Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Mini Living Room Makeover

During the Christmas season I got the itch to rearrange our living room.  We were given a cute little spinet piano and suddenly the room felt very crowded.  While I was taking down decorations I decided to just go for it and give our living room a mini makeover.  Here's how our living room looked before.
 You know what's funny?  I bought the rug you'll see in the next several pictures but then returned it and exchanged it for the rug above because I was afraid it was too bold and graphic for the room.  But the rug above lasted for less than 24 hours before I took it back and re-bought the original rug.  I just loved it so much!  (And now I don't think it's too bold or graphic at all.)  So that rug was only the room for one day but that is the picture of my living room that has been on my "Tour the House" links for three years!  Hope you don't feel fooled...I was not intentionally hiding our real rug :)

Anyway, here's how I rearranged:



I love how it feels more open and airy.


From the other side of the room.  You can see our new piano.  And for those that are freaking out that we have our piano by a window, just rest assured that they are pretty new energy star windows.  And remember that it was a freebie, rescued from a church piano that will be used for little kid piano lessons.



The music corner.  I'd like to find a pretty guitar stand and have our guitar out.  Maybe then I would be re-motivated to learn how to play it.  And maybe Geary would pick it up more often and serenade me like he did in the early days of our marriage.

I'm also considering curtains for the windows.  We'll see.  I've been loving the simple bamboo shades for several years but maybe curtains would give the feeling of height to the room.

 Updated to add:  The bamboo blinds would stay and I would layer the curtains over them.  These pictures were taken at night, but in the day time this room gets a fair amount of natural light and we keep the bamboo shades up.



I spray painted the lampshade.  It's a little too turquoise for me right now so I'm keeping my eyes open for a new one.  Maybe something with a graphic pattern like one of these:




I don't love how the tan slipcovers look with the wheat colored walls.  I'd like a little more contrast.  And those slipcovers are getting worn out, too.  Someday, when I have some extra money I'd like to get new slipcovers for the furniture. Maybe this Svanby brown:

Although I'm also really attracted to the Svanby gray:



What do you think? Brown?


Or gray?


I think if I went with gray I might want a more muted rug.

Here are a few more shots of the living room as it looks today.






So my wish list for this room includes:

  • New slipcovers
  • A guitar stand
  • A new lampshade
  • Maybe some additional throw pillows (which I'll probably make on my own)
  • Oh, and a clock.  We really need a clock in this room.  (I am picky about my clocks, though)
But for now, I'm happy with how it looks and feels in there.  What do you think?  Is there anything you would change, take away, or add to the room?  Do you like the brown or gray better?  Do you think I should add curtains to the windows?

9 comments:

  1. you do such a great job with decorating!!!

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  2. Looks great! I vote for curtains for a soft, cozy effect but I love the colors the way they are!

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  3. As I was looking at these pictures I was thinking you really should be a interior designer... I love them. For the couch slip cover... I really love, love the deep brown color... but then again I am a lover of those deep rich colors... so that is my vote! And I love, love, love that rug! Good choice!

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  4. I love it! Good job! I think the dark chocolate covers would look fabulous!

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  5. Brown seems like the natural choice for the couch covers however, I liked the gray it seem to keep the room bright. Curtains would give the room texture, I would definitely try it. The wall where the tv hutch is needs something else on that wall, maybe a clock?

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  6. I'm thinking of painting something on that wall. I don't want to hang anything there because of the strange placement of the heater control thingie. Plus, I like having it blank--it gives the eyes a place to rest.

    I like the brown but I'm not sure if they would make the room feel too "heavy." Actually, what I'd REALLY love is white slipcovers. But I would really NOT love washing them everyday because of our sticky fingered boys :)

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  7. Hi Jeana! I like your new arrangement. It's nice to see someone else with lots of books in their living room! :)

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  8. The living room looks great! I vote for brown slip covers!Not too heavy at all, rich and balanced. BTW the lamp shade color is awesome! I think it would look good with that color of pillows too. Nice work Jeanna!

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  9. Looks good! I love how you rearranged. I vote brown on the couch and I think curtains would probably look nice... you know, another layer. I also really like your rug!

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