Decorate my house room by room craft-a-long

[Lady Llanalla]

My advice, go to nearest Bart Station, take to Emeryville( I think its really an Oakland stop, walk over nifty bridge, go into IKEA! Yum IKEA, not too expensive, everything from small tables and plants, to artwork and tiny shelves. AND they show you what it could all look like before you buy any of it. Not to mention its cheap and you can have a lovely lunch while looking past Trader Vics at the city. NICE.

[artisticnightmare]

Arabella- is it possible for you to put the couch up against that wall?  I would turn it that way if it was my place.  You could then put the coffee table in front of it, the new chairs you have coming on the other side of the coffee table and add some side tables over by the window.  I would keep the plants where they are, and possibly add more on some the side tables...and I would paint the window wall a deeper color of what is already there.  I'd also do some sort of sisal blind or a different curtain and add some art work on the bigger walls.

[bamabee]

OK, this may seem totally absurd, but it is something I'm thinking about doing.  I'm going to take a picture of a flower and have it blown way up and framed.  I have a friend who is a nature photographer who gave me some pretty pictures of tiger lillies.  Maybe something like that could work.

[hawkeyes_girl]

I see you have palm trees on your pillows. I'd scan them and rasterbate it.

Or paint on on a large canvas to take up wall space.

[Deirdre]

ok I need some advice please.  I know that lamp is ugly, but it was a handmedown, plus it's handy for reading or knitting in that corner... should we get rid of it and get a cuter one?  we should, right?  why am I even asking?

I'd look into some heat-tolerant spray paint for metal and spray the lamp three or four different bright cheery colors to kick it up a notch. 

Deirdre

[arabella]

thanks you guys!  lots of great ideas.  loving the "one big piece of artwork" idea.  this idea is really intriguing:

Arabella- is it possible for you to put the couch up against that wall?  I would turn it that way if it was my place.  You could then put the coffee table in front of it, the new chairs you have coming on the other side of the coffee table and add some side tables over by the window.  I would keep the plants where they are, and possibly add more on some the side tables...and I would paint the window wall a deeper color of what is already there.  I'd also do some sort of sisal blind or a different curtain and add some art work on the bigger walls.

ok I did it, and here's a pic. also with the new coffee table and chair.  btw we ordered a new sofa to match the chair because we are so in love with the chair.  it's green.  you can't really tell in this crappy picture though.  so, what do we think of the new arrangement?  it's pretty cramped, right?  it's cozy when you're sitting in it, but I'm worried it looks too cramped.  all ideas welcome...

[Stifflersmom]

Can you put the chair at an angle to the corner? It might open up the area a bit.

[spitbubbleluv]

Arabella, I agree with stifflersmom.  Moving the chair to the corner would add some more space.  Plus if the new couch has similar dimensions to the chair, its going to be more crowded once it arrives.  Your living room is very pretty.  It seems like a relaxing place to be.

Here's my progress so far.  I'm at a point where I can go no further.  We need a new couch, but I'm still undecided what to buy. 

I rearranged the furniture and re-did my bookshelf.  I made new pillows as well.  Check out my blog for way too much info on them.  The painting is by me.  Its of my son.  The lampshades are covered in fabric that I dyed and stenciled.  The table was decoupaged a few years ago.  Its not holding up well with a 3 year old who picks at it though, so it will be replaced soon.  I had planned on painting or upholstering it, but its kind of wobbly. 


Another pillow.  Based on the Amy Butler pillow in her book.  I hate my entertainment center but it too has to wait.  Sometimes I really hate being overseas.


Another new pillow.  I made the quilt as well.  Its based on a Denyse Schmidt quilt.  The mirror is covered in seashells.  I'm missing a picture on the right side.  I couldn't find a plate hanger at the store.  I have a little mirror that will be hung there. 
I love being surrounded by stuff that I have made.
I'm going to go ahead and start on the next month's room(s)-dining room and kitchen.  My dad is coming to visit so I'm not sure how much time I will have in late February and March.  I'm going to finish stuff in my dining room and kitchen.  I plan on repainting my canisters, making potholders, and covering my son's table in oilcloth so far.  There's always a ton of small stuff too. 

[Muzzymom86]

spitbubbleluv:  I love your furniture.  The quilt on your couch is great.  I would love to see a picture of the whole thing.

[naelany]

wow, nice room, spitbubbleluv