Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Shake things up

Where have I been? I have a husband who is a high school wrestling coach. We just won the state championships. If I go to one more "celebratory" party and talk wrestling, I'm going to throw up. So, I'm back.


First up on my honey do list? Re-arrange the furniture in the living room. I give you the befores...




And now the afters...


Here are my thoughts on moving furniture. This new arrangement is certainly not my favorite. It cuts off the flow of the room, and some of the placement is a little awkward.
This chair doesn't fit here nearly as nice as my loveseat did, but that's not the point. All too often, I think people shy away from moving their furniture around simply because they think they can't. They worry that their furniture won't work in certain places because it isn't the "best fit". I disagree.

By simply moving things around for a bit, it freshens up your carpet, it changes your perspective on the room, and it allows you to accessorize a little differently for a while.
This charming magazine holder? Bought it months ago, and I'm in love with it. However, it didn't really work to have it placed "on display" with my other arrangement. Now, it greets you as you walk in the room.
So there you have it. My expert advice on moving furniture around. I say go for it. It doesn't have to be your only arrangement just because it's your favorite arrangement, right?

133 comments:

Shell in your Pocket said...

I love the color on your fireplace~

Such a beautiful room~
sandy toe

Natalie Meester said...

love the arrangement you did on your fireplace mantle! Great!

Tennille said...

I agree! I have a problem with moving furniture- I do it WAY to offen!!! Love the new look!!

southerninspiration said...

Oh I totally agree with you...unless you find the perfect arrangement for a room, you should shake it up!!! I love to shake up the accessories anyway, too...and rearranging gets more cleaning done, too!! :)

Suzanne

Megan {The Brick Bungalow} said...

I love moving furniture around. And I, too, am married to a high school wrestling coach. I totally understand where you're coming from!

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

Wall decor is what keeps me from moving stuff around...I don't want to deal with moving the artwork too!

Your magazine rack is cute!

~ Sarah

Wendy said...

I agree with you, I think people just get scared to do it.

Juli said...

I love the new arrangement. Not actually being in the room it is hard to tell but I think the sofa looks so much better centered in front of the window instead of off to the side. I love you little punches of green. Great room. Very inviting.

Anonymous said...

I move furniture frequently. I see that you have furniture in front of your window. I have to do this as well because of the layout in our livingroom. My husband teases that he never knows where his chair will be when he gets home. That is how often I rearrange furniture.
Sarah

Kim said...

It looks great! I love all the lighting too...really highlights all of your pretty things.

We rearranged our living room not too long ago. My hubby is the one who actually came up with the furniture placement. (I know he's been secretly watching HGTV while he pretends to be on the computer!)

Feels like a whole new room, doesn't it? Glad you're back! I've missed reading your posts.

Barb said...

Chris, Looks lovely! Great idea. I think it all fits very well. Wish my room could be changed. Whenever I have tried, it all goes back the same way. Glad you are able to "Break Away". Love it...

Mom

"Hello... It's Me Again..." said...

I love your room!! It looks brighter and more inviting! I admit that I'm one of those people who never ever ever ever moves furniture. I might move an accessory to another room, but never ever move furniture. I want to, just have no clue where to put what. My hubby is not a wrestling coach, he's a telephone man. :-)

After reading this post and the other commenters, I'm looking around my room wondering where or what I should move. Hmmm.....

Lisa said...

Looks great! So inviting and cozy...

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love your thoughts - I just rearranged my living room last week. I like my old arrangement better, but it will stay this way for awhile.

Shannon said...

Love the new look!

Kristen said...

You certainly do need even carpet wear with that dog-giant of yours. My motto is I either need to go on a trip or rearrange furniture about every 3 months. And We rarel go anywhere, so that tells you what mostly happens. I'm wild and crazy like that. Your mag holder is cute. Congrats to the hubby on blah blah wrestling blah blah. :) I'll bet your super proud (really, I would be!) Miss seeing you around. We're teething at our place. I've discovered even 1 year old girls can be moody, I'm in for a ride I think with her!

Julie H said...

I think it looks great! We currently have a huge sectional that falls apart (and is really hard to get back together) so it's not moving.

Amber Filkins said...

LOVE it!! I should show you MY living room and see what other arrangements we could come up with. It's a big room, but it has three entries, and so you can't really arrange it many ways, especially with a huge bookcase & 3 couches.

Love that you're experimenting! And mostly, I love your magazine holder!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Looks great. I love to rearrange the furniture for a new look.
Love & blessings from NC!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Hooray for you moving things away from the walls!!! I am not a mover (change -- ack!!) but do like to pull things away from the wall when possible. If you don't love it after a few days, maybe move the smaller sofa to the right just a bit, so they make an "L" -- more room to walk around the other side? Love the change! (OH, and with you on hubby -- fall is the major time for us with band. Feel you.)

Carrie said...

I love your style, the room looks so uncluttered and clean :) I came across your blog from another blog...etc :)

Anyway, very cute and funny and very creative, I'm now a follower!
thanks for sharing your ideas with us :)
Ps - I'm always moving things around, but it drives my husband crazy! LOL, he never knows what it's going to look like when he gets home!

DomesticDivasFancy said...

I swear I always move at least one piece of furniture weekly. I like to shake things up a bit myself. I think your home look beautiful. I it looks so cozy! Love the fireplace too!!! And the big puppy dog!

Suzanne said...

WWHHAATT? You don't LOVE parties or dinners where all we do is replay the 30 second pin in the 1st quarter? Or how the ref said that kid stepped out when he was clearly in? =) I feel your pain sister! Tell the hubby congrats though! State is huge! Oh and I love the room. I love the overhead lighting even more. I need that.

Evy said...

Beautiful!

I think your new arrangement looks great!

Tecia said...

I have a mirror similar to the one that is behind your leather chair. I have it standing vertically in my bedroom, I would love to try it horizontal on my living room wall, but im scared it will be too hard to hang..Any tips on how I can get it up there? My mirror is really Heavy.

Thanks,

Tecia

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Chris, I think the new arrangement looks great. Very inviting!

Moi said...

i am addicted to moving furniture around - i get it from my Mom.
We always rearranged the house every little while because it just felt fresh and new each time and it made us happy!

Unknown said...

I like the re-arrangment. It seems cozier. I'm ALWAYS moving my furniture. They have those little coaster to put under the legs so they don't scratch the hardwoods or make it easier to move on carpet---I LOVE them. Since it's usually just me moving the furniture around, they help out tremendously.

Amy Jo said...

Where's your dog? haha....

I changed my living room around last month because I was going stir crazy with the ongoing winter months. Like you, it's not the best, but it's different and that was the whole point. My TV is no longer the first thing people see when they enter the living room and that was my main goal. It was also a great time to do a little cleaning under the couches and tables!

Absolutely Ladylike said...

Fantastic job you did! Love the lights...and I'm in love with the fireplace...Have a great day, love: Evi

Farmgirl Paints said...

Looks much better...good job. My sympathies go out to you being married to a coach. I'm married to an accountant and it's busy season...does that count too?

Kristen, pajama mama said...

i totally agree, but have never found one arrangement that just seems totally right...keep moving...
although, I really like the new arrangement you've found...looks perfect for conversing with company!
-kristen

Jill@Barnes Yard said...

I love a little change. Good job :)

Ashley said...

I agree... I need to start doing that.

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

This really looks wonderful. Everything you do seems to look great. You have a real decorating knack!
Blessings,
Debbie

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I like the idea of changing things up. I really like the arrangement of things on your mantle! Very nice.

The Berry's Patch said...

I love it. It looks great. I would just add a table on the back of the love seat with more cute accessories. And that's my 2 cents. :-)

Linda said...

I love it. It looks so cozy and inviting.
Blessings,
Linda

Chris Kauffman said...

I love it so much more , gorgeous .

Anonymous said...

Love the room and the magazine holder is wonderful!
Robin Rane'
All Things Heart and Home

dongdong said...

I love the lighting. That's what I need in my family room. My room is actually pretty similar to yours except the position of the fireplace.

Lettered Cottage said...

I get my obsession with moving furniture around for no reason at all honest. My Mom does it ALL the time. :-)

Layla

Lettered Cottage said...

Love the new look by the way. :-)

Katy said...

I'm a constant furniture mover, I love doing it!!!

Your room looks awesome, great job!!

You are invited to come check out a bit of my redo if you'd like. It is still in progress and I'd love some advice.

Clean and Classic Interiors said...

I'm the one who never wants to rearrange but after its done - I always like the change! I think it looks great!

Kimba said...

I like the new arrangement. You just need some kind of console table behind the loveseat. Bossy am I, no?

Love the magazine holder! Where did it come from??? If you say Pier 1, I'm going to be knocking on their door before they're even open. After all, I'll be Unplugged tomorrow with nothing else to do.

This could get expensive.
Kimba

kristin maynes said...

I need HELP with my L/R furniture!! I've lived in this house for 5 years and STILL don't like my front room...can you help, Please?!

Carry Grace said...

Love the new arrangement!

Aeryn said...

Love the look of your room! The fireplace looks amazing and all the furniture and all the colors go so well together. It creates such a warm, cozy feeling and still look stylish.

Karyn said...

A very pretty room!

shortmama said...

Happy SITS day! Love the new look!

Unknown said...

visiting from sits. love the throw pillows.

Tanielle said...

Love to rearrange! Looks great!

BloggessJ said...

Love the new layout! We re-arrange furniture around our house pretty much whenever we get bored so it happens alot.

cat said...

Love the lighting - did you change that?

mommytoalot said...

Congrats on being FB.
Looks good.

Tabitha Blue said...

Love it! Such a pretty room, and I like the new arrangement. I like moving my stuff around too! nothing stays the same for too long!

:)
~Tabitha~

freshmommyblog.com

Preston said...

I think it looks nice and I agree that moving your furniture around gives a new look at no cost. Congrats on your SITS day!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful new room.

M.A. said...

Very nice... LOVE that magazine rack.

Unknown said...

Definitely a room I would like to relax in! The dog adds a nice touch too!

Margaret said...

Very cute magazine rack. I need to rearrange too.

Mimi said...

I am convinced you are a genius.

Sandy said...

So pretty and refreshing! I am in the middle of a major remodel and can't wait for the finished result.

Anonymous said...

I love to rearrange my furnitue! If I'm bored, that is what I do!

Frugal Finds said...

It is a very pretty room no matter where you place the furniture!

tammy said...

I like it both ways. Of course, you've had time to grow tired of the first way. I have a friend that changes her living room and dining room almost every other week. It's always a surprise to go over and see what she did!

Happy SITS day!!

Ooh Baby! said...

I like the new arrangement. I like it when the furniture creates sitting space.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Before I lived in my current house I used to rearrange furniture constantly. I just love the change - sort of makes everything all new again! Unfortunately the design of my house now inhibits that. There are really only certain places that certain things can go and the rooms are pretty compact. Ugh. I hate not being able to move stuff.

Hope you had a Great SITS Day. Nice blog - will be back for a visit for sure!

Mary

Unknown said...

Although I have been here many times before...I have to comment on your SITS day...

I love to shake things up...love to rearrange and make things look fresh and new...unfortunatly I do it all alone...and sometimes moving furniture around requires help...ugh...Next for me...the book shelves...got any advice...maybe I should send you a picture...

Unknown said...

Happy SITS day. I love rearranging, it always makes it feel fresh in my home when I do it. My hubs on the other hand isn't a big fan sometimes LOL

Unknown said...

Stopping by from SITS! I love the new arrangement. My room is not really set up to move things around much.......TV, entertainment center, etc!
Your blog and your ideas are fun!

Charmaine said...

My mom moves furniture around almost weekly it feels like. It is a fun thing.

Laura said...

Change is good, but I have a piano & heavy cabinet in my living room that keeps me from moving the furniture around.

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

I love the arrangement. And nice furniture! We still have our college kid furniture and will probably have it as long as we have kids in the house (or until we die, whichever comes first-HA!). We tend to re-arrange a lot. We just re-arranged our WHOLE HOUSE. Every room was swapped out for another except for our kitchen, obviously. It's fun to re-arrange, but I think we're finally happy and content with the way things are at this time--took us 3 years. YIKES! I hope to only do minor changes.

Happy SITS day! Love your blog! Gonna go follow ya. :)

~Shaye

Anonymous said...

Nice magazine holder. Nice living room, too. It's fun to move stuff around.
I've enjoyed taking a look at your blog!

Courtney D said...

I grew up in a house were the furniture arrangements changed more frequently than the weather. I love how just a simple re-arrange can make the whole house feel fresh. Your room is lovely.

Jenny-Jenny said...

good advice: "It doesn't have to be your only arrangement just because it's your favorite arrangement, right?" I think I just might move some furniture today.

Rachel Lundy said...

It looks good!

I have come over from SITS today. I love your blog!

Mimi Head said...

Great room! I love the muted colors and the coziness.

Unknown said...

I love how you had the lights on and then in the reveal you had them on..SO DRAMATIC!! I move furniture all the time. Good thing I have a strong husband (and a patient one too!) You must be a pottery barn addict or something...I love all the different vases and bottles around your house..Loves it!

Unknown said...

I love moving my furniture! But I think I love your living room more, that is absolutely fantastic.

Brandy@YDK said...

came over from SITS. you make me jealous and a little sick to my stomach. lol.

Girly Do Hairstyles said...

Your house is beautiful. Happy Sits day.

said...

What a gorgeous room!

Sarah said...

I love to rearrange furniture, makes my husband nuts! Happy SITS day!

Jaden Paige said...

Happy SITS day! I love the room both ways :) But I definitely agree, changing things up in a while can make the old feel new and fresh!

Hillori said...

I love to rearrange my living room furniture--it helps me relax. Whenever my hubbie comes home and sees me pushing heavy furniture around, he asks me "tough day"? It is so-o-o therapeutic!

Tara said...

Hummmm...you may have just given me some ideas.... ♥

Rita Barakat said...

Lol! I'm always changing furniture around! Drives hubby crazy!

Controlling My Chaos said...

I'm struggling with this very thing right now. I have my livingroom arranged in a way that's not very practical, but it is different, so I'm going to keep it that way for a little while.

Just Lisa said...

I need to do this, too! I need a new look in my living room!

C.G. the Foodie said...

The last time we moved furniture we ended up giving away our love seat because it didn't fit anywhere else. It does mean I get to buy a new piece of furniture though... so I am all about rearranging!

Linda Hughes said...

Fun post to see and read. I agree with you about shakin' it up!

Danyele Easterhaus said...

ok. love ur background.
great rearrangement...and it's free!

happy fb day! woooo hoooo!

Days of Whine & Noses said...

Just looking at that one room, I think you're house is beautiful!

Visiting from SITS!

Brandy said...

Good advice. Your living room is beautiful no matter where the sofa sits!

Jessica said...

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who rearranges the furniture a lot! :D

christy rose said...

I do like how you rearranged the furniture. But your new layout pic is missing your dog. I like that piece also. He makes the room look homey and lived in. :) Love the layout of your blog, btw, and your button. It is beautiful!

Jennifer Juniper said...

I can remember my mother always rearranging the furniture. It really did give the rooms a fresh look. I'm not sure why I never did the same, but I don't.

Now, I live in a house with a tricky layout and I think I've lost my chance. Unless...excuse me, I'm off to push my couch across the room!

Heather said...

My mom was always moving the furniture when I was little! I was always tripping over something in the dark! :o)

Anonymous said...

I love the feeling of a rearranged room. Your home looks beautiful. I love the colors! Happy SITS day!

Carma Sez said...

I am always amazed how changing things up a bit makes for a whole new feel to a room.

Andrea said...

So true. Happy SITS day!

Margarita Bloom said...

Very beautiful room...I like the fireplace...and the doggy! lol...

Blicky Kitty said...

Whoa I even like the new canine placement. Did you coordinate him with your curtains, because he is gor-geous!

I love your curtains and your pillows and the whole room.

Rachel said...

I liked the before and the after.

Mariel said...

I agree! Just move it! It's fun to shake things up a little.

Mariel
www.oneshetwoshe.com

Muppet Soul said...

Love, love, love that magazine holder.

Where'd you move the dog to?

Agreed. Moving shiz around makes me feel completely re-energized and motivated, somehow.

Stephanie @ BizzieMommy.com said...

i need to do this too. I love the colors in your living room. Great job. Happy SITS

Marrdy said...

I love this room!

Delectable Dining said...

I wish I had more options to do this in my living room. Our carpet kind of limits me as part of the room has a wooden hallway awkwardly placed... also on my 'to do' list to replace! :) Otherwise, I'd be moving furniture constantly!

Ali said...

I love switching things around--I get bored easily!

Hena Tayeb said...

the after looks great..

Eve said...

I like the new arrangement. The pieces look like maybe they're a bit more conversationally comfy.

Congratulations on your SITS day!

Lavender n Lattés said...

I like it - you have a beautiful home :) Happy SITS day!

Sara said...

Looks great! And I love cute magazine holders too. :)

Merrily Down the Stream said...

I love rearranging - but its getting hard on the back.
Happy SITS

Taryn Zerner said...

I couldn't agree more! I LOVE to decorate, and I find myself getting the itch to move things around every so often as well. It looks great! I love your colors and your style!

Keep bringing on the decorating posts!

Love,
Taryn

Hccm said...

The before and after both look fantastic to me:)

Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha

Anonymous said...

Wow you have a beautiful living room. I love both the before and after!

Patricia said...

I like it. I don't know if it was just the lighting but the new photos actually looked like you had painted too. I agree with moving furniture around. It freshens things up. I often find I have to "live" with the new arrangement for a bit before I find out I really do like it. :)

Great post!

Jeannie Finelli, RN said...

Moving the furniture made a marked difference in the room. Beautiful variation.

www.AForestFrolic.typepad.com said...

What a beautiful living room...and the mag rack, yum ;-)

Jamie :-)

Michelle said...

I love the attitude on this one... and I love that you moved the dog, too ;)

Vickie said...

You have a lovely living room. We can't move things around in our romms. My husband has a fit if I am covering an airduct.

jubilee said...

My husband would rather do just about anything than move furniture! Wonder if I could get him to fix dinner if the other choice was to move furniture?! Think I'm onto something here . . .

Rachelle S said...

Hi, another SITS girl,
I think I like the new arrangement. It makes it, it's own room, and you can still access it from either side of the white sofa. (I love the brown chair!). It seem smore comfy, where as before it's like you sit facing the other ppl on the couches. Looks great!

Brittany said...

Your home is lovely!

Mandy said...

Wow. Gorgeous room.

Anonymous said...

I love the lighting and the color of your walls!

Mom said...

You're so good at that. The colors are beautiful!

Stop by and visit.
Life...EXAGGERATED

Cole said...

Happy SITS Day! I think your dog is the BEST accessory to your room. :-)

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