Archive for April, 2012

We have lived in our home for three weeks now.  We’ve managed to unpack most boxes, sell most of our old furniture and buy some new items.  Honestly, I think I’m not only impatient in general, but in a hurry for this house to feel like home.

Yesterday, I shared photos of the kitchen.  Check them out if you missed them.

Here is the basic overall design vision for the main rooms that I posted a couple of days before we moved in.  Several things have changed, but overall, we’re still on this general track.

We have not at all completed the main rooms, so please take that into consideration as you view these images.  However, I didn’t want to keep you in the dark.  I wanted to share with you where we are and where we are going.

First, we put down a neutral palette.  I believe in doing this so that you can easily make changes to color later on.  We kept the builders neutral wall color (for now), added an almond colored sectional that we already owned.  Then, an ivory and camel shag rug.  And, for the tv stand, we used a redone dresser painted in Old World White, from a local antique shop.    It’s my favorite piece in the house right now.

In addition to that, we added a metal end table from Restoration Hardware along with a white end table. All still neutral. The throw is charcoal gray and the lamps are shades of gray, ivory and taupe.

I already had the decorative balls/ container for the coffee table.  Other accessories such as the antlers are also neutral.

As you establish the neutral base, be sure to vary the textures.  This makes it interesting to the eye.

After this base was established, I began to layer in color.  This is layered in via the ceiling, throw pillows, antique books, etc so far.  This allows for optimal flexibility later on.  Keep in mind that this room is NOT finished.

We still need to add curtains, a sunburst over the mantle and garden stools flanking the fireplace.  I also may still paint the coffee table and more pillows are on their way!

What are we going for?  A mix of glamour/ sophistication, rustic, and industrial.  A bit of a Restoration Hardware feel.

You can really see the neutral base here.

There is that awesome sofa table from the Etsy shop, The Lake Nest.  I do realize the lamp cord is showing on the right.  Since these are just progress photos, I didn’t worry about it.  I also still have fabric samples on the sofa table.  And, the truth is, I’ll probably rework the accessories before it’s all over.

To see what our previous family room looked like, go to the tour page on the blog.

And here are some quick drawings of where we are thinking we’ll go with it once we add curtains and art over the fireplace.   Color of the curtains?    Navy and ivory… but the shade of navy is still to be determined.  I’m on a fabric hunt.  It should be somewhere between the ceiling and pillow color.  However, if you know of any awesome navy fabric in that range in a linen blend for $15 a yd or under, let me know!

Since taking these photos, I got the sunburst mirror and it’s now above the mantle and I love it!  So, I’ll take a photo of it soon.

I didn’t put it in the drawing, but we still have pillows to add (some are ordered) and garden stools.

However, do you know how much seamstresses charge for pinch pleated, lined, striped curtains?!  A lot.  So, this idea may be out.

So, instead, we could do this version of blue and white curtains, with solid ones in the breakfast room as originally planned.  It’s a little busy, but we’d make sure to keep the rest of the room less busy.

Or, if that seems too busy, we could go with solid gray/ greige/ taupe.

Still kicking the curtain thing around.  What do you like?

And, here is the kitchen again, so you can get a feel for the two rooms flowing together.  I still need to add wheat grass on the bar and curtains in the breakfast room.

I hope to show you where we are with the breakfast room soon.  It has the most changes from the original design.  For example, we’re using the faux bamboo chairs in the formal dining and chose acrylic chairs for the breakfast room.

Hope you enjoyed seeing our progress so far!   You should notice that this is VERY (completely) different than the family room at our last home.

Update – Post with much more progress in this room goes up on Tuesday, 6/26/12!