Nature's Winter Color Palette

I don't think I have been as obsessed with a cutting since discovering Queen Anne's Lace growing on the side of the road last summer, lol!  This is 'Fire Chief' Arborvitae.  Welcome to my winter color palette.  The paint color on that swatch is Ben Moore Gloucester Sage...just insert all the heart emoji's here.

When I saw this pillow, I realized I already have this palette inside...this plus a green velvet and I'm done.  It's from Pottery Barn a few years ago called Shelli Paisley.  I've been able to find it over the years via Ebay and Poshmark/Mercari.

My 'cutting' started out in the kitchen the night before, then moved to my office for a day.  It inspired me to clean up the two shelves in the photo and declutter the corners of my office and inside the armoire which was collecting a lot of miscellaneous items.  Poor third shelf...one day.

When picking up groceries the next day, the color (and price!) of these Anjou pears made me get a few.  I'm not even a fan of pairs, (i mean pears, though actually it a pair, lol) but these were actually really good.  And even better, aren't they pretty?!

But wait there's more, lol!  I actually stole that pillow from my family room, but then found this rust colored blanket behind a chair in my living room.  I must have put it away over the summer, so that was a happy find.  But isn't it the perfect shade of rust that perfectly compliments that olive green and gives all the warm and cozy vibes for these cold, blustery days?  Just say yes.

Until inspiration strikes again...

Sources:

If you want a good source for a delicious, affordable green velvet pillow, here's one I've bought repeatedly. 

Lamp: Studio McGee Target 

 

 

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Restoration Hardware Dupe Drapes

We have a Restoration Hardware Outlet about an hour away.  But even at outlet prices, it's still a bit pricey for me.  But there is something about their monotone, neutral, luxurious style that I love. Looking thru their catalog, I've always loved their yummy oatmeal-colored linen drapes.  So I decided to make my own!

I sewed some for my family room a couple of years ago using linen I found at FabricStore.com.  No affiliate links to them, but I still linked to the fabric, because it was so reasonably priced compared to every other linen I found.  Below is the actual fabric that I chose.  It says heavy, but I would still consider it a lightweight linen.  If you're looking for fabric, you could always request a sample for $1.50.  The ones they send are suuuper tiny, but it will give you an idea of the feel and color.  Maybe I will do a 'linen tasting' in the future and collect several samples and compare for weight, color, texture, and of course price!

(check out my post on this DIY Desk)

I especially wanted to share these drapes that I made, because I am starting on a new set of drapes with this beautiful blue+white striped fabric I already have on hand.   (Psst!  I just found an old post and turns our I purchased it in 2013!  So seven years ago, but I still love it!)  It has no manufacturer markings, so I don't know who it's by or even it's fiber makeup.  But it feels like a cotton/linen.

The method I used is the simplest I've ever done for lined drapes, so I thought that was worth sharing in case you were interested in completing your own!  Follow along on Instagram for now, but once they're complete, I will write up a post for how I created them!

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Renovations at the Oak House-The Family Room

We finally painted the family room a couple of months ago.  This was one room that really did not set right with me.  I know some people are really against painting wood.  Ever.  But I think that if you can't update it, you need to paint it.   

In defense of this particular paneling, I loved the bones of it.  I also think it would have looked awesome restained in a more modern wood tone like a gray wash or darker wood tone.  I also think it would have looked awesome in a deep navy or medium or light gray.  The possibilities are endless.  I am, however, a lover of the light. This room faces somewhat north, and gets its most direct light in the afternoon and evening.  So with that in mind, I wanted to keep it light and bright, so that no matter the time of day, it feels happy.  

When the room was being painted, the windows and doors were saved for last.  So I had the contrast of the wood tone against the white paint.  I remembered photos I had saved of dark colored window and doors and was inspired to go dark for them both. So glad that happened because the 'big white box' needed a bit of contrast. It also tied into the TV!

BEFORE

PROGRESS/AFTER

I'm not the biggest fan of this rug, and I plan to add artwork and drapes, but the transformative power of paint never disappoints.  The goal was to take this room from dark and dated to light and bright, and I think it was mission accomplished!

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A New Rug for the Family Room

I guess I haven't posted since the One Room Challenge ended.  It was fun, and it seems like the Ikea nightstand hack was a favorite on Pinterest!  I thought I would pop in with some changes I made to the family room since I revealed it last May.  

I was out about a week ago and decided to stop in at Tuesday Morning to look for the mate to a basket that I found at one of their stores.  It turns out I stumbled into a 90% off going out of business sale.  The store was mostly wiped out, but there were a few things on shelves and some baskets loaded with goodies in the middle of the floor, but they belonged to other customers. But out of the corner of my eye, I spotted an 8x10 jute rug pulled right up the edge of the area left open for sales space.  I walked over there so fast, and just asked a few people had it been claimed yet.  The answer was nope.  It was all I could do not to snatch it up and run over to the register!   Well, not wanting to look like a lunatic and the fact that it was super heavy and I didn't have a basket.  

But fear not, I dragged and pushed it over to the checkout line.  Thankfully it was only a few feet from the line since they had cordoned off most of the store since it was the final day before closing.  I told the salesperson that I wanted the rug and asked could I pull the tag off to hold until checkout.  I shopped around and found a few more smaller items.  So the rug was priced at $299, but it rang up $239 and then 90% off of that.  So my final price was $23.90!  I almost couldn't believe it.  I mean, I have found some deals before, but this is the best one I have found in a few years!

I got a chance to put it down this weekend, and it is surprisingly soft.  I have heard that jute can be hit or miss.  It is chunky and sort of nubby, but I have envisioned a jute rug ever since we had our wood floors laid almost four years ago.  And at that price, I don't think it would be possible to come up with a complaint.

Needless to say, I love it.  I think it adds a finishing touch to the space. 

You may also remember that I 'stole' the black dresser that lived behind the couch for use in my Master Bedroom Makeover.  

That left a bare space behind the sofa, and a loss of functioning drop space.  I had been planning on replacing it with the Everett Foyer Table from World Market.  So when it went on sale, I picked one up.  And I think it is a perfect fit.

It doesn't have quite the same amount of storage as the dresser did, but it is very functional.  And the weathered finish is perfection for me.  I also love that it's solid wood.  

I think quite a few stores have marked lots of things on clearance to make room for spring arrivals.  So I was able to pick up that chevron frame for $3 at Marshalls--another score!  I'm sure I will be tweaking the arrangement of the sofa table, but this is the look for today.   Do you have a steal of a deal that you almost couldn't believe?

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The Family Room Reveal

I shared a photo on Instagram a while back with the Honey We're Home Loves Bloggers tag, and it made me realize I have never really shared my family room on the blog.  I think it's because it's been in a slow but constant state of flux.  But isn't that how most rooms are?  We keep tweaking them to get them just how we want them and to fit whatever stage of life we're in.  So I made a few small changes recently and thought I would share it.  Even though it's never quite finished in my mind, that's ok, right?

 For years I wanted a neutral palette, so probably three years ago I changed from muted green stripes to this custom mixed french grey.  In fact it was this leftover paint that I used on the Dining Room Bookcases to tie the two spaces together.  I have been thinking of changing it over to the creamy white that I have on the dining room walls, but I love this color too.

  

The most recent change I've made was to add higher side tables flanking the loveseat.  The previous ones weren't bad, but they weren't quite to scale.  

Before:

After:

So much better!  The one on the left was a find at Marshall's.  The one on the right is actually an outdoor table I got on clearance last summer.  It was the perfect height to complement the wood table.  I had just enough linen fabric left over from a previous project to whip up a tablecloth. Previously you couldn't set a drink down on the small table, but now you can not only see it, but use it.  And it actually feels cozier to sit over on this couch.  

Everything in this room except for the sofas and the wood side table is either a thrift store/garage sale/clearance find or DIY project.  One of my favorite DIY's of all time is the map over the sofa.  It had been rolled up in a closet at my mom's house for years and I thought, I am going to frame that.  I will have the share a tutorial in the future.  But maybe that's why I love this space so much...because it's been collected and put together over time.   

One of my most favorite thrifted items is this vintage Drexel Heritage dresser that sits behind the sofa.  I scored it for $45 at Goodwill!  Can you believe I originally left it because I felt $65 was too much?  I went home and thought about it and decided it was worth it.  Even better, by the time I got back they had marked it down!  I need to repaint it and the coffee table (the right way- using primer) because the top is showing wear.  But I love that it serves as a secondary landing spot from the entry, and it serves as a buffet/drink station/dessert station for parties since my dining room doesn't have one.  

(I've got to either learn to take better pics or get a better camera, but this is the best I could get with the dark floors and dark furniture.) 

So that is the current state of the family room.  Seeing these pics makes me realize I really want a rug for the room.  I had always intended to get one, but other projects/etc have taken priority with my budget.  I'm leaning toward a jute one, but I'm not sure how it will hold up to kids and spills. I also realize I really need to repaint the coffee table.  I am thinking of going with a darker shade of the wall color.  I've got a few other ideas and tweaks up my sleeve, but I will save them for another day!

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