Monday, May 9, 2011

The whitening of a room

My living room today. 
Warm grey walls, white slipped furniture, pastel colors as accents.
This room has been through some drastic changes.
I laughed when I saw all the things I have done in this space.
Sometimes it just takes awhile to get things right.
Originally the room had a gold and pink palette
with vanilla yellow walls and wood furniture.
The room was like this for a few years.
And then.... I fell in love with this rug from Company C.
I jumped right into trying
a bright color scheme. But this rug didn't feel right with all the browns in the room.
 It was overpowering and busy.
Looking at this picture today, 
I can barely remember the room feeling or looking like this.
I still thought I wanted a fresher color scheme 
so I changed the pale yellow wall color to a brighter yellow.
 I hung up cheerful yellow london shades and toned down the rug.
The first bit of white gets added 
when I switched the sofa for this slipcovered one.
Still felt too bright and busy~so I took down the yellow curtains
and got rid of the black needlepoint rug in favor of a pastel hooked one.
A carved element was added to the fireplace wall and the room 
started taking on the look I was going for.
Greige paint on the walls was what happened next.
Ben Moore #1515 Natural Elements is the color.
This was a big transformation in the overall feel of the room.
The pale grey color lets white pop out, 
yet keeps the room warm and not sterile.
Suddenly the room was serene.
I played around with draperies for a while, 
adding pink silk panels here. 
The bookcase interiors got a pink paint job.
I  quickly tired of the pink drapes.
I love pink but I learned
pink has to be in small doses for me.
So down came the drapes....
White cotton smocked panels had an airiness that I craved.
Most of the wood furniture had been painted.
This room was really feeling right.
The original wood coffee table got a stenciled paint job
 that landed it an invitation to regain its original spot.
That is how this room evolved....
filled with white and pastels that feel so right.

linking to Songbird's


61 comments:

  1. Amy, I know what you mean... I'm so happy that I painted my walls white... Your room looks amazing and not to mention very romantic... great job...hope you had a happy Mother's Day.

    Pattie

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  2. I was soo glad to see all the befores...It was so refreshing and real...even designers evolve into what their homes look like now...It seems to always be easier to decorate for others than it is for ourselves...Your home is so lovely and relaxing...Xo, Meme

    If you get the chance come read my love letter over @ Screaming Meme...

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  3. I love the rug you currently have on the floor. I've been painting a coffee table today, and thinking about your stencil - love it.

    x

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  4. I've enjoyed watching this room transform and it looks gorgeous, Amy.

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  5. Love the soft airiness of the white...its like living on a perfect white cloud! What a beautiful space you have created..its like you had to travel down several little roads to find the right spot but you did and it is perfection!

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  6. Love the transformation:) Very warm and inviting. The table looks great with the stenciling. You are so talented.
    ~Debra xxx
    Capers of the vintage vixens

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  7. So pretty. You definitely got it right.

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  8. Love the walls, Amy! I have yellow {bright} in my living room now but ever since I went with a white slipcover for my sofa it is not appealing to me anymore. Although we are on the market at present, I told my husband that if we don't sell this year that I will be painting that room {and the dining room}. I do already know that whatever we downsize to will be getting lighter wall colors and I had wondered about gray. I wrote the name of yours down so I can check it out in person. I guess it sometimes takes time before we can find the look we feel most comfortable with in our own homes.

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  9. The library and the decorations are beautiful. Congratulations!
    Deborah

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  10. It's always funny looking back isn't it? Even my little apartment has gone through many looks in only 2 years!

    Your living room looks gorgeous now:)

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  11. I really love your NEW white room. It is fantastic. Love the decor above the fireplace. It inspires me to change mine to white. Thank you!!!

    Laurie

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  12. That was fun as anything, seeing the room evolve. The painted coffee table is phenomenal! You have an amazing hand with your brushstrokes, i love the way you embellished the center...you soooo should be painting on canvas girl! I'm still totally in love with the little round side table by the chair too. What a beautiful room...

    Cindy

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  13. Amy, fun seeing how that room has transformed. It looks great and I still love that table.

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  14. Love seeing the process of this room over the years! It gives me hope for several of my rooms!!

    I love your house!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  15. As others have said, it is fun to see the room's evolution to the beautiful space it is now with the soft color palette and your gorgeous furnishings. You really did an amazing job. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Oh goodness, it is so gorgeous. I loved seeing it involved. I probably would have stopped several looks ago, afraid to keep trying, but I admire your eye for getting it just the way you wanted to. That gives me hope!

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  17. What a great post! It was fun to see how your room evolved into what it is now. We all go through change like that. What worked five years ago often doesn't cut it today. Your room is breathtaking and classic. I can't see you making a drastic change now for quite some time. (*_*) ~Stacy~

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  18. Love seeing how the room has changed over the years. Your latest incarnation is perfect - beautiful, soft, comforting. I just love it. I love your blog, too - I'm your newest follower. :)

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  19. I love the transformation. BTW I have that ottoman you show in the second pic. I recently painted it in Pink Sea Salt. I am in love with your coffee table it is so gorgeous.

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  20. Beautiful metamorphosis, Amy. I enjoyed seeing all the changes.

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  21. Amy is there any other color then white??
    Or some shade of pale to gray :)

    I am now entering a phase of Gray, to oatmill tone, adding grain sacks and linens. Everything you have created can move in with me :)
    Or I will move in with you :)

    Love your design style!
    see you soon
    xoxo
    Dore

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  22. Hi Amy, it was a real treat to see the transformation of your living room over the years in one post! I love how it is looking now, and I suppose when we love decorating and our styles and tastes change, we are always striving for that 'perfect' look. I too am trying to tone down the pink and just have touches of it. I think you've done a wonderful job. Your lounge room looks very calm, relaxing and still very elegant! Love it! take care, Maryann

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  23. Amy- I think it is wonderful that you have all those pictures of the room as it evolved. Many of us don't~ I love the way it is now and I am sure you do too...but you know, at other times in your life, the other styles probably suited you well too! It is perfect now-Absolutely beautiful! xxoo Diana

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  24. How neat to see all the changes Amy- your room is so pretty and I love that element above the fireplace! :)

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  25. I have been looking for a table for in front of my sofa. I LOVE your stenciled table and would love to hear more about it. Did you do it yourself?? Love the piece above the fireplace too. Don't you just love sitting in that room??
    (Much more serene then the plumbing tutorial I just posted). Love, Linda

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  26. Hi Amy, I'm stopping by via Beatrice Banks blog to tell you this is an amazing post. I love how you showed your room evolving, starting out pretty and ending up amazing. I'm following now so I won't miss a thing, tami

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  27. This is an absolutely stunning room Amy! Magazine worthy for sure. :-) I especially love your stenciled coffee table and truly every little touch is divine. It seems so calm and relaxing! Love it!
    Vanessa

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  28. I love what you did with your room. I'm also in the midst of a dark to light makeover. Your table is spectacular! New follower!

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  29. I love your home....it is gorgeous. But the things I enjoyed the most were your sweet doglets.......xojana

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  30. Love seeing how the room has evolved. So many changes! All good ones. I love those curtains. I love the way the coffee table looks. I miss the ruffle cover on the sofa, though. You amaze me in how quickly you make changes. I need you to light a fire under me.

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  31. I need to do my new little house like your white room... and not do any of the "before" mistakes! ( :
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  32. oh i am kicking myself now, I just passed up a hook rug just like the pink one you are showing and it was only $40 at the flea. darn darn darn, it looks so good!!!

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  33. Hi, I really enjoy reading your blog and would like to pass along The Lovely Blog Award.
    Cordially,
    Bella Vida by Letty

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  34. It's so pretty and such fun to look at all the before shots. Maybe there is hope for my living room yet...I have never been satisfied with it for 22 years!!!
    Faye

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  35. I have something for you ... http://4theloveofwood.blogspot.com/2011/05/homesense-how-i-adore-thee-my-new.html

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  36. Just amazing how many looks this room has had! It's certainly wonderful now! Of course it's a look I love! Bravo!

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  37. Wow...thanks for the sharing the past looks of this fabulous room! I love it in white (of course)!!

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  38. The evolution of this room was facinating! YOur room was just gorgeous from the beginning and totally breathtaking with the end product!
    Yvonne

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  39. I loved seeing the transformation from beginning to now. I agree, a very serene room that's warm, cozy and enveloping. All the elements you've collected work together to create a wonderful space you just want to BE in!.

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  40. THAT is why we never quit! Beautiful progression...and I Love it quiet elegance!
    Rene

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  41. LOVE your whitened room and especially the smocked curtains!

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  42. What fun to see how your room has transformed! I agree, you have come to a gorgeous conclusion! I loved seeing your big dog make his way into the photos here and there..He looks so comfy on the slipcovered sofa!
    Blessings,
    Amanda

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  43. Wow...what a transformation Amy! Your white room is so beautiful! ~Deb~

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  44. The room is so beautiful now with all the whites! You have done a wonderful job.

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  45. I had to laugh because I do the same thing which drives my hubby nuts, ha! You just have to be happy, right? I love, love, love how the room looks! I am your newest follower!

    Hugs,
    Jacalyn

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  46. Love your white room! I have tried several times to find white slipcovers and none fit my two wing chairs. So disappointing. In the meantime, I'll enjoy browsing blogs like yours. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  47. Wow - I love getting to see how a room evolved. It looks so beautiful and I adore the soft airy draperies you have up now!!!

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  48. Wow...you've come a LONG way baby! LOL! I enjoyed seeing each of the stages and found beauty in all of them. Isn't it fun when our tastes sort of evolve along the way? Your home is lovely...thanks for the tour.
    Blessings & Hugs,
    Karen

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  49. Wow - wonderful transformation. Always beautiful, but I love the white!

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  50. the coffee table is a stunner! I like your latest wall color and the smoked curtains too they are light and airy. I have been in love with the Belgian/Swedish look for a long time and you have nailed it.

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  51. How wonderful to see your room grow like that. I really liked everything you did and agreed every time that it was an improvement.

    I finally found a quiet morning to visit everybody again and actually leave a comment this time.
    Thank you again for playing in my We Love White linky party!

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  52. I love the transformation. It looks so welcoming and I just love all of the white.

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  53. You are too funny! Most of these changes all happened within the past year, didn't they? I love seeing the transformation, it looks beautiful now!

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  54. Amy, your living room is oh-so-pretty now! I love all the whites and pastels! Your stenciled table looks perfect in there.

    xoxo
    Amanda

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  55. Thanks you for that educational trip back in time! I love to see a room evolve and change. My favourite part of your room? The rug!! Where did you find it?

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