. Comfort foods. When we are talking family and friends – all things lead back to
food! Stick-to-your-ribs oatmeal brings back memories of the winters of my
childhood. Warm hardy meals – crock-pot cooking of stews and soups – hot cocoa --
home made cookies! Cooking and baking can warm up more than the kitchen.

7. There is no place like home. Because of the shorter days and early nightfall, families tend to spend more evenings at home in the wintertime. How about leaving a table set up specifically for playing cards, puzzles and board games. You can buy puzzles that come with some larger pieces and some smaller ones, so that families of all ages can enjoy putting them together – together!

8. Pamper Yourself. Keeping warm is a necessity! Hot bubble baths, pampering
lotions, flannel sheets, fuzzy robes, soft slippers – make keeping warm luxurious fun.

9. Happiness is a warm puppy. While puppies aren’t for everyone, this year my daughter brought home a puppy from the SPCA. “Willa” has such an enthusiasm for life and such unconditional love – that I now get it. Happiness is a warm puppy.

10. Be good to each other. We have no control over the bleak, cold weather outdoors –
but we can create our own safe haven with a warm and welcoming attitude indoors.

The warmth of the home and the happiness of the family are more about relationships than color or decorating or projects. When I was growing up there were 8 kids in our family. Because we went to three different Vacaville schools, my mom couldn’t pick all of us up from school, so she didn’t pick any of us up. Rain or shine, we all walked home. On wet cold days, we arrived home to a huge pot of hot lemonade on the stove. It is a winter memory that I cherish. In my family now, my husband makes pumpkin pies from scratch every winter. He shares them with our extended family, neighbors and friends. He just finished making 24 of them.

It is the spirit that warms the heart and the heart that warms the home.

Enjoy winter Keep warm!

Finding inspiration....start with pictures!

As I write this, I am working on some design layouts for a client who has an entirely blank canvas living/dining room area with which to work. The walls are painted a neutral beige and she has yet to pick out any furniture, though she likes the Z Gallerie-type choices. Since it is the first room thing you see in her home when you walk in, we want to achieve a huge "wow" factor, when you walk through the door.

The rest of her house is decorated with lots of black accents and bold pops of color, in a very contemporary, yet comfortable, minimalist style. Though I won't reveal the complete design plan yet, I'll attach a few photos to give you hints of where we are headed. This is how I always start my designs. Gather pictures you like and find a jumping off point from there. See what we've found for this design below:

Stay tuned for more!!

What Is Your Holiday Design Style?

What is your design style? Contemporary, classic, or casual? This holiday season, let your personal style shine through in your décor. Get inspired by taking our Cozy Chic Design Quiz. Happy Holidays!


What’s your Holiday Style?
Find out with this Cozy Chic Design Quiz

1. I enjoy a gathering of holiday friends:A. Sipping cider around the fireplace
B. Dinner served at the Dining Room Table
C. A buffet of treats on the island in my kitchen

2. My favorite decorating theme would be:
A. Whimsical Collections– Snowmen or Santas
B. Inspirational Items
C. Using accessories that match the color theme of the room

3. Items that could make a statement in my home are my:
A. Handmade treasures from Christmas Past
B. A gorgeous Nativity Set and Manger
C. A Collection of shiny glass orbs of various sizes in a glass container

4. When it comes to candles, I prefer them:
A. Red and Green displayed around the room
B. On candlesticks
C. Silver and White on a mirrored tray

5. When I decorate I prefer:
A. Every nook and cranny filled with personal treasures
B. An item in the middle with matching items on either side
C. Very few pieces, but items that make a statement

6. To decorate the staircase, I like to use:
A. Garland laced with candy canes
B. Fresh cut pine tied with ribbons to the posts
C. A potted poinsettia placed on every third step

7. I would love filling:
A. A Basket with Pinecones
B. A Decorative Bowl with Pomegranates and cranberries
C. A clear container filled to the brim with Christmas ornaments

8. To make the atmosphere “scent-sational” I would:
A. Add aroma with flavored candles with scents of pumpkin, cinnamon or gingerbread
B. Tie some sleigh bells to a Christmas wreath and listen for their welcoming jingle
C. Have a background of non-vocal Christmas music

Total A = _______ Total B = ________ Total C =_______

Cozy Chic Design Style Quiz
Where did you score highest?

A = Casual Style
A Casual decorating style is a harmonious mix of furniture, fixtures, colors, textures and treasured accessories that appeal to you.

B = Traditional / Classic Style
A Classic Style is generally formal, sophisticated and timeless. The emphasis is on style and traditional refined elegance

C = Contemporary Style
A contemporary decorating style treats interior spaces almost as three dimensional art, balancing form, shape and texture, while banishing clutter and fussiness.

Combination (Eclectic)
Your decorating style might not fall into one particular area and is a mix of styles. You are one-of-a-kind and so is your decorating style

Need help finding and expressing your style in your home?
Designers Janet Davison and Jen Griswold with Cozy Chic Design can help!
707-447-0977 or 707-455-8265

Moving In, Moving Out....by Janet Davison--Solano County Home Staging and Interior Design

At 5:30 this morning, I was headed out the door to go to the gym when I had to go back into the house and leave my gym bag behind. I had forgotten – Jen and I “de-staged” a property last night and my car was still loaded to the gills with bedding, trays, plants, towels, accessories -- all the tools of our trade.

The best part of "undoing" a home we have staged is seeing the "SOLD" sign! At Cozy Chic, we take pride in knowing we have been instrumental in helping lots of folks realize their goals -- the buyers, the sellers and realtors, to name a few.

Often, the first time we see a home that is placed on the market, the family is just moving out. Sometimes it’s vacant or partially furnished and most of the family’s personal possessions have been packed away.

An empty house is bare and uninviting. Lacking warmth and character, it often seems cold. It becomes a “property”-- a “listing”-- rather than a “home”. Statistics tell us that, without help, only 10% of the population can visualize the potential of a home. Our goal in staging is to help people picture not only living in the home, but also owning it.





When Cozy Chic Design is called in -- we add color, plants, life, furniture, wall art and beauty.
We position the furniture, arrange the accessories and hang the art. These artful touches
help potential buyers imagine themselves enjoying living in the home.

“De-staging” –bringing back the empty look -- would be disconcerting except that we know that there will be a family moving in soon. As they bring in their belongings, the house should take on the character and the personality of the new family.

We can help there too! Many people don’t realize that Cozy Chic offers “Move-in Decorating Services”. All the new owners do is unpack! We can position their furniture and find perfect placement for their art and accessories. We can add plants, trees, etc. as needed – and even offer a shopping service for the finishing touches.

What a fun, easy way to turn a new house – into a home.

What to Get for Someone Who Has everything?

Have you ever needed to touch up paint in your home and were not sure which color you used?

Have you needed some house facts - like square footage or year built - and had to guess?

Wouldn't it be nice to have, in one handy spot, a list of all the home improvements made throughout the years - warranties all in one place - samples of paint chips and fabrics - photos of each room.


That is the purpose of the "Homeowner's History Book" designed and created by Cozy Chic Design. The brainchild of Jen Griswold, the "Homeowner's History Book" in an expandable binder that holds house facts, information, records, photos and receipts. A handy place to document everything - from service providers to neighborhood facts -- and keep it all in one place.

At an "opening special " of just $15, the "Homeowner's History Book" makes a wonderful gift. This book placed on the counter of a home that is on the market, shows that the property has been well cared for.

Order yours today! Plenty of time for Christmas delivery!
707-447-0977 or 707-455-8265

Cheap and Easy DIY Chalkboard Labels

Ok, we've all seen many a cute idea in the Pottery Barn magazine. The following project is exactly that but you can do it yourself for a fraction of the price!

Step 1: Gather your supplies.

Head to your nearest craft store to stock up on $1 unfinished picture frames (if you have their 40% off coupon this craft gets even cheaper). For my project I needed 8 frames and one can of chalkboard spray paint (around $4 with coupon). You'll also need chalk for writing.

Step 2: Paint the frame.

You can paint the frame with acrylic paint (I used some I had in the cupboard) to match your decor and paint the cardboard backing with the chalkboard spray paint. Wait to dry, reassemble the frame, and voile! You have the cutest and CHEAPEST little chalkboard label for your fridge, to label baskets, toy boxes, etc.



Step 3: Dress up the frame.

You can tie it onto a basket with raffia, ribbon, or twine. Or put an adhesive magnet on the back and display your latest goodies on the fridge. Enjoy the versatility of this project.....the possibilities are endless....all for only $1.00!!