Living Room Inspo: Neutrals
So here it is, the next room on our list to complete (to an extent), The formal living room, or as we have started to call it, the front room. Rob and I are wanting to create an adult space, without toys or tv. A place we can come as a family to play games or relax, and as parents to sit on our own for the few moments a day that that actually happens.When we walked through this house, you may remember that it was a different bold color in each room, and the darkest being this room. It took us one coat of a primer tinted grey, and three coats of white paint to hide the burgundy walls, the first step to making a more serene space.
With that step behind us, we went to Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. We knew already that we wanted a neutral color palette that would work for all seasons and decorate easily for all holidays. I am good on the sewing machine, and because we are on a budget, I knew that making what furniture we already had to work for now until we could upgrade was key. With dropcloth, I made new soft and cream colored covers to the window seat cushions and soon will make a slipcover for the big easy chair. We brought our Ikea Ektorp couch out of storage that I purchased after a horrible break up that in a roundabout way, had made me have to sell off all my items. Of course, right before I had met Rob. It was grey but the slipcover was dingy and dark and although we want a leather couch in this space, we grabbed the couch a new slipcover in a lighter beige and it works well in the space for now.
Some Inspiration for the space
I think the biggest theme throughout this home and space is Natural, with a vintage flair. The home has so much of its antique characteristics still from when it was built in 1917 that we really want to bring those out. We are focusing on natural fibers and colors to decorate the space. It also helps us support those smaller brand who still make items by hand with natural fibers.
Speaking of small brands, after search the web for a great, and neutral round coffee table for this space, I could not stop thinking of a table that I have seen many times on McGee and Co.'s feed and how perfect it would work in here. Unfortunately, as a Canadian, it just wasn't realistic to even think about purchasing it, from the high exchange rate to the extreme shipping costs they have now put on items to Canada. My husband had worked with a woman who, with her sister, has started a successful business in custom furniture, The Splinter Sisters. Their pieces are stunning and they truly get our feeling that we are going for. When I had asked her about this table, I was shocked at how affordable it was going to be for us. The best part was that we could customize the measurements to fit our space perfectly as well! We loved the pieces so much, that we have asked the Splinter Sisters to make two so that one of you could also show us how you style yours. Stay tuned for that!
The Fireplace debate:
One of the hottest topics on my stories recently has been what in the world to do with our fireplace. The god-awful reddish stain is leaving asap, and the yellow bricks have already been kicked to the curb. Going with the Neutral theme and the black antique summer fireplace cover that is there, we know that black will be a big part of it. But, how much black is too much? Our plan so far is to try to strip the stain off the wood and get the wood back to its original beauty, then use a mix of our trim color Shoelace by Behr, and black to finish it off. If the stripping doesn't go as planned, do we do white mantle and black brick? or all black? let us know your thoughts in the comments below.As always, stay tuned for the final big reveal!