It’s been just over 6 months in the house, and while the first few months were a blur of unpacking, painting, and hemorrhaging money on furnishings, I slowed down over the summer and started enjoying a more sustainable pace. As an aside, it’s funny how certain things that were so abhorrent to me on day 1 (the kitchen backsplash) have faded into the background and are now solidly in the “living with it (for now)” category.
I’ve been watching a lot of HGTV shows lately. I know they’re all scripted fantasies, but there is something addictive about watching houses transform, seemingly in a matter of weeks, on $100K budgets. (There is also fun to be had in snarking at the whiny homeowners and screaming at the television because they’re gutting another beautiful vintage bathroom). Anyway, until we have that kind of disposable income, we’ll be happy with paint and décor as updates.
These “before” pictures were obviously taken with great attention and care… 😉
On the left is moving day. The shelf on the wall was left by the previous owners. On the right is a snapshot of post-paint but pre-rug, curtains, and couch upgrade.
AFTER:
Our cat Ozzie graciously models.
It’s not perfect — there are still things that bother me a little. There are pieces of furniture that can eventually be upgraded and things I wish I’d done a bit differently. But after I added a few fall themed decorative touches, I was pretty dang happy with the room and figured it was time to take a few pictures.
We painted the room and crown molding lighter grays, but kept the theme of a darker shade on the molding. We had painted the entire room in a color I picked out without sampling (one of my flaws is charging ahead impatiently without proper preparations), but the next day in the morning light, it was wrong — way too blue. It pained me to admit I’d messed up, but the color would have driven me crazy. I’m glad I bit the bullet and painted over it. After another trip to the store for another gallon of paint, we found a good shade that’s not too warm, not too cold.
Other than the paint and removing the wall shelf left over from the previous owners, my only updates have been furnishings. I think I struck the balance I was going for: Well considered design and knick-knacks, a place for everything and everything in its place, but still cozy and inviting. The color scheme sort of emerged over time. I love the warm colors against the gray walls. I also tried to move away from heavily mid-century and put together a slightly more eclectic look that I think works with the style of the house. I culled a few pieces that were a little “first apartment” looking, and I feel like this is our first, real-live-adult living room.
I created this mantle garland by drilling holes into a bunch of shell-on hazelnuts I ordered online. Throw in a few gourds, and my fall decorating is complete! I like the garland so much I think I’ll keep it up through the winter.
Regrets? I sometimes wish I’d have saved up for this rug in an 8×10 instead of a 6×9. It would have looked nicer and less “static” fully underneath the sectional and accent chairs. But area rugs are hella expensive and I’m impatient.
I bought a new curtain rod for the main window(s) and hung it higher and wider than the original, but it could probably still be even higher up. I don’t follow the popular idea that the proper rod height is an inch from the ceiling, but I think a few inches higher would be perfect.
Not a regret, but on our list for the future: We’ve talked about a larger shelf for the records. I also think that built-in or built-in-looking shelves on either side of the fireplace would look amazing.
I’m also considering a nice gallery wall above the couch with lots of reds, yellows, oranges, and pinks in lieu of the two side-by-side framed pieces.
Sources:
Couch: Apt2B
Rug: Overstock.com
Modern orange/red chair: At Home
Vintage orange rocker: Estate Sale
Coffee and side tables: Estate Sale
Mirror above mantle: Estate Sale
Mirror by records/door: Antique Store
Floor lamp by couch: Target
Table lamp: Garage Sale
Floor lamp by records: Thrift Store
Record shelf: Free from a previous job
Rattan ottomans: Thrift Store
Bookshelves: Mike’s college housemate (lol)
Omaha map: Mike’s brother-in-law (originally an antique store?)
Special Motor Oil Print: Etsy shop Freedrugs (an homage to Steve Martin’s “The Jerk!”)
Quilt on couch: This is an amazing weighted blanket made by Mike’s Aunt. I snuggle up under it pretty much every night.
Not quite everything, but I’m stopping there before this gets too ridiculous.
Until next time! I’ll probably show the dining room or maybe bathrooms next.
Ilsa Heinicke Huscher 