It all started with the green walls. Our living room has green walls. Our living room furniture is orange. I have issues with green and orange being near each other (perhaps stemming from that horrible outfit choice on 5th grade class picture day that caused Toni Jensen's mom to say, "That girl looks like a hot dog stand!" True story). Most people come to the natural conclusion that we'll just have to paint the walls. Oh, that would be way too easy!
So in spite of Ben's denial ("I feel emotionally attached to the couches that I've had for pretty much my whole life") and sincere efforts to thwart my plans (including lots of deceitful calculations "proving" to me that we are going to run completely out of money by the end of the month), I have spent the last two months searching for ideas, poring over catalogues, and even making "paper doll" couches, chairs, and pillows and trying out endless combinations in front of the green walls. I wasn't sure if it would work, but finally Ben must have realized that I would probably never stop if he didn't eventually concede. Or maybe the green and orange finally got to him too. Either way, we finally got to buy stuff! I must say that I have really enjoyed our orange furniture for the past 5 years, and I'm thankful to Ben's parents for giving it to us. It has served us very well. At the same time, it has lived its life, and I get pretty giddy about beautiful, new, comfortable furniture and making a home look pretty -- yay! It makes me feel a lot better about the whole "vow of poverty" thing that comes with grad school.
Okay, with no further blathering, here are the pics:
The rug! This was probably my most exciting find (T.J. Maxx), which I think really ties the room together nicely. It's also super-soft and SOOOO nice. The night I brought it home, Henry was so elated about having carpet that he couldn't stop dancing and spinning and running around on it.
This is quite the conglomeration, and I'm pretty proud of it. :) The sofa (Ikea) is rich and warm and pretty much the most comfortable seat we've ever owned. It also has dry-cleanable covers! The patterned pillows (Crate and Barrel) are my very favorite part of the room -- they were the first thing I bought, and we picked the color scheme from there. The solid pillows are from Pier 1 and Bed, Bath, & Beyond. We also had to get new lamps (Target) because our other ones were orange and cast a hot-dog-standish light on the room.
Here's where I need your votes. First of all, should I keep the small chair, or try to find a different one? It doesn't quite match the wood in the rest of the room, although I love the shape and size. I'm undecided about it. The end table also kind of doesn't match the rest of the room (we already had this). Should I try darkening the stain? I love both of the new chairs (Pier 1), and they're really comfy for this type of chair.
The next vote: Do you like pillow arrangement #1 (2 pictures above), or pillow arrangement #2 (directly above)? Ben and I disagree on this one, so we need your help! You can answer the polls (on the sidebar) or leave a comment. I need your help!
Here's a shot of the room, just to give you an idea of the spacing. Isn't it peaceful and inviting? I especially like how the TV screen matches the color of the rug. It adds a nice touch (at least I haven't made Ben part with this token of his childhood just yet!).
Still working on . . . organizing the playroom! Is it even worth it to organize a room that will only look nice between 8pm and 6am? You'll notice in this picture Henry's latest obsession with spreading things out and lining them up!
And for your entertainment: the current state of our dining room! Notice there are only 3 boxes left to unpack, which I consider quite the feat.
The rug! This was probably my most exciting find (T.J. Maxx), which I think really ties the room together nicely. It's also super-soft and SOOOO nice. The night I brought it home, Henry was so elated about having carpet that he couldn't stop dancing and spinning and running around on it.
This is quite the conglomeration, and I'm pretty proud of it. :) The sofa (Ikea) is rich and warm and pretty much the most comfortable seat we've ever owned. It also has dry-cleanable covers! The patterned pillows (Crate and Barrel) are my very favorite part of the room -- they were the first thing I bought, and we picked the color scheme from there. The solid pillows are from Pier 1 and Bed, Bath, & Beyond. We also had to get new lamps (Target) because our other ones were orange and cast a hot-dog-standish light on the room.
Here's where I need your votes. First of all, should I keep the small chair, or try to find a different one? It doesn't quite match the wood in the rest of the room, although I love the shape and size. I'm undecided about it. The end table also kind of doesn't match the rest of the room (we already had this). Should I try darkening the stain? I love both of the new chairs (Pier 1), and they're really comfy for this type of chair.
The next vote: Do you like pillow arrangement #1 (2 pictures above), or pillow arrangement #2 (directly above)? Ben and I disagree on this one, so we need your help! You can answer the polls (on the sidebar) or leave a comment. I need your help!
Here's a shot of the room, just to give you an idea of the spacing. Isn't it peaceful and inviting? I especially like how the TV screen matches the color of the rug. It adds a nice touch (at least I haven't made Ben part with this token of his childhood just yet!).
Still working on . . . organizing the playroom! Is it even worth it to organize a room that will only look nice between 8pm and 6am? You'll notice in this picture Henry's latest obsession with spreading things out and lining them up!
And for your entertainment: the current state of our dining room! Notice there are only 3 boxes left to unpack, which I consider quite the feat.
9 comments:
Jenn - I'm pretty impressed you were able to convince Ben to let you buy all that stuff. I think I would have been hard pressed to buy that much stuff, and I am going to have a job soon! It all looks very nice. I'll try and vote so that whatever I choose negates whatever others voted for. Good luck!
Dan
After being the first visitors to your cute twin home, first let me say that it looks so much better than when we left (plenty of boxes still stacked high) and you've worked really hard in less than 2 weeks! Now for my opinions: my two favorite things about your new room: the rug and the fact that you found a location for the TV that doesn't compete with the fireplace -- which we couldn't come up with while we were there. Wood floors are great, but everyone needs SOME soft, comfortable flooring and you'll also be able to watch TV without the ugly thing being the center of attention. Love everything from the pictures. You have a flare and always have. I'm happy that Ben felt like you could do it so you can be comfortable for the next 5 years! Can't wait to see it in person in September! Love you, Mom I.
Wow Jenn! You've done an amazing job with decorating! I LOVE the rug and your new couch and the pillows are beautiful. I prefer the second pillow arrangement, I think the smaller sized pillow looks more in proportion with the chair. However, Dave prefers the first pillow arrangement! The playroom looks adorable as well. We're so impressed and can't wait to see it in person someday soon!
Jenn
I won't pretend that I am the least bit decor savvy, so your pillows in both look great to me! :)
The house is coming along great. Good luck with those last boxes floating around. Those seem to be the hardest for us.
Jenn, the room looks amazing! I love arrangement #1 color scheme & mixing the sizes- it makes the chairs pop. I also LOVE the chair & like it when things aren't too matchy matchy- so I say keep it. The place looks great! I look forward to the day Jon and I buy things we choose & are not hand-me-downs. :) Way to go!
I think your house is very warm and inviting. Will you fly here and help me? You have a knack for decorating. I do not! The rug and pillows are all FABULOUS!
I have to say I like both pictures. I will admit, that second one is my fav. I think the little table looks nice and they way you have it put set up really brings it all together. Nicely done.
Your living room looks gorgeous!! I never really noticed that your old couches were orange - maybe because I love the color orange so they didn't stick out to me?? Anyway, how fun to get to buy some new fun furniture! If we're in the Boston area, I'd love to stop by and test out the couches. =)
Ok - do you want to come to CT and help me decorate? We can trade and I'll do a photo session for you guys!
I like the little chair and the first pillow arrangement - I like the offset of greens, and the bigger pillow on the little chair balances more with the big chair on the right ... my two cents! It looks beautiful!! Yay for getting new fun furniture and making your house look pretty!
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