Living Room Inspiration: I Need You
April 22, 2010
So I’m knee deep in the middle of sprucing up my son’s room. Poor thing - I never ever really decorated his room when he was born due to 1) exhaustion and 2) ongoing remodel. But don’t feel sorry for the lad, he had some cute plaid linens when he was still in the crib. And pale blue walls. Yay, I did something.
Anywho, I recently painted his room a very bold color and am still waiting on a few accessories but I’m impatient when it comes to decorating around my house and I can’t sit twiddling my thumbs to wait for a few accessories, no sirrrrreeeeee !
I have now turned my attention to the living room. I’ve never really featured this space because it’s a little hum drum too traditional for my changing taste. Yes, I’m feeling the need, the need for some ooh la la moderne décor. I’m inspired to start a makeover, just needing to figure out how to do it in a cost effective way ! ‘Diamond style on a dime’ – that’s what I always say. Hey, that rhymes.
So here are my inspiration photos, and you’ll spot our living room as it is way down below. Notice the colors I’m drawn to are this cool blue and warm gold mixed with cream to lighten and brighten up the space. I’m terribly addicted to this color medley right now. I must have it.
Loving these botanical prints with moss velvet gold leaf settee.
Here’s what I say to this turquoise lamp. “Hello lover.”
I heart wainscoting. And bold n’ gold starburst mirrors.
Pretty pretty wallpaper. Again, loving the wainscoting.
Icy blue velvet and a gold chandelier. Yum.
Here’s a bedroom, but in those colors I adore.
Another bedroom, but check out how lovely the cream and gold table looks up against the blue. LOVE.
Hmm. A vibrant accent, like deep red? Interesting. Love the chandy.
Another fabulous color combination.
Here’s an example I like of mixing traditional with modern glamour.
Dining room perfection in my eyes. Love the mix of fabrics and wood tones.
So those are my inspiration photos.
Here’s the space I feel needs some sprucing !
Here’s the living room from last autumn with its warm tones and too traditional decor for my taste. Please forgive the bad lighting. It’s a little cluttered, so it’s time to streamline.
Here’s a few things that will definitely stay: 1) the piano of course ! It’s a family heirloom given to us by our gracious grandmother. 2) The cream rug because I can’t afford another right now (unless you find one for me!). 3) The chocolate velvet settee which fits the wall perfectly. 4) The bronze silk curtains 5) The vintage blue glass lamp in the corner and 6) the little white French style chair I redid last year.
Everything else is pretty much fair game ! I especially don’t like the beige bench under the window. So here’s the plan so far: I’m definitely installing some DIY wainscoting around the room and I’ll be painting above (or perhaps wallpaper?). I think I should slipcover the sofa. I need something completely stunning under the front window. Maybe I should bring the cream cabinet downstairs and put it there? I also need some new or rearranged art. Perhaps some DIY patterned pillows ? A new chandy splurge ?
What do you think ? Are you digging the blue and gold medley I’ve chosen? Know of any reasonably priced décor or fabric that this space is screaming for ? Got some ideas or links to fab décor ? Bring it darlin’ ! Help a girl out.
I would love to hear what you think !
Tags: inspiration file, living room
Thank you for sharing the inspirational pictures and your lovely living room. I plan to make my own botanical prints this summer, they are so beautiful aren’t they? :)
Have just recently come across your blog and am LOVING it!
I think your inspirational pictures are great, and would definitely go with the blue and gold tones in your lounge. You seem to have some of these colours already with the blue glass lamp and bottle. All I would do is add some cushions in different shades of the same blue with gold trim, maybe change the lampshade to a warm gold? How about putting some gold leaf on the 3 framed mirrors above your settee?
Just me personal view, but hopefully some more ideas to add to your list. :-)
The new color scheme is lovely, although I think the Southern Living room with splashes of red is my favorite.
Please may I join the queue to have anything you get rid of? Your idea of ho-hum is probably better than I’ll ever achieve!
I like your inspiration pictures, and I KNOW you’ve got the skills to DIY. I think bringing that pretty blue in will be so nice! It’s going to be fabulous. :)
I’m so glad to see you pairing this beautiful blue with gold! I recently re-painted my powder room with Restoration Hardware’s “Silver Sage” (which I chose through the highly scientific process of wanting the color of the RH bags)–and I chose that color specifically because I wanted to re-use the golden and bronzy accessories I already had. You see this color used a lot with very cool color schemes, but I think it also lends itself quite nicely to a warmer scheme.
How about a wonderful mirror for above the fireplace? Maybe a round one with a very chunky gold frame? I don’t think you’d necessarily have to slipcover your sofa, since brown goes with your blue so beautifully. But some DIY pillows are a great idea, both for the sofa and for your other upholstered pieces. I like what I can see of your bench by the windows–would that be a good candidate for new upholstery?
Of course, whatever you choose will be divinely lovely, and it’ll be so much fun to see what you did and how you did it. :)
Hi Kate: If you scroll upward through your post your living room looks fantastic. It is only when you scroll down after all the bright blue that it looks a bit dreary. But I know the feeling when you are sick of a look, it is time for a change. I love, love, love the blue and gold idea and I think your bronze curtains will work right in. The brown sofa may not need to be covered either. I am in agreement with the suggestion above of a big gold mirror (starburst or something large) over the fireplace and maybe some new artwork in place of the tryptic (sp?) mirrors over the sofa, but they may look significantly different when you repaint the walls in the blue. Wainscotting is also an interesting idea! Whatever you choose, will be magic no doubt as you have a great design sense. Have fun!
For as long as I can remember, my mom has had the same mirror in Pic 3. If not identical – then VERY close. She always asks me what I want when she dies .. morbid I know … and I always say “the mirror!”.
There is a great canvas art for $19.99 at Target right now. I just got it to go in the bedroom (I think- I’m the queen of second guessing and returning at Target!!). They don’t have it on-line, of course, but it’s birch trees with yellow leaves and the blue sky mixed in… kind of abstractly. But, you might like it for the mixture of colors that you’re going for. I’m working it into a gray/yellow decor scheme that I’m coming up with.
Hi again, Kate;
Just loving reading all these fun ideas and suggestions (which all of us who are FANS OF CG know you will blow our socks off whatever you do)….. but it’s so fun to be invited to your Thinking- out- Loud party!
I love Robins idea for moving the beige bench to a new position as a Linking device , and subsequently moving the piano towards the window…. Just a word of caution re; pianos and windows…. especially our grands which we open…… all that light and heat can affect both the finish and the innards which make the “joyful noise” , so note which direction that window faces to avoid some expensive repairs… been there…. done that! Hope those cute young’uns will soon be doing their etudes at that lovely family heirloom!
and oh, giggle…earlier I wote “starburst” mirror,… but we all know i meant sunburst…..
have wonderful weekend!
Some thoughts (to add to the plethora of others):
—Love the wainscoting idea. You may want to consider going higher than chair rail height, if you’re trying to tone down the formal feel of the room. The fireplace surround, piano, and the shape of the furniture will always tilt the room in the formal direction; but going higher with the wainscoting will give the room a more coastal/cottage/casual feel (if that works for you).
—I’m not personally a fan of gold, but I can appreciate how it’s working in the inspiration photos you posted. I’d just urge you to go with a few more colors in the palette. This will give you more flexibility to add modern, casual elements to the room. The pale teal-gold palette seems to lean automatically toward austere.
Here’s three options I picked out from Color Collective:
http://color-collective.blogspot.com/2010/03/jose-villa-via-style-me-pretty-also.html
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ljqeBsW6g10/S88dH0tDaTI/AAAAAAAAAbc/CCePKutrMAc/s1600/annakern_01.jpg
http://color-collective.blogspot.com/2010/04/andy-gilmore-via-sojamo-tumble.html
—I’d love to see that white chair painted in the teal or other complimentary color with a bold geometric on the seat.
—And if you go with a traditional white for the wainscoting, I’d love to see a strong color or graphic wallpaper above.
Can I give my 2 cents worth? DON’T DO THE SUNBURST MIRROR. Ugly! I don’t care who says it’s in style, it’s awful. If I walked into a home to redecorate and saw that, the first thing I’d say is that it needs to go. The gold is pretty, just not in a sunburst mirror.
As for your current room, it’s very lovely, and I know you can turn it into something fresh and new as well. I would take down the 3 piece mirror. And I would go for something larger over the fireplace, replacing the 2 pictures.
I love your blog, very inspiring and it makes me feel like freshening up my home all the time. I love your ideas for painting furniture, adding a mirror to the top, etc. You take it to a whole new level.
Keep it coming! And if you’re sold on the sunburst mirror, go for it without looking back because I don’t live in your home and the main thing is that YOU like it!
I do love the cream and blue color combo; not so shot in the head about gold but that’s a personal preference :-) It certainly looks great in the photos you shared! Mmmm, that wallpaper in the one photo is exceptionally GORGEOUS. If not that, then something similar with the wainscoting would be stunning. Definitely some DIY pillows in luscious shades of blue; you can splurge on small pieces of great fabric for those. I never thought I was a chandy person until we moved here and began prowling through the amazing antique shops in Cordoba; I am so hooked now! LOL Unfortunately our rental house has nowhere to hang one. But one of these days…!
Hi Kate!
I discovered your blog a few weeks ago, and am addicted! I check it almost daily to see what new and fantastic things you’ve been up to! I will be moving to a new home soon, and can’t wait to do some decorating – you have totally inspired me! I love the blue you’re thinking about for your living room, and especially love the wallpaper in the one inspiration picture. Here’s an idea I’m thinking of trying myself. I saw an episode of Color Splash on HGTV where they were redoing a master bedroom in a shade of blue similar to what you’re thinking of, and they used a stencil in a pattern similar to the wallpaper. They first tried a different finish of paint in the same color as the wall, then I think they ended up with a lighter shade of the same color. It was really beautiful, and would probably be cheaper (and easier) than putting up wallpaper. If you go on the HGTV website, go to “Colorsplash” and you should be able to find the episode! Good luck – I know whatever you do will be beautiful!
i didn’t read all the comments, but recently I saw a “virtual” room makeover (I think Layla at TLC put it together) where she recommended the “faux” wainscoting treatment on the lower hald of the walls, but then UP the wall above the firplace–making it look like a whole “built-in” thing going on with the mantel and fireplace. it was gorg. i think that would make it an enormous focal-point. if you can’t visualize what I mean, email me, and i’ll try to dig up the image. love the room, even as is, btw.
Hi Kate, I know you need a change but DANG! I’m loving your “before”! Huge fan of icy blue though, and it would look fab with your velvet brown sofa and a bit of red for accent. That’s the scheme of our master bedroom and we’re still in love with it after 4 years. The colors are really easy on eyes and I have yet to grow weary of it. Can’t wait to see your diamonds on a dime remodel!
I would start with paint. Loving RH Silver Sage that another reader recommended. New pillows and seat fabric on the white chair. Would you consider banding the drapes in an accent color? That triple mirror needs to go (very fussy) I would go with something uber contemporary perhaps with a brushed aluminum or silver frame. Check out the great fabric at Discount fabrics USA on the web. They have swatching service and great prices! Can’t wait to see the after photos.
I’m in the process of re-doing my loving room right now in the blue’s, creams, and golds. Pretty much every piece of black furniture that was standing still in my living room has gotten a coat of heirloom white, gold, or mirror finish, lol. Ben Moore has a great color called “wythe blue” which is what I chose for my walls…very chic and would look fab with your curtains and/or w.c.. Check out decorpad and search Miley cirus’ crash pad. It has a great inspiration photo which (if you like it) combines your taste for the blues/turquoise and your existing choc brown accents. Can’t wait to see the “afters!”
I adore the robins egg blue or aqua shades….but Kate…your so ingenious anyway; why not throw a newer choice of a bold accent of your own fixing. Perhaps a rusty/burnt orange, or a rich earthy red to go with….something all about you. Throw fabric scrapes about or paint chips and play. Put the mags away.
I absolutely love blues and especially turquoise… I saw this wallpaper http://www.lauraashley.com/Duck-Egg+Blues/TATTON-WALLPAPER/invt/3439792) in the UK in a store last year and brought home 4 rolls of it. It is a gorgeous goldy cream with light teal… I am not sure if you can get it in the US, but it really fits the color scheme you are talking about!
Love your blog btw! :)
I’ve been “visiting” these frames for a while for my own living room. I think they would look great in your scheme!
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/pb-gilt-frames/?pkey=x%7C4%7C1%7C%7C10%7Cframe%7C%7C0&cm_src=SCH
I CANNOT wait to see what you do in here! I am having the same problem with my living room. It’s to traditional and warm. I have the exact same curtains and a similar rug. My walls are even probably the same color. I’ve been begging my hubby to help me with wainscotting and changing the wall color. I’ve already added a sunburst mirror and antique gold frames. Can’t wait!!
I am also drawn to your color choices; although I have never liked gold except in jewels- reminds me too much of brass. You’ve got some great pieces to work with. Sometimes we just need a fresh eye on the space & I think that is what you are asking for. First I would suggest you hang the 3 piece mirror set above the fireplace. Flank both sides of the fireplace with same or similar items: table, small chest, large vase with branches or large potted plants. You might have these items somewhere else in your home. The chocolate sofa could face the fireplace, have a throw & pillows in the beatiful blues you have chosen. I would keep the bench you refer to under the window; but rather move it to the wall your couch is on now. Then hang your collection of botanicals above it. Another placement for your bench could be in front of your fireplace – cozy in winter, and during the summer months it could work like a coffee table with stacks of books/mags and large tray for refreshments. Your piano may have to be rearranged to allow this. It’s hard to tell what your working with on the other side of the picture – a wall , doorway, stairs? I’m sure it’s going to be ‘Centsational Girl’. Can’t wait to see the after. :)
[...] and accessories. The space is far from ‘done’ but it’s looking closer and closer to my inspiration photos every [...]
I am finding your ability to get soooo much done slightly more impressive than your gorgeous projects. Wow you do a lot. And all of it great.
Each person here has given some wonderful ideas but I am keen to see what yours were. Whatever your result is it will be superb.
Whenever someone asks me what my ideas are on a particular room I always say the same thing – de-clutter. Because can’t we all be accused at some stage of cluttering up a space? De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter lol
Bring on your after-shots – can’t wait. Bet there won’t be any clutter at all.