Saturday, October 4, 2008

The Evolution of a Living Room

Okay. So maybe it's not the project you were expecting, but it IS something I/we got done around here. We built this house 5 years ago, and looking back now, I was probably a little conservative in the living room. Okay...a LOT conservative. I kept thinking, "This is the room we're going to be in night and day." I didn't want anything too bold and annoying. Instead, I came up with neutral and boring...


In time, it got to me. I needed something more. I needed warmth.

So....with the help of our nanny who spilled coffee--not once, but twice--in the same spot, and our stupid dog, I hate him so much! dog who, well, he's a dog...we got new carpeting. Of course, that meant we had to get new walls to go with the carpeting. Note: I did the strike through thingy!! Thank you for your help ladies! You're waaaay smarther than I am!

Then, it finally happened. Curtains. If you're still reading this, it's a pretty funny story. My mom and I were shopping in TJMaxx one day, and I found these curtain panels (two of them!) for $15.00!!!! My mom walked over and immediately wanted them. We tugged on the package, she yanked at my hair, I called her a bad name, and I WON! Never come between me and a cheap purchase--not even if you're my mom!
I may have looked into a neutral pattern in the curtains, but when are you going to find them (95 inches long, mind you) for $15.00? Soooo, as my mom hung her head in defeat, we scooted on over to Hobby Lobby and bought this funky trim to hot glue on them!
She loves it, I love it, my husband hates it! You know what that means, don't you? I love it even more! Oh, I care what he has to say and all, but this girl doesn't need his approval to know if I like something. It just needed a little "oomph", and the trim gives it that.
So, without further adieu........................
Granted, it's the spookified version of my living room, but I imagine you get the point. You've gotta know this isn't staged when you see the blue painter's tape that my stupid dog, why didn't he just choke on the tape! dog ate while I was gone.
My house is in a constant state of change, so there's a couple of "tweaks" I will do. Until then, this is where I watch The Office, Grey's Anatomy, and General Hospital. That's right...I said General Hospital.

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love, Love, Love the colors! You did a great job. I swear, all of these decorating blogs are encouraging me to get back in the swing of things =) I just love you blog :)

The Style Sisters said...

Oh my gosh you are so funny about your dog. I am laughing out loud right now.. stupid dog. I really like how your room turned out it is really beautiful and restful. General Hospital? I haven't watched that in a million years. My friends and I were into it when we were in high school when "Luke and Laura" were the hot couple. Is she still on there? Those were the days.

Suzann said...

You crack me up! I just love your blog. The curtains look awesome and I love the "bling". I have 3 stupid - wonderful dogs that perhaps are related to yours? LOL. The room turned out great! General Hospital? Okay, a while back I somehow ended up seeing part of it and I was freaked out to see Tracey Quartermaine kissing Luke Spencer and he didn't punch her afterwards. Now what the heck was that!?!?!?! LOL Where is Laura? Yup, it's been a long time.

Gypsy aka Tam said...

You had me laughing with the comments about your dog. I very much like the changes you made to your livingroom. It looks great!
Have a great weekend,
Tam

Kelly said...

I see that you really do love your dog!! ;)

Nice living room, such a warmth feeling I see in there.

the undomesticated wife said...

It's really nice, much warmer for sure! Great job!

Aw, poor dog...don't hate! ;)

sandra/tx said...

Beautiful! Great score on those curtains (sorry, mom!). That's a lovely room, Chris.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

what a warm and beautiful room...and that much more so because of... said stupid dog. I happen to think that dumb dumb head, bozo dogs add even more personality than we could possibly buy. I happen to have chew marks on much of my furniture...it's character. Yeah...that's what it is. Character.

Gorgeous job, Girl!!

Barbara said...

love love love the trim...Remember, those curtains were supposed to be hanging in my bedroom. Oh sorry, lost that deal didn't I. The curtains look really good. The room certainly has evolved. Nice and warm!
Mom

Shannon said...

I LLLLLOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEEE it!! It is all just perfect!

Stephanie said...

Where do I start...love the wall color and the curtains. I'm sad you hate your dog. Can I have him? Love the curtains (did I already say that?) and I love how you "spookify" the house around Halloween. Super cute!

Oh, and I used to watch General Hospital. I love that show! I just don't have time these days.

Gigi said...

Sorry if this is a repeat question, but what is the color of your walls?

Jessica said...

I love your blog! I must admit I love it even more now that I know your a General Hospital fan! :) GH is definitely my guilty pleasure!

Julie said...

Great job! I love the color and the curtains are great:)
Julie

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Don't worry, I'm a Y&R freak. Used to watch GH back in the day. I love the drapes! The strike throughs are pretty impressive too. Too funny! At least he doesn't pee on your drapes. Right?!

Unknown said...

Paint makes a dramatic change! Your living room looks great. Love the window treatments.

AJ said...

Looks warm and cozy. Especially with the fireplace:)

Marie said...

I love your living room! Congrats on new carpeting! I am DYING for new carpet, but it's not in the budget. Paris or carpet? Paris or carpet?

LOVE your curtains! Great deal on them. And I think the fringe is great. I think my husband would have an issue with it as well, though.

You have a NANNY???? :o)

Marie said...

Oh... and I still watch GH too. Since way back when Laura was on trial for killing Leslie's boyfriend/husband whatever. I can't remember the details anymore...I think I was 9? lol

TidyMom said...

I LOVE it!! It looks so cozy and warm!! I had to laugh at how you got the curtains! LOL - and you're right what does your dh know, the trim on the curtains was the perfect touch!!

Woohooo on figuring out the strike thru too!!!!

~Tidymom

Saucy said...

Love it. And I just totally love the fringe on the curtains... a stroke of genius.

southerninspiration said...

I just found your blog this morning, while I was blog hopping, and I LOVE your style, and everything you do! Girl, you've got it going on! And I'm guessing some of your creative genes came from your Mom! What a pair you girls make! I've added you to my favs so I can keep up with you and your projects ! thanks!

Suzanne

Unknown said...

I love the curtains, I know what you mean about finding good panels for a great deal and I love the hot glueing the fringe on. I am looking around my house right now to see if I can do that somewhere. I loved this post and love your blog.

AndreaLeigh said...

Love the room! I'm also a GH fan. I use my TIVO to fast forward through all the Sonny and Carly bits. I'm over that. LOL.

Mrs. Jones said...

It looks awesome! And I would duke it out with my mom over a good deal on curtains, too. They're gorgeous!

My dog eats things like painter's tape, too. He even ate my favorite couch in the whole world. A big huge chunk right out of the middle. But then, I saw that Nate on Oprah had a blanket over his couch for the same reason, and I felt better.

~Heather

Ruby Red Slippers said...

Your living room turned out great. The curtains are awesome-I believe in the glue gun too!

Kristen said...

I think it's amazing what that coat of grey (gray, whatever) paint did in there. I don't need to tell you great job, you know you're amazing.

That dog would've been gone after the birthday cake episode. You are much too nice.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

What a pretty room, Chris! I love the new wall color (did you share that?). I'm looking at all those colors now since I'm getting ready to paint. Those drapes look fantastic too, glad you won. All in all, a very cozy & inviting space.

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Oh wow, those curtains...gorgeous! Your room seems so warm and although so spooky - just ready for a cozy blanket and a copy of Romeo and Juliet...or some good tv. Lol, I watch the Bold and The Beautiful. Does it get any lamer than that? At least the characters on GH don't get bit by killer snakes that were planted in a packing crate. Oh why am I addicted??

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, about the game-day condo. I had no idea what it was either, that people actually DO this, but apparently they buy condos just to use for all the home games. Now maybe some of them are used for students to live in later..but, my friends bought one just to use for the games. Their son is a freshman & on the team so it will be used for 4 years at least. Guess it is worth it!

The Dragonfly said...

Now teach us all how to do the strike through thing!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Looks great...absolutely GREAT! Love all the colors..very warm and inviting!
-Sandy toes

Tausha said...

I love the curtains! Who cares what the man thinks-I deal with husbands all the time-thats why their wives call me-men have no vision! Wait-that sounded bad-How about the room looks fantastic and the curtains look great!
Can't wait to see what elss you do!
ps-your posts are one of the main reasons i don't have a dog! ALthough-I always really wanted a dog-just so i could name it DAMNIT!
Admit it, you just giggled-a little!

Sarah said...

Looks great! I LOVE your curtain embellishment. :)

sweet momma luv u said...

Isn't it amazing what a little paint color will do! Love your great find for curtains! It is so hard to find that length. The trim just really makes them pop! Great choice even though hubby doesn't like it.

GH fan! I try to watch it but it is a bad time for my busy schedule and no we don't have Tivo! I have to watch GA though.
Thanks for coming back to blog land! We were definitely missing you.

Jody

edie said...

I love your makeover and your blog and where could I get a good tutorial on the strike-through-the-words trick?
Technically an idiot,
Edie

Blogger said...

lol, I wish my mom was like yours...

I don't know if you saw those shiny pumpkin colored curtains that I bought for my Iron Work Wall conceal...but I got them at Marshall's, the long ones like yours, 2 panels for I think $15.99! I couldn't believe it, that is soooo cheap for curtains! I bought a gazillion packages because I didn't know how many I would need (have 2 huge windows in that room that will get curtains after we repaint and toss the blinds.

I kept thinking of you today when I was in JoAnn's...I kept thinking I wanted to incorporate '31' into some Halloween decor this year...but you know what, it might have to wait til next year ;)

Bella

Carry Grace said...

Oh how I love this room. I'm a neutral girl, and love the tones that you used. Very pretty.

Rachelle said...

Well I just adore the room! And your Halloween decor...loving it! Still stalking your blog, but I have to say, I'm more of a days of our lives girl.. So, I'm not sure how much longer this is going to last.. :)

camiropa said...

I really think its the addition of the witch sitting on the mantle and the one standing to the side of the hearth.... j/k! (but they're very cute)

I loved the part about loving the curtains even more after hubby decided he hates them... isn't that ALWAYS the way it goes???

Jenni said...

I love the curtains~ they really tie the room together! You'll be so much happier watching your favorite show in there! :)
Oh, and General Hospital! Oh that is the ONLY show I watch! I don't know anyone who watches that show, and I don't understand it, because it is the BEST! :)

Lynette said...

I have stumbled across your blog while "blog hopping" today and you have made me smile and just plain ole' laugh out loud several times reading through your very funny escapades!! I have a stupid cat - wanna trade?? OK, not really, my college age DD would kill me if something happened to that stupid cat!!
Thanks for makeing me smile - I hope you don't mind, but I've already added you to my favs -
Lynette

Lynette said...

OK - spell check . . .thanks for MAKING me smile . . .

Robin said...

Oh Wow! I want fringey stuff on MY curtains too!!! I really like that added touch!

BTW, how DO you do the STRIKETHRU in a post??? I have wondered about that...do please EMAIL me that answer!!!

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