Living Room Progress

We've been moving and shaking (but mostly just spending money) here at the casa, but at least the house looks like it's inhabited by something other than boxes!

The living room isn't quite finished yet, but it's come a long way from this:

Note to self: Turn off the TV before you take a picture!

After moving some things around, we decided to put the couch where the TV was pictured above, with the love seat perpendicular to that.  The two blue throw pillows are from World Market and used to live on my bed.  They're much happier here; they don't get thrown on the floor as much.  The rug is from Target and is NOT sisal, as it would appear, but is chenile, so it's quite comfy.  In fact, Bear's created a little man cave under the coffee table.

We have this awkward little corner where the furniture butts up, so we stuck a lamp (also from Target) in it!  Any suggestions as to anything else we can use to jazz up that space a little?  

As you can see, our old, tiny TV didn't last very long.  Ryan bought that behemoth shortly after we moved in.  The TV console was a Craigslist steal at twenty bucks.  And now you know where my curtains are living!  Ryan HATES them, but I smile like an idiot every time I see them.  And he finally has something to block out the sun during his naps on the couch, so I'll call it a draw.  

I've never bought curtains in a color other than white until I bought some beige silk ones for the dining room (oooh, big risk.  NOT!), and I've definitely NEVER bought patterned curtains before, but I think I'm officially a convert.

Aaand the coffee table!  Some reading material (Ryan added a book of Huble pictures last night) is always available to browse when nothing good is on TV.  And the tray is probably the best investment I've made in this room.  We spend most of our spare time in here, and the coffee table tends to be a catchall, so the tray keeps it neat.  It's also the home of my poor orchid that is refusing to bloom.

I'd replace it with a fake one, but I'd feel bad if I got rid of the real one. :( 

Seriously, who gets sentimental over house plants!?  I need help.

There's still a good way to go until completion in here, including:

Staining the coffee and end tables a darker shade

Hanging a gallery wall above the sofa

Finding a large mirror/statement art for above the couch

New lamps for the end tables

Small bookshelf/desk/something for our empty awkward corner that, you guessed it, a box is living in.

Happy Tuesday folks!

Thank You, Anthro!

As soon as I buy new book cases I'm totally doing this:

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Also, I am requesting either (or both) of these couches as a housewarming gift. 

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Start pinching your pennies, people!  We need to can make this happen!

Living Room Inspiration

Despite the fact Ryan and I have no idea where we'll be moving to in the near future, I've got design inspiration on the brain.  We've narrowed our choices down to two houses (even though those plans can change in a second), and I'm already dreaming up furniture layouts.

I posted about the colorful vs. neutral quandary I was having, and some of the owners of those lovely living rooms gave the tip that I should keep the big things neutral and bring in color via accessories.  Well, I've been Pinning like a madwoman, and here are some of the ideas I've slapped together.

As much as I love bright, colorful spaces, I just can't get neutral rooms out of my head.  So here's a sort of not entirely logical progression in lieu of going from entirely neutral to adding that perfect pop of color.

Completely neutral and completely perfect.  I think one of the things I love most about neutral rooms is how much plants shine in them.  This room would border on boring if it weren't for some simple potted plants.  Downside: my cat looooves chewing on house plants.

Again, the perfect shades of white with the same lovely plant action.  What can I say?  I love leaves.

The next two design boards are by the lovely and talented Darlene of Fieldstone Hill Design.  The way she adds subtle colors to an already beautiful neutral background makes my heart pitter patter.  This is more in the direction I want to go in with my own space.

And then there's this living room.  Designed by Jamie Meares of i suwannee, it is probably one of the most prefect rooms I've ever seen.  I especially love the fact that it's a gorgeous room that looks like you could actually live in.  I'm especially diggin' those dark orange velvet chairs.

So, there you have it.  Aside from writing music for my high school group, these living rooms are pretty much the only thing I've been thinking about lately.  And of course, Ryan thinks I'm completely crazy.

P. S.  This pillow is going to come live with me someday.  Hopefully that someday is in the very near future (A.K.A. after I pay rent!)

Hope you all are having a lovely week so far!

I'm Torn!

Ryan and I are looking at moving in together after the new year.  Let's not even talk about how scared I am to take such a big step.

I'm SO sick of looking at Craigslist and realty websites.  I've been stalking streets with Google Maps, trying to discern if the neighborhood is "sketchy," and whether or not the house in question has a fenced back yard.

Of course, not being the most practical of people, I'm already dreaming of how I'm going to decorate our new place.  Let's keep in mind that Ryan is way more opinionated about decor than any sane man has a right to be.

So, here's my dilemma: Do I go colorful or neutral?  Because I am drawn to both!  I know, I know, keep big things like furniture neutral and then you can change it up with accessories, but who really has an extra closet for things like throw pillow covers?  Also, Ryan is drawn to what he dubs modern, while I like a mix of old and new.  So, some inspiration photos from both sides of the color argument.

Colorful:

Kristen F. Davis Designs

Danielle Oakey Interiors

Neutral:

Haute Indoor Couture

For the Love of a House

There's so much to love about all of these rooms!  I'm instantly drawn to bold colors and pattern, but neutral rooms are the ones I find myself thinking about again and again.  I also have a mild obsession for anything old.  The more falling-apart, the better.  I also have a dog who makes keeping anything clean impossible.

Help!  Where do I begin!?