Room of the week

I was really drawn to the the symmetrical windows and bright light here, and the curtains look much like the ones in my living room.

I think the elegant proportions and chandelier seal the deal for me with this room.

Did I mention the floor? 

Thumbs up or down?

Evolution of a living room

One of a pair of mid century Duncan Phyfe style tables

When I bought this house I was sure that I would paint my living room a deep, slightly orange red, just like my last house. I thought I would reuse every bit of furniture in the same way too.
The way it came together surprised me and I only have one thing left to do.

I kept the Duncan Phyfe tables and this wonderful settee. I found that the light was vastly different and my stodgy style was evolving and classics could include modern pieces.

I played with different ideas in my head and settled on Sherwin-Williams Faint Coral, a barely there pink, as the wall color. This color doesn't like having its picture taken. Most of my living room photos look like the walls are beige.

I played with different art work and furniture arrangements, but the layout is tough. There is a very large opening to the entry way and a large set of arches perpendicular to that leading into the dining room.

Here are the things that led to my living room as it is today.

While I was in Culpeper, Va  at Georgie Mae's buying those terrific chairs for my dining room I found something that really took the room in the feminine direction that I was aiming for and it was a huge departure from things I normally like and it surprised even me.

I absolutely had to switch out the lighting. 

There was one of those brushed nickel "boobs" in the living room. I replaced it with  this antique chandelier...

 that I got on eBay for just $250. Those are big box store prices !

Next I bought these chairs,

here you see them reupholstered and repaired after a 5 month battle with the shipping company, which doubled their cost ! :(

Harummpf!

Next, I bought more chairs...

at a price that would have me in divorce court if my husband knew.

 Don't judge, it was my own money.

All the while my windows had stupid mini blinds.

I worked in a drapery workroom for awhile and know how to make drapes myself but I just don't have the time or proper setup to "board" the drapes and make them properly, especially with a toddler about.

I bought ready mades and some trim. Read about it HERE.

I wanted Lucite rods but settled for an enormously more cost effective choice.

I snagged the brass-look rods and Lucite finials at Bed, Bath and Beyond for a reasonable price.

Around the same time, I ran into my local Salvation Army and fond this Korean chest for $15.

It serves as a table between the chairs that I, now love to sit in. They are so comfy.
The mirror got propped there and actually works. It reflects the back of the Korean chest that is covered with writing.

Let's talk about the art work.

Above the Bombe chest I have this abstract.

It is one of the few pieces of art that I have not tired of. 

Over the sofa I had this piece by Jenny of MFAMB fame.

I like it but it wasn't doing it for me in the room as a result Helen's room is shaping up nicely for a 3 year-old.

I ended up with a painting that my husband loves and one that came from being in an enormously happy place.

He calls it "ED" The title is "Hatching a charmed life"
It is oddly very difficult to photograph.

Next is an antique, French impressionist painting that I bought for less than $30 on eBay.

I really love it. The frame is new.

I have all sorts of accessories that mean something to me.

 
The room is full of high and low but almost everything was a bargain like these $15 lamps from Walmart.

Coffee table must go

I totally love the black velvet bolsters I had made

This is pretty much the way it is now.
I know the rug is too small but I love it. The colors are perfect and it was my grandmother's.
The one thing that I hate is the coffee table.
Six years ago I was looking for the Duncan Phyfe style end tables and found an eBay seller locally that had some but they came with the coffee table. I had not even thought about the coffee table situation for my, then new, house so I took it figuring I'd deal with it later.
Well guys, its later and I can't make up my mind on anything.
 There are too many tables that I love.
One of these days I hope to do a gleeful post on my new gorgeous coffee table.

I am happy with the room so far.
What do you think?

The top ten "scores!" of 2011

Some are posting their favorite rooms and some are posting our favorite posts but here are my top "scores" of 2011. By "score" I mean a unique and most likely inexpensive find for my home.

Number 10.
Antique chandeliers:  2 for $500.

I know five hundred bucks is a lot of cash but when you look at the boring, mass-produced stuff at Home Depot and the like, this was a bargain.

Number 9

Three vintage Vera scarves. I think they were $6 each. This pink one will be a part of my youngest daughter's room, either framed or as a pillow.

Number 8.

My vintage Henckel Harris dining room chairs at $125 per chair. That's less than Pottery Barn prices folks.

They are in pristine condition, meaning no nicks or scufsf on the legs from use.

I think they must have been in one of those houses where they never use the dining room.

Number 7

Well you saw it in the last picture too. It is this antique Oriental rug. It is about 11 feet by 13 1/2 feet and was all of $350 on eBay.

Number 6

Ok, its a little trendy, but it is my style and I won't grow tired of this garden seat that I got for around $90 from Overstock.com. They are often much more.

Number 5

This vintage Bombe chest came from the same great antique dealer in Culpeper, Virginia. It was deal at $375.

Number 4 is a category--art

by Linda Monfort

I built an art collection this year or at least began one. Some of what I bought was expensive, some not.

Here is a peek.

Number 3

 Ballard mirror for $2 at a thrift store.
I know, right!!?

Number 2

I am not sure that this totally counts since I did not spend any money on it but I felt darn lucky and that's what this is all about.
Last August Meg from Pigtown-Design hosted a giveaway that I won. Two amazing antique fish knives and  Mark Hampton's  On Decorating.

Drum roll please...

This year's Number 1 score  a Chez Kerry is

Tons of Brunschwig and Fils fabric for a pittance.

I was initially upset at my haste in buying this fabric for $20. I thought it was a waste since it did not work where I planned for it. As I examined it further I realized that I had enough yardage to accomplish many things on my list. I also realized that the retail price was at least $325 per yard-- at best and I had more than three yards all together.

It has become many things, not the least of which is the chinoiserie addition to my rather masculine dining room.

I also scored a few yards of the ark of the covenant Le Lac for $30.

I don't have a plan for it yet. 

The anti score.....

or the most expensive, semi-functional thing I have purchased in recent memory

And wouldn't ya know the most expensive thing I buy, everyone in the house hates except me.

Have a great New Year!
I hope you "score" big in 2012

Yesterday's project and paintings

between two ladders--my kitchen floor is ugly, huh?

It's been months since I got two antique chandeliers on eBay to replace the ugly builder fixtures in my house.

Yesterday we (my husband) hung the second one. It first required being suspended on a broomstick between two ladders so I could get it ready.

Add caption

I had to add crystals that were removed for shipping and tighten the arms that were loosened to fit it into its crate.

Let me just say that this thing was freakin' HEAVY!

I actually hurt my shoulder trying to hold it up while my husband did the wiring. Speaking of wiring, the old wiring in the chandy is a bit dodgy and it shorted and blew a breaker first try.

almost finished project

Needless to say, I won't won't be leaving it on when I go to bed. One bulb went missing and another arm needs to be straightened but there it is and I'm happy.

On another note, I just added two paintings to my Etsy shop, DesignduMonde.

"A girl like me"

They are both 8 x 8 on paper and will need framing. They are also only $10 with free shipping in the US.
Updated: This 11 x 14 on canvas for $40