A NEW PIECE TO PAINT!

I've been looking for just the right piece to paint for over a year. A hutch with arched glass cabinets with lots of room to store and stage pretty things. A piece to put on the empty wall in living room!

I found it in the most horrid, creepy, dirty thrift shop. I only went there because I saw it on Craig's List...and I'll never go back!!!

 The style was right, the size was perfect and it was solid wood... and very ugly... and dirty. 

But...

it was perfect for my living room and a perfect piece to paint...

BOTANICALS IN THE LIVING ROOM

The living room is within a month of being finished! Finally!!!!

I have a big hutch on the side of the room not seen that needs to be painted and loved and sanded and waxed and stenciled! I can't wait to get my hands on that project!

My most recent project was very small compared to the one ahead of me... I added 3 botanical pictures to my living room ...

GOING WILD!

I know I should be blogging about Christmas things... Christmas trees and menus and gift wrapping and decorating and fun Christmas stories...

BUT, I've gone a little wild and I am so excited about it...

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

This is a beautiful time of year to look out my windows! The farmland and trees are ablaze with autumn color! My living room is bright and has an ever changing view, thanks to my windows and french doors!

No wonder I have such a hard time choosing paintings for this room... what could compete with the view just beyond my windows...

LIVING ROOM CURTAINS

I worked all last weekend to finish the curtains in the living room.

 I've was dreading and putting off this project for at least 6 months! And they were actually quite easy to make. 

 I'm so happy they are finally hanging in the living room...

ADDING DETAIL... ONE LAYER AT A TIME

What's you favorite part of decorating? Conceptualizing a design, the hunt for the perfect pieces, choosing colors and fabric? Mine is adding details.

You could call me the embellishment queen. I love to take something and make it even better! Fussing and fluffing and adding layers of detail.

Here's the newest layer in the living room...

CURLACUE CHEST

I know it must seem like FOREVER since I began the living room makeover... but working slowly really pays off...

Each piece is like a puzzle... flooring, paint, furniture, case goods, rug, paintings, accessories and a few more pieces that I have yet to make and find. Each piece needs to fit... as perfectly as I can fit it!

A big piece of the decor puzzle finally was put into place today! 

The Curlacue Chest came to live at StoneGable. 

WHITE POTTERY JARS

It's not always a good thing to live so close to a POTTERY BARN OUTLET! My car, if left to it's own devices, could probably find it's way there all by itself! When I go into PBO I feel a little like Norm from the old sitcom "CHEERS". "Everyone knows my name" and there's hugs all 'round!

These chunky white pottery jars are just one example of the great summer finds that end up at StoneGable...

LIVING ROOM UPDATE

We have been slowly working on our living room.... S-L-O-W-L-Y! 

Here is a little look at what we have added to feather our nest.

I love the light in this room! This picture was taken at 7:00 in the morning...And light just floods in!

And this is a picture at 7:00 in the evening... lots of golden light!

Did you notice the area rug?  I found it on Overstock.com. I have purchased several wool rug from them and loved them all!

Originally, I was looking for a very light colored traditional area rug... until I saw this.  I figured I'd give it a try and return it if it wasn't right. I think it is a keeper. Because of all the light colored upholstered pieces in the room, the dark rug give the room some depth and weight.

I have been looking for months for the perfect coffee table. Right now there is a big open space!

 This is the hardest decision I have to make in this room. I was going back and forth about size, finish, color and style. I think I finally found "the one".

I'm probably get it today... look for an update soon!

We also purchased two end tables from Ethan Allen. One is a big black square table with a leather top and brass nail heads.  The accent works with my heirloom brass lamp.

I felt the space could hold a bigger piece. Behind the table will be billowy linen damask curtains.

The vignette on the table is not really done. The lamp and jar are staying... the rest probably not. I am in the process of collecting for the table vignette too!

The tall brass lamps are very special to me. My father was stationed in a remote Air Force base in Wakkanai Japan in the early 60's. Among the amazing things he brought home were these beautiful solid brass lamps.  They were part of my childhood.

My mother gifted them to me when we moved to StoneGable. Someday, I'll gift them to one of my children too. But, for now... they grace the living room!

The other end table is also black.  Different shape and approximately the same height as the square table.

Again, the vignette will not stay. I just stuck something there to fill it up.

Curtains will also go behind this end table.

Speaking of curtains, here is the fabric. I'll be spending next week sewing them.

The bones of this room are coming together, but there is still a lot to be done!

The big space between the window and french door need to be filled. I'm looking for a chest... maybe a bombay type and I would like to paint it similar to the buffet in the dining room to bring that soft muted buttery yellow into the room.

I ordered two white sea fans from Etsy and will frame those above it for the summer.

On the opposite side of the room... on the wall behind the chair and next to the french doors... I am looking for a BIG old french arched piece with lots of glass. I'm going to paint it.

They are very hard to come by in my area. I'm thinking I'll be making some trips to DC and other cities to look for this piece. Thank goodness I am patient!

I still have another chair to add. I picked up an 18th century Chinese Chippendale with a beautiful lattice back. I need to repaint and reupholster that too.

And of course, the room needs art!  That is always a process. 

I'll keep updating you as we progress. 

Next project... the curtains!

AMAZE ME MONDAY

WOW US WEDNESDAY

NEW LIVING ROOM CHAIRS

Picking out furniture can be an exciting adventure! But it can also be a daunting task...especially if you are making decisions on investment pieces that will live with you a long long time!

Here at StoneGable we are literally building a new living room from the floor up!

Two new pieces of furniture were recently added to our very sparse living room...

We have been working on our living room since November, albeit we did take a month break for Christmas.  It seems like it has taken such a long time... I have to keep reminding myself that decorating is not a race  and the only winning is done when it is done right!

Here is a look at the new chairs I chose from Ethan Allen.

I saw these about eight months ago when I was in the beginning stages of planning out our new living room...

and they never left my mind. I looked at dozens of chairs... but still kept coming back to these unusual BRANT chairs.  

I love love love the 17th century design that has been graciously brought into the 21st century! Classic lines are my favorite... especially when they are combined with a casual updated  feel!

These chairs have a beautiful carved frame... that's what made them so memorable to me...

...complimented by custom down cushions in a light almost white herringbone pattern.

I'm keeping my furniture light and bringing in texture for interest!

I'm hoping to pull off a look that is casually elegant!

I put a little black table with a mirrored top between the tables... for now.

Next on my list is to sew the drapes... put down the new area carpet and find that perfect but elusive coffee table!

I'll keep you updated!

A NEW ARRIVAL

Look what showed up on my doorstep on Wednesday afternoon!

Finally... our new Pottery Barn Comfort sofa!

I thought you would like a little look...