The Living Room

I should be blogging about our Christmas decor.  Except we don't have anything yet!
Instead, I'm just going to share our new living room since it's one of the few rooms that feels done.

Luckily, when we moved in, our furniture fit perfectly.

There wasn't much to do here but paint the walls a neutral cream that matched the existing woodwork like I did in the dining room.

Here is the before photo.  

Thank goodness, the floor is in really good shape. although I did have it buffed and a new coat of polyurethane was added.

I considered having bookshelves custom built on either side of the fireplace, mainly because there were built-ins originally, based on the floor patch.

Instead, I ordered two matching bookcases from Restoration Hardware.

We have so many books, so these were clearly a necessity!

I had fun organizing our books and staging the cabinets with favorites objects.

The fireplace mantel is a work in progress.

I had the electrician install the sconces because this room needs all the light it can get.

I can't quite commit to hanging the paintings yet.

This room is constantly evolving.

Adding books, candles, pillows, as well as rearranging here and there.

Here is the room right after we moved in....

....here it is now.  

I just keep layering!

So glad I saved the draperies from the San Francisco house as they work perfectly in both the living and dining room.

We actually use this room!  It's cozy and that's what we like.

What's next?

I'm currently working on converting the fireplace to gas so we can sit in here by the fire during the winter months.

Hopefully, I'll get around to decking the halls before Christmas!

The Guest House Living Room

In the warmer months of spring and summer, we like to sleep in the "guest house" which the previous owner intended for guests.
We like it for ourselves though!


It was originally a two car garage.
The front half is a sitting room with four french doors, providing views all around.


The sofa is actually a sofa bed which is great in a pinch when we have lots of overnight guests.


The trunk is packed with quilts and pillows for those times.


Hanging on the wall over the sofa are a dozen photos of the Italian countryside.






The living room connects to the bedroom through the bathroom, creating a large, private suite.


It is so quiet and peaceful with the view from our bed overlooking the oak trees.

Beyond the fence we often see deer, especially this time of night.

 In the morning, we walk the gravel path to the main house for coffee.   Sometimes, it's cold and rainy, sometimes it's foggy, but sleeping in the guest cottage is worth the cold morning walk!

When Antlers Meet Tartan

 I lusted after these antlers on the Neimann Marcus website for a little too long because now they're gone.

The problem is, I couldn't decide which one I wanted.  The burlap, the red tartan or the green plaid.

I even had a couple in the shopping cart!  

Too late, "you snooze, you lose!"


Then, along came this lovely...

On One King's Lane and I nabbed it!

Someone actually stretched the tartan fabric over the plaque and then if that wasn't enough, added the enamel number.

I swoon!

 What I love is that it is vintage, authentic and hand made.

Don't get me wrong, I would still want one or more of the plaques from Neimann Marcus if they ever become available again, but this beauty is the real deal!

Tartan and antlers, a winning combination don't you think?

Linking to Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

My New Coffee Table From One King's Lane

A month ago, I took a huge chance, ordering this coffee table from One King's Lane. It finally arrived last week, and I couldn't be happier!

Here it is staged this morning with my Mother's Day flowers.

Quite simple in design, it is completely covered with leather and nail studded.

The only caveat is the possibility of water stains and candlewax. I'll have to take extra precaution!

As you can see, I still haven't recovered these chairs like I said I would last year.

All of a sudden, pink is in again! So, maybe they aren't so bad?

If you haven't been to the One King's Lane website, you really must. Every day at 8:00 am, new

items are up for sale. A lot of times, they are already in a member's cart. This coffee table was when I first saw it, but I was diligent and eventually it came back for sale. I grabbed it immediately!

To become a member, click on the One King's Lane image on my sidebar, or here.

Tomorrow, I'll feature some other fantastic finds from OKL so stay tuned!

I'm joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday!

New Living Room Color Reveal

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

The living room went from a deep burgundy red to a mellow caramel color last week. I was very ambivalent about getting rid of the red. But it was so dark and only looked good at Christmas and at night with every light on and candle lit.

The living room BEFORE

In progress

Bob, our painter getting rid of the red!

The living room AFTER

It still looks good at night with all the lights on and the candles lit.

As you know, whenever one thing is changed, it is a "can of worms!" I can see a light brown cowhide rug under the coffee table now. Ballard has one here. Should I?

The two chairs in the room also need to be reupholstered. The backs are faded from the sun and the mauve (I hate that color and name) needs to go.

Up for consideration for the chair fabric is this cotton tan and cream ticking stripe. Especially if I decide to slipcover the sofa in linen.

Or, this paisley fabric that picks up the colors in the linen drapes and walls. It would go with the green velvet sofa if I decide to leave it alone.

I'm leaning toward this tried and true heavy woven cotton from India in a cream and green ticking stripe. I think it would go with the green sofa, should I decide to keep it, and also with the sofa if I should slipcover it.

The sofa. I have always regretted my decision to cover it in this color and should have trusted my gut and covered it in apple green. However, these days, I'm dreaming of slipcovering it in a wonderful textured linen. Restoration Hardware has a lovely sofa that I'm in love with, but I think I can remake this one to resemble theirs. It would need new back cushions, instead of the structured ones.

More after pictures of the living room

This picture really shows the paint color.

The color: Benjamin Moore's "Richmond Gold"

Looking from the entry into the living room.

And from the living room, through the entry and beyond into the dining room.

I welcome any thoughts about the fabrics for the chairs, as well as your ideas. This room is a work in progress. My goal is to tone it down, but still keep color in my life. I know lampshades and accessories need to be changed out.

Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more before and after projects on Metamorphosis Monday.