Updates to the Living Room

Here are some pictures of a recent update to my living room. This is where I started from back in April 2010.

With the first picture this wall was an accent wall and was painted a rich fudge brown. I started with bright fabric squares and some smaller painted canvases. This was before I had nailed down a color scheme. Well actually I thought I'd go with these bright colors but it never worked. During 2011 I decided to move away from the bright colors and stick with turquoise, green and brown with orange accents. I had rotating artwork on the wall. Nothing ever felt right. A lot of the time it was just blank with nail holes while I waited for inspiration. The orange accents were short lived. I don't even have pictures of this wall with them. The brown started to feel overpowering. All my furniture is brown and it was just too much with the brown accent wall and brown patterned carpeting.

Now the accent wall is turquoise like the rest of the living room. My son helped me paint it when he was home for winter break from college. I framed the Audubon prints I got for free from a friend in thin black frames and hung them in a grid pattern. I changed out the lamp with another one I already had. The vintage lamp with the vintage furniture started to just feel old. I wanted something more colorful and modern. The originally wood and cheap gold metal colored lamp was first painted orange. Now it's a bright blue. The blue might look jarring right now but picks up on the bright blue in the drapes to be hung soon hopefully. The lamp shade was a $7 find at Goodwill still in the wrapper. I like how the black frames and lamp shade work in this part of the room.

I swapped out the chair for the larger one in my bedroom. The scale feels better in the living room. The chair has the fabric I'm going to upholster it in draped over it. Saying I'm going to upholster might be misleading. I'm going to price out having the covers done. I'm not sure my sewing machine will sew the heavy fabric. And I want them to look good! I need to refinish the oak frame and fix one support strap. Stay tuned for that project soon.

Anyway I'm really pleased with how this part of the living room is shaping up. These last updates only cost me around $110 for the 9 frames and new lamp shade. The turquoise paint was left over from the rest of the room. I already owned the lamp. The bright blue paint was a small tube of artist paint I already had. The chair I already owned. I purchased the green fabric years ago on eBay and finally have a project for it.

I've only lived here 4.5 years and I think I've finally got it. I've also finally nailed down a color scheme. (And this time I think I'm going to be able to stick with it!). Remember I started with the bright colors (and was once told it looked too circus like). Then I went to orange accents (even though I really wanted pink/fuchsia). Now I'm at peacock colors: turquoise, bright blue, shades of green, gold, accents of purple and black.

Life would have been much easier if I had an inspiration piece when I started in the condo. I just picked paint colors I liked and tried to decorate from there. It never worked. Pick an inspiration piece and draw from there for a cohesive look. Even though I have no peacocks in my design I can pull inspiration from the colors for a pulled together look.

Pink Decor

In celebration of Valentine's Day I give you a post of lovely pink decor. I love pink, its my favorite color. I've never been brave enough to decorate in pink (except for a tiny baby pink laundry room in a long ago house.)

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

Updating the Living Room

The wall with my front door has gone through several versions since I've lived here. I just couldn't seem to get the furniture right.

I started with a small table and chair. The table was way to small. I ended up selling it on Craig's List.

Next was a dresser I purchased on Craig's List for $30. I ended up painting it aqua. You might remember the post about it here. While I loved the carvings and the color, the style never seemed right in the room. I was going for whimsical but it clashed with all my other clean lined furniture. It bugged me.

While my son was home I moved in my long dresser from my bedroom and took the mirror off. I was decluttering my clothes and was able to consolidate everything into my tall dresser. I think it looks fantastic (now to do something about the lamp cord showing). It fits beautifully with the other mid-century, streamlined furniture that I have. My bedroom also looks bigger without so much furniture in it now. I sold the aqua dresser on Craig's List (love) for a profit.

I think I finally have it right! I'm very happy with how it looks. I'm making money on the aqua dresser and this last update didn't cost me anything. Just the way I like to decorate!

Decorative Balls

I have this large blue bowl in my living room. I've had a couple dozen white ping pong balls in it. I picked the balls up at Target's dollar spot and they didn't have any writing on them. They looked pretty nice. I liked the stark white. But they still looked like a bowl full of ping pong balls. I wanted something more graphic.

I wrote on them with a black sharpie words like play, work, create, fun, joy, health, love, faith, family, friends, less, more, and numbers. I think they look much better and best of all the update was free!

Bathroom Update and New White Towels

The joy of  fluffy white towels! I finally got around to using a $25 gift card to Target I won and purchased some new white bath towels. I had a mix-mash of colors and age of towels we were using in the bath and some were in bad shape. Nothing really went with the black and white retro 50's tile or aqua blue walls.  Now they match, are in good shape and look so pretty!

I have already replaced my fuchsia bathmat and multi-colored knobs on my medicine chest with white and silver respectively and cleared off the top of my chest of do-dads. (Nothing escapes my minimizing ways!) I still have a lot to do: replace the black and white zebra shower curtain with a thick white one, install a new towel bar on the door and get rid of a hanging thing attached to the door hinges, install a robe hook, install a new shower head, install a new faucet and tile the sink backsplash. I had two handymen in for quotes for the installation and tile work. Hopefully it will begin shortly. Then my mini bathroom update will be complete. I'm going for a spa look. So crisp and clean. Pictures to follow as the work progresses.

Undecorating

I've been feeling weird lately. My stuff is suffocating me. I feel like I have too much. I want to declutter in an extreme way. (Yes, I have been watching too much Hoarders, but it's more than that). My place is small and my decorating style is already pretty minimal. I really want to go bare bones - think stark contemporary - with the focus on just a few beautiful items in the room. I also want to paint all the walls white, get a fluffy white rug in the living room and a white slipcover - but that is another story.

It's weird because I usually want to lighten up and minimize decor in the spring not fall. In the fall I usually want to make my house feel more cozy, I embrace my colorful decor and actually want to purchase and display more "things". I enjoy decorating for winter / Christmas. But right now the thought of adding things to my environment makes my stomach clench.

A dubious friend suggested that I gather all the items that I want to remove and put them on the dining room table until I can get them boxed up and stored in the basement storage locker. She thinks the desire for sparseness will rapidly pass. I'm not so sure. I removed 7 items from the kitchen, 18 from the dining room / china cabinet, 21 from the living room. I added 1 item to my bedroom and removed 3 pillows and a piece of art.

I'm shocked that I have this much stuff. Most of the items were decorative. Or if they were supposed to be functional, they weren't functioning. If the numbers seem high, look around your space and count your items. I think you'll be surprised at how many you have.

After my extreme undecorating my condo looks naked (I'm used to seeing more stuff but this morning it didn't look as weird as it did yesterday when I finished). It feels much better. In the living room I have only 4 decorative items, the clock and 3 framed artwork on the wall, 3 pillows, 1 candle and 7 live plants. In my bedroom I have 2 decorative items, 1 plant, 3 pictures, 1 piece of art on the wall and 1 decorative pillow. My bathroom 1 item. My kitchen 2 decorative items and 2 items on the wall. It still seems like a lot to me. I need to get several boxes to pack away my removed items. I need to live with them gone for awhile before I get rid of them for good - just in case I change my mind.

Have you ever undecorated your house or gone through a really minimal phase? Did it pass or was it something that stuck? The good news - dusting went much faster today!

Bedroom painted!

One of my goals for the month of July was to get my son's bedroom painted. Mission accomplished! with one minor problem. I forgot to take before pictures.  So you don't get to see his room messy with posters on the walls and major dirt smudges on the 10 (I don't really know) year old flat off-white paint. Use your imagination.

Forrest cutting in; first coat

So there is paint on the walls, but much work left to be done. This was the first time painting that my son did the cutting in around the trim and the ceiling. He did a great job and most spots are pretty good, except one wall. Some touch ups are in order with ceiling paint which I hope doesn't lead to painting the ceiling.

My projects tend to move slowly and this bedroom redo will be no exception. My son was anxious to have his room back in order (meaning his computer hooked up and internet back up). So ceiling touch-ups and trim painting will have to happen another day. Along with hanging curtain rods and drapes (which are still being made), hanging art on the walls, upholstering / slipcovering his desk chair and installing some shelving above the desk. Oh and some closet and drawer organization once he leave for college in September.

Right now I'm happy with clean green walls!

My dining room: rug or no rug?

My dining room is connected and open to the living room. It has a thick ceiling beam (painted brown) which gives nice definition between the two rooms and has a long wall for the buffet. But the long wall is chopped up 2/3 the way down by the door to the kitchen and the back stairway (you can't see it, it's on the other side of the buffet). The other side of the room has the hall leading to the bedrooms 1/3 of the way down to the bathroom (it's turquoise and you can see the zebra shower curtain). So usable actual dining space is very small. And in order to have a functional walkway into the kitchen the table is pushed into the rear right corner. The table is centered on a cute leopard with a black border 5x8 rug, which is also pushed off center and to the rear of the room. I have a great 50's period light fixture which is in the center of the room.

When I have guests over I put in leaves and move the table and chairs more toward the center of the room so both sides of the table are usable (although it is still off center). It leaves just enough room for chairs to be pulled out and for people to squeeze into their seats. My chair pulls out into the kitchen doorway so I can get up and serve. It's a tight fit for everyone.

The room has been bugging me. I don't like that I can't center the table in the room under the light fixture in the traditional dining room set-up.  I don't like how the rug accentuates the fact that the table isn't centered and just appears to be shoved into the corner.

I know traditional decorating wisdom usually has the dining table anchored by a rug, but it just doesn't work in this space. I'm breaking a rule! Without the rug the table now floats in the room, instead of being anchored off center. The lack of rug reduces the perceived off-centeredness (yes, I make up words). I like it better without the rug. It also seems to lighten up the room. The dining room feels more spacious now. You see a little into the living room on the left side. And did you notice? The dining table is now more toward the center of the room. When it was centered on the rug and pulled toward the center of the room the walk way into the kitchen felt narrow. Now it is more narrow but feels bigger without the rug. Funny.

Our dog Sebastian hates not having a rug. It allowed him traction (instead of slippery wood floors) on his figure-eight race around the condo. My son hates that the dog hates it. I'm not convinced that I have to decorate around the dog's pleasure over my design atheistic in this instance.

We already know how my son and the dog votes. What do you think - follow tradition but have an off-centered rug or float the table in the space with no rug? Does it look naked? Let me know your thoughts.

Oh and just to be honest about things, this is how my dining room looked prior to starting this little adventure. The table is a dumping ground for all things entering the house. It's my crafting and ironing area. The packages on the floor were yesterday's Ikea purchases for my son's dorm room. My son's art work from high school is still leaning against the wall waiting to be put away (for the last 2 months). I'm not sure how/why my sewing machine is on the floor. It's usually not this bad.

 

Big Art Work

Have you seen these? You can make any size wall poster from any size image at Block Poster. Just upload your image, choose your size and download a pdf image which you can then print or take to a copy shop and have them print it.

I had to show you this example by "emil" in the gallery even though I had to edit it wonky. I love Roy Lichtenstein's work.

But how cool (and cheap) would it be to make a super large family photo? Mount it to some MDF or Masonite with Mod Podge and you've got a statement piece. Or your kids favorite superhero or teen star? Just watch for copyright infringement issues.

Something similar is available at the naughty sounding site http://homokaasu.org/rasterbator/ which in essence converts a picture to large pixels.  Don't ask me what the difference is between the two sites. I can't explain very well what rasterisation is. This site gives you a more graphic, easily seen pixels look I think. Picture by marco e lula in the gallery section.

I've used the rasterbator (blush) site to convert small pictures into large pattern pieces for applique wall hangings. I've then taped the pattern to a large window so I can see through the papers and then traced the pattern onto fusible web.

Have you used these before? Do tell!

Style Quiz

Here is a fun decorating style quiz.  Mine was only 3/4 accurate. I have a whole vintage side not described here with my love of mid-century / danish modern furniture and design. I'd also say my design challenge is not adding warmth but to keep things sleek. Learning not to over decorate a minimal space is hard. Remember in the last four years or so I went from French Country, the more accessories the better with lots of oak family antiques and china, to Mid-Century Modern / Vintage. A big decorating style change.

What did your quiz say about you?

               

Your style is Modern and Sleek.

                You strive for clean lines, smooth surfaces and up-to-date looks. You prefer high contrast such as black and white. You buy quality furniture but slightly out of the ordinary. You read up-to-date fashion magazines. You like to look current but not too trendy. You do not like clutter; everything has a place in your home. You have very few knick-knacks but what you display is fine art and sculptures. You strive to be the best at work and at home. When you entertain you invite a mixture of well-traveled people. You like new things and don’t see the appeal of most antiques. You will try new colors and different furniture placements.

                You grew up in a home where nothing ever changed so now you seek and strive to not be stuck in an old decade. Your decorating challenge is to add warmth and comfort to your living spaces.

                To further develop this style, The Home Stylist specifically recommends the following resources:

                 




Get YOUR style quiz at The Home Stylist! 

   

Jonathan Adler Inspired Cat Statue

I just love Jonathan Adler and his designs. It all started for me with his book, "Jonathan Adler My Perscription for Anti-Depressive Living" where he touts "Maximus" living instead of minimal and has the designs to prove it. Funny because I always think I'm a minimalist but his happy chic style can change my mind!

Anyway there is no way I can afford any of his designs available here. But I have found an Adler inspired cat (in one of the most unexpected places) for my house that I just love.

 Adler's version at $120, 15.5" tall

My $19.99 (+20% off), 19" tall.

Granted, there is a big difference in texture and detail. But mine gives me a feeling and look I'm happy with, and it's even a little taller which works well for me. Best of all the price tag didn't break the bank. So guess where I got it? It's so funny. It's a bathroom toilet brush holder from Bed Bath & Beyond (in stores only). Yep, the back is hollow to stick a brush in. But viewed from the front and sides you'd never be able to tell. My kitty sits in a corner guarding my front door. Love it!

New Plant Pots

My little grouping of plants aren't as pretty looking as they could be. I have matching pots for the rest of my plants, just not these. So the last time I was at Ikea (the happiest place on earth) I purchased more matching white pots for them.

See what a difference it makes? They really make the grouping more intentional and fit the design atheistic of the condo.

You can do this with your accessories. Painting a mix-mash grouping all the same color makes them look like you planned it (unless you are going for an eclectic look - then leave them alone). It also gives them more weight and presence. Give it a try and see how it looks in your home!