Stunning Living Room

Okay, so I don’t very often look at pictures and say to myself, “That’s it.  That’s the room I want.”

But I did when I saw these pictures.


Wow.  I love this room.  It’s done in my colors!  The ONLY thing I would change would be to swap in the rug from this room.


I love that this room was created by the homeowner, and photographed by her as well.  Somehow I like rooms better when they’re created by the people who live in them.  I love the work of designers, too, but I always wonder if people really live in those spaces.  You can find Julia’s blog here .  The room was featured on House of Turquoise , which is where I saw it.


My favorite elements in the room, aside from the all the blue and white on the walls, are the chairs and the painting.  Julia painted that gorgeous piece.  And while I’m not usually a fan of gold, I’d hang that beauty in my house in a heartbeat.  Stunning.


The chairs are on my wish list.  I’ve loved this aviary print for a long time.  Chances are I’ll never see them in person because they’re low on the priority list, but still they’re beautiful.  I was surprised by this, but I actually like the zerbra print pillows.  I’ve NEVER like animal prints, but these pair really well with the chairs and add a nice touch to the room.  Once again, there’s not too much clutter in the room so it’s easy on the eye.

It’s all so beautiful.  I suppose it’s a good thing that my living room doesn’t look like this.  I’d never leave it, which would be a very sad thing for our bathrooms.   Truthfully, I don’t share these pictures because I’m unhappy with my own house or because I’m wishing mine was like this.  My floor plan is different, and our family’s needs are different.  My home is full of children running and bumping and spilling.  I refuse to let the house be more important than the people, so I do some things my own way in order to reduce stress.  For instance, I could never put an orchid on a coffee table.  It would be spilled, broken, eaten by someone before I could take a single picture (remember George?) .  And that’s life.

I share them because lately I’ve been really motivated by pictures like these.  They’re helping me decide what I want to do with my own house, and I’m taking those ideas and putting them to work with items I already own.  It’s a really fun creative experience for me, and I feel urgent about doing it before the warm season pulls us outdoors.   The before and after pictures of this particular room are also a great reminder that a good eye and paint can go a long way.

Lastly, here is her entry.  We don’t have an entry in our house, or at least we don’t have a wall in the entry for the eye to rest on.  Ours opens up to three rooms and a hallway.  I really like the way she’s made this entry both beautiful and functional.  That basket beneath the console table holds her scarves.  What a great idea.  I also like the bird print to the left of the mirror.


It’s always fun to see the creativity and vision that people have.  I love it.  Now I’m off to hang a piece in the girls’ room .  I want to get it finished and move on to the boys’ room ASAP.

All photos in this post are from Pawley’s Island Posh via House of Turquoise.
Hope your day is great!
Hopeful Homemaker

Houndstooth

At the end of 2010 I suddenly had a massive fondness for houndstooth.  Houndstooth anything, but preferably oversized and used in unexpected ways.  Since then I’ve been eyeing the traditional pattern, thinking that it really wouldn’t be too hard to make a houndstooth quilt.

I did a little searching and found a few patterns available on etsy.  Then this baby quilt pattern came out.  Still,  I couldn’t bear to spend money on a pattern when I’d sort of figured it out in my mind already.


I got up early Saturday morning to experiment.  I think it turned out great.  This piece is around 24 inches square.  I have a fun plan for it.

It was more tedious to piece than I anticipated, making me wonder if I really want to make a quilt.  Seeing the pattern emerge as I pieced the rows together was fun, however.

Either way, it’s nice to know that I can do it.  Hooray for learning new things!

And just so you know, it’s killing me that the Spring Quilt Market will be held in Salt Lake City, just 45 minutes from my house in May, but I can’t go.  It’s a trade show only, not open to the public.  What a bummer.  I can’t tell you how much I would love to walk through it and see all the new fabric collections being introduced.

HH

More Inspiration

You’ve probably seen the new basement room designed for Stephanie Nielsen of the Nie Nie Dialogues by Alice Lane Home.


I can’t help but look at some of the things I love about this room, especially after falling in love with this room .

First up, there’s a black and white floor here, as well.  I still prefer the chevron rug, but I love the way black and white on the floor gives this room so much personality.  Hmmm.  Perhaps I’m developing a taste for black and white floors?

Secondly, I love the products from Oly Studio.  Love the chandelier, love the table.  They are amazing.  I love the way they take center stage.

Thirdly, I am completely smitten with the wallpaper.

I mean I really like this pattern.



As in, I keep mentally running through a list of rooms in my house in case I can think of one that I could wallpaper in this pattern.  I’ve always avoided wallpaper, but oh man, is this tempting!  (Not that I need another project.  I’ve only got 3,872 laying around the house.)

Fourth, the antique columns (see first picture) are incredible.  I’ve seen that column in the shop, and wished I knew what to do with one.  Now I know.  Split one in half and attach it to the wall like that.  Gorgeous.

Fifth, the fabric on the window shade is beautiful.

Last, that paper covered elephant head makes me smile.

In all, I like it because it’s such a blend of old and new, design and personal taste.  There are a lot of great patterns and colors at work in this room, yet it doesn’t bother my eye.  You’d never know it was in a basement.  I certainly wouldn’t mind if it was in mine!

If you want to read more about the room, visit this post on the Nie Nie blog.  You can also see a breakdown of some prices and sources on products used in the room here .

Do you have a space that has inspired you lately?

Hopeful Homemaker

1 166 167 168 169 170 213