Living Room Idea #1

So Like I mentioned before I have a really had time deciding on one style and going with it, hints the blog, right.  Well here's Idea #1 for the living room.  Here's a picture of the living room if you're standing in the foyer.  This picture doesn't show the left wall which has a large opening into the dining room.

The layout of this room is giving me some issues.  First off the offset fireplace is just awkward.  The other issue is that the room is pretty long.  the wall on the left seems like the perfect spot for the TV on the tv stand I already have.  It's dark wood, narrow and fits my TV perfectly.  the problem with having the TV on the left is that it puts the fireplace on the opposite corner of the room which makes for opposing focal points. Once I take full measurements of the room I'm going to do a layout of the furniture and see how it works best (all though knowing me it'll change once I get everything in the room).  I was watching an HGTV show tonight where they used blues, greys, whites and wood tones to lighten and warm a space.  I really like the combination and it inspired me.  I would like to use the furniture that I already have and luckily the sofa and chair are slip covered from IKEA.  Here's the sofa with a grey slip cover.

I also like this slip cover for the chair.

At first I would have never thought to use these two together but that's were my inspiration room comes into play.  The designer used pillows on the solid sofa to pull in the floral and color.  These are a couple pillow ideas but I think I'll be keeping an eye out for the perfect ones.

Here's a link to the floor tiles that will pull the room together http://www.flor.com/well-suited-graphite.html#

I like the idea of floor tiles so that I can easily change out a soiled tile (I have two cat's it's bound to happen).  I think the herringbone is a little unexpected but that's what I like about it.  I don't want the room to look too country so I think the herringbone will balance the blue floral and the graphite color will pull it all together.

A light grey paint color on the walls would brighten the room a little.  There is no overhead light so the only light is from the window and lamps.  My first instinct is for a light grey like this but...

since the living room is part of the foyer which goes upstairs and down to the basement I don't think I want to use this cool of a color throughout the entire open area.  so I'm kind of leaning towards a warmer french grey that will work in the rest of the spaces. 

 The wood coffee table, tv stand, and end tables that I already have will work really well with this design.  The only problem I have is that I need more furniture to really fill up the space.  But that can be added in the future.  I'm thinking a carved wood chair like this one would work well near the fireplace.  It's light enough that it won't block your view of the fireplace and the white will work well with the fireplace surround.

  

So that's idea #1 we'll see where idea #2 takes me :)

Wall Decals

Can you have too many wall decals?  In my search for one in the office I've come across so many that I like.  I can't see having one in every room but they are so pretty. 

I love love love this Peacock.  I have no clue where you would put this but I think it's beautiful and the size is so dramatic.

I thought this one could be a second runner up for the office but it may be a little juvenile.

I have no use for this in my house but isn't it just gorgeous!

I would love to have these in my bedroom

This is so awesome.  It's a chalk board calender wall decall.  I might have to get this for my office!

Damask has always been a favorite of mine.  Maybe in the living room ;)

Isn't this the cutest.  In the dining area theres a huge wall that needs a big piece of art.  I love the retro colors and simple outlines

here's another chalk board that could be nice for to do lists.

I could see forgoing the hall tree for this tree.  Love It!

Ok so maybe I'm a little decal crazy :-D

Office Wall

My parent's neighborhood sent out this monthly news letter for Mother's Day (sorry I couldn't figure out how to rotate it, I'm new to this remember :)  I love the colors and the playful design.  One of the upstairs bedrooms is going to be my office.  I figure if I'm going to be spending a lot of time in a room making my dreams come true then why not fill it with something that inspires me.  Here's a picture of what the room looked like before I painted it.

I love the three large windows that look out on to the back common area.  Since it's on the third floor it feels like you're in a tree house.  The tree right out side the window is a pink and white tulip magnolia that is breathtaking when it blooms.  I have since painted the room a Tiffany Blue which is a little brighter than I had intended but is still really pretty.  I would love to figure out a way to paint the flowers from the news letter under the windows.  I have these grand ideas that I would be able to paint something similar because it doesn't look that difficult but I know myself and my skills so I'll have to find an alternative.  I've been looking on Etsy to see if I could find wall decals that are similar and maybe I could fill in the decals with the fun colors.  I haven't found anything that is perfect yet so I'll keep looking.  So far this is the closest thing I've seen but it just doesn't have the whimsy.