Random Updates

Sorry for the radio silence.  I have been working a lot lately so I'm trying to spend my precious free time with my family! :)  Last weekend, we got our tree and started with the christmas decorations.  I already know what next year's resolution will be:  Start earlier with Christmas preparations!  I feel like I'm so behind the eight ball...

We've been getting our tree at Stew's for years, however, this year the tree cost $61 - yikes!  While I like their mission, we might have to try a new (and more affordable) place next year.  I'm all ears for suggestions!

Obviously, not everyone was happy after getting the Christmas tree; although, Mr. Grumpy changed his tune when we started decorating (it doesn't take much)!  

In other news, my friend is making progress on her living room.  We've narrowed down the sofa choices and she is really loving the Ryden sofa from Bernhardt Interiors.

Such a beauty with it's sleek and wide arms!  This past weekend, we've narrowed down the sofa fabric choices.  I'll post more on these updates later.  In the meantime, we're enjoying the holidays decorating, gift wrapping, going to parties and being giddy with excitement for Christmas!!

Long & Narrow Living Room

If you live in West Hartford, CT., chances are you live in an older home where you have a challenging room or two.  Our challenging space is the living room -  it is long and narrow.  I am considering having a set of casegoods/bookcases flank our front facing window like the picture below.

via

I would love to see the rest of this room.  I believe it is designed by the design team duo Good Bones, Great Pieces.  Below is a picture of my bookcase that I would like to use to flank our living room window (picture from my old home).

Green Street

The problem is I have only one which I bought years ago for a steal from Lillian and August.  I would like to find its twin so I can create symmetry next to the window.  I don't know what the likelihood is of finding it's twin??  I need to look into it.  

But, for now, I am thinking about this look.  This would give us the necessary storage and shelf space we currently lack.  But, I'm a bit on the fence if I really like this look.  

The two images above probably illustrate best how narrow our living room is and I wonder if the bookcases make the room seem cramped?

This room seems wider, more spacious and the bookcases don't feel like they are dominating the room.  I would have to play around with the bookcase styling as I'm sure that can make a big difference too.  Decisions, decisions.  Who knows, I might not even find it's twin and will need to do something like this instead.  

While not exactly symmetrical, the desk and large yellow piece of artwork help balances the secretary on the opposite wall.  Design at it's best - working with what you have and fooling the eye to make you  believe that everything works seamlessly.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving we're not entertaining (insert smiley face) so we are heading down to NYC today.  We'll be staying in the city tonight (thanks Chris!) and we'll be waking up bright and early to go see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  However, if I were entertaining, there is no doubt that I would pick and choose from one of these key elements to decorate my table.  Classic elements like these that can be used for any holiday tabletop....

Gold Chargers

Stripes

Sprigs of Rosemary

Pewter

Buffalo Check

Bamboo Flatware

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!  And, God bless all of those affected by hurricane Sandy.

Two pieces of Artwork: which goes on top?

I believe I was reading an interview by Albert Hadley when I learned of his penchant for hanging the larger of a pair of artworks above the smaller of the two to create an appealing and sophisticated energy in a room.  - Rachel Krauskopf (via design sponge).

Lonny

Lonny

Design Sponge

Design Sponge

Pinterest

Pinterest 

I like this look, it keeps things interesting.  It is funny how once I read that quote, how often I noticed pictures of interiors where the larger piece of artwork was on top.  I guess Albert Hadley wasn't the only one who thought this was a good look! :)

Pattern Plays

If you've been following my blog, you know that I am helping my friend decorate her living and dining room. When we get together, the kids run wild and we talk design!  She is working on her living room and she is in the midst of picking fabrics.  She definitely wants to use John Robshaw Duralee's elephant fabric (comes in aqua and indigo). I also introduced her to Annie Selke's scramble fabric which she really likes and I suggested she use it on one of her LR chairs (think english roll arm).

Here are some fabrics I pulled for her living room.

Option 1: 

{1} {2} {3} {4}

Option 2: 

{1} {2} {3} {4}

Option 3:

{1} {2} {3} {4}

Option 4:

{1} {2} {3} {4}

I think all of them work, but I know I have my personal favorite!  Hope you have a great weekend!

A little bit of this...

and a little bit of that.  This past weekend I drove down to Norwalk to Lillian August's flagship warehouse store.  Have you been?  Ten thousand square feet of pure visual stimulation.  I loved every minute of it!

They were having their Big Anniversary Sale.  I was on the hunt for a love seat.  I found plenty, but none in my budget! :(  It's the type of thing where a cool $1000 started to seem like a bargain after shopping there a while; oh well.  I did pick up a couple of accessories that were on super sale.

A little black urn lamp with a lucite base and textured lampshade, a decorative tin and a vintage mail holder.  I love all of my finds.  Now, I just need to find the perfect place for them!

Work with what you have....

"and get on with it.  " Tom Scheerer, House Beautiful, November 2012.  

Tom's quote, in the most recent House Beautiful, really struck home.  I've been going back and forth as to whether or not to paint my living room.  Currently, our living room has chocolate (more mocha colored) walls.  And, I have kinda fallen for them.  They are cozy, intimate and sophisticated.  See below (they look lighter in this photo).

However, what I really want are white walls and a (contrasting) painted trim.  Every image I pin has lighter walls.  There is a part of me that just wants to work with what I have for the moment because I can easily paint the walls in the future.  And, I doubt I'll ever have dark walls again (at least, in my living room).  And, maybe I need to get out of my comfort zone a little.  Here are some inspiration pictures of rooms with chocolate/brownish walls. 

Aren't they cozy?  Perfect for the fall and winter seasons here in New England.  Decisions, decisions....what to do....

Hope you all have a good weekend.  My heart and prayers goes out to all those still dealing with the aftermath of hurricane sandy.