Take a look:
When we moved to our present home we were blessed with another living area. We had zero furniture for the room so guess what we put there? Oh yes. Our Pier 1 furniture. It's the first room you see when you walk through our front door and it leaves so much to be desired. When we decided we were ready to buy real furniture for the room my mind went crazy.
What color scheme?
What style?
What the heck do I know about design?
The only question I could safely answer was number 3: nothing. I looked through design blogs and they just made me want to throw everything we owned away and start over. I knew that wasn't an option so I sat down one day and really thought about what I loved. Our last house was pretty dark and was all about the warm colors. I adored it. This house is all about windows and light. When I painted our master bedroom blueish grey a few months ago I fell in love with how calm it was. Greens and browns don't exactly scream excitement, but blues and greys make me think everything is right in the world. I realized using all blues and greys in the living room meant I would have to paint (currently it's a light tan) and that made me reconsider the greens and browns. Painting our bedroom was one thing, an entire living room was another. So I was back at square one.
Then I walked into West Elm. I saw it. A 12" by 12" masterpiece that made me giddy and calm at the same time. I felt like I was on HGTV after they decide to re-do a room and their inspiration is something tiny and ridiculous. Mine was a pillow. THIS pillow:
It was everything I wanted. And needed. Blues, greys, and tans. No need to paint the room at all! I walked out of West Elm empty-handed but came back almost immediately and bought that pillow (and three others that coordinated). I had NO idea what the couch would look like. Or the chairs. Or the coffee table. I didn't care. I would design the room around my pillow.
Tomorrow our furniture arrives and the room will be 96% complete. We've already moved the wicker furniture out to our patio where it belongs. I'll take some pictures and post them over the next few days but I just couldn't wait any longer to write about this. Maybe it's because I never throw surprises your way on the ol' blog and this is a nice change. And I realize this surprise isn't nearly as thrilling for you as it is for me but just pretend with me. Please? Thanks.
(By the way, once it's finally finished you are all invited over for some wine and cheese. And cake.)
This is the room BEFORE (isn't he cute?):
13 comments:
That pillow IS fabulous! All the right colors put together :) I can't wait to see the finished project! (I think I need to find a "pillow" for inspiration for miss L's room...I change my mind daily- not good!)
it is a really kick ass pillow.
That is a great pillow. I can't wait to see everything all put together! I love that Michael is wearing a TU shirt :)
I can hardly wait!!!
i am in.love.with your color scheme! presh! seriously, that picture is a killer---and i for one can't wiat to see what you came up with!
p.s. let me know when i can bring over a bottle of wine ;-)
haha! You're funny.. and I love the pillow. LOVE.
And it dawned on me today I am coming this weekend...and didnt email. I suck. We weren't coming on Friday anymore (thank you CPA exam studies.. icks), but yesterday, we decided to go ahead and come down tomorrow night..but with his parents...now EVERYONE is coming early. Sheesh. So, I know ya'll have the shower on Saturday, but if you have any time to play, just shoot me a fb email or whatever! I'll fb you my phone number so you can text if ya'll end up with some free time! :)
And yes, I could have written this in an email. Jackie=lazy. XOXO!
I cannot WAIT to see your furniture! Take lotsa pics when it arrives!!!! Preferably ones like Michael's cheesy fun pose in the bottom there.. :)
Awesome pillow! The room is going to look great. Looking forward to pics.
Those are the same colors we have in our bedroom. Which I also found in a pillow...but it wasn't as cool as yours...so now I want your pillow for our bedroom. :)
Yay! I love that pillow! I love West Elm and I'm sad that Tulsa doesn't have one. I can't wait to see the finished room!!
LOVE the pillow!!!! I can't wait to see the room after you get the furniture in there!
Cute! Good idea. Excited to see what you come up with.
All I have to say about that is this:
MARVELOUS FIND! I am so freaking jealous that I didn't find that pillow! It is the epitome of decorator's inspiration (hell even I AM INSPIRED by that pillow and it's not even in my hands!!!) and you should seriously post pictures ASAP because after viewing the pillow I am DYING to see the work in progress (ABSOLUTELY pun intended!)
have you thought about expanding that pillow onto canvas? maybe having an artistic friend bring that pillow decor or the colors into a scheme of canvassed paintings that could motif the wall? hmmm...
i must say, i may have to steal your design. the goosebumps raising on my skin tell me this is fantastic in its own right!
way to freaking go!!!!
oh and i forgot. your hubby is insanely cute in this photo. you should just go ahead and put him above the fireplace. he could be the focul point of the room next to your awesome find!
That is one fabulous pillow!! West Elm is my absolute favorite place ever...affordable, modern, and everything coordinates in a cool and minimalist way. Can't even walk by without wanting to empty my savings on a sofa. Can't wait to see your fnished product!
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