living room

Modern, Funky, Glam

Do you ever start a room and then just get stuck on how to complete it or make it really shine?  This is such a common problem- you are not alone!  That's why I'm here to help! Lauren reached out to me for a bit of help on her new living room.  She had a great start, getting a new coffee table, sofa, and rugs, but then froze not knowing what to do next or how to make the pieces that she loved all work in harmony.  Gray sofa, neutral walls, & neutral but textural rugs... we're off to a great start!

lauren-lr-before

lauren-lr-before2

While the current space doesn't show it, Lauren is certainly not afraid of color or pattern, so I decided to make it my mission to help her realize the modern, funky, glam space that I could tell that she was going for (even if she hadn't realized that's what she was going for yet ;-) ).

I started by pulling together an inspiration board.  My plan would begin with moody neutrals and I would layer on metallics, pattern, and a few bold elements.

modern funky glam living room inspiration board - via Year of Serendipity

inspiration: My Domaine, Domino, Hunted Interior, Urban Outfitters, original source unknown

From there I started to look at the individual pieces.  Lauren's gray velvet sofa was staying and the hopes was for the other, slipcovered one to be replaced by 2 side chairs.  The sofa has good bones, but I would remove all of it's matching pillows, start fresh and inject some funky glamour in the space.

modern funky glam design plan- via Year of Serendipity

1. oversize abstract art- buy larger and frame partial //2. brass task lamp //3. sofa (sim to existing) //4. locust throw blanket //5. campaign accent table //6. gray linen-like curtains- wall to wall //7. kilim pillow //8. metallic pillow //9. kilim pillow //10. swoop arm side chair //11. coffee table (sim to existing) //12. natural fiber rug (sim to existing) //13. faux fur rug (sim to existing)

I might even throw a fiddle leaf fig tree in the corner near the TV for a bit of greenery too.  I'm dreading the day that fiddle leaf figs go out of style.  They're such a fun, graphic way to add greenery without being too fussy!  A few differently shaped mirrors around the tv will help to anchor that wall as well.

When it comes to the design, it's all about balance.  It's always about balance and I feel like such a broken record.  The magic way to mix styles is to make sure that everyone has a buddy.  A metallic pillow will feel very lonely if there's nothing else shiny around it.... But this is a much larger post for another day.

If you're looking for some decor help, don't hesitate to reach out!!  Send me some images and info about your space and I'll send over a quote for your very own e-design.

I'm off for the rest of the week to bake, cook, wrap, and most of all celebrate Christmas with my family.  I hope you have an awesome week and a Christmas that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  ~XO Karen

 

Pillow Fight!

I hope you're enjoying a nice relaxing long weekend.  Can someone please explain to me how September just happened??  I digress.... Pillows!

Along with a new sofa comes the need for some new pillows.  Yes, the need.  I've come to the conclusion that it must be in the female DNA because men just don't get pillows.  Every single time I say something about a new pillow, Hubby responds with "ya know, I was just thinking we didn't have enough pillows."  You are right, Hubby, one can never have enough pillows!  Who's with me???  Pillows are a relatively inexpensive and non-committal way to instantly switch up a room.

mgbw-dianes-sofa

Exhibit A- our new sofa.  While I love the simplicity of just the single center pillow (a HomeGoods find that I still adore), functionality-wise, we need to add a pillow on each side.  I want something fun and colorful that won't compete with the adjacent ikat chair or the orange/coral pillow.  That's not too much to ask.

Pillow-round-up

 

 

  1. Fanner Diamond Pillow Cover in Platinum from West Elm.  Simplicity with artistic flare in the form of texture
  2. British Bouquet pillow from Caitlin Wilson Textiles.  Color and fun.
  3. Embroidered Dot Pillow Cover in Blue Lagoon from West Elm.  So pretty and simple.  It would be rather simple to take this as an inspiration and create a custom version.
  4. Paint Palette Pillow via Tonic Living.  The fabric itself is also available from Tonic Living and I think is the current front-runner in my sofa race.  An artsy floral with enough color that it can hold up next to the existing pillow.
  5. Blue, Purple, and Green Linen Pillow Cover from Pillow Flight on etsy.  This shop has such great affordable options!  I'm also a sucker for paisley-inspired florals.  I think I need to veer out of the box, though.
  6. Cowhide Pillow Cover from Wisteria.  I'm not going to lie and tell you I love the cowhide... It would not be very comfortable to rest your head on during detective show binge-watching... BUT I love the style/idea here.  Creating a pattern with individual fabric pieces and leaving raw edges- beautiful.  With felt, jersey, or some other cozy material I'd be totally sold.

I could day dream about pillows all day if I wasn't careful.  So many options!  Such pretty fabrics!  Endless possibilities!  I bit pillow-crazy? maybe!

 

Sofa!!

The excitement really only needs a one word title.  After 3+ years of lamenting our too-large-for-the-living-room lumpy (but oh so comfy) couch.... Living room before with out of scale furniture

We finally have a sexy adult sofa that will hold up for more than a couple years.  The word 'sofa' just sounds so much more sophisticated than 'couch,' don't you think?

MGBW Diane's Sofa via Year of Serendipity

We splurged for the Diane's sofa from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in the stock velvet (aka unable to be ruined by little kitty paws), and I.am.in.love.

Living room with new  stylish but neutral sofa via via Year of Serendipity

I'm also so amazingly happy with how far the living room has come this year!  From the highly artistic and totally accurately perspectived sketch that I showed you back in January, I think I can say- mission accomplished.

Living room plan sketch

Living room sketch turned reality via Year of Serendipity

All the puzzle pieces have finally come together and I'm giddy!  Just a few last finishing touches needed *coughpillowsandrugcough* and I will soon be able to put the Done(ish) stamp on this room.  When is a room in my house ever fully done?  Well, done enough to take some new pics for my Home Tour.

Living room with new  stylish but neutral sofa via via Year of Serendipity

Hubby's still rather neutral on pretty new Diane- I think because the color is almost identical to our old one, but OMG, I personally think having the right scaled sofa for the space is a breath of fresh air!!

eclectic living room with stylish but neutral sofa via via Year of Serendipity

Since my sketched out plans in January, the living room has gotten:

So, are you as in love with Diane as I am??