More e-design progress

I received a very special little package all of the way from Turkey.  Fourteen yards of trim for my curtains!  Won't this little greek-key number glam up the boring old white curtains?

It came in this pretty little bag.  Looks like it's time to pull the curtains down and put the fabric glue to work.

In other news, I've narrowed down the paint color for the piano to these two.

I want the color to match this fabric that is on my piano bench.

What? You can't tell the color from those lovely little swatches I slapped on the piano?

Here's "Spanish Olive"

And here's "Soothing Green Tea"

Still can't tell the difference?  Green Tea is a lighter, more yellow color, while Spanish Olive is more olive color.  That should clear it up.



E-Design Update

Wondering when I was going to get crack-a-lackin' on implementing my e-design from Sadie+Stella?  Yeah, me too!

As you can see, coral is my new color.  So, I thought I would start with a little DIY project using coral.

I have had this mirror FOREVER.  It started out an aged gold/bronzey color.  But, I can never let things remain in their original state for too long.  It was most recently this aged white color that blended right into my walls.  It was most recently shoved behind a dresser because I didn't like it.

I used Krylon spray paint's "Coral Isle" to repaint the mirror.  Here it is now:

It's hanging in my entryway that leads into the living room.  I wasn't sure if my husband was going to like the pinkish color, but he does!  Looks like the Coral Isle is going to be sprayed liberally around the room now that it has the thumbs up.

Just a little tip - Coral Isle doesn't seem to be sold anywhere.  I had my local Ace Hardware special order it for me.  I had to order six cans, but shipping was free.  I found the color on Amazon and they were charging almost the same amount that I paid for the six cans in shipping alone.  I've also heard that Sherwin Williams can special order colors for you, but my store wouldn't.

Good thing we like the color because I have 5.5 cans to use up!

Update on other e-design items:

• I have ordered the greek-key trim for my curtains.  It's coming all of the way from Turkey!
• I am planning on buying the paint for the piano this week and getting started on it.  Wish me luck!
• Maybe I'll use the coral isle on some candle sticks.
• We are going to Denver next month for a gymnastics meet.  World Market, Z Gallerie, Home Goods, Crate and Barrel and Ikea, here I come!

Sadie and Stella E-Design

I recently won an e-design from Sadie and Stella. I chose to have the ladies help me with my living room. Here are a few pictures of it's current state:

 

Here's what Sadie + Stella came up with:



Oh.  Emmm.  Gee.  I absolutely LOVE everything about it!  The coral ikat pillows, the sidetable, the lamp...gorgeous!  Sadie + Stella posted more about this e-design on their blog today.  You should definitely go over and take a look.  They explain more about placement of the pieces, what pieces I should keep that I currently own, and what I can repaint (including the piano!).

Thank you so much Lindsey and Lindsey of Sadie + Stella.  You have been amazing to work with! 

Readers, if you are thinking of doing an e-design for your home, I would definitely recommend Sadie + Stella.  My living room has been a struggle for me to decorate.  It is large and has lots of niches that I didn't know what to do with.  Accessorizing the room was also stumping me.  S+S helped me get over the hurdles and I now feel like I'm ready to take on the living room!

Living Room Before Shots

As I get ready for my e-design from Sadie+Stella, I thought I would take some "before" pics of my living room so you could see what we are working with.  I call my home the "one room house" because I basically have one large room that houses my eating area, kitchen, and living room.  Bathrooms and bedrooms are all off of this room.

WARNING: there are a ton of pics and I didn't try to do anything to make my house look extra-pretty or styled.  This is how it generally looks.

Here is what you see as you walk in my front door.  We are standing in the entryway and the living room is straight ahead.

The piano is on your right as you are walking into the living room.  I have thought about painting the piano, but haven't attempted it yet.  I don't know what color to paint it.  It also seems like a BIG job.

 Here's an old buffet that I refinished that we use for our TV.  I have no idea what to do with the opening above the TV.  I used to have a long, narrow painting up there, but I took it down because I don't like it anymore.

This is the main seating area, an ugly old microfiber green couch.  I also have rug here that is way too small.  I never realized how off-center the table and rug are before looking at this picture!  I'm thinking I want to get a natural fiber rug, maybe jute.  In the background you can see my little dining area on the right and the kitchen is on the left.

Here are a few views into the living room from the kitchen.

Here are a couple of shots looking back towards the front door.

ACK!!!  I can't believe I'm actually showing you my ugly, used-to-be white, recliner!

I have no idea what to do with these little niches/plant shelves.  I used to have some fake plants up there (ugh!) and some knicknacks, but I didn't like them and things get so dusty up there.  I want a clean, crisp look.

More plant shelves, and the mantle could definitely use some help!

That should give you a pretty good idea of where I live.  Kind of beige and boring and ready for change!  I can't wait to see what the designers, both named Lindsay, at Sadie+Stella have in store!

I'm on a roll!

I just won another giveaway.  This time I won e-design services from Sadie + Stella.  I love their style and am so excited to work with them.  I think I'm going to have them help me with my living room.  Of course, I will blog about the whole process, just in case you are wondering what the e-design process entails.

I love Sadie + Stella's style.  Take a look at their design boards:

I love the pops of color and geometric pattern, as well as the color palette.  The turquoise candlesticks already live in my living room.

More pretty colors and pattern.  I already have the coral and white pillows.

Just for fun, here's a sophisticated bedroom.
I am so excited to get to work on this project with Sadie + Stella.  Thanks ladies!