Living Room Before and After and Coffee Table Styling

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Initially, this post was going to be about my coffee table styling adventure, but then I realized I've never posted pictures of my living room before and it's changed a lot since I moved in to my apartment (I just put a new rug down yesterday!) so let's get a history lesson first. Initially (two and a half years ago), I was very into the Pottery Barn look. In fact, my coffee table, ceramic lamp, overhead lamp, and all my pillows were from PB. DISCLAIMER: My mom has a friend that worked for PB so I got all these pieces at 40% off. Oddly, now I  can't stand it! I find the subdued color palate and style too cottagey for me. In general, PB style is beautiful, but I've discovered it's not my style. It's funny how tastes change. Here is the photo that I was inspired by and here was my attempt to match it:

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Things I don't like: Brown curtains (there when we moved in), blank wall above couch, zero pops of color (the color palate is so blendy and matchy!)

Oh how I loved that inspiration photo! Since I started perusing design blogs, my whole world has been turned on its head. The first design blog I ever laid eyes on was Design Manifest. Naomi's old loft showed me that different patterns, colors, and styles could be paired in unconventional ways and work harmoniously to create a look so balanced and pleasing to the eye; a look I didn't know existed. I fell head over heels for her "bohemian glamor" style. It's so chic, eclectic, and colorful. Shortly after, I discovered the blog I Suwannee by Jamie Meares at Furbish Studio and just recently was introduced to the designer Elizabeth Bauer! It's a whole new world. Take a look at spaces that make me drool in my post Magnetic Interior Spaces: Colorful Favorites. I definitely have not achieved the look I'm going for (and I probably won't while living in this rental with such a tiny budget), but I think I've made a good start. 

ANYWAY.

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Inspired by Cupcakes & Cashmere's How To: Style A Coffee Table, I decided to give my coffee table a makeover. I have a two layer iron/glass coffee table and up until now I had all of our "accents" on the lower shelf so we could use the top. Read: functional, but ugly. Our dining table is usually a mess with non-dining items so you will often find Josh and I eating dinner at the coffee table... But I decided those days are over! I was so inspired by the tutorial that I began designing the table top. I don't have very many coffee table books, so it looks a little sparse and the entire bottom shelf is empty. BUT, once I get more books, I will fill up the bottom and add a few more to the top. Any suggestions as to where I can get great coffee table books on the cheap? I plan on getting a tray like in the tutorial to house my little treasures, but I didn't have one on hand. Also, those lovely flowers are FAKE (gasp!) I had mixed feelings about purchasing faux flowers, but in all honesty, I can't afford to keep replenishing fresh flowers right now. Maybe later in life. For now, these faux beauties will do.

THE REST OF THE LIVING ROOM. Please excuse the lighting and/or weird angles. It was difficult to take pictures with the light coming from the window and while trying to hide my dining table/kitchen area which are not fit for public exposure. Also, Brandy is on the couch in all the photos! I left her because that is her favorite spot, so you might even consider her part of the decor ;)

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Meh, I could live without that gallery wall. I made it a while ago and although it's nice to have personal photos around, I want more art and color!
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The bookshelves are so heavy and dark...

A COUPLE THOUGHTS.


There largest pieces in the room are traditional style which screw my whole plan. The couch, the chair, and the book shelves. Replacing the couch is out of the question. Josh and I wanted an L-shaped couch, but we couldn't find one that would fit in our small living room so we decided to get one custom made (looking back we pretty much regret this decision). As in the PB inspiration photo above, I got a similar tan color. Even though I would consider it a neutral, I find it difficult to work with. The accent chair is also traditional, so that doesn't help. I may possibly be up for a DIY reupholstery project, but not in the near future. So that stays for now. The book shelves were the cheapest of the 3 pieces and therefore are more likely to be replaced the soonest. I was thinking I could possibly paint the backing of the shelf or add a wallpaper, but this won't change its traditional shape. Any suggestions for different shelves (or pillows? or accents?) that would give the room more of the chic-"bohemian glamor"-colorful-eclectic look that I crave? I'm so open to suggestions!!

Speaking of accents, I'm not a huge fan of the ones I've got. The books on our shelves are actual books we owned and have read. Josh is totally against buying books simply for display, so that's out. I was thinking I might spray paint my fat yoga girls gold or brass. Also the round table between the couch and the chair is completely bare, so that needs to be filled.

So far I'm digging my color theme of white, turquoise, and pink, but I'd like some other pops of color and patterns as well so it's not so matchy.

How do you like the new rug? I like it SO MUCH BETTER. I felt the room was so brown before. The rug lightens the room dramatically and brings out the pillows on the couch. It just feels fresher in here. The white curtains have helped lighten too, although I'm thinking some patterned curtains might need to be in order! The benches were originally at the foot of our bed, but I felt they added color and shine to the living room, so here they shall stay (and I kinda like being able to sit at the end of the bed).

IN REVIEW: LIVING ROOM CHANGES.
  • White curtains
  • White lattice design rug
  • New pillows on couch
  • Two bench seats added
  • Flowers!
  • Coffee table "design" (humor me)
So there you have it! Do you see a reoccurring theme!? I need more LIGHT in my life!

Well that was a beast of a post. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE some feedback and suggestions!!



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9 comments:

  1. AHHHHH I have that red Cartooning book! From forever ago! I love that thing.

    Looks great! Probably awesome for having people over (lots of seating). Also, the rug is definitely an improvement. Nice work.

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    1. Thanks for the feedback Katie! I just popped over to your blog and am a new follower :)

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  2. Soooo much fresher with the new zhushing and accessories!! You've already made great progress :) And I love the little flowers - I actually JUST TONIGHT bought some faux flowers for my own coffee table!

    I know exactly what you mean about wanting desperately to go in a different direction. Honestly, I was in the same boat 2 1/2 years ago when we moved in, I liked the neutrals - the only good thing was that I was already on the 'grey' bandwagon so pretty much every room got grey paint (which was so much easier than beige or 'magnolia' which is the builder's favourite in these parts). But my home needed *something* I just hadn't figured out that I loved loved loved that eclectic boho glam look at that point. It's taken a while but my living room has come a long way, just purchasing things as I could afford it. Here's what it used to look like so you can see what I mean:

    http://gettingitswoonworthy.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/living-room-before-after-big-reveal.html

    And this is what it pretty much looks like now:

    http://gettingitswoonworthy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/take-seat-announcement-2-in-which-i.html

    I had to get rid of a few things but I did it slowly over time to get the look I really liked. I love being in the room now, it feels so much more ME than that whole dark neutral 'heavy' thing.

    I think you could easily paint those bookcases though. Possibly white and use something like this for the backs: http://pinterest.com/pin/146507794099510507/

    Ok, I'm gonna shut up now this has turned into a tome! lol Anyway, great job, you are definitely on your way! And start buying interior design books, I've got a ton and they're not only pretty to display, they are great inspiration too xxx

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    1. Kimberly, your comments are the absolute best! That marbleized wallpaper is seriously amazing, I have that same photo pinned! I would love to do something like that. And I LOVE your living room. This is quite hilarious, but I've seen that living room before in Heart Home, but I didn't connect you until just now! I recognized the dresser vignette right away. Your living room has come such a long way! It's so much brighter now, I love all the colors, and those logs in the fireplace, oy! I'm obsessed with your dressing room too! Killer wallpaper choice. I made my boyfriend promise that I could have a dressing room when we get a house ;) One day...

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    2. Aww cheers my dear! So funny when you see things online all the time and the realise who it actually belongs to lol I was also going to ask if you could repaint at all (I know landlords are funny with this stuff but if you plan to stay awhile, you can always paint it back)? It might brighten up the area if you just go with a white paint instead of the peachy colour? Oh and get some gold spraypaint on that coffee table pronto, promise it would look a million bucks! ;) If you add a few gold touches in your bookcases, you'll start to carry that look through! Ok, I really need to shut up now!! lol Full of ideas me xxx

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    3. P.S. That's not wallpaper in that fabulous bathroom, that's CRAFT paper (talk about budget friendly) she picked up at the local craft store. Do it!! lol xxx

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    4. That is awesome, so much more accessible, I'm definitely going to look into it!! Thanks :)

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  3. Hi I love your site! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the rug above! Where is it from? I am dying to know!!!
    Keep up the good work!
    New follower :)
    XO
    PG
    The Parlor Girl 

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    1. Hey Parlor Girl! Thanks for following :) The rug is from here: http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-edison/nickel/200SBHAC13A-26010.html I got it during the 2012 black friday sale at 75% off! Rugs USA has sales often, so keep an eye out. Good luck! New follower here too :)

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