Have you ever taken a step back during a project and simply said, waaaait a minute, this isn't working.
Let's just scrap this idea and start all over. Back to square one. You know, go all Missy Misdemeanor on it.
Put your thing down, flip it and reverse it.
Yup, just said that.
First off, let me show you a pretty picture so that you know all of my upcoming rambling actually leads to something nice! I promise!
Ooooooooh, ahhhhhhh.
Ok, now for the rant. I have been having some issues with the decor in my living room.
For no apparent reason except that I am ridiculous and constantly like to switch things up, I've been trying to pull in some different elements to our living room over the last couple of months.
There was the attempt at a modern mirror display and the addition of black/white pillows.
Strike one.
Then there was the attempt at the addition of some really fun turquoise and pink color.
So gorgeous, but SO didn't work with the bright yellow rug in my living room. Strike two.
Then, there were the undocumented attempts that will remain nameless. Lets just say that a red and yellow flower cotton print scheme was not cute either. Strike three.
At that point in the game, I did what any good home decorator does- I put my foot down. Time to stop. When it's just not working, the best thing to do is to go back to the basics and work with what you know. And in my living room, I know that our yellow wool Pottery Barn rug works best with a neutral palette. Annnnnd so three minutes of your life later, I'm back to yellow and neutral.
The current state of my couch (ie. the previous state of my couch).
And I really love it : ) It's so chill. Not trying to be anything but its laid back self. Oh, and don't forget I changed up my mantle. And unlike the pillows, it's a change I'm definitely sticking with!
What I'd like to do is to add a couple of gigantic neutral toned pillows to our ivory couch, in addition to the linen pillows that are already on there. I'd also be open to yellow pillows, as long as they work with the rug and aren't too matchy matchy. The hubby's only request is that they are big and comfy. I haven't found anything out there that I really love, so far (except for maybe West Elm's daybed pillows). Any suggestions?
Even though I'm still on the hunt for couch pillows, I have taken one step in the right direction with my new/old approach: throw pillows for the slipper chairs!
By sticking with my roots- ie. the neutral and yellow scheme- this pillow seamlessly fits into the airy,
relaxed decor in the room. And (together!) they were a $30 HomeGoods find. Score.
I did bring in a pop of color with my newly painted navy blue nesting tables (sitting on top is Nana's lamp!) and I plan to constantly switch out fresh flowers and other greenery to bring in more color to the living room.
All of these little changes have really pulled the room together, in my mind. Instead of feeling disjointed, the decor flows, establishing a relaxed and light vibe. Love it.
Have you ever gone back to square one on a project?
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Thrifty Decor Chick
I have to agree. I much prefer the neutral tones with the yellow colours in the rug. Too much going on at once and the eye isn't drawn to one vital focal point.
ReplyDeleteMichelle you are too funny. I love the latest mantle decor, that mirror is fabulous and not quite as masculine as the black one (I prefer this second one). I LOVE the pillows you found at homegoods, and think they look phenomenal next to that rug. It looks fabulous! Have you considered making your own big and comfy pillows for the couch?
ReplyDeleteI go through the same stuff, and sometimes end up right back where i started!!!
ReplyDeletenow...tell me about your coffee table, because i have coffee table envy right about now!
I go through the same stuff, and sometimes end up right back where i started!!!
ReplyDeletenow...tell me about your coffee table, because i have coffee table envy right about now!
I think you're on the right track...sometimes you have to give yourself a timeout to get perspective. And I am loving those yellow pillows!
ReplyDeleteI'm too chicken to do anything major like this...I had anxiety over stealing things from around the house to do my bookshelf at the end of my hallway. Baby steps...baby steps...
I am a dork when it comes to pillows. I could seriously make a pillow out of every fabric I find. Love it... than hate it just as fast lol!
ReplyDeleteLove the throw pillows for the chairs! :)
Sometimes, when I run into this, I just stop looking for that perfect piece. Then I come accross something and think of course! That's perfect! It just come together:) I love the pillows on the slipper chairs. They go perfectly with your rug. I love that rug so much btw..
ReplyDeleteI definitely think your foot is pointed in the right direction. Of course I love the mantle...and those pillows add such a spalsh of style with the benefit of a palette that just seems to flawlessly work in your room. I get stumped all the time. I think I look at it now as an opportunity...but there are some "opportunities" that just plan ANNOY me. :) I think you will make this room into a picture perfect showplace...the foundation is completely there.
ReplyDeleteCheers~
e
Love the neutral look, but understand your wanting a pop of color. Love the pillows you found at Home Goods! The two near us haven't had much in the way of pillows lately. Target has some great nubby navy pillows, big and comfy (might tie into the navy tables) and they have some smaller bright yellow solid (suede?) ones now too. I am using the navy ones in Elie's room at home.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I do the same thing all the time. I just bought all new pillows for my couch twice last month only to realize what I had worked the best. I am always rearranging things and often wonder why I can't just relax and let it be. Love those pillows you found, they add the perfect touch to your chairs! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. I like the neutral and I'm loving the two pillows you added. You'll come across something great when you're not really looking for it. Always happens that way.
ReplyDeleteI do have to tell you, even though you had a few strikes - they were all really pretty strikes!
ReplyDeleteI love the addition of the pillows on the side chairs. It's perfect and seems to flow with the room seamlessly.
I LOVE your mantle. And I think those pillows are fantastic! I especially love them next to the nesting table!
ReplyDeleteLove those pillows & rug! Like everyone else has said, you'll come across something that is just perfect when you aren't looking for it.
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ReplyDeleteYes! I have way too much extra fabric to admit trying to change things up. I find this happens to me most when I am trying to decorate in a style that is not me. I just need to trust my instincts. I love the neutral/yellow palette. I think for pillows on the sofa I would do white/linen and maybe throw in a navy lumbar pillow to tie in the nesting tables.
ReplyDeleteOh yes I have done that MANY times. Michelle, I am so glad you mentioned where you got the rug...was going to ask, it would work in my office!
ReplyDeleteDo come and enter my Artful Offering!It is truly beautiful!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
i feel your pain. i have a writing essay due on friday, and i am on version six right now... and it's still not right. ugh... agony...
ReplyDeletemaybe i should come to your cute cute house and get inspired... :)
The new mantle looks fantastic. And I'm loving your couch as is too.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! You have such beautiful taste :)
ReplyDeletehomegoods. is. my. life.
ReplyDeleteI always fall back to my neutral lovin' roots too :)
I love the look of your living room and I am so jealous of the arches in your room! =]
ReplyDeleteDarling, you're hilarious. Love the song quote. And it looks so pretty :)
ReplyDeletelove love love your style. simple, elegant, pretty, cozy. and that rug. amazing.
ReplyDeletegood job rhonda.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, go look at Target -- they have some big, overstuffed lineny pillows that look just like the West Elm ones! Just bought them for my day bed. Soo comfy!
ReplyDeleteWhat about finding some fabric you love and making pillows the exact size and comfiness (totally made up that word) level you and the Hubs want!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do think your room is gorgeous! It is very calm, sophisticated and inviting all at the same time!
First of all, I love your old school rap reference...it seriously just made me laugh out loud! And I'm totally digging the yellow and neutral...the new pillows look great!
ReplyDeleteGirl. I've been there. Don't even worry. I love how the chairs and pillows look! Light and fresh and perfect for spring. I agree...go back to your roots with the lighter colors. I want that pillow. It's seriously so cute.
ReplyDeleteToo often! I keep going back and forth on my living room as well and just recently decided to go back to the basics of what I love. So, I can totally relate:)
ReplyDeletei think your neutrals with yellows are just perfect for you- those pillows are stunning!
ReplyDeleteI think the yellow/cream pillows that YHL have on their couch would be perfect... and if I'm not mistaken they have this exact same rug!! $24 bucks at Tarjay!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE those pillows on your slipper chairs! And I'm still digging your mantle glad you decided to keep it!
ReplyDeletexo! Lauren @ tickled.
Not usually a yellow fan, but this I like!!
ReplyDeletelove the fabric in the pillow too!
juliesfreshperspectives.blogspot.com
so been there, done that for sure! I love the new pillows on the chairs, the look great and I agree the sofa back to neutral does look fresh and inviting! :)
ReplyDeleteI think you could bring in a light grey pillow to the sofa to bring out the grey in the other pillow and have it fit the overall theme/colors at this point without being too matchy matchy :)
Love the pillows...great post...we all do this, forward, then backward....I always moving furniture, back and forth! Just my 2 cents, but I think this works really well with the Navy dining room! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteyour posts crack me up. yes, i've gone back to square one about 100 times. my guest bedroom is my enemy at this current time. i wanted to ask where you got that cute lamp till i clicked on the post about it, then i remembered! what a score! oh, and i got some pillows that have that lineny texture at pottery barn!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had gone back to square one in my living room and dining room...but instead we just stopped middle of project!! Oh well...I feel like we are getting some good ideas in place and just need to find what we are looking for!! Luckily, I'm not planning a party until July!
ReplyDeleteGirl- you know I love all of your music references :)
ReplyDeleteLove the Homegoods pillows- have you checked etsy?
I LOVE this! Its FAB!!! Come on 'ova and share this at my Linky Par-Tay!
ReplyDelete*ENTER LINKY PAR-TAY Here! *
xoxokara
I am still dying to know where you got that fantastic rug!
ReplyDeleteUm yes, I'm giving up on deciding drapes for my dining room. It will reveal what it wants soon enough...and if I bring another fabric sample home I'll go bonkers. Or more bonkers.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling a large tray on your coffee table, with colorful accessories or lined with colorful paper/fabric!)
So funny with your song lyrics! I love your new pillows! I'm now having pillow issues in my living room- trying to add color, but not sure it's working!
ReplyDeleteMajor pillow issues over here!!!! My hubby finally admitted he was so not liking some we had {he never says that}. So square one for sure. I am envious of those Homegood pillows you scored. Super cute.
ReplyDelete