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Living Room Updates

April 20, 2010 By Rhoda 72 Comments

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You’ve seen the salon wall with the gold table underneath. Several of you said I must get rid of that table, that it just wasn’t big enough. But, you know what?  I like it a lot and think it fits that wall just perfectly.

I can’t have anything really wide in this walk-way, there’s just not enough room. And this piece is just enough for me. It’s a yardsale find from a couple years ago, I think I paid $20 for it and it has a sticker under it from Illuminations (whatever that is) for $175.00, so I did get a great deal. I love the shape of it and like how it anchors the wall of pictures. So, sorry I’m not moving it!

In reality, it looks great on the wall and that’s what counts to me.  So, I got out some left over paint.  When we moved in here, the former owners had painted the master bedroom teal and when I came in, I changed all the colors around here and that one was a must to change. It really was very dark in the master bedroom and besides, teal wasn’t what I was going for in there.  But, there was a whole left over gallon of paint in the garage, so I tested it out to see how it would work for my furniture makeover.   I couldn’t quite remember what shade it was.  Picture 004

And guess what?? It’s perfect!  I didn’t want a whole room in this, but it’s perfect for some furniture painting.

Several of you asked the color, so here you go.  It was mixed at Lowes and the color is Green Water.  Looks like the label is from Valspar paints, but it was mixed in Olympic. It’s an eggshell finish.  How lucky for me that this leftover gallon of paint that’s been sitting in our garage for 4 years was the PERFECT color for furniture refresh! Picture 015

This is what that little table looks like now.  I sanded it back and the gold peeks out from underneath, just what I wanted, with even a little darker red coming through too.  Perfectly distressed.  Picture 023

Moved it back in place under my salon wall.  And you know what was perfect on top?  Those yardsale books that I scored for 25 cents each! Picture 035

I love the little grouping on that table and love how the table pops with its new aqua/teal paint.  I’m going to have to paint out those wall plates under the table to match the wall.  They are old cable hookups. Picture 030

Cute, cute, now the table serves a purpose and further anchors the salon wall and gives that pop of color over there. Picture 024

You’ll notice I moved the books around after I took this pic.  I meant to put the gold Bible book in the middle to divide them up visually.  Those fleur de lis book ends were a yardsale find from long ago, so I was happy to drag them back out for use.  The bunny vase I picked up here in Birmingham and it is by Peter’s Pottery, out of Mississippi.  And of course, that aqua color really comes alive now with this grouping. Picture 033

I was so happy to find a spot for those recent books I found and I love it all together!

That bunny vase is one of my favorite pieces, not a yardsale find,  although I did get it on sale.  This table is a beautiful spot to me now with the books and special pottery piece.

Picture 036

So, these are some of the changes I had in mind for the living room.  I added in an aqua throw, also from a yardsale to this chair and I’m loving the mix of golds and aquas.  This pair of pillows was a giveaway win last year from my friend, Kelee, at the Katillac Shack.  What a great prize that was and they match my living room perfectly.  Thank you,  Kelee! I will have to be sure she takes a peek at them in my living room. Picture 027

These leather chairs have been with me for a few years.  Some of you girls in Georgia may remember Furniture Craftsmen, a great old established furniture store that was around for about 50 years in Marietta/Kennesaw.  It went out of business a few years ago (sadly) and I scored these chairs and the multi-fabric chair in here at their sale.  I still love all 3 of them.

The oil painting (also scored at a yardsale last year for $25) moved over the mantel.  I already had the frame and just switched it out to the new painting.

You can see the new jute rug and how simple, but elegant it is. I am really enjoying the more serene feel to the room, without the pattern of the floral needlepoint rug and the big tapestry.  It just feels really calm now.  All I’ve purchased new (besides the 2 lamps earlier this year) is a new jute rug and 3 pillows.  The rest of the additions are all yardsale finds.

$25 for an original oil like this is a real steal, as you know.  And do you remember the iron sconces up there that I found last year at a Mountain Brook yardsale for $20 for the pair?  When I look around and see all the great stuff I’ve scored thrifting, it just keeps the excitement going.  How could I NOT shop like this??

Here’s the vase I just picked up and I think this might be a new collection in the making. I love these old pottery pieces and this color is one of my faves.

Know what these are?  Old telephone pole insulators (thanks Kim, for the correct word). They are glass and many of them came in this pretty aqua color. I’ve found a couple of them before and found these 3 last weekend, all for $3, a great deal. They may not stay here, but I’ll be working on the mantel with some other ideas, this is just a start. Picture 005

The tapestry has come down from this wall and until I find the perfect thing, it will remain empty.  I had thought about getting a mirror.  I’ll probably look for some sort of old architectural piece for this wall.  Something BIG!   The pretty aqua piece of pottery that I got from the pottery studio sits here on the coffee table. I’m loving this color in here.

Picture 006

I picked up these 3 pillows at TJ Maxx and love the colors too.  This long aqua pillow with birds is a nice little accent in here. Picture 007

You can see in the pics how the aqua just draws your eye around the room.  It’s been easy to add this color in with my existing things.  Picture 008

And really ironic that I found this pretty little aqua and gold Italian box last year yardsaling too.  Now it fits right in with my new color addition.

Picture 019

Looking into the kitchen.

Picture 015

Remember that old rickety plantstand I found a few weeks ago?  It got a coat of the aqua paint too and that color really livens up this corner.  I found that bamboo chair a year or so ago for $5 and that pillow also came from a yardsale, I think for $1.  This is my whole yardsale corner here.  The tree planter even came from a yardsale.  I have officially gotten rid of all my fake trees and since I love palms so much, I bought 2 real ones for the living room.  Hope they do well, but they were only $10 each from Walmart, so that’s cheap enough to change out occasionally. This one has already lost a few fronds, so I’m hoping it will survive.  Any tips on indoor palms from any of you plant lovers?

I love real plants and have always had some in my house.  I’ll do another post too about real plants.  Picture 029

The palm in the far right corner is also real.  I get enough light that these should do pretty well in here (fingers crossed). Picture 040

Real plants do add so much to a room.  Picture 038

And I hear they are good for the air.  And yes, in case you spied it, that is a real piece of cotton off a cotton plant there in that vase.  We do indeed grow cotton here in Alabama.

My beautiful clay pears have moved to the top of the antique  mirror, coming upstairs from the foyer and I think they fit nicely up here.

Just for fun, here’s a BEFORE of the living room before the de-formalizing began:

Doesn’t it feel lighter and airier already? It’s gone through a lot of changes just since I’ve been blogging and getting rid of the fake plants (those were already gone before the above BEFORE pic)  in here helped a bunch to lighten it up.   See, I’m growing as a decorator too, along with all of you!

So, that’s my tweaking in the living room for now.  I really don’t have much more that I’ll do in here, besides looking for something fabulous for that wall where the tapestry was.  I’m really, really enjoying the more casual feel in the room now.

Hope you got some ideas for yourself!  And as always, thanks for stopping by.  I love that you do!  Homes are ever changing, aren’t they?

Do you have a room you’d like to tweak?

Tell me about it.

And I like to tell you about a fun happening at my friend Sandy’s, at Reluctant Entertainer,  her new linky party, called “Home is”.  Every Wednesday she is sharing a new topic and this week is wearing aprons, so if you’d like to join in the fun and link up, go on over and visit Sandy.

 

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Filed Under: Decorating Ideas 72 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Doris says

    April 20, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    I’m so glad you went into detail about your plants. I thought the palm was fake, not that it looks fake. It’s so pretty and adds so much to the room. I’ve been scouring Craigslist of a faux plant and they’re so expensive! I never thought about doing a real plant inside; probably cuz Im scared I’ll ruin it and I didnt know they were so inexpensive—only $10?! I had no idea. Hopefully you’ll post some tips soon on how to keep it alive.

    Reply
  2. Miss Mustard Seed says

    April 20, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    Good for you for not being swayed by others. When it comes down to it, it’s your house and your stuff. Make it work for you and your family. I think the arrangement is really rich and I love the new color on the table. I do see why people were saying you needed something different, but it looks like something bigger would really impede the traffic path. Have you thought about hanging pictures low on either side of it?

    Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    April 20, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    LOVE this, Rhoda! It really does look so much more cozy and warm, great job!

    Cara

    Reply
  4. Ms. Childfree Chic says

    April 20, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    I love that little table, especially in the new aqua color. I’m looking for something that exact size and shape for my foyer. I’ve been scouring Craigslist and the thrift stores but haven’t lucked upon anything yet.

    I think anything larger would project too much into the pathway. I don’t know about you, but I would run into that at least three times a day! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    April 20, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    I love your conviction about keeping the table and just whipping out that paint for a nice change. Beautiful.

    I’m a decorating fail, I am pretty strictly utilitarian, but I’m working on it. I’ve been doing some painting of my own, on some found dressers and converting them into shelves/bookcases.

    Reply
  6. Tabitha says

    April 20, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    Rhoda…love the little table and the color! Ya know when you said you wanted a large mirror for the space behind the sofa but your husband didn’t like the idea of so many mirrors…have you thought about stealing the large antique mirror from the stairway? It may balance out the space quite nicely as well as reflect that beautiful salon wall! Then the empty space in the stairway would give you a great excuse to go thrifting…maybe create another salon wall 🙂

    Reply
  7. Kathy :) says

    April 20, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    As long as the room is appealing to you and Peter that’s all that matters…. I like that little table it came out nice Rhoda…

    Yes I love to tweak I am the Queen of rearranging or so says hubby…I remember when I was little and my Mother would rearrange my bedroom I had a Winter way and the Summer way….it always felt like a whole new room….

    Hubby is away on business and Imust say I have been a good girl…lLast time he went away I had a tree taken down….so now when he leaves he always says…..”and no more trees removed okay Kath”…LOL

    All the best,
    Kathy 🙂

    Reply
  8. Janet G. says

    April 20, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    Rhoda, love, love, love the changes! What a difference a few changes make in clicking down the formality a few notches. It’s still an elegant room, but so much more inviting! Love the aqua; it’s my favorite. Our family room is my next project. We are remodeling to expand it, and I want to make it a comfortable gathering place that will enhance time spent with friends and family.

    Reply
  9. Toni says

    April 20, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    I like the wall of art very much. I have a suggestion. I think if you added a floor plant (something not taller than the table but on the narrower side, set it next to the table on one side on the floor, it would visually add more width to help anchor the wall of pictures. Maybe set the table more off center with the plant. You might try it anyway. Love the color of green of the table.
    Toni

    Reply
  10. sondra says

    April 20, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    I liked the table before, now I love it! The bunny topped vase is a perfect compliment to it!

    Reply
  11. Cindy S says

    April 20, 2010 at 6:20 pm

    Your room was lovely and elegant before, but it is really beautiful now. You always do such a great job. I adore your teal table on the wall of pictures. It is truly perfection!
    Hugs, Cindy S

    Reply
  12. Jeanne W says

    April 20, 2010 at 6:44 pm

    Obviously, you must not suffer from claustrophia. How can one possibly dust all of those things and find time to go to yardsales?

    Reply
  13. janis says

    April 20, 2010 at 8:36 pm

    Love what you have done to the table but it is still too small and flimsy for the area. Looks like it could be knocked over if you walked by it. Perhaps some baskets underneath to give it some heft. While I applaud you for sticking to what you like (of course you would..who wouldnt?) there are some “rules” in decorating that should not be broken and one of them is scale and proportion. Your ferns and pots are also too large for the stands they are sitting on. Try placing the ferns on the floor, placing the stands in front of them with one of your knickknacks to give some depth and proper proportion and still be able to use your plant stand finds. Either way….lovely home.

    Reply
    • Angie says

      April 21, 2010 at 11:07 am

      The written word is often hard to interpet, especially when one does not know the person writing it… I feel compelled to say that I like how Rhoda breaks the “rules” since she does so with an intuitive sense and clearly on purpose. Though I would imagine, not knowing her, that she is open to suggestions/advice from others, especially when they are delivered with a kind, helpful intention. We’re glad out here in blogland that Rhoda let’s herself be HER. 🙂

  14. deb says

    April 20, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    Love your living room’s new look!

    And that you decorate with yard sale finds.

    So do I.

    Sweet dreams.

    Reply
  15. Sarah says

    April 20, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    Rhoda, this is a charming room with all those touches of aqua and “green water” showing here and there. I’m in awe of all you ladies who thing nothing of pulling out the paint can and changing a piece of furniture. Bravo!

    Reply
  16. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    April 20, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    I love the little table and especially since you painted it. Your home is so lovely and you have such a talent for creating a beautiful, but comfortable space. I could move right in and never change a thing.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  17. Brenda says

    April 20, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    Good for you Rhoda for not being influenced by what everyone else said. If you like the table there, that’s all that matters! I love the new color on it, and don’t you love it when you already have something on hand that works so well as this paint did? Great job!

    Reply
  18. Linda says

    April 21, 2010 at 2:23 am

    You have a gorgeous home. I’m in love with so many of your things but i really like your book ends! I have some of those aqua telephone pole things too – didn’t know what they were before either but loved the color. I am a new blogger so if you have some time come over for a visit http://paintedwhyte.blogspot.com i would love some feedback. I have been blogging for about 1.5 weeks so i’m a newby! I will keep watching because i really want to know what your going to hang above the couch! very exciting.

    Reply
  19. Julia @ Hooked on Houses says

    April 21, 2010 at 8:25 am

    I love it all, Rhoda! Your room looks beautiful. I really like the changes you made.

    Reply
  20. Oonafey @ Little Pink Houses says

    April 21, 2010 at 9:51 am

    Rhoda, I think it is amazing that you refuse to be influenced by the detractors who leave semi-snarky messages. I think your room looks lovely and I am thrilled that you are happy with the makeover. I love your rug!

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I’m Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune and I’ve spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I’m here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won’t you join me?

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