So far we’ve gone from this:

to this:

Here’s what I’m dreaming of to finish the look:

a sectional (this one is on sale, and the hubby approves… might be a “go”!)

a reading lamp for some eye-level lighting

this chair, which swivels– perfect solution for both chatting and t.v. viewing

I also picked up this end table at Habitat Restore a few months ago.  I’m thinking a coating of high-gloss black spray paint?

Also on the lookout for a sofa table to go on the wall in below my canvas photo gallery.  I’ve been scouring thrift stores and Craigs List to find the perfect one to makeover.  I’ll know it when I see it!

My addiction to fabric is made all the stronger by these patterns, which I hope to make into pillows:

Hoping that the pillows will look somewhat like this, featured on Young House Love the other day:

A few more inspiration photos to drool over (all apologies, I don’t have the sources for most.  Please let me know if one of the photos is yours and I’ll give you credit!)

Three Men and a Lady

So, what do you think?  Anything you love, or hate?  Or hate to love?  What’s your living room style?

Nobody puts baby in a corner.  Except me.  Wait ’till you see what I have up my sleeve…

Gallery walls are the rage across blogland, and I do love them.  However, with the bookcases I’m thinking something a bit more streamlined for this valuable wall space.

As for lighting, we have spotlights from the ceiling.  We need a few at eye-level.  This lamp from IKEA had me at “hello”:

See those sorry sofas?  Even the slipcovers look washed up.  They have been damaged by cat, dog, and babies alike.  Time for new ones, preferably a sectional to take advantage of that prime corner real estate being used by the end table.  Having that spot to lounge in would be soooooo much better.

We have an overstuffed chair that no longer fits here.   I’m dreaming of adding this one from La-Z-Boy:

Sofa table to put against this wall.  We’d move the bench to another spot, probably against the back of the sofa (I know, that’s the opposite of what most would do but it would work better to differentiate the space).  Scouring thrift shops as we speak to find the perfect one!

I knew I could count on your help with my ridiculous indecision over paint colors for the living room.  The votes were overwhelmingly for one color…

MISTY!  (that gray that looks a little blue)

So I went for it.  With a drop of blue added because I’m crazy like that.  The walls were in such bad shape the painter took two and a half days just to prep them.  It took three thin coats of spackle and a thorough sanding.  The actual painting took just two hours or so, and was finished today.  Hence my lateness in revealing the color!

How do I feel about it?  It’s still growing on me.  I’m very happy I went out of my comfort zone and tried something new.  It would have been easy to go with “Naturel”, the warm tan.  But as Judy says, “gray is the new tan!”  Browsing through blogland, I’ve noticed it all over the place.  My living room, shall we say, is cutting edge.  😉

The best thing about paint is you can change it.  I could easily paint this room a different color in just a few hours {as long as I have a babysitter, of course}.  Since the painter did all the hard work, all I would need to do is spread some paint around.  I’ll live with it for a few months, and if it’s not working then I can change it.  And I’ll already know what color to use:

Ah, good old Naturel.  That’s the point– old.  I’ve used a similar shade throughout my whole house.  Gotta get out of my comfort zone.

Photos coming soon– it was dark when I finally got the room back together so I’m waiting for daylight.  But I’ll also get a few night shots to prove how much this color changes!