Dream Living Room

I thought I would share my vision for how I would like to decorate our living room at our "unknown" new house.  As with Samara's room, a lot will depend on the size and shape of the room, but in the perfect world, this is what it would be.  I consider the "living room" as the room on the main level that is used for entertaining.  It's not the place where the kiddos would lounge around and watch TV (they could lounge and read a book, though!)  Ideally, it would have a fireplace, but I COULD survive if it didn't ;-) 

Throughout the main living areas of the "new house", I want to paint it a neutral light/medium gray.  I don't want it to be dark, but to be comfortable and homey.  The living room would be painted this color, too.

My vision for this room is Modern, Minimal, with some Vintage Fun.  I want it to be a place where anyone can come and just relax, but also a place with some character.

I would want to buy a new couch for this room. I like how this couch has the clean lines that I love and plenty of room for people to sit.  I like the color, too.

These chairs are currently listed on Craigslist for $85 for both.  If I knew how much room our "new house" had, I would swipe these suckers up. But, I have resolved that I will not buy until we have a contract on a new house.  I am confident that I will find exactly what I am supposed to have at that time.  ANYWAY, back to the idea: 

While the orange definitely is Vintage, it's not exactly what I had in mind.  I would reupholster these chairs in "Solid Wheat" color shown above.  I love the golden color and the lines.  Since a new couch and reupholstered chairs are costly, I want a neutral palate of furniture so that the room could be easily altered, if desired, by switching out accessories instead of big ticket items. 

One of the accessories that I love is a mid-modern coffee table.  The clean lines and simplicity of the piece is what attracts me the most to it.  Although the natural wood is pretty, I want to incorporate color into the room and this piece would be perfect for that.  I haven't quite decided what colors I would use.  Of course, I love red, but lately, I've been really liking the vintage green as well.  Oh well, I'll have time to decide and get opinions!  So here is a coffee table that I love so you can get an idea of what I'm thinking:

Here is a picture of a side table that I like as well. I would paint it to match the coffee table.

These Vintage lamps would add an element of fun.  I would use drum shades...possibly black ones.

For throw pillows/possible color schemes, I like these fabrics (I like the green or the red, not together, though!):

A round pillow like below is a must!

On the coffee table/side table/mantel/or possibly some floating shelves on the wall, I would want to incorporate a few pieces of depression glass in the appropriate  color scheme. I like the design of this:

 I hope you aren't on design/color/print overload.  I know I threw a lot out there, but I can see it in my mind and it looks perfect!

Shabby Chic

As I wait for our house to sell, I can't help but think about how I want to decorate at the new place.  I thought I would share some of my ideas with you.  Since our house was under construction while the kiddos were newborns/infants, we never had a completed nursery.  Therefore, I never fully decorated it.  Until about 6 months ago, the room we used as the nursery also served as the guest room.  While Samara's room is cute how it is now, I have a vision for her new room.

Of course, my plans will hinge on the technicalities of size, shape, etc of her new room, but this is what I'm thinking:  SHABBY CHIC.  By that, I mean I would like to incorporate comfy fabrics, florals, ginghams, but also have a smidgen of elegance.

The walls I want to paint a very pale pink.  But, I want an accent wall with pink and cream wide strips. 

Since the dresser she uses now actually goes with the guest bedroom set, I want to find an old, CHEAP dresser and "shabby chic it up".  I'm thinking about using a light teal color for the dresser, bed and an old mirror that I will be on the look out for.  Below is the color I'm thinking about and the type of mirror I'm looking for.

For lighting, I'm kinda digging this type of chandelier.  Depending on the color of the flowers, condition of the piece and how it looks in the room, I may paint it all one color and give it the distressed look (lots of variables, I know!)

 For the bedding, I want it to incorporate different patterns, but have the colors of the accessories throughout the room in it as well.  Something along this line (maybe with a little less pattern!):

 And finally, for some decorations. This wall hanging would be adorable with the letter "S".  These blocks I could get Samara's name spelled out.  I thought it would look darling on a shelf.

I want this room to be a place for her to celebrate being a girl.  To find rest and refuge from the chaotic world of brothers.

Now my challenge is to find the items to go in this dream room!