First of all, I just have to tell you how much I love having the couch facing the fireplace! We have used this room more in the last two days than in the whole previous month. For two evenings in a row, we have sat in this room around the fire, instead of around the TV in the living room. That by itself is fantastic!
I’m going to show you before and after pictures. Don’t feel bad if I didn’t use your suggestions. Really, everybody had some wonderful ideas! But, this, as I said, is a seasonal arrangement; once we stop using the fireplace I’ll put it back the other way. So for now, anyway, I just wanted some fast free fixes. I’m happy to report that no money was spent!
Once again, here is the original arrangement, which will now be the warm weather layout.
And here is the new arrangement, about which I asked for advice.
Most people said go ahead and try the round coffee table since I already had it. Several people said I needed some color. I was purposely going for a neutral look in here, but agreed that a pop of color could add to the cozy factor.
Here it is now (sorry: bad nighttime photos, and ignore the piles of books in each corner).
Before:
After:
And, covered the broken zipper with a throw! You people are brilliant!!
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
I love it! It fulfills my need for cozy and looks good! So, thanks again.
Oh, and at some point we will go ahead and get a ceiling fan. This room is hot in summer, and in the winter the heat from the fireplace goes straight to the ceiling. I never did understand why they were so maligned, anyway.
Don’t forget, the party is on Tuesday! Get your project done this weekend (or if you’re me…get started!).
40 comments:
Looks great Holly! :)
What a cozy, sophisticated room....I agree, the couch looks fab facing the fireplace!
Great job! Who wouldn't love to spend an evening in your inviting living room by the fire? Covering your broken zipper with a throw is a smart solution!
got to say i love the red!
This looks great, and I think the smaller coffee table was a good choice.
You have to love a free room makeover!
YAY!!!! Holly, it looked good to be before, but this is just fantastic. :) You're like a total success story!!! ;) I do like the round coffee table...that made a difference. The room looks very cozy! Hope you'll link this up to the "Show Me the Progress" party when the time comes. :)
Wow, those simple changes made a huge impact. The throw covering the broken zipper was sheer genius! I love the drop leaf table under the wall of plates, too. That made a big difference.
Well, duh! Throw a throw on the broken zipper part. Why didn't I think of that? haha
It looks great, Holly. I love the added pops of red. Cozies it right up.
Holly, that looks GREAT! I love the round table over there and I'm dying over that cute phone! You did GOOD girl!
Love the pops of RED! MY FAVORIE COLOR!
Hi Holly! Wow, that looks so pulled together and inviting. No one would ever know there's a broken zipper under that throw. BTW- did I mention before that I absolutely love those chairs? Where did they come from?
Ooh, the new arrangement is GORGEOUS!! I love that you moved the drop leaf table under the plates too.
(Oh, and I haven't started my knock-off yet either. EEK!!)
Looks great! Aren't free updates just the best?
I really like the table under the plates. And I read, recently, that ceiling fans are actually something that people want when they purchase a new home.
I think you did a great job! Very cozy retreat...needs a nice glass of white wine. Enjoy!
Way to go! Very, very cozy--not busy, not over the top, just cozy. I like the touches of red. And a throw over the sofa--ha! What an inspired idea!
You're gonna love a ceiling fan in there. Don't worry--there are some really pretty ones that are very reasonably priced.
Have a great weekend!
You could always open the seam on the other side of the sofa too, run some grommets up either side and lace them up with some rope or ribbon. Thats if you get tired of the throw - lol!
Ceiling fans are a wonderful thing. We have them in every room except the bathrooms. It's perpetually 116º here half of the year, so ceiling fans make a world of difference.
In the living room, get as big of a ceiling fan as you can. Long blades will help everyone be able to feel the fan on both sides of the room (not just on the floor under the fan). It might cost more to get a big fan, but it makes a difference in your electric bill (you won't need to run the a/c as cold with the fan running), making any difference in cost totally worth it. Also, having overhead lights with your ceiling fan is really nice, too.
The biggest cost is usually installation. Thankfully for us, my husband was able to run electric to all the rooms in our house that didn't have any overhead lights or fans (almost every single one). He also installed the switches to give us a switch for the lights and the fan in each room.
As far as projects before Tuesday: I'd just like to give birth to our 6th baby by then! If anything else gets accomplished, it will be a plus!
You done good! It really looks cozy and inviting. Thanks for showing us the "after" pics.
Nancy
Looks great! the red does add a pop of cozy color.
Melinda
I love the sofa in front of the fireplace, much more cozy. A sofa table would add some interest to the back of your sofa.
I love the cozy feeling of your room! The creamy color is so soothing!
Loving the before and afters!!!
Thanks for stopping by today... I love your "hubbys" comment! LOL ;)
I think the drop leaf table would be cute with a coat of black satin spray paint with just the tiniest of distressing. The room looks great!
Hi Holly! I just found your blog and oooh boy I love it already. I'm in love with this post it feels so cozy! What color is the walls if you don't mind? I'm in a hunt for the perfect paint..
Looking GREAT girl.......it looks so warm and inviting!
Suzanne
In my very humble opinion, a touch of red just can't go wrong!
I love that the throw works so well to cover the broken zipper. It looks great!
Everything looks fabulous! I love the color you used on your walls too! Well done girl...well done! Wonderful party post!
Hugs
SueAnn
Wow! It's looking really great!
Before and after... it looks great! I love how you incorporated the little touches of red. Very cozy :).
There's so much about the "after" that I love. That wall of plates looks great! And everything else is arranged so well. Good job!
Nancy
Looks great! I'm still so jealous of your awesome $35 find on the hutch!
Love the barn stars, btw!
So my question would be, did you change anything else since you posted this first? I really love everything you implemented, and was so impressed with how quickly you got to work. :)
PS. Your comment made me laugh. Maybe the "Dilemmas/Delightful" thing was in your subconscious. ;) No worries!
Hi I'm visiting from Amanda's blog. I loved your room's before but it's so gorgeous in the after. I think the pops of red throughout the room makes it unique & very cozy. Beautiful space.
Love it as much this time as the first time. ;)
Love the new look--so much homier (is that a word?) and cozy. I especially like the chairs flanking the fireplace and love that round coffee table.
Wow it looked great before and even better after!! So glad to have found your blog through Amanda's party!
what a great room! you have great items that you can switch around so many ways- very versatile!
thanks for sharing... found you on Amanda's blog!
I am loving the sofa/chairs arrangement :) and the "sparks" of red around the room look great.
So much better! I'm glad you put a table under the plate (My suggestion!). If you don't like the table, you can always cover it with a cloth. Maybe a neutral cloth with a red border. I love the pops of red. It looks so much homier. Great job.
It looks awesome! I love love love the windows on the wall.
So cozy!
Rachelle
Looks great...I am totally impressed....
Love it! How did you get people to give you advice on it? I have a similar line up with 2 open spaces on each side of the fireplace. I want to get started on this room in the next couple of weeks. Love the stars!
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