Living Room Tour
Welcome! Our living room is filled with what some may call hand-me-downs, but I prefer to call them family heirlooms, even if some of the pieces are only from this past decade. I credit that to me being one part thrifty and one part sentimental. ;)
Antique furniture can be updated by mixing textures, patterns and colors in a modern way. Here I combined boho pillows and baskets with my great-grandmother's dresser.
Everything is essentially neutral in our living room, but there is a balance of lights and darks that keeps it interesting.
I added a few sentimental touches, like my mother's baby gown and my childrens' pre-school family portraits. It's fascinating how a few simple lines can accurately portray a person!
Here you can better see the subtle mix of textures and patterns that add interest to a palette of neutrals.
The dresser was missing a knob, so I replaced it with a coordinating one from Anthropologie. I like it even better this way and it adds to the boho vibe.
We have a free-standing partition wall that separates our living room from the dining room. The corbel leaning against the wall's column is actually an affordable find from a home decor store. It adds a nice farmhouse touch.
One of our not-so-vintage hand-me-downs is everyone's favorite place to sit, surrounded by windows and views of the garden. I have plans to slip cover the chair in a lighter color. Until then, I've lightened it up with a throw and pillow.
Here's a great example of mixing textures - linen, glass, wood, twine and wicker - to liven up neutrals. I made the beaded garland with materials from the craft store. Easy!
I may have to look at a big black box in the middle of our living room, but you don't have to! ;) My grandmother's hope chest is on the left. My father's army trunk is on the right. Surrounding them with light colored neutrals keeps the look from being stuck in the past.
Adding touches of greenery throughout the room livens up the space.
Pillows are another great way to mix patterns and textures. I try to keep them from becoming too "busy" looking by sticking to a uniform palette.
This side of the room has my grandparents' bookcase, which I painted white, flanked by IKEA bookcases. I installed curtains, affordably made from a tablecloth, to hide the toys and games.
Adding touches of soft pink and layers upon layers of neutral patterns and textures keeps this side of the living room current.
I painted the back wall of the bookcase a soft pink to liven up an arrangement full of textured neutrals, without competing with it.
