I find myself gravitating toward transitional/eclectic rooms like this space designed by Erinn Valencich (HGTV.com).I am reclaiming my living room. Bob, Annie, David and I tend to congregate in the kitchen and the family room, and the two dogs have made the living room their space. Sorry poochies, you know we love you, but we're taking the living room back.
I'm completely updating the space, going for a look that's more sleek and contemporary. And I'm doing it on the cheap, relying on places like department store clearance centers, thrift shops, flea markets, and of course Target and Ikea. The biggest splurge will probably be a flat-screen TV. (What's the best way to get people to use a room? Add a TV.)So bear with me if my blogging is a little sporadic over the next few weeks. This is first and foremost a blog about fashion sewing—I don't think my readers want to hear about what a great job I did spackling. But I'll still be sewing clothes during this renovation period and will post when I can. Hang in there!
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OMG, you guys are the best! Thank you all so much for your wonderful birthday wishes; you made turning another year older a lot less painful.
Bob cooked me the most delicious meal for my birthday dinner: roasted chicken and vegetables, salad, old-fashioned macaroni and cheese (with bread brumbs on top!) and a pear-and-cranberry tart with vanilla ice cream. My husband is a great cook. He makes a brined turkey for Thanksgiving that is unbelievably moist. Mmmmm.I'll try to get updated photos of my coat up next week. Have a great weekend everyone!
24 comments:
I think your readers would love to hear about your living room reno (at least I would). Let us know about any good finds!
Are you going to sew new curtains or throw pillows?
Don't I know it! Mid-October I had every floor in my house ripped up, including wood flooring in the middle and carpet in the bedrooms, hauled away, and new oak put down. Took a week, and required pushing everything around, moving all the stuff on shelves, in closet floors, pantry floors, on cabinets, lamps...lalala. A nightmare that is still not together. My entire life fell apart, but the floors look great! I had no idea how much stuff was in closets, under beds, under furniture, and I fear I will never put the place back together. I did spring for a 42" tv to reward myself as well. Well worth it, it gives me something to park in front of while I admire my floor! K
I'll definitely be making throw pillows, once I get an accent fabric decided upon. Target actually has some faux-silk curtains that I'm thinking could look great….
I'd love to read about your renovation project. Perhaps you can blog about pet friendly design ideas. I could use some!
We sewers must have a lot in common! I'm in the mid of a reno also. I don't want to give up my sewing room (which is a converted bedroom) so I am putting in 2 bedrooms up on the 2nd floor plus another bathroom. Also having new bamboo floors installed on the 1st floor.
I don't want to start a sewing project because I don't know when or if I can finish it. Right now, my life (and house) are topsey turvey.
Here's the link:
http://dreamhousesdocometrue.blogspot.com/
Low cost decorating is the way to go when you have kids and dogs involved. When they spill something it won't be a big deal. I think we'd all like to see what you end up with.
Sounds like great fun and I would love to follow along. Doesn't everyone love to peep into other people's houses? Well, maybe its just me.
Try Craig's list too. There was an article in the Times a few years ago about people furnishing their places with great finds.
Before and after pictures please LindsayT! Isn't Target the greatest? Their bath towels are super,frames are pottery barn-ish and drapes are lovely.Keep us in the loop!
The before is too hideous for before photos!
Good luck, and don't worry, we ain't goin' nowhere! I'm sure your new space will be amazing when you're finished!
I don't know about others but I would love to follow along with your redo. I have been following those sort of blogs lately to give me inspiration for our new spaces.
We'll understand about the before. After all, we all live in a "before", or we've been there and done that. At the moment, I have before and after rooms. Probably always will.
I'm particularly interested in any research you do on the TV. Totally clueless, and economics being what they are this minute, won't be in the market any time soon. Just interested for the future.
And have you discovered all the wonderful home decor blogs? I got a lot of inspiration and DIY tips from reading blogs like My Little Green Notebook. I even got some interior design advice from Young House Love blog. Worth every penny!
Good luck on your renovation. We are finishing up one of the basement family room, wow, it looks so much better. I haven't had time to sew but hoping next week, I will find some time. Always enjoy your blog, sewing topics or other, your writing is wonderful.
Looking forward to seeing your renovations pics, too.
Ahem. Not want to hear about it? Some of us live for it! Of course we want to hear about the reno and with the prospect of home decor sewing a part of it, you bet I'll be watching over your shoulder {in a non-stalkerish way}. And those Tar-Jay silk panels? I recently did a post on redoing them to give them a little more pizzaz for my DR.
Making old new again ~ a drapery redo
Have fun!
Ellen
Sewing and fashion are #1 but for me,decorating and renovating are #2 most definitely. So I'll be waiting to see how your room turns out. And by the way, happy birthday! You look terrific for any age. I was afraid of 35 for some reason, then 40 came and went uneventfully, and now 60 is looming there for next year, so it's all relative. But I do agree about Meredith V. She is a great one to aspire to.
It's always fun to have a newly decorated room, but the process is much less fun. At least for me it is.
Glad you had a happy birthday.
I too have been redoing!! I use Pate-Meadows drapery/toppers patterns. Since I can sew and there are many decorator fabrics it's a "nobrainer". That company is online and I can recommend it. Just started another room .. family coming for holidays..
cute pooches! And Happy Birthday!
If the before is to hideous for before pictures, all the more to ooh and ahh. Bring it on!!!!
I'll ditto the others - I'd like to hear about the renovation, too. Good luck with shopping and getting your look down. :)
Oh my gosh! This is too weird. I am also looking at redoing a major room in my house--our living room, I've already priced the fabric for two slipcovers and some pinch pleat draperies. Mind you, I've never done either but have great books. My sister does home dec sewing and works at Gracious Homes in the City so she will be an immense help if I have questions. Although most of the info in the books is pretty straight forward so I should be okay. Definitely a diversion from garment sewing, but my living room is looking dated and awful.
I look forward to info on your redo!
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