So, today’s post is all about how my head works when it comes to decorating, so I’m going to try to share the process that I go through when I go about updating a space. Â Most of us can’t start completely over in a room and we are always tweaking, adding and subtracting to get a new look.
When I moved in 2 years ago, I added more turquoise to my living room with the turquoise zebra rug and the Ikat fabric on the windows. Â Little touches of turquoise were added around the room. Â I’ve enjoyed it a lot, but there was still a lot of gold in the room, which I would rather tone down.
As I mentioned recently, after adding the new foyer table in the living room, my plans for updating and freshening up my living room are going full steam ahead.
Sharing this picture from Christopher Oquendo, AJC photographer who took pics of my house. His look so much better than mine! Â This was before I moved the column.
And this is after I moved the column. Â I will definitely work on getting better photos when I finish this refresh. Â I added both columns on the back wall to make it more symmetrical. Â These are architectural pieces that I picked up years ago, old vintage columns that I picked up from Lakewood Antiques (miss that place!) and I like them in this room.
This is sort of a progress report of what I’m planning to do and why. Â I figured you all might like to know my thought processes on making changes around here.
My brain can be all over the place but one thing I have been thinking about since I moved in here is replacing this chair of many fabrics….with count them, 5 fabrics! Â It’s a great chair, a high-end chair from Taylor King that I bought in 2002 from Furniture Craftsmen here in Marietta. They were going out of business back then and I fell in love with this traditional frame chair.
The fabrics were great back then and I loved it for many years. Â But, now I want to lighten things up in here and the fabrics on this chair are holding me back. Â I will be selling this chair, so if you are in the Atlanta area and interested, chime in and let me know! Â It’s a great chair and I could have it recovered, but with all those nailheads it will be a big job to do that. It’s literally covered in nailheads. Â And I sort of hate to take off all those pretty fabrics. Â If I can sell it intact to someone who loves it, that would be great. Â Or they can recover it.
The 2 caramel colored leather chairs in the living room came from the same sale and I’m keeping them for the long haul. Â Still love them.
Here’s the new plan.
After going up to NYC last spring and attending the Birch Lane furniture line launch, I remembered their pretty pieces and was glad I got to see them in person.  We’ve been in touch over the last year and I’m going to be working with them and bringing in this Shephard chair to my house.  It’s a beautiful upholstered English arm chair and I think it’s going to be really pretty in my living room.  Traditional style and nailheads too!  I’m waiting on fabric samples to decide on a fabric, then I’ll order it.
I know you all might not see my vision when I’m making changes to rooms and that is OK. A house is always evolving and I keep my things for a very long time. I don’t have plans to change out many more pieces of furniture around here, but I do repurpose and repaint things along the way. I’m still very happy with most of my things.  As I mentioned, I did switch out the column from here and placed both of them on the far wall flanking the desk on the back wall.  I like it much better like this and the lady bust is here right by the dining room door now.
If you follow me on Instagram and Facebook, you know that this desk is no longer black. Â This was a yardsale find over 10 years ago for $25 and it’s a Henredon piece. Â It was stained wood, but I wasn’t crazy about the color when I bought it and I painted it black and I have enjoyed it like this for years.
All the way back in 2008, I shared a post about how I painted my furniture black, much of it with spray paint, but some with foam rollers and paintbrushes. Â You can see those chairs from that post here in this picture, I’ve had them since early 2000 and they were originally stained until I painted them black. Â And I’m still painting furniture! Â I’ll share the new desk/vanity with you soon. Â It got a dramatic makeover with green paint and I love it.
I still love this Calico Corner Tilbury ikat fabric that I got when I moved in my house. Â It has a bit of green in it as you can see on the seat cushion and I’ll be sprinkling this green around my living room.
So, change is coming and I can’t wait to share it with you all. Â I know that everyone might not like my choices and that is OK. Â I’ve been inspired by many other bloggers who are mixing modern and traditional fabrics and adding punches of color and that is what I’m going for here.
One in particular who inspires me with her bold use of color is Jennifer from Dimples and Tangles. I have featured her on my Feature Friday series and love how she mixes things up. Â Green is her signature color and she has lots of this bold Kelly green in her house.
So I’ve been taking notes from many bloggers and figuring out ways to mix up my living room to make it better for me.
Stay tuned and I hope shortly, I’ll have all the changes pulled together in here. Â It involves getting new pillow covers for all my pillows. I’ve been shopping Etsy shops and found some really great fabrics. Â I’ll be toning down the golds in this room, even though some of it will stay, like the caramel leather chairs. Â There will just be less of it now.
My traditional accessories will stay along with all the vintage things I have found and collected. The main focus will be a new chair, pillow covers, painting that desk and just freshening things up around the room and using less accessories this time around. Â I think it’s going to make a dramatic difference and I hope it all turns out like I envision.
I will admit that I do get excited about new color trends. Â Have you seen Better Home and Garden’s color trends for 2015? Â Looks like I’m going right in that direction with some of my ideas. Â That grassy green is definitely where I’m going and the turquoise hues, I already have in this room. Â Now, I totally do not follow all the trends out there, but I can’t help but be swayed sometimes. Â Most of us keep our things for years, myself included and many of my fabrics date back over 10 years old. Â So, when I can find ways to freshen it all up without breaking the bank, I go for it! Â That’s where paint comes in. Â And some new fabrics.
1. Â Green/cream pillow cover/2. Chaing Mai pillow cover/3. Navy blue linen pillow cover/
4. Black/white pillow cover/5. Blue Peacock pillow cover. Â All from Etsy.
So, tada! Â I’m sharing my mood board for the living room and I can hardly wait to see it all come about. Â I shopped online in several Etsy shops and found all of these pillow covers and I will change out my old pillows with the new ones. I scoured Etsy and bought all of them, these Etsy dealers do not know me. The new fabrics are vibrant and graphic and will add a lot of life to the room. Â I had been way too matchy-matchy with the pillows I brought in here 2 years ago and they blended right in with the furniture and drapes, but really didn’t provide that punch I wanted in the room.
I’ve been inspired by many bloggers out there who add pizazz to their rooms with vibrant greens, blues and even black and white as a bold accent. Â I’ve always loved a bit of black and white and have seen it used over and over with success out there, mixing with bold florals and solids, so I’ve been taking notes. Â I’ve already brought in some blue and white pottery and will continue to use it in here, with several shades of blue. The vibrant green will be painted on the desk on the back wall of the living room and I really think that’s going to be fun, flanked by the black chairs. Â That piece is already painted and I’ll be sharing it soon.
That Chaing Mai dragon fabric (the bold floral) is by Schumacher and I have seen it all over blogland for years now (came out in 2006). Â I finally decided to jump on that train and add it to my room. Â I love how bold and colorful it is and these are the most expensive pillows I’ve ever bought! Â But I think it will be worth it to add that punch to the room.
Some of you may shake your head and not get my vision, but to me it’s going to be beautiful. Â I know it’s a lot of different fabrics going on, but I think they all work together. I’m not getting any 2 pillows alike, but am mixing it all up for a change. I can’t wait to see it come together and of course, I’ll share it all here!
Do you see my vision or not? Â It’s OK if you don’t, I get that we all have our own ideas of how to decorate a room.Â
Â
I can’t wait to see it all come together. I definitely love the columns on the same wall, a much great impact. And, given the sneak peek of the desk I can’t wait to see it in the space. It is fun to play with and change up accessories. For just a little bit of $$$ and some elbow grease a room can be transformed into a beautiful new space. And you are so right, everyone’s tastes are different so go with what you love and a comfortable surrounding yourself with.
I’ll be anxious to see the final result. Count me as one who doesn’t necessarily “see the vision”…LOL but that’s no matter to you. I’m sure you’ll love whatever you do.
One question, however, if a fabric came out in 2006 – doesn’t that make it a dated look???
HI, Linda, maybe to some people. but since I’m just using it, it will be fresh to me. I don’t keep up with all the designer fabrics usually, but this one has caught my eye and since so many people still love it, I’d say it is a classic now.
Is it a Southern thing to have all surfaces with a lot of stuff on them? I do the same thing, can’t stand a bare table top. I am from Texas, my Mother was from Louisiana. Love everything you do. The desk is a bit bright for me though.
HI, Janice, I think that is definitely a tendency in the south, we like our accessories. Believe it or not, I do way less than I used to.
I am looking for a fun new pillow fabric, and the ‘dragon’ just may be it! 🙂 I am not sure I get your vision YET, but cannot wait to see it all together! I love the direction you are going! I am like you, I hang onto furniture and tend to change the look with fabrics and accessories. But also have accessories that have made 7 moves with me too….if I love it, it stays around for a long while. Also, love your fashion posts!
Hi Rhoda,
When you mentioned Dimples and Tangles I knew right away where you were going with your plan. Her style is very happy, bright, and colorful. I can’t wait to see how it will turn out.
Whenever I look at your living room I can’t help but mentally removing the desk and two chairs and replacing them with wall to wall of built-in white book shelves as high as possible. Maybe with the backs painted in green. I mean, you’re not using the desk as a desk and to have those two chairs sitting behind other chairs seems pointless, even a bit cluttered. Have you ever considered this idea?
HI, Edith, the way the room is shaped the furniture needs to be floating around the fireplace so that is what I did. But to leave that wall empty would not look good either. I can’t really see adding tall bookcases back there with the vaulted ceiling. So, I opted to add the desk, flanked by the wood chairs and artwork and accessories to make that wall interesting. There’s a walking path behind the sofa all the way over behind those leather chairs, so there’s room back there. I think it feels cozy like this although it might not translate like that in pictures.
Love, love, love your style. Your style is much like mine, I have that Southern living style, cozy, traditional and perhaps a little bit too many accessories. I have put away most but then my vision is just like yours I incorporate a lot of the traditional with the modern and the vintage and it looks amazing. People come over and are at awe because everything flows but everything in each room is a conversation piece. Yes, I see your vision and surely share your vision, can’t wait to see more, as it is it’s beautiful!
I was going to comment on the covered surfaces. First I will say I mean my comments in the kindest way possible and I am going by what I like, and I know we don’t all agree and like the same rooms. After saying that, I think your beautiful room would shine if you removed alot of the knick-knacks. I, personally don’t like to see tabletops, dressers, chests, etc. covered with items (and I’m a southerner too! LOL). Sometimes it’s just too much to try to look at and take in. I would choose my favorite items and remove others. I do like how Jennifer mixes fabrics and have pinned some of her pillow arrangements. However, one thing she does is repeat a fabric in a room. I’m not sure having every pillow a different fabric is the direction to go. I’m also not sure about the new fabrics with your curtain fabric. But again, that is me. I will be anxious to see how it all comes together. Another who mixes fabrics, and black/white plus blue white beautifully is Emily Clark. You might want to look at some of her pix also. Just my 2 cents worth!
I love the new chair you are soon going to purchase! I even really like the fabric on the chair in the picture.
Your color theme is pretty too
I like some color but your space just has so much going on. Looks very cluttered, busy, & hard for your eye to land on anything.
I do love the new neutral chair.
Love your bold choices, Rhoda! Looking forward to seeing it all come to life!
xo Heidi
PS — enjoyed our time together on Friday! Let’s do it again soon!
That Chang Mai has truly been on soooo many blogs. That would deter me, but maybe people coming to your home don’t read blogs.
You have a beautiful space! I can’t wait to see it all finished. I love Ikat fabrics and have some in my home. Don’t you just love Etsy!!
My philosophy when decorating is, “less is more”!
Penny
I too have fallen in love with the Chaing Mai Dragon fabric in Aquamarine, but not the price. I ordered a sample from Inline Fabric Store for $7.00 and the sample they sent was a 17 inch square. Perfect for making my pillow. I even have the piece with the dragon which you have to pay more for if you buy a pillow cover online. Mine looks exactly like the one shown in your inspiration board. I don’t care if it’s been around for awhile. I love the bright colors and it makes me happy. Go for it girl.
I have an addiction for pillows. And I love all the ones you have chosen. I don’t like a lot of matchy-matchy
So I think all the fabrics will be beautiful.
Love, love, love every single thing you are adding/changing! The Kelly green desk is stunning – can’t wait to see it. It is so refreshing to see vibrant color instead of all the muted layered neutrals for a change – such a treat for the eye!
I found a huge difference between photos one and two … no, not just the column moving. But the time of day and angle made a huge difference. Photo one looked very cluttered and two, much more open and inviting. The eye sees rooms differently than the camera … which is why it’s always interesting to read about behind the scenes on magazine photos of real homes. You do love your accessories but it reads more cluttered in photos than it probably actually is in real life. The eye needs to rest in photos.
That said, your plans look interesting and certainly reflect you and how you want to live. You love color and texture and layers. I agree with you on the chair you’re selling. Either a solid fabric or one that can read as solid allows you to go a little crazy with the pillows.
Have fun with your home!
Your ideas inspire me to tweak my own living room. I really love the sign you have in a turquoise shade with the quote, “it is well with my soul” and an outline of a sparrow. Is this available at a website where I could order it? Thanks so much for brightening my day with your blog.
HI, Isobel, you can find the sign at Scripted Simplicity, online shop. She does great work.
This post seems to have opened an interesting conversation on the fine line between staged and cluttered! I think it is a matter of individual taste. My last realtor said I needed to declutter, which puzzled me. We walked through the kitchen, dining room, and foyer and she was unable to identify any clutter. When we walked into the living room, she had an aha moment when she pointed to the bookcase and announced it was cluttered with….books! Rhoda, I used the peacock fabric to cover my dining chairs a couple of years ago. It is made by Premier Fabrics and is a wonderful weight. I have some left, and if you need it, just let me know!
I wasn’t expecting the conversation to go in this direction either. I don’t have nearly the “stuff” out that I used to do years ago and am definitely planning to take more out of this room when I get my new chair and put things back together. It definitely “reads” more cluttered in the pictures, because the room is very open in person and doesn’t feel overly cluttered to me at all. But, I need to look at it all again when I get all the new things in here and do a final tweaking.
Hey, Rhoda, I’m kinda glad the conversation has gone in that directions. HA. I have been dying to ask about ALL the things you have on your table tops. The day you posted your beautiful new table at the entrance, I think I counted no less than 20 things on that one little table! My brain did a back flip. They are all pretty and I have loved following you all these years and it doesn’t matter what my brain does! I will continue following. But I sure am glad to get that question out there. Can’t wait to see the finished room.
Ok, so that table has a lamp, a shell on an easel, 4 pieces of blue & white pottery (sitting on a brass tray), which I count as one object (stacked on books) a propped up painting, 2 candlesticks, and a faux orchid in an urn. If you count each of them as a grouping, I count 7 things, If you count all the pieces separately, I count 12. The stack of books count as one thing with the pottery on top, so it’s seen as a grouping to me. So definitely not 20 things!! I know we all have our own way of doing things. Mine isn’t for everyone, but I like the layered look. I could take 2 things off that table and everyone would probably like it better. I’m going to really take a look at my room when I get the new chair in and definitely do some downsizing of accessories. It’s a pretty open room and that helps too with the vaulted ceiling.
Where did you get the beautiful turqouise zebra print rug?
Thank you.
Love all the color. Your room is going to be stunning!!
I love the Shepard chair by Birch Lane….love anything with those classic wheels and nailhead trim…and yes, so happy to see the new color trends….love color!….Looking forward to your living room makeover!