Becolorful

Getting There { A Family Room/Sunroom Makeover Progress Post)

Welcome to our family room/sun room.  

In January I sold most of the furniture that had been in this room. All that remained was the trunk that we use as a cocktail table, two accent pieces that I had painted, and a couple of table lamps. We're not there yet but this room is finally starting to take shape. Now that most of the bigger pieces are in place  all it is needing is some of the jewelry and polish. 

 

Just today I read a blog post from

Home Sweet Homemade

She writes that you should come up with five words to describe how you want a room to feel when you are designing it. I was game and these are the words that I would hope would describe this space when it is completed.

Colorful, fun, comfortable, retro, and clean lined.

So far I think I am on track.

 

 

Of course, I am a woman so I can never be completely satisfied. One improvement seems to create a need desire for three more.

 

My current wish list includes the following:

1. Move the trunk to another room and replace it with something a bit larger and cleaner looking - perhaps something with a pop of color.

2. Add appropriate accent pieces to the entertainment unit as I find them.

3. Either replace the current carpet with a geometric patterned rug in a brighter color or layer another rug on top of the one that is already there.

4. Add a patterned side chair in the space where the painted clock is.

5. Add two smaller ottomans to the near side of the new cocktail table to bring the look of the furniture placement more towards the front of the room.

Whew. A pretty major list as I see it all written out.

I have to remind myself to be patient and that we have already come so far.

The first new piece to come into this room after the big purge was this

Logan wall unit from Pottery Barn.

I've begun adding some accessories but half the fun is finding just the right thing and that can't be rushed.

 

 

A few weeks later the Petrie sofas from Crate and Barrel were delivered.

 

The  20" Eclipse Pillows are also from Crate and Barrel.

Thank you Ms. S. It took me a year to spend my gift certificate but it was well worth the wait.

:D 

A few weeks later the swivel chairs arrived.

The room was finally coming together.

 

 

The chairs are from the Candace Olson line for Norwalk and not only do they rock and swivel but I love that the fabric is from Sunbrella. Amazingly, it looks and feels like a normal upholstry fabric but will wear better and be much more fade resistant.

 

 

Finally it was time to bring in some side tables.

I found this little lovely on Joss and Main

 

 

and these two matching vintage pieces were from a friend.

When they first arrived they looked like this.

 

 

I painted them a mahogany brown for The Traveling Door sale but they didn't sell.  I was disappointed at the time but now I am so glad that they didn't.

They have been stored in the paint stall of my garage for over a year so I decided to repaint them. This time I went with a soft white and now I love the retro feel they bring to this space.

 

 

A bit of higher and lower end and a combination of new pieces and vintage. Add a dose of black somewhere and a hint of glam and it will totally represent the BeColorful look.  As I look at where we are today, I think we are off to a good start.

 

xoxo,

P

Linking my update post here:

 

Pink Dining Rooms

 

For almost two years I have been thinking about painting our dining room a vibrant shade of raspberry pink.

It was this photo that got my color loving soul thinking about this scrumptious shade. Although I loved the color I didn't really want a pink living room.

 

Then I saw this one and thought that maybe this intoxicating hue should come and play in my dining room.

Our dining room is a  large room with big windows on each end. I think it could handle a strong color like this.

 

Initially I considered pairing this bold choice with a brown and black leopard print but as our first- floor update has progressed a black and white theme has won out over the animal print.

To my eye this color just dances so well with black and white.

Case in point - how great is this color when combined with such an incredible black and white ceiling? 

Then again, what wouldn't look good with that ceiling?

I would eat every meal in that dining room.

 

I don't have a spectacular ceiling like that but I am still crazy for the black and white rug I bought for our dining room last summer and I think it brings a fresh twist to our traditonal red walls and furniture.

I realize my red walls don't look much different from the inspiration photo but it really is a matter of degrees; the brighter lighter raspberry color here would definitely dial up that unexpected element plus I think our walls are actually a bit redder than they appear in this picture.

I also need to lose those valences. They came with the house fourteen years ago and they have seen better days but it seems like yet another week goes by and they are still hanging there. I seem to forget about them until I see them in a picture.

 As our living room begins to feel closer to completion and the family room is pulling together, my thoughts are turning toward the dining room which is nestled between those two spaces. While surfing the web I've accumulated numerous images of pink dining rooms to inspire me.

Sometimes I am drawn to the coral pinks.

Baubodance

 

decor pad

 

Other days I like the fuchsias 

Chasing Dreams

 

House Beautiful

 

 

and on still others it is carnation pink that speaks to me.

Creative Influence

 

There Comes A Yes

 

Betsy Johnson

 

Laissez Faire Design

 

 

Another option in the dining room would be to go with a more neutral wall and to bring the rosy shades in as accents.

The Lennoxx

 

Apparently a lot of people are passionate about pink chairs because I am seeing a number of them across the internet.

House Beautiful

 

Amonia Decors

 

Img Fave

 

Lily Pulitzer via Maryland Pink and Green

 

Maybe I could get my pink fix from a dazzling window treatment

Baylor Says

 

or neutral walls combined with a pink ceiling.

Design Style

 

As I said, I've been thinking about a raspberry flair for this room for quite some time now. Sometimes I wonder if I have waited too long to do it. I am a fickle woman.

Have I tired of the idea before I even started or do I just need to revamp it a bit?

Today I saw something that made me think silver.

I like the idea of a bit of glam here.

Silver and pink are, of course, gorgeous together but coming off of my neutral living room with the copper ceiling I think a bronzey gold would be a better choice.

Metallic washed walls? Bronze and pink? 

 Seriously? What's a girl to do? I have too many ideas and not enough rooms.

:D

xoxo,

p

A Splash of Color for a Neutral Living Room

 

A year and a half ago I delved into updating our living room.

 

Back in the day, 1999, I had decked this room out in a very traditional flavor of damask, chintz, elaborate fringes, and oriental style rugs.

I was a happy homeowner for about eight years.

Then, as suddenly as turning a page, I didn't love it any more.

 In fact, I get the same feeling looking at old pictures of this room as I do of looking at older pictures of myself with big hair or shoulder pads. 

I am convinced that when I started over in this living room that I was influenced by all of the neutral spaces and white rooms that I was seeing on the internet. As a result I followed the trend and decided to paint the walls a pale cream and introduce more conservative taupes and off whites to this room in the way of furniture and draperies. 

For a color lover like myself this was a bold move.

I knew I needed SOME color so I had the ceiling painted copper - a color that warmed up the room but was still neutral enough that I could introduce any number of colors later and change them up as the spirit moved me.

 

 

Since I last showed you my progress here I brought back some lamps to the mantel that used to be here but then some time last year were moved into the library. I also stole the black and white and bejeweled accent box from another room in the house to bring a bit more interest to the mantel layout.

I've been thinking of painting that wall behind the mirror but I just can't commit yet or maybe it is that I have a whole list of projects that seem to be more pressing than this one.

I also know I need some accent pillows on those chairs but I  haven't gotten around to that yet either.

I did, though, score this colorful canvas last week and knew it had to come home with me. I wasn't even sure which room I would put it in but I loved the black background and the vibrant flowers felt like a welcome dose of Spring.

For now I have settled on hanging it here...

 

... at the other end of the living room, and I think I am liking it. It brings a bit of unexpected informality, not to mention a mega dose of color, to this stylized room.

 

I had been thinking of a large nude charcoal drawing here. Something sophisticated and dramatic that would be more in line with the Hollywood Regency look I have been going for. I haven't seen what I am looking for but for now I think this splash of Spring color that didn't cost me much $$ will happily fill the bill. 

I am even inspired enough to take my cue from the canvas and maybe add some bright pink or golden orange pillows to those chairs as a way of repeating the colors and bring a touch of life to the other end of the room.

It will be my Spring and Summer look,

:D

because you know the only reason I went with all of these neutrals is so I can change it up continually.

xoxo,

P

 Linking up my Colorful dash here:

 

And the Update Begins...

This was our sun-room/family room last year.

I loved this room when I pulled it together back in 2004 and for a number of years after that but recently it began showing its age and seemed bit overdue for an update.

Well, that update in now underway. You may remember that in January I listed the furniture from our library on Craigslist and it sold quickly. What I didn't plan on was selling the furniture from this room too.

For the past two months this is the look we have been sporting.

Wow, leather, polka dots, and what you don't see is wicker.

Nasty.

We stole this leather chair from another room and recently pulled in a wicker chair from the breezeway so we would have something to sit on while watching TV. So now this room  looks even worse than it does in this picture,  if you can imagine that. 

The old sofas were beginning to show sun fade but really this whole make over started with the television.

Actually, I can blame this whole thing on our son that is now going to school in Japan.

When I first pulled this room together we had, what I thought, was an adequately sized television that I had tastefully tucked away and out of sight for the most part behind the doors of an entertainment center.

Then James, whose TV was much bigger and apparently cooler than ours, decided to head overseas. The television, of course, stayed here and found its new home in our sun room.

This new televison wouldn't even begin to fit into my beloved entertainment center.

So I had to break up with my armoire and welcome this build-it-yourself TV cabinet replacement into my life.

For the next ten months I settled for this look. I knew it was temporary. It just took me awhile to  convince the hubs of that fact.

The new chairs and sofas have been ordered and I can't wait for them to arrive but now I can be encouraged that at least this side of the room has taken a huge step forward.

I still need to style things up but I think this Pottery Barn Logan is a step in the right direction.

Stay tuned. The best is yet to come.

:D

xoxo,

P

 

 

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

This living room update, which really was a total do over, began about eighteen months ago. The bigger pieces have been in place for a while now but I am still tweaking it from time to time. One of the things this room was still lacking was something above the fireplace.

Well, last week I was pretty stoked to spend a long weekend with my daughter. Gotta love the girl time. Liz is one of the first people I go to when I want to bounce off some of my less than ordinary decorating ideas. She loves color and a bit of drama as much as I do. She became a first time home owner in December so it is so fun to watch how she is pulling her own home together. She has amazingly creative ideas so it was fun and inspiring to do a bit of shopping with her and sponge off of her younger viewpoint.

 We stopped into a Z'Gallerie along the way and I found a number of mirrors that I fell in love with. It was hard to decide on just one. I have been looking for something for above the fireplace since I took down the wreath that hung there during the holidays. Artwork would be great but after looking around I felt that for now a mirror would be a less costly option. I realized, though, that the mirror needed to be a bit of a statement piece - less about the mirror and more about the frame so it would have more of a sculptural feel.

I have coveted  this one from Live Like You for several weeks now but at roughly 40" it would have looked a bit forced in a 43" space.

I haven't given up on this gorgeous sunburst mirror. I feel confident I will still be able to find a place for it somewhere is this old house of ours but I thought this smaller graphic bordered Pierre mirror was a better choice for this space.

I like how the antique gold framing plays off of the copper ceiling

 

and the Greek Key type design complements the cocktail table and candelabra.

But something is still lacking...

I sometimes wonder if it is just me or do you do this too? I look around a room and think if I just had this and this and this then the room would be complete. Then I add a "this" and I should have one less thing on my to do list for this space. What usually happens though is I bring in a new piece and then another want is somehow added to my wish list. How does that happen? Anyway, as I look at this room now I realize I need something a bit more noteworthy for the mantle. These are just pieces that I had on hand. Maybe lamps would be good here. I do have outlets built in. Then I wonder about painting that part of the wall that juts out a contrasting darker color and then painting the mantel off white to match the rest of the woodwork in the room. It would bring a bit of drama to my neutral room or would it be too much?

Thoughts? Am I crazy? 

Have a great weekend.

xoxo,

p

A Do Over In The Family Room

Oops, I did it again.

I sold a room full of furniture without having a plan in place or furniture on order.

Yikes.

This is a photo I shared this past Christmas of our family room, or as we call it, "The Green Room" .

 

So many of you had such nice things to say. Thank you. 

With all of it's Christmas embellishments I thought it was pretty too.

After the holidays, though, it was back to reality and some strategically placed throws.

What I knew and you couldn't see was that the sofas were becoming quite faded. That and the fact that  I think one of the kids must have had a party here while we were away because there is a very mysterious  red stain on the flip side of the seat cushion of that yellow chair. 

???

The other thing you couldn't have known, because I didn't show you, was the jarringly obnoxious look of the other side of the room.

Who wants to look at an eyesore? Right? This just hasn't been working for me.

 

Yep, the big black hole.

It all started when our son took off for Japan and we "inherited" (bought) his humongous flat screen. Although, I love the bigger picture of this screen, it obviously wouldn't fit inside my tasteful entertainment center. So, we quickly purchased this black TV stand from another one of our darlings. Now this kid conveniently works  part time at one of the big electronic stores and he was so stoked that we were replacing our old tube set that he couldn't wait to show us this. The cabinet isn't bad but in the end it is just a whole lot of black in such an airy room. The other problem is I guess I didn't realize how dusty this place is. Wow. Dust and repeat, dust and repeat.

Even my big guy agreed that this wasn't the best look here but we were still finishing up the living room update and I was already making plans for a couple of upgrades in the library. The thought was we would basically put this room on hold until later this year but maybe go ahead and at least purchase a new TV cabinet.

So with a new TV cabinet on order, this one was quickly snatched up by our youngest  and now our ginormous television is  sitting precariously on an old shabby chic side table. The components are stacked on an end table and all the cords, manuals and such are piled up into some cardboard boxes on the floor. Just when I thought it couldn't look any worse, it does.

:0

Bet you're jealous now aren't you?

I placed an ad on Craigslist this week to sell a few other pieces of furniture that I just couldn't find a place for and I had three of the nicest women come and look at what we were offering.

I had to walk them through our family room and when I did they all told me how much they loved the colors and furniture here.  Now, truth be told, the hubs has never liked those sofas and has complained for years the they are  uncomfortable. When he found out we had some interest in them he told me to get rid of them. Really? Get rid of them? You didn't have to tell me twice.

So in the span of about twelve hours I went from a room full of furniture to a room that looks like this.

The leather chair we stole from another room so at least one of us has something to sit  on. If I had thought of it I would have sold the old phonograph table too. The trunk I wanted to keep, along with the rug and the pieces that I have painted.

I really think I want to stay with brighter colors in this windowed and porch feeling room and I know that red and green will still play an important role in my color scheme but I did have some fun last night pulling together some Olioboards to showcase  some of my ideas and concepts for this room as we move forward.

I want a little less of a country look and bit more of a mid-century meets Be Colorful style.

I still love a green sofa and that Chive green from Crate and Barrel speaks to me but maybe the sofa should be neutral and the chairs could be green this time instead. If I got tired of red I could mix in some turqoise.

 

and without the blue.

 

Then again, red chairs would be a fun alternative too, especially with green walls.

Olioboard is yet another way I have discovered to totally blow off an afternoon.

It's kind of like pulling together outfits for my room.

:0

So the adventure begins. I wonder where we will end up.

xoxo,

p

January Organization - The Laundry Room

A little over two years ago I gave my own laundry room a face lift. You can read about it here.  A number of things in this room didn't work out as well as planned.  My  number two son left muddy boots on this rug and I was never able to get the stain out so color the rug gone.  The washer and dryer, that were fairly new when this picture was taken have also hit the road. That washing machine was a huge disappointment and Lowe's apparently agreed because they were more than fair in working with us to replace it. I went back to a top loader washer and I am so much happier than I was with this one. The vinyl Ikea poppies are starting to peel up a bit too. I'm thinking I need to add this room to my ever growing list of projects. Nothing major here, just a few tweaks.

As I was looking around the internet I found a few good laundry room ideas for function and storage.

If your laundry room is small and you don't have room to leave an ironing board up and you don't have one of those built in cabinets for your ironing board you might want to consider this pretty option.

A very simple painted and decorated plaque with a couple of hooks to hang your ironing board from. This plaque  has a fun quote that could be created with vinyl words or by painting it on. You could decorate your wall hanger in any style to coordinate with the rest of the room. It helps too that this ironing board has such a pretty cover.

 

A retractable valet bar is perfect in a small space and can be pushed out of the way when you aren't using it.

A hanger caddy is another nice feature to have close by. This one would keep those hangers within easy reach but they would look neatly corralled until you actually needed them.

 

Whether your space is an actual laundry room or just a washer and dryer tucked in a closet  it is important to make this area look as inviting as possible. Let's face it, nobody really loves to do laundry. Do they? So while we are facing this chore let's make the space look at pleasant and clutter free as possible. 

When it comes to laundry soap, stain treatments and fabric softeners you have two options. They can either sit out on a shelf or be tucked away out of sight.

I like an uncluttered look so I usually try and opt for out of sight. 

In a cupboard is the easiest "hidden" option and I like to incorporate turntables inside the cupboard to fascilitate  finding things easily. 

If your space doesn't offer any cupboard space then consider a shelf with baskets or bins to contain and organize some of your laundry products.

I also thought this idea of transferring laundry soaps into clear containers and leaving them in clear sight was a good idea. If things are left out to be seen then make them pretty.

Those huge bottles from Costco or Sam's Club can be hard to handle so transferring the soaps in smaller more manageable and attractive bottles makes a lot of sense.

 

A set of storage drawers such as these would be a wonderful organizational aid either between the washer and dryer as shown here or off to the side if your units are stacked.

If your machines are stacked one on top of the other then a pull out shelf between the two is rather genius don't you think?

Albert Lee

 Doing laundry isn't rocket science but streamlining the process in an attractive environment can cut down on time and make it seem like less of a drudgery.

The first step in this routine is collecting the clothes.

We live in an older home that has four floors. Fortunately we also have a laundry chute which is a Godsend.

 

I do laundry almost every day and I hang dry a lot of our clothes. So we enclosed the area where the chute drops out into a closet space with a louvered door for ventilation. This works well because the clothes have good air circulation for drying but are out of sight.

Inside the closet I have an old Rubbermaid tub to catch the laundry. The problem is that there is about a three foot drop from the bottom of the chute to the tub. As a result I am always standing on my head and reaching into dark corners to retrieve a wayward sock or pair of underwear.

While looking around the internet for laundry ideas I landed on this commercial style laundry cart on wheels. Put that baby on my list. I can wheel it out from under the chute and start separating.

 

If you are using a hamper instead then you might want to consider this stylish option for presorting your clothes. These fun laundry bags are actually pretty enough to set out. 

 

When we bought our home the laundry was an open corner of the basement. It consisted of limestone walls and a concrete floor. We were fortunate though that this corner had big windows allowing a lot of light and a doorway to the outside and one to the garage.

Our home is old so a walk out like this is rare. We never even considered moving the laundry upstairs. There were too many other expensive projects on our list at the time and really it has worked out just fine where it is.  We did add insulation, drywall, a tile floor and some storage cupboards.

One of my favorite additions that we did was this pantry cabinet with roll out shelves. My only regret is that we didn't buy a better quality unit. I guess I didn't realize how much use and abuse this room would take. Now, fourteen years later, the roll outs are beginning to sag a bit and are in need of some adjusting and reinforcement. 

The concept here is that there is a basket on the left to separate the dirty laundry. On the right there is a basket for each person in the family. The idea was that the kids could take their baskets of clean clothes up to their rooms, put their clothes away, and return the basket. Wow, looking back on it now I realize I was asking way too much. That  was an idea that only worked in my head. Elizabeth would take her laundry up but it would be days before her basket returned. The boys never even made that much of an effort. They would end up just get dressed in the laundry!

Anyway, if you want to give this method a try at your house but don't want to invest in a big pantry cabinet then maybe a shelving unit with baskets could work for you.

 

If space allows an island with cubbies for baskets underneath would be another good way to go. What I like about this is all that room for folding.

It doesn't matter if your washer and dryer are tucked away in a closet,  sharing multi-purpose space in a kitchen or garage, or  if you have a cavernous laundry room dedicated strictly to doing laundry. An idea that works wonderfully in any of these settings that you may want to consider is a laundry station. These well contained work areas  help keep everything neat and organized.

 

This set up seems to be very popular to lift front loading machines off the floor.

Add your own personal touch for a dash of style and even more function.

 

When it comes to best use of space, though, this might have been the best thing I saw out there. I never would have thought of that but I'm impressed.

 

Laundry areas that are clean, bright and organized make this task feel like less of a chore. Add a TV and you can make it almost enjoyable.

:0

To find sources for these images click here.

I hope you found something that you can use in your laundry space. As for me, well, I was forced to clean out that pantry cupboard today before I took a picture of it. It has apparently been a while since that was done. Adam, I found your high school diploma at the bottom of your basket! When did you graduate? 2009?

:0

xoxo,

P

Room By Room - The Kitchen

Today I decided to participate in the 

Room by Room - Kitchens 

event over at Cottage and Vine.

To see more kitchen ideas click on the icon above.

Our kitchen received a major remodel seven years ago. We were without this room for a full six months but in the end I would have to say it was well worth it and even though we are now seven years into it, there isn't much that I would do differently.

So, welcome to our kitchen.

 I have always loved white kitchens. They are so timeless and because our home is nearly 100 years old I felt a white kitchen was perfect for a house of this era. When we began this project the only two things I knew for sure were that I wanted a traditional look and I wanted it to be white with gray granite. 

My goal was to keep the larger and more expensive to replace features neutral and classic. So we stayed with white subway tile and wainscoting, chrome faucets, and cherry floors.

After living here for the previous six years with a dramatically smaller kitchen and barely functioning, nearly twenty year old appliances, Mike and I both had some definite wish lists for this space.

I am a bit of a dish addict so plenty of storage space was a priority for me. Our kitchen designer didn't let me down.

I thought this butler's pantry turned out to be so pretty

 

 

and I love this wall of cupboards.

 

Almost every single cupboard in this room has full roll out shelving to make items easier to find and put away.

 

 

 

 

I also asked for deep drawers under the cook top to easily store large pots and pans.

 

 

Mike had more to say about the appliances since he is the better cook.

We were rather land locked when we designed this new kitchen and as a result, even though we had a lot more real estate here than we had before, we had to make some choices. More storage and a warming drawer won out over a double oven and for us this seems to have worked out fine.

 

We went with a Sub Zero frig and a gas cook top with an encased commercial grade hood.

We opted for the Fisher Paykel drawer style dishwashers and I love them. I wish they had been side by side instead of on top of each other but this was the layout that worked the best and it really isn't a big issue because the lower drawer seldom gets used except for parties or large family get togethers.

 

 

We are fortunate to have two large windows in this room.

A large bay window over the main sink

 

 

and a triple window in the dining area.

 

These are both places that I like to change out the tchotchkies with the seasons.

 

Another priority for Mike was an island with an ancillary sink.

 

 We had to move a wall out three feet into another room to make it work but the man knew what he wanted.

:0

White kitchens with granite are nothing new but the one feature in this kitchen that is rather unique is the table we had made for this space when we did the remodel. 

 

I remember being flabbergasted by what those legs set us back but they have held up beautifully through all the abuse that a family of five dished out. Not a chip to be seen and yes that is one big a** piece of granite for the top.

 

It took six guys to move it in here.

I'm sure that if we ever move it will stay with the house.

Finally, what is a kitchen without art?

We bought these two pieces from a local artist in Galena

and this Sticks piece was an anniversary gift from Mike several years ago.

 

 

 

 It is hard to believe that this room is already seven years old. Since losing the old oak tree out back this summer I am thinking I may have to break down and add a roman shade to the bay window and I am ready to update the rugs.

Something a little less country and bit more like this.

 

 

or this

Something with a bit more of an edge.

Thanks for visiting.

Now I am off to get some more kitchen inspiration at

Cottage and Vine.

xoxo,

P

Also linking our kitchen here:

 

Linden Living Room Goes A Bit Hollywood

 

 

 

A little more than a year ago I began the update on my living room.

Can you believe it looked like this just thirteen months ago?

I started by taking the walls from a soft yellow to a pearl white and then I decided to have the ceiling painted a metallic copper. 

I replaced the fringed floral swags and jabots with clean lined luxe panels.

Except for the piano, everything was moved out for the painting.

The problem was, I didn't want to bring any of it back in.

Well, reality check. I would have to pace myself here.

I wasn't even sure what look I was going for. I just knew that somewhere between my mommy chauffeur years and early empty nester phase my tastes had changed.

My mid life crisis?

:)

The day we put our son on a plane to Japan I knew I wouldn't see him for a year. I needed a pick me up. So like any heartbroken mama, I went shopping. While I was looking at bar ware at Crate and Barrel I picked out a sofa.

I was still sad about James but it made me feel better about my life, at least for a little bit.

:)

This was a total 180 for me style wise but I was committed to change.

Over the past year or two I have found that although I am still a lover of the traditional style I am increasingly drawn to the flavor of mid-century modern and the glamorous looks of designers like Dorothy Draper.  

A transitional meets Hollywood Regency look if you will.

In the spring I took the plunge and sold the oriental style rugs that had been here and purchased this black and white retro vibe tweed.

It was like a Chanel jacket for my floor.

:)

Total love.

I found this great little accent table at the same time.

 

 

It was a start.

A few weeks later we added the cocktail table,

 and a mirrored chest.

(decorated ala Halloween)

 
 
I am still in need of lighting, art and accessories here.

Who knew decorating took so much time?

As for this chair, well I still like it but it isn't right in this space.

 


 

I may have it sold.

I see either a  pop of color or a black and white accent chair in its place.

I will know it when I see it.

In August the arm chairs I had been waiting for finally arrived.

My vision was coming together.

Then I found this fabulous table from Maitland-Smith.

The Pier 1 lamps were moved to another part of the house after I scored a pair of these from Joss and Main.

I found this shade at Tuesday Morning. It is helping me give a new look to an old floor lamp.

Now I'm looking ahead to what comes next.

These stone topiaries have flanked the fireplace since we moved in. I'm considering moving them into the dining room to make room for this iconic Hollywood Regency find from Live Like You.

 

Isn't he fabulous?

I die.

:0

He should be here later this month.

So this is where I am now a year later.

Quite a change. Don't you think?

 

 

 

My room is like a woman. She has her dress on but she still needs her shoes and jewelry.

Art, pillows and just a few significant and choice accessories.

A little Greek Key, a touch of quatrefoil, a fabulous mirror...

the joy is in the hunt.

xoxo,

P

I will be linking up my living room update here:

 

 

 

Neglected Entry Way

 
 
 

Our home is nearly one hundred years old and it is unusual to have a walk out basement but we do.

The house has a stone foundation that was later covered in brick.

You can not get cell phone reception in our basement even if your life depended on it.

I hope it never does.

Then again, the walls are just so thick I think you could survive just about anything down here.

This is the part of the house where I have my studio.

We have lived here for thirteen years and I know they gave us keys to this door when we moved in but we misplaced them. Then, finally,  last month, after thirteen years, we finally found the key that opens this door. Yes, it has been locked and deadbolted the entire time. Consequently, my family, friends and clients always had to enter down here through the garage doors to the right.

This meant they either needed to know the garage code or I had to watch for them to let them in.

Kind of annoying but whatever.

We probably could have changed out the locks but that would have been too easy.

I always call our house a big old rambler and what I've learned is that with big houses there come numerous neglected projects. This entry way has been one of ours but now that I can use this doorway again I want to spruce it up and give it a fresh coat of paint before it gets too cold.

I've never been shy when it comes to color. 

Our front door is a golden yellow and I have never regretted that decision so I will be equally bold here.

I need to consider that there is a lot of brick back here. Even our driveway is the original brick. It's pretty cool. I love the sound of cars coming down the drive. It makes this great low rumbling sound that I just associate with home.

So I've been looking at some paint options lately and these are some of my faves.

I love this corally red shade. It is probably my go to color in the crayon box.

This paler turquoise is pretty and would definitely be a break out color for me. I think I could get by with it on the back side of the house.

Then again, maybe this brighter version is better.

I find myself drawn to this color lately and can't wait to paint SOMETHING this color even if it isn't this door.

Pale pink is pretty. Again, unusual, but I'm not sure this is where I would want to use this shade. I'm just trying to have an open mind with myself. :)

 

I love these brighter pinks but not sure I would like them against the brick.

 

I did love this picture of the inside of the garage door.

I use one garage stall that is directly off my studio for spray painting and to store larger pieces of furniture. How fun would it be to do this in that garage?

But that is another project for another day  month. 

This Periwinkle reminds me of The Traveling Door.

It would certainly be approrpiate for my studio entrance.

I am also drawn to some two tone ideas

like this pink and white

or even black and white.

Oh the options.

I need more doors.

:0

xoxo,

P

It's All About the Pink

 

 

 

 

It's all about the pink today.

For starters I would like to finally thank Sabrina at

Pinkytopia

for this thoughtful award.

 

It is so rewarding to have that confirmation that someone values what you have posted.

As the recipient of this award I am supposed to tell you seven things about myself.

Hm-mm. This is the hard part.

After blogging for three years I feel like you all know everything there is to know about me, my house, and the fam.

I am an open book and I have nothing new to say at parties.

:)

So here are a few random tidbits...

 

1. I despise cheap toilet paper

2.The trunk of my car is an extension of my purse.   

3. I really do throw like a girl

4. I sometimes get in such a hurry that I forget deodorant so I have a back up in my car ( see 2)

5. There is a bathtub in my hallway that has been there for two months now. I bet it will be there another two months.

6. I don't have one thing ready for the November Traveling Door show that I participate in. Yikes.

7. I work well under pressure. See 6.

:)

I am also supposed to pass this award on to fifteen newly discovered blogs. I will have to get back to you on that. It is hard to narrow it down to just fifteen.

Thank you again to Sabrina. I hope you will stop by her blog and check out Pinkytopia.

 

Keeping with the pink theme, I did finally add those needed touches of raspberry to the breezeway.

After painting the oak piece in this unexpected shade, I knew I needed to balance it out with some pink on the other side of the room.

So this is what I came up with.

Pillows were a no brainer way to add color for not much money.

I found these at Younkers and TJ Maxx.

and this one matches a throw I bought last year. Score!

 

 
I painted up a small plant stand I had in the garage in the same shade of raspberry. The watering can coasters were also something that I had already.

This uplifting artwork from Kathy McCullen also brought in that lively touch of color I was needing.

 

Flowers, a funky placemat from Pier 1 and my latest issue of House Beautiful completed my look.

 

 

  

 

As soon as I get a chance I think I will curl up in one of those chairs with that magazine.

:)

 

For now, I am off to pull together a fall door candy idea for the front door.

I hope you will join me here on Sunday night for Motivated Monday.

I thought it would be fun to do a theme this time and that theme will be Fall Doors.

Hope to see you this Sunday.

xoxo,

P

Linking up my Pink Punches here:

Dining Room Update

 

Is is just me or does everyone feel the need to polish and update their home before a party in an almost manic way?

It started with a deep cleaning of the chandeliers.

I was a bit amazed myself how much better they looked after I was finished.

Guess they need to be done more often than every two years.

:)

I also added a new accessory to the room.

I saw this tray at Phelan's and knew it would be perfect on this sideboard because it had the weight and substance that this space called for. I also liked that it had that vintage feel that is a nice contrast to the more modern touches I am hoping hoping to bring in.

It is true that we are in the middle of a design update here and I knew the new look would not be completed before our little soiree but I did feel the need to bring it as far along as time and the budget would allow.

 

So I was totally stoked when the rug I had ordered for the dining room over the 4th of July weekend finally arrived.

 

 

The old rug looked like this.

Also notice the chairs.

 

 

It was absolutely acceptable but where was the wow factor.

No shrinking violets allowed here on BeColorful.

If I wanted some wham bam damn I would have to start with the rug.

I had gone with the black and white in the foyer that leads right to the dining room so the two looks needed to blend well.

So I limited my searches to black and white and I needed a 9x13 for something less than the national debt.

I found this one and I liked it. It was a bit traditional but also had that wow I was looking for.

The price was good. After buying all of those Karistan rugs the first time around and selling them for a fraction of what I paid for them, I knew I didn't want to make that kind of investment this time around. I am too fickle. I only want to be married to my husband not my rugs.

So after I found this rug on an internet rug site I googled the style number to come up with all of the retailers that carried this design.

I was amazed at the price variance and guess where it showed up for the least amount of money?

JC Penney's!

Never would have thought to look there but don't rule them out.

They had this rug on sale for 40% off.

That had my attention. Delivery was a bit steep but even then I couldn't beat the price.

The next problem was the chairs.

Those gold and red stripes on the side chairs and the gold and red floral on the Host chairs just wasn't working. In fact, it was a huge detractor.

So, with less than 48 hours to go until show time I went to the fabric store and purchased a neutral fabric, loaded up my staple gun and went to work.

 

The problem was  I have ten of these bad boys!

These chairs are Ethan Allen and I was a little less than impressed when I popped off the cushions and found that most of them only had  only two or three screws holding them to the chair. Then when I tried to put them back together I discovered why.

None of the holes in the seat line up with the braces in the chair!

So much for more money getting you better quality.

There were more than a few expletives thrown around

As my friend Sally says, to listen to me you would have thought I have Tourette's.

But get it done I did.

I'm not sure how committed I am to these chairs so I went right over the old fabric that is upholstered much better than my hurried job.

If I sell them I will just take my coverings off again.

All in all, though I am pleased with the look.

I am thinking about losing the window treatments in the dining room.

Not sure we need them and the windows themselves are rather pretty.

I would like to change out the mirror with something with a bit more of a Dorothy Draper feel.

Also, I am looking at a new wall color to replace the red that I have lived with for thirteen years.

Time to mix it up a bit.

I am still thinking a brighter pink.

Although a silvered purple

has been on my radar too  I think looking into this room that probably the pink would be better companion.

Thoughts?

 

I have so much to share.

Too much for one post so this week I will try to bring you up to speed on our living room update, new artwork I am so thrilled with, and the pops of raspberry I brought into the breezeway. I also have some temporary wall decor,  a bedroom failure and a workable temporary fix. Just so much.

Then there are the functional art projects I have been working on.

Too many post ideas, too little time.

I hope you can stop back.

There will not ba a Motivated Monday this week but I hope you will be here next Sunday night with a front door decor post.

I am thinking Fall already.

Can't wait to see what you come up with.

xoxo,

P

 

I will be linking up my dining room update here:

Yes, I Painted My Antique Commode Raspberry Pink

 

 

 

Oh yes I did.

Avert your eyes if you have issues with painting perfectly good antique pieces,

because that is exactly what I did.

Horrors right?

Please don't un-subscribe.

:)

 

 Until this week this was a  golden oak commode that I bought back in the 80's.

( Behr primer + paint)

Back then I didn't have a car that it would fit in so my dad picked it up for me and helped deliver it to my apartment.

That's just what dads do.

I know a lot of you are shaking your head in disdain that I painted this piece at all and as if that wasn't painful enough, I had to commit my sin with a raspberry pink.

I must say,

I'm not sorry.

It was the right decision for me.

 

In my defense, when I first bought my little oak piece she was coated in a very ugly shade of green.

I went to work laboriously stripping it down to bare wood and then staining and varnishing it.

The detail work was a bear but it is what makes the piece interesting.

 

 

I was so proud of my work but alas, things change.

Styles change and my home has changed numerous times.

I stripped it myself so I felt entitled to paint it again if I wanted.

 

 
I went back and forth between pink or a bold green or yellow.

For now I am happy with my pink choice.

It does go kind of red in the evenings though, and yes,

I even painted the back so it looks good from the back in front of that window.

:)

I could have sold this piece as it was but it had some memories for me including the one of my dad who is no longer here.

Over the years it stored my china. We had a small wedding so early on I didn't have much to store.

Then for the first six months of Lizzie's life it held toys.

As the toys multiplied we moved on.

For a while it contained an overflow of video tapes.

Later on it stored booze.

A few years after that we must have started drinking more and decided we needed a built in bar.

:)

So this little commode was relegated to the place where I keep extension cords, light bulbs, batteries and candles.

Just recently I moved it out of the media room and onto the breezeway.

I wasn't sure at first if I really liked it here.

I didn't like the look of the oak but I hated to give up a storage piece.

Then it hit me,

I was ready to take the plunge.

I would paint it and feel not an ounce of guilt.

I didn't want my usual multi patterned look, just a solid color this time with some new hardware.

 

 

Yes, painting the commode was the perfect solution.

I still have my memories, I still have my storage but now I also have a fresh pop of color in this formerly demure green yellow and white room.

 

Hmmmm. Now I'm thinking I need some raspberry pink and red pillows on the other side of the room to balance things out.

Well that settles it.

Gone shopping.

xoxo,

p

 

 

 

Room By Room Party - The Foyer ( Half Dressed)

Today I am joining Rene over at 

Cottage and Vine

for a Room By Room Party.

This month it is foyers.

Too bad mine is in the middle of a makeover.

We moved into our house a little over thirteen years ago and I thought this old house needed a more formal and traditional approach, so that is what I did.

Then about a year ago I knew it was time to change things up in this old house of ours so I started with the front door and painted it a bright yellow.

I had this epiphany moment.

Just because this Linden Lady of ours is rapidly approaching her 100th birthday doesn't mean that she needs to be a stuffy old broad.

No, it was time to sass things up a bit.

The only pictures I have of the foyer before I began our update were from  this past Christmas.

 

So here are the befores...

Looking down the front hallway towards the dining and family rooms.

 

Looking back towards the front door.

Then earlier this year I took the plunge and sold most of the first floor rugs.

These pieces just weren't jiving with the look I was striving for.

So it has been looking pretty naked around here.

 

 

Our foyer has some nice architectural elements with those archways so it doesn't need a lot to dress it up but while the space was emptied out I took the time to clean the chandelier and rethink the artwork and accessories.

So Welcome to our home as she looks today -

think of it as in her dress but without her shoes and jewelry.

:)

Come on in!

 

Looking down from above.

What I see as I come down the stairs in the morning.

This view just makes me happy especially now that I know the living room chairs will be delivered next week - before our party. Yay!

Today's job - find some tables for those lamps. :)

 

It's a start.

I still need to do something with this mirror.

Paint it cream or paint it black.

Maybe move this one to the living room and replace it with something a bit smaller.

I removed the table that was in front of this mirror but it may be coming back.

I like the openess of not having it here but this winter I will miss the little table lamp that I put here.

Maybe it will be a seasonal change up.

:)

I'm also still looking at art work for inside the door.

I think all of these pieces by Kathy McCullen are saucy and welcoming.

It all comes down to size...and money.

 

 

I love her work. You can see more of it here.
 
Thanks for visiting. I think Rene's house parties will be a regular stop for me and maybe will help me to keep progressing forward.

xoxo,

P

 

Moving On Again - The Library

Decorating is not for the impatient.

While I wait for the living room furniture and the dining room rug my mind wanders to adjoining spaces that need a make over too.

I was excited though that my Thomas Paul runners came for the foyer.

I love them.

 

 
 
 

I feel like they are perfect with the living room rug but I am not as thrilled with how they team up next to the entry rug.

Add this to my to do list too -

I hate that tile but that is a "whole thing" as my youngest would say and not anything I can do anything about right now.

So now while I am looking for a rug for the library I will have to keep a replacement for this 4x4 entry rug in the back of my mind too.

As for the library, it is a small and challenging room to pull together.

 

The room is narrow with a bookcase at one end and an archway at the other.

Add in that big old radiator and it is a design dilemma for sure.

My mom may want this love seat. If she does, great.

I have a big old wing chair that I would recover and put here.

Or I could recover this love seat and leave it here or take it back into the living room. Whatever I put here I want to see in a bold graphic print fabric.

I can see a black and cream stripe of a bronze or brown damask or ikat pattern.

I've also thought of a dusty purple.

Crazy I know.

I would then do the opposite design on the rug.

I also have this chair that isn't so pretty but is incredibly comfortable and has an ottoman. It is a Bradington Young chair so it is a quality piece and perfect for a library.

I like this little side chair too. It was in the living room but doesn't work now.

I like it here with certain fabric and rug choices. Otherwise it may have to find a new home.

 

So considering the rugs in the foyer, I am thinking one of these for the library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: rugstudio.com via Pamela on

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts or input?

You know me, always asking and listening.

I will be linking up my post here:

 

xoxo,

P

PS. There is still time to link up to the Motivated Monday Party. To join in click here.

 

Moving On - The Foyer

I am subtitling this post with this -

 

Ramblings of a Budget Constrained Wannabe Designer That Wants It All Now But Needs A Reality Check

:D

 

So while I wait for the rest of the living room furniture to arrive, my thoughts are moving on to the library and the foyer.

Today, I will concentrate on the foyer.

This is how it looked at Christmas.

 

It looked magical with all of the garland and lights.

On any given day, though, this foyer is a bit on the boring side.

Standard height 9' ceilings and not a lot of light.

I wish it had sidelights next to the door but there are closets flanking the door and Lord knows in an old house you need all of those you can get.

This part of the house has had a very traditional feel and I don't want to leave that behind I just want to give it a bit of an edge.

So we lightened up the walls with a fresh coat of paint and then I removed the runner and I ordered two of these instead.

They are from the Thomas Paul Damask Collection.

 

 

I liked the idea of two runners instead of one long one this time around.

I think I was influenced by this photo.

 

traditional hall design by san francisco interior designer Amoroso Design

 

 

My inspiration for my choice of runners was the hallway carpet at the Wynn in Vegas.

They are very similar.

I loved it there and I think it will bring a little updated sass and flair to our

foyer here.

 

For now I have moved the small half moon table out of the foyer and into the dining room so things look a bit naked here. I also took down the artwork  above the radiator ( it is sitting on the floor) but it may have to return for awhile longer.

 I got rid of a lot of pieces when I started my living room update so in a lot of ways it is like starting over and I can only rob Peter to pay Paul so many times.

 

My next question is what to do with that mirror.

I like having a mirror in the foyer so I can check my face, hair and what not before I answer or head out the door. I just don't really like THIS mirror anymore.

We bought it to help us sell the last house.

I thought it would help make the dining room there look a bit larger.

It must have worked because the house sold quickly after we put it up.

Now, though, it is a bit fancy schmancy for me.

It is rather large which I like but extremely heavy and very ornate.

 

So lately I have been wondering,

do I paint it a glossy black? Very Dorothy Draper?

It could work well with the new runners, if they ever arrive.

Or maybe an off white that just blends in with the wall? That would play down the frame and still work with the runners. Too boring though?

Maybe I paint it silver.

Or, maybe I move it all together if I can talk the big guy into rehanging it here.

Originally I was thinking new artwork here and a mirror over the fireplace.

I stole this chalk drawing from our bedroom for now.

I don't want too many mirrors so if I bring that large mirror in here I will have to find some art work for this space.

I know I will not get as much for the mirror if I paint it and then decide to sell it but it isn't making me happy  and I am not sure I want to whittle away at my decorating budget for a mirror right now. 

I have bigger fish to fry.

There are just too many wants on my list.

ARGH.

This make over IS fun but I close my eyes at night and see $$$ signs.

So loved ones I come to you. This mad housewife needs to hear your thoughts on the mirror? What would you do?

Chuck it? Paint it? Paint it and move it?

What's a girl to do?

In the end I will make up my own mind, but I love hearing from you.

xoxo,

P

I will partying with the best of them over at

Between Naps on the Porch. Join me there.

 

 

Is This Heaven? No It's Iowa - The Neighborhood Photo Party

 

 

 

 

Is This Heaven? No It's Iowa

I saw that Tracy was throwing this party over at

Trinket's and Treasures

and I thought it would be fun to join her.

You could say I am a house whore.

:)

Houses? love them.

The concept of everyone linking up photos of houses in their neighborhood?

How different they will all be?

Oh yeah, I'm all in.

 

So welcome to my hood.

 Our home is located in one of those fly over states known as Iowa and

no we do not grow potatoes here. That would be Idaho.

Strange how everyone gets us confused.

I also do not live on a farm.

Less than 5% if Iowans live on a farm.

We are kind of misunderstood.

:)

Actually, our neighborhood is a delightful mix of older homes in an established corner of a mid size city.

Most of the homes here are rapidly approaching or have already reached the century mark.

Nearly every architectural style is represented in our diverse neighborhood. There is everything from the Prairie  and Colonial styles to Mid-Century Modern and Tudor.

No cookie cutter design  or "Little boxes on the hillside" here.

The homes on these few blocks range from charming bungalows to stately mansions and everything in between.

I love the mix. It makes life so much more interesting.

So take a walk with me as I showcase some of my favorites from this morning's walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the things I like about older neighborhoods besides the gorgeous tree lined streets

is the lack of garages and cars in plain view.

There is a whole world of alleyways complete with four way stops hidden behind these homes. I wish they still built neighborhoods that way.

 

 

Just a few more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what do you know, not one cornstalk?

:0

These familiar blocks are my little slice of Heaven.

How lucky am I?

I often complain about our lack of shopping or that we have too few great restaurants but really?

I get to walk these streets and get my house fix every day.

I would say I am very lucky.

If you love houses as much as I do you will definitely want to join me over at the 

Neighborhood Photo Party 

by clicking here.

xoxo,

P

Little By Little

Things seem to be moving slowly when it comes to changing up our living room.

The new sofa, rug, and mirrored chest are in place but I am waiting for some of the key pieces to arrive before I go any further.

I want to see how things look before I decide on the next layer of elements.

This past week the cocktail table from Phelan's Interiors arrived.

I am really happy with it.

The metal and glass combination, the airiness of the piece, and those  circles underneath are just what this look needed.

The bowl on the table is just something I found while shopping my house.

It will suffice for now until I find that perfect piece of table candy.

Besides, I just like looking at the table for now and don't want to busy it up with "stuff" just yet.

 

I have a long way to go yet, but

 little by little the look I was envisioning is slowly becoming a reality.

 

 

I hope you stop by tonight and link up to this week's Motivated Monday.

xoxo,

P

A Few New Additions To The Living Room

 

 

 

 

This is the first thing I see when I come down the stairs in the morning.

It is my new rug.

It isn't zebra or chevron or striped like I envisioned but I liked it.

I will get my drama somewhere else in this space.

It  reminds me of the 1950's but is versatile enough that it could be used several places in our home.

 

If you have been following my living room updates

here

here

and 

here

then you know that about a year ago I started this project with a fresh color on the walls, a copper painted ceiling and new draperies.

The furniture that was here, with the exception of the piano, was either moved to other places in our home or sold on Facebook or Craig's List.

Looking at this room today you would never guess that we have lived here for over thirteen years.

It looks more like thirteen days.

The place is pretty empty.

 

I removed most of the accessories and art work too so I can start with an almost blank canvas.

Last week when the Phelan's delivery truck stopped by with my rug it also left this little man.

 

 I think I will call him Oliver -

brother to Oscar.

:)

 

 
 

I wanted a mirrored chest in this room too.

This was my first choice

but when I saw this one right here in town ( Phelan's again), and on sale, I decided to go the easier route.

The size of this piece will also be easier to work with.

I do think I will change out the knobs though.

They are a bit of a yawn.

We can do better here.

I just don't know whether I want it on this wall with a zebra chair next to it ( there will be zebra somewhere in this room) or if I want it over here.

 
 
Next on the list will be a lamp.

Suggestions?

I think a clear glass base would be good.

I need light in this corner but I don't want it to totally fill the space above because I would also like either art work or a mirror above.

Which do you see here?

Maybe a floor lamp next to the chest?

Right now it all just looks naked but I have a vision.

Crazy to think I started down this road over a year ago.

If this was a baby I would have been through my pregnancy with a three month old infant in my arms by now.

:)

Thanks for visiting.

If you haven't linked up to Motivated Monday you can do so here.

xoxo,

P

Has It Really Been A Year? My Living Room Update

Hey, check me out.

It's my first inspiration board.

I made it on Olioboard.

It is a collection of things I have,

things I have ordered,

and things that represent elements that I could eventually see in my updated living room.

Some of you were so kind to say such glowing things about our living room in its "Before" outfit.

Thank you for that, but our living room really hasn't represented who we are for quite some time now and I have been itching to change it up.

Our home will soon be 100 years old and I think that is an important fact to consider when choosing a new look for this space. I want it to look fresh and chic but I believe it should also reflect the character of the house.

Slip covered farmhouse is too casual.

CB2 is too contemporary.

I am looking for modern traditional with a nod to that Hollywood glamour of the 1940's to 1960's.

 

It was hard to say adios to pieces that I had invested too much money on and that were  a bit too formal and stuffy for who we are now.

 

At first I tried to buy myself some time by changing up some smaller elements like lamps and accessories, but I still wasn't happy.

When that didn't work I finally took the plunge and last July I ordered new draperies.

Has it really been almost a year?

I

I don't know how many more years we will live in this house.

Maybe five. Maybe twenty-five but I knew when I started this project that this time I would wisely choose a window treatment that was more versatile.

My valences were my wow factor last time around and I have learned not to make one of the most expensive things in the room so style specific.

I am a apparently a fickle woman.

:) 

So with the draperies on order, I hired a painter.

I said goodbye to the yellow walls and welcomed in a soft shade of cream that was very close to the drapery fabric.

A lot of the comments left on previous posts about this room's

update have been concerned that I, a major color evangelist, am turning into a sheep and I am blindly joining the white room groupies.

Fear not loved ones.

:)

Color will always always always be my favorite decorating tool.

I do love all those white and neutral rooms though and white is  a color I haven't used before.

 I wanted to give it a whirl -

but with the BeColorful spin on it.

Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it?

Maybe it is but I hope not.

 

So even though the walls and window treatments are monochromatic neutrals,

I decided to edge things up a bit by changing out the ceiling from white to a

copper metallic.

 

Before

 

After

Black would be my other color here.

Black is great for drama. Don't you agree?

 

I was pleased with how the draperies turned out and I love how they

puddle on the floor

 

Then the realization hit me.

Except for the piano, I didn't want to bring any of my furniture back in to the room.

I had to bring it back in though. At least for awhile.

 

Life was busy.

 We got through the holidays.

We watched our son move to Japan.

I had The Traveling Door market in May.

Finally my thoughts returned to this space.

I sold five rugs and my end tables.

I had to do something now.

Immediately after dropping James off at the airport and watching him desert us to go half way across the world,

I alleviated  my sorrows with a bit of retail therapy.

I marched myself over to Crate and Barrel and ordered this Nines Sofa.

It did help a little bit.

:)

 

I thought about ordering it in the cream but I envisioned the chairs in cream and cream, like white, has limitless variations.

Pinky creams. Yellow creams. Brown creams.

Pewter, I thought would be easier.

There was a chair available in this same group but I don't do the matchy thing.

How hard can it be to find chairs?

How foolish I was.

After the sofa arrived I decided that I would tackle the rugs next.

You can read all about that here.

In the end, though, I didn't choose any of the rugs I had considered.

I really wanted black and white. That much I knew.

My first choice for this room was a black and white stripe but let's just say I couldn't find one that was appropriate here.

I thought about a chevron then talked myself out of it.

I almost went with black and white zebra or as Martyn Lawerence Bullard would say,

"Zeb-rah".

:)

I decided to get some feedback from my big guy. He almost always defers to me in this area but even though he was on board with the zebra I knew when I showed him this mid- century vibe rug from Phelan's Interiors, a spectacular local furniture store here in CR, that he liked it better.

I don't have the rug yet but here is a photo from my phone of how it looked in the store.

 

The photo doesn't do it justice.

The image of the black and white Thomas Paul runner in my inspiration board?

That will be in the foyer.

I can't wait.

More on that later.

Also at Phelan's I found this Thomasville cocktail table.

The circles make me think Hollywood Regency.

The table looks black here  and gold on my inspiration board but it is really kind of a coppery gold that should repeat the ceiling color nicely.

I found this other AMAZING table at Phelan's too called The Modern Man table.

 

Again, not a great picture but trust me. He is fabulous.

He reminds me of the Oscar statue - another nod to Hollywood Regency.

He is from a company called Global Views.

You have to love a store that brings in jewels like this.

In fact, there is so much to see at Phelan's that I almost missed him.

I was able to purchase him right off the floor so he should be here soon.

I can't wait to welcome him home.

 

Finally it was time to decide on the chairs.

I had sold the cranberry damask wing chairs when I decided not to bring the furniture back into the room.

Since then, I have filled in with dining and accent chairs.

I was ready to replace them with something permanent.

 

I loved these and they were my first choice but sometimes I need to be practical.

This was one of those times.

They were more money than I wanted to spend for this room but I was obsessed with them.

Realistically, though? These chairs will be in a room that is seldom used and I have bigger design fish to fry when we get ready to tackle two more bathrooms.

So I chose to go with two of these Alexandria chairs instead from Bernhardt Interiors.

I opened up my latest issue of Veranda magazine and there they were -

calling to me.

A cross between modern and traditional that I was looking for and they will be great with this mirrored chest ( also from Phelan's) to help me create that bit of glamour I would like to see in this room.

 

 

None of the pieces are here yet but you can bet I will be posting about their arrivals when the time comes.

After a whole year I am so excited to be finally pulling this room together. Even though we aren't there yet, it feels fabulous to have made these decisions and to be able to close my eyes at night and think about something else...

like,

hmmm.... Fuchsia or Raspberry for the dining room?

Who knew decorating could be so stressful?

:)

Poor Mike.

He likes to quote a cocktail napkin I used to have.

It read,

Behind every successful man is a woman that made it necessary.

:)

Thanks for visiting and listening.

I'm just so excited I had to share.

How about you sharing your design processes with me?

I'd love to hear about them.

Better yet, link them up to Motivated Monday here.

xoxo,

P

Linking up my design post here: