The time has come
If the Black Eyed Peas were here, they would sing, “Let’s get it started in here!” And they would be talking about our living room.
March 31 of this year will mark five years in our home. Five whole years, people. On one hand I can’t believe how much we’ve accomplished in that period of time (you know, finishing a whole second floor to create three more bedrooms and a bathroom, painting three decks, making over a bathroom and a hallway and a kitchen and a nursery and a guest bedroom.) It’s amazing to think there are many walls and stretches of trim that remain only primed, but it’s true.
And then there’s the living room. The room you see first when you walk in our house and the room where we spend the most time. It is a blank, beige slate (yawn), and it’s time for The Makeover.
We do have throw pillows but they aren't staying, so I took them off for full "before" effect.
Don’t you just love the matching lamps!? (I kid, I kid.)
So in full disclosure, this living room makeover actually started back in September when we said sayonara to the red couch from my post-college apartment and Chris’ hand-me-down, 30-year-old-heavier-than-life sofa that was slipcovered in a not-so-matching red, and traded them both in for this super big and comfy sectional. And we did trade in my beat-up orange-oak coffee table for a smaller round one that worked with the new sectional. I also took down some beige curtains and popped in some white roman shades.
And things have been at a standstill ever since.
Here is the thing about this impending (in progress?) living room makeover. The result is not going to be magazine perfect. Not even close. Yes, we could have purchased a nice, clean-lined sofa and a few chairs and threw the TV out the back door, but what we really wanted was a big, cozy sectional where our whole family (dog included) could cuddle and watch a movie. We don’t have a finished basement or any other room suited for a den-type feel, so this is it and we’re going with it.
Cool?
So, before I show you what I have planned, let me share a few other points of view on our rarely-shown-on-the-blog super beige room.
Even the "artwork" is tone-on-tone beige. Seriously.
The TV gets a whole corner to itself.
And really, that artwork is white paper with designs cut into it. It really is more than what it looks like, but not really all at the same time.
Okay, so now I can show you what I have in mind. It’s not much, but it’s something to go on. I think.
Let me break it down for you:
- White walls (because I want it to be versatile and lighter and bring color in elsewhere)
- Fun pillows in blue, white, and bright prints (remember how I talked about that here)
- Some sort of arc lighting seeing how this room has no overhead light fixture. Seriously.
- I will have to put some sort of curtains up, but I have no idea what yet.
- I am thinking some sort of tall storage will replace the toy corner that is seen in view 2 of the living room above.
- I need a cute side table or two.
- And I should really consider covering Frankie’s bed to match, but he is usually on the couch.
Now can you see how/why I put this makeover off for so long? Too bad for me. It’s happening, and it’s happening now. Stay tuned.
Have you saved your most-lived-in room for last like me, or did you tackle that right away? Any living room makeovers to share with me? I need all the inspiration I can get!
How about some simple crown moulding? If you really want to shake it up, add a crown with some indirect lighting.
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Kate @ zMOMbie.com Reply:
January 16th, 2012 at 8:42 am
Yeah, I like that idea, too. And the Laura’s comment about putting a color behind the white cutouts to make them pop.
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Erin Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Hey Chris! Yes, I do like the idea of crown in this room. It’s perfect because it is the one spot in our downstairs that doesn’t have the ceiling opening up to another room. Do you know anyone that knows how to install crown!?!?
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Christopher White Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 7:10 am
I may have someone in mind. If you actually do want it, let me know. Your room is an easy one to do (1/2 day or so).
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I love those ikat pillows you’ve imagined on the couch, and I could take a very long nap on the sectional – it looks soooo comfy. We have a too-big-for-the-room sectional in our living room (thanks to no family room) and while it drives me nuts the reality is that it’s comfy as can be!
There’s a great arc lamp at a very good price over at worldmarket.com – you should check it out. Also, I think that an area rug layered over the carpet would be a fabulous way to add the color and pattern that you want. You could then use the color/pattern in the rug as a jumping off point for new window treatments.
If the framed paper is cut out, could you layer colored paper under it? That would help the designs to really pop.
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Erin Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Hi Laura!
Can you come over and help decorate, please!? I looked for the lamp at WorldMarket.com but can’t seem to find it! And I do love the idea of a layered rug, but I’m nervous that it would become a tripping hazard. I have to read up about rug placement on carpet. Also, I had never even thought about keeping that artwork (I’ve grown to dislike it so much) but maybe you are right about upgrading it!
xo,
- e
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I’m a big fan of blue. That will look nice. Just a crazy thought, what if you painted your coffee table a rich navy? And maybe some light weight drapes on the windows?
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tashamonster Reply:
January 16th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
I love the idea of painting the table navy blue!
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Erin Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Hi Kate!
I am definitely not opposed to painting the table, and navy would be awesome. We’ll see once I decide to rug or not to rug on the carpet!
xo,
- e
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Love that coffee table! Where did you find that at?
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Erin Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Hey Amanda!
The coffee table was ordered online at Wayfair. Here is the link! (Very easy to assemble and looks good/sturdy).
http://www.wayfair.com/Winsome-Concord-Coffee-Table-in-Walnut-94231-WN1282.html
xo,
- e
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Your home is beautiful! We have done our living room twice in a little over 6 years. And the second time we traded a more structured couch for a big comfy sectional. It’s the way to go. We neglect our bedroom! It’s the only room that doesn’t have curtains, it’s where we throw stuff if we don’t know where else to put it…we say someday, but since we don’t seem to spend much time in there, we keep putting it off.
I agree we an above comment about crown molding. My husband is quite handy and he learned how to put it up himself, and it really gives a finished, clean look. We have it in most of our rooms now (except our bedroom!)
I love your blog Erin! I can’t believe how much you’ve accomplished! You inspire me!
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Erin Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Bethany! You are too sweet! Thank you for your kind words. It sounds like you are having plenty of decorating adventures at your house. Put that bedroom on the list of to-dos. You deserve it!
xo,
- e
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I totally hear you on the comfortable vs. super stylish sofa thing. We just bought seating for our basement and had the exact same discussion. We ordered a sectional:).
I love the colored paper idea with the artwork. Maybe some long panels on either side of the roman shades to bring some color and pattern? The arc lamp is perfect, but since it is the only source of lighting maybe some table lamps on side tables as well?
Good luck and I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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Erin Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
I need you to come over and help decorate, too, Jenny!
xo,
- e
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Love that your couch…looks super cozy! What about adding a padded ottoman? Something that opens up for storage? We have a leather one that I love, but if I could go back I’d get one to stash all of Ethan’s toys. Pop a tray on top for setting drinks (and dinner if you are like us).
Good luck!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
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Erin Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
I, for one, love the ottoman idea. My husband nixes any idea of ottoman as a coffee table, though, and he, unfortunately, gets a vote!
xo,
- e
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I love that you’re embracing that it won’t be magazine perfect but WILL be a perfect spot for your family to cuddle. I need to do that more often – I’m often paralyzed when decorating or even crafting because things won’t be *perfect* magazine-style. It’s strange that being functional/useful is WAY better than being magazine style and I don’t give more thought to that. Hmm.
Love where you’re going with the navy. Can’t wait to see where you end up! We’ve got a few rooms around here that really need some love…
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Erin Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Isn’t it funny how we put so much pressure on ourselves?! Hope you can offer your design insight along the way!
xo,
- e
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Really digging the pillows and pattern. It’s going to look great. Someone just told me how to eat an elephant – one bite at a time. It’s the same with a project like this. Keep up the great work!
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Erin Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
I love the elephant analogy, Kim! So true, so true.
xo,
- e
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I agree with all of the above comments, but the rest of your house has so much life in it with the colors you use! I understand how you want to keep it semi-neutral, but how about painting one wall with a pop of color to showcase it? Perhaps even the corner where you have your TV? Some floating shelves on those two walls would add a nice spot to showcase some items too. An area rug would do alot for that extra bit of hominess. And I’ve lived in many a home with a rug on it, so long as its good quality, you won’t have to worry about tripping.
Curtains are a great touch to brighten a room, and if you intend to keep it white, I think you should just go crazy with it to liven it all up and tie in those pillows. This maybe a little out there for you, but.. ever thought about painting the ceiling? 
Don’t let it scare you!
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I like that big dramatic light! We need to start hanging art work on our walls. Maybe this will be the year.
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Erin Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Now if only I can find that light for cheap!!
xo,
- e
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