Mini Home Tour | Living Room

Here is the most lived-in room in our home. We kept the color that our landlords left in the house, a tannish-yellow. Painting this one room would result in repainting the entire downstairs because of how the walls are, plus, what renter wants to paint with those high ceilings?! 

I have always dreamed of having white couches, but I opted out of washing slipcovers and chose to go with a forgiving fabric. Our linen set has a blend of black and brown weave. I was sold because of its lines -- very similar to the Oswald and the Carlisle sofas. It has served our family well in the months that we've had it. I've found (through numerous spills) that it is nearly indestructible. We are happy with our choice.

Shortly after Ikea discontinued their Lack bookcases, I had my husband build 2 look-alikes that would fit the alcoves on either side of our mantel. We made ours a little taller and wider than the Ikea ones that I love so much. Those bookcases make all of the difference in our room!

This rooms has lots of color, and it all started with my pillows.

I love me some malachite...

I made my own "love print" in Pantone's 2011 Color of the Year, Honeysuckle. 

There's the coffee table that we got for free… still can't believe it. Also, you'll see I have made a valence for the windows. Although, drapes would look nice in the room, I wasn't willing to invest in fabric for the windows since we are renting. It works in this house for now.

Painting and repurposing old pieces that were given to us has been key. A prime example is that antique pie crust table. After a quick paint job, it was transformed to a more modern piece with its turquoise top and black base -- a look I can live with. Piece by piece, I'm evolving my home from traditional to contemporary. It's a process, to say the least.