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smug girl on a blue couch

Redecorating the living room has been the most fun I've had this year.  It's so refreshing to sit in a space that conveys bits of your personality in each corner and reflects on your relationship with your partner.  Almost everything that we had before was a generous gift from friends or family to two college kids trying to get it together, and we were also able to pass along some gifts to people we care for.  The most fun I had was surprising my husband with a few odd items.

The last bits and pieces:

Carry that Weight art print by eddison rex

 

These pretty handmade coasters

and this hardy guy, called a Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ in a pretty yellow pot

In addition to the always wonderful Etsy, I've discovered that West Elm and Crate & Barrel 2 are officially my favorite sites to shop-browse.

room refresher nearly complete!

This is me and our living room right now:

We ended up with a great big, cushy neutral blue couch that my 6'4'' husband can actually lie down on.  It's absolutely comfortable and provides a nice color to the rest of the light-colored room.  I love the soft cotton curtains and the new artwork.  I got a big, round plushy white rug from Target and we're using pretty plant stands in lieu of bulky end tables to support the lamps on either side of the couch.  The audio tower will really round it all out on the functionality side.

I've just ordered this contemporary white and chrome coffee table to sit atop my white rug (please don't anyone spill red wine now!):

In a while, I'd like to get a lounger sort of like this:

 

(which is cool because it turns into a sleeper for when we have our awesome college-kid siblings over for a weekend.)

And of course I have a WISH LIST (which I promise not to indulge).  It includes:

These perfect carved birds from West Elm 

 

This petite plant hanger from Urban Outfitters

 

any print from Kiersten Essenpreis

and this furry little guy to be my best friend:

commence project room makeover!

alternately titled

my (realistic) living room dreams

Shopping is definitely not one of my favorite activities.  Fred Meyer is only a few blocks away and I will go there for everything, just to get it all over with in one trip. 

Except...

When it comes to home stuff I'm like a puppy in a convertible.  Doing kartwheels in the streets.  Laughing maniacally.  (not really).

I've been given the go-ahead and pretty much creative license for the living room, which is the only room that still nags at me to fix it.  My three limitations: our modest budget, the size of the room and of course we have carpeting instead of hard-wood...humph.

Change #1!

One standing lamp in the corner was not enough light and didn't distribute well.  These two large, modern lamps with soft suede shades provide all the even, romantic light we need.  Each has two bulbs which can be individually lit, so we decide if we want all four or none or somewhere in between!  The photo doesn't give a really good idea of how nice these look on either side of the couch.  The shades are a soft taupe color.

 

Change #2

Curtains!  We have big vertical blinds for the wall-length window downstairs, but these curtains soften the light if we leave the blinds open.  Plus, they're pretty.

Change #3

This audio tower encloses our record player, set of awesome speakers, and our growing vinyl collection and conceals all the wiring.  I can also decorate free areas with vases like those below from IKEA.

 

Change #4

I had a tough time choosing original art prints, but these are the three I've decided on for the different walls.  I'll mat and frame each with simple black and white.  We also have a beautiful piece from Keirsten Essenpreis, whose art I adore.

Bundled Mustard by Laura George

Baby Deer Photograph by Sharon Montrose

and an original by Wendi Owens

Change #5

After long deliberation, we decided that this furry little fixture can stay. 

See you all in phase two, where I get to pick out a soft grey couch, side tables and a large shaggy white rug!

 

a belew christmas

Even Texas gets tired of hanging out with family on the holidays, I guess...

more scenes from a new home

My first ripened pepper turned into a bright red treasure!

scenes from a new home

(I love it when Texas flops over to watch a little ant scurry across the floor)

wall hooks

I've never been one to be enthused about collecting things, really.  Especially expensive things, like fancy china or DVDs or cars.  Because, well...you can't take it with you, right?

But I do have one little collection.  It is of Wall Hooks, of all shapes and sizes and sorts.  I just love them and they are up all around our apartment.  Some are functional, some still have no purpose.  So far I have eight, and I put together a little photo-collage.