I’ve already done a whole post on the living room, but couldn’t help but shoot some better pics, since the sun has been out last week. I’m so trying to get better with my photography, using a tripod and editing them as best as possible. And I changed out a big piece of artwork in here too, to add the Ballard Designs large modern oil painting I found at Ballard’s outlet back in December (for only $35, a steal!).
Here’s a reminder of what the living room looked like BEORE.
Wall color in here and throughout much of my house is Sherwin Williams Moderate White.
My style has certainly evolved over the last 10 years. I’m more relaxed with my traditional décor and even though these pieces are the same ones I’ve had for many years, just adding the playful zebra rug (from Shaw Floors, Zybra rug in Teal) and more casual accessories makes this room feel less showy and more relaxed.
I hope that when I look back at this room in 10 years, I won’t cringe nearly as bad as I did looking back to my 2002 decor. Yikes, it wasn’t that refined back then, but I do think the last 5 years have been the biggest growth to my own personal style yet. I need to do a post about personal style again, we’ve talked about it before, so sometimes it’s hard to get to when there are so many styles out there to fall in love with. Can you relate?
Classic, yet casual. That is what I’m going for. I’m not going to part with my leather chairs or any of my traditional lined furniture anytime soon, so changing out fabrics and accessories is the easiest and most cost effective way to change up a room. So many of these accessory pieces were collected over a few years time, at yardsales and thriftstores and I still love them.
The Ballards painting is so serene and calming. It’s a seaside scene, maybe a lake or lagoon, with trees in the background and brownish sand and reeds on the bottom part. I love it!
You just can’t go and find all of this brand new and get the same effect, I don’t think. Those heavy iron wall sconces were scored over in Birmingham at a really nice yardsale in Mountain Brook and I remember the day I found them. Still love them to this day. Mixed with the modern painting, my room now has a much more casual feel.
I still remember the prices of most of my finds, like this armillary that was found here in GA years ago for $25. At the time, I thought it was a splurge, but I’m so glad I snagged it, in my favorite turquoise hue and that burnished brass is so pretty.
The rug is from Shaw Floors HGTV Home line called Zybra in Teal.
Another new addition to the living room is this cute iron side table from Ballard Designs. I did purchase it with a gift certificate they gave me, but the furniture was on sale when I bought so that helped too. The lamp was scored at Homegoods on my shopping outing there and I love it. It’s mercury glass, which you can’t see very well in the pic, but fits nicely on this little side table.
The drum table that was in this spot was a little too large here and besides, one of the legs fell off one day! My dad is repairing it for me and I think I’ll paint it when I get it back from him and find another spot for it.
Looking back towards the foyer and the pretty stairs now have my runners on them. I wanted to do an update post with all the changes to date. As I’ve mentioned before, all my bamboo blinds came from Payless Décor, a company here in Atlanta that I work with as a brand ambassador and I love how they finish off my spaces. These are called Tibet.
Behind the sofa, my long time china cabinet holds some favorite dishes.
More blues on the end table here. That blue pottery bowl is one I made in pottery class. Who knew I was so talented?! Haha, not really. No one was more surprised than me to see a cute bowl turn out after they added the glaze.
Up on top of the china cabinet, another yardsale find, the turquoise birdcage had to find a home. I love this piece, it was $10 from a Birmingham sale. And the old picture frame wasn’t much either, I think a couple of $$.
More pretties and another one of my pottery pieces I made. No, not the bunny jar, it’s a real live pottery piece from Mississippi that I loved and bought from a shop in Birmingham. My rusty wavy bowl is on the left. Cotton from the cotton fields in AL was one of the things I brought back to GA with me. That cute turquoise and gold box was a yardsale find, as were the books and turquoise vase. The architectural plaster piece came from an antiques store.
I do dearly love my plants and how much life they bring to a space.
Here’s a closer look at my pinch pleated Ikat drapes. I had these made at a local shop called Fringe Benefits in Marietta.
Back to the foyer table, my old $5 yardsale vintage lamp that I redid a few years ago is still going strong. I do have a pretty piece of burlap with my monogram on it, that just might replace the current fabric. Love that big bubbled glass jug that came from Willow House. And the little bird pottery piece was a yardsale find, as was the silver tray.
I love how this mirror reflects the chandelier from Ballard Designs and that pretty painting. By the way, this antique mirror was the very first really old piece I ever bought, at least 25 years ago, from Chattanooga. It’s definitely an antique.
Here’s a better look at the front door I painted before Christmas in Annie Sloan’s Florence. It brings a happy smile to my face and that cute little houndstooth rug came from a Joss and Main sale. Perfect spot of brightness coming in the door! I just painted another door in a bright color that I’ll show you soon. I’m loving these pops of color around the house.
Another look at this yardsale desk I found here in Georgia years ago, for $25. It’s a Henredon piece, well made and still pretty. I painted it black a long time ago too.
This white urn I think came from a yardsale and I added sticks, feathers and moss to it for a casual and easy arrangement.
Looking towards the dining room, it’s all pretty to look at.
I dearly love my house, did I mention that? At least a zillion times, I know. It truly is a wonderful place to just “be” and I’m looking forward to nesting here for many years to come.
Thank you all for going with me on this journey and celebrating with me the fruits of our labor. There will be many more projects to come this year. We have lots more to do to this humble house, starting with the screened porch. As soon as it warms up, we’ll be buying material and the renovation on that space will commence.
I can’t wait to have a screened porch this Spring!!
Susan Maclean says
Yay! You’re done! So Glad to see you up and running properly Rhoda. Nice new pics of your room, I love that house which is not at all like mine, but that’s the joy, isn’t it? Something different to give us all ideas. This year is the year for my living room too, and like you I will add lots of before and afters to my blog once we are on the way. Looking forward to more posts from you, my dear!
Phyllis says
Glad your back up and running.Can’t believe this is the same house. It is truely beautiful.Looking forward to your next project.
Lauren @The Endearing Home says
Your home is so beautiful and I have really enjoyed following along with your home renovations. You are one talented lady! I loved this post as I am in the process of adding subtle touches of blue to our living room. It is very traditional and I am trying to make it more relaxed and to reflect our families love of the ocean. Have a wonderful week!
KATHYSUE says
Rhoda,
I marvel at all you have achieved in such a short period of time. You can tell you have added your own warm and inviting touch to each room you have decorated. You are to be commended for all the hard work you have done to make your home your own very special place. I just wrote a post on getting back to your design roots. I used this technique that I explain on my blog with my clients for over 30 years. It really does help one get down to their design roots. If you have a chance you can read it here……….http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-get-back-to-your-design-roots.html
Heidi @ Decor & More says
I love all the blues, Rhoda — such a calm space with lots of unique touches! The Ballards painting is perfection.
xo Heidi
Monica says
You can really feel how much love is here…what an incredible journey…I look forward to you sharing the next chapter with us!
Lynn says
Rhoda,
Wow! Everything looks fab. I look forward to your coaching tips when you come out next week to photo my home 1 year later…
Best,
Lynn
Debbie says
I really missed you and your blog. Glad you are back!
Beautiful pics.
Mary says
Rhoda, I’m happy that your techy problems are solved, no problem viewing today. I love your living room, I think it would be fun to see pictures of your past LR decor and how your style developed over the years.
Your room now is classy, elegant and relaxed, not an easy feat.
I’m glad to see your Dad is getting a rest before the sunroom is tackled.
It’s so nice to see someone really appreciate all that they have and that certainly comes through your blog.
Jordan@the2seasons says
I LOVE your zebra blue rug. If you ever tire of it I have the perfect place in my house. We can do the trade off at Haven!!! Overall it looks great and I have so much fun seeing everything.
Miss Kitty says
Oh, gosh, Rhoda! When I saw the first picture in your post, I thought that you were going to show us some magazine photos for inspiration (which would have been fine) but it is YOUR HOUSE! It DOES look like a magazine shoot. ..so very pretty. I grew up in Vestavia (just across 280 from Mountain Brook) and my mom liked to go to yard sales in the “rich neighborhood” over there to find really nice things…YOU certainly did. I know you lived there too. Anyway too many wonderful things in your room to comment on. I love that you can remember details about each piece.
nancy says
How were you able to hang a wreath on the fireplace stone wall?
Rhoda says
Nancy, there was already a small hook screwed in the concrete between the stones. If you have a masonry drill, you can drill into concrete. I’m having a mantel made and will soon need to get that hung, so I’ll definitely do a post on that, although I’ll probably hire someone to put that up for me. Or maybe get some help from my brother in law.
Rachel says
Your house is so lovely!! It looks so relaxing – I can see why you just love it so much. And I’m loving all of the blue accenta!
Katherines Corner says
Wow, the touch of blues are the crowing jewels to this lovely room . Big Hugs and thank you for sharing . P.S. my new giveaway posted if you;d like to stop by and enter 🙂
Mary Emma says
I love your style and enjoy your blog. I look forward to your screen porch project for more inspiration and ideas!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Rhoda…your blog is loading very fast now!…glad you got great results from the changeover….I love all the touches of blues in the room…I am trying to do the same and you…so much wonderful inspiration in the room for us to gather….Just beautiful Rhoda!
Colleen says
So glad you worked out the technical difficulties you’ve been experiencing. What a wonderful post today! Your journey reminds me of one of my favorite sayings…God leads me to a quiet place where all my troubles cease. Alone with God and nature, I find hope, and strength and peace…
Martina says
Rhoda your home is absolutely beautiful!! I love your style and all the beautiful touches you add to your rooms!
Beth Morrow says
Welcome back…you have been missed!
I love the room! You have done a beautiful job expressing your style!
Excited to see what you do with the porch:)
Cynthia says
Glad you are up and running. I love this room, the lamp and shade with the touch of black is great and I think the blue touches are so pretty. Love that white urn too.
Cynthia