Our formal living room was in sad disarray for a very long time. It just wasn't a space we paid much attention to. We're not formal people, must less ones who necessitate a whole room for "formal entertaining". So it sat and became a bit of a dumping ground/catchall room. The couch from our old apartment went in there. A terrible red love seat that had long been claimed by our dog went in there. And a lovely pile of "I don't want to deal with this stuff" started forming in the corner. Y'know, exactly the kind of thing you want guests to your house to see as soon as they walk in the door. Oh did I mention this room is right there when you walk in? Yea...embarrassing.
I think that the very unclear designation of what this room would be used for is what's kept me from doing more with the space. This is definitely a lesson I've learned as we've slowly furnished and decorated the house - if you don't have a clear idea for how you plan to use the space, you can't make intelligent & functional design decisions. Seems pretty obviously I know.
I would occasionally get bursts of inspiration & motivation but none were ever part of a "master plan". (um...because one didn't exist!) After seeing Jenn Feldman's home featured on an Oprah "Knock Knock it's Nate" special, I was inspired to update the couch from Mr. H+F's old apartment that we had in the room. He bought it eons ago but it's a great, neutral with a twill slipcover from Crate & Barrel and looks similar to the Oasis sofa they carry now.
Jenn had replaced the standard back pillows with some custom ones. I scoured the web and found the same pattern at Ballard Designs. Sadly it's no longer available but I loved how it was reversible and hence perfectly coordinated.
After that little change, the room sat...and sat...and I tried as best I could to ignore the fact that it was even there. My collection of vintage beverage posters sat on the floor while I tried to figure out where they'd go.
Well I always say entertaining is the best motivator for getting through pesky things that have been on your to-do list for far too long. We were having a bunch of people over so I was determined to do something...anything to make the room more presentable. But since I really wasn't ready to embark on a whole design plan for the room, it had to be accomplished with just things I already had on hand.
With some help from Nicole and 30 minutes of measuring, hanging and moving a few items around the room, it looked like this:
Now by no means am I claiming that this room is now Elle Decor ready. When you start off with something looking so terrible, it's pretty easy to improve!
A few more "keepin' it real" details on this room:
#1: We STILL don't ever use the space. Frankly the only one who uses is is Daisy!
#2: See above...that nasty red love seat that she spends 20 hours a day on is still in there.
#3: The campaign dresser is in desperate need of a makeover. But until I figure out what function it will serve or (more importantly) what room it will live in, I am fighting the urge to do anything to it.
#4: There is STILL a pile of stuff that needs my attention in the corner.
So there you have it. By no means perfect, but at least not embarrassing. How's that for aspiration? :)
I have some thoughts about how I'll be transforming this space in the future to actually make it usable. But until then, I'm happy!
This project is linked up at:
Met Monday: Between Naps on the Porch
Amaze Me Monday: Dittle Dattle
Show Off Your Cottage Monday: The house in the roses
Before and After Party: Savvy Southern Style
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