Saturday, July 24, 2010

when it's time to change you've got to rearrange



One of the many rewards of blogging is that you tend to chronicle enjoyable pursuits. As mentioned in previous posts, I have been moving the living room furniture around quite a bit but as my iPhoto library shows me, this has been going on for 12 months. Please join me as I review where the couch has been and what color the armoire may become!



Summer '09
The couch and love seat formed a V; the wooden screens are open; there are touches of orange in the room; not digging the placement of things over the screens (too linear?).



Late Winter 2010
New seating arrangement; orange replaced by a few pops of red; dark frames switched out for lighter ones; a canvas print now hangs over the screens.



Spring
Weeks later, prepping the room to take photos to send to Fifi. Balloon valances are added; lace panels come off the windows and onto the bookcase and screens; round mirror added to give the room a little shine and curve.



Summer
Furniture is completely rearranged in an attempt to make a more Wii-friendly layout for the boys. We all kind of like this arrangement but only kind of.



Weeks later
The furniture returns to a similar layout only this time the couch and love seat swap spots (because we all like the comfy love seat best). The wooden screens get folded.



Days later
I realize that the window backed with wallpaper, which is one of my favorite pieces, gets overlooked behind the couch ...



Today
so it swaps places with the wooden screens ...



Much better.



And beachy elements get put on display.






I am very happy with the impact these small changes have added up to make.

Fall?
I'm thinking of painting the armoir (scroll up to view) this fall when the weather is cooler, maybe a pale blue.



I am smitten and inspired by this photo of brilliant Maria's at Dreamy Whites. What do you think of Maria's blue for my armoire? Any other suggestions?

Thanks for hanging on through this long post!

xo
elyse

ps

Of course this post was titled after the Brady Bunch song ...

sha na na na na na na na na
sha na na na na!


57 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love the way you move things around....it keeps it fresh! I think the armoire would look wonderful painted the pretty blue!
Hugs,
Penny

Anonymous said...

I love changing things around too!! I love your living room it looks so warm and charming. I love the window.I think the armoire would look good painted blue...Kathy

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

I loved her armoire and I wrote down the paint she used so I could go look at it in person, I think your armoire would look very pretty that color. I painted mine too Halcyon Green from Sherwin Williams, it's not as bright as hers but it's a robins egg blue color (; Don't ya love moving furniture around, it makes everything feel fresh and new again.

{oc cottage} said...

I was sooooooooo gonna "sha na na" you until I saw that you already had!Thx so much for putting that song in my head! Devil! And as for the armoire...I'm gonna keep on, keep on, keep on pondering all through the night!

minion ;}

It's me said...

What a lovely chances !! i really like it now.....and yes go for the blue cabinet darling !! you can do it !! it is perfect in your home....wishing you a funny evening.....hugs from me.....Ria....

Eileen said...

I think the armoire would look great painted blue, with a few white accents. Your living room looks very comfortable and inviting.

Claudia said...

I saw Maria's post - I thought she said it came to her in that shade of blue? Am I remembering wrong? In any case, I think that blue would be a wonderful color for the Armoire - but I think it should be a shade lighter or darker than your sofa and loveseat.

I love the balloon shades, I know you know that already - but I don't think I'd seen them on the larger window before. Fabulous.

xo
Claudia

WinnibriggsHouse said...

Definitely the blue, it should look stunning and tone with your other furniyure so well.

melissa said...

I'm thinking of a pickled sort of finish---one that would be white/off white, but rubbed through so you could still see the wood.

Your room is lovely anyhow. But the painted one at the bottom of your post is so pretty. Don't think you can go wrong with whatever you do. :)

Anonymous said...

Great changes, Elyse!! I'd go with painting the armoire White in case you get tired of Blue! ♥

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... Don't think the poll booth is working.

Jeanne said...

I like the arrangement. You are so fortunate to be able to have so many options. You can only put things one way in my living room because of the placement of the windows. It's a bummer! I voted for pale blue for the armoire.
xo
jeanne

Anonymous said...

I like how you have it now, Elyse! And I love Maria's armoire - she has me looking at mine as well wondering if I should paint it blue!!! Whatever you do, Elyse, it will be gorgeous!

Happy weekend dear friend,
Zuzu

The imPerfect Housewife said...

As someone who has never painted furniture in her life (I know, crazy right!??), I'd say go with white, only distress it a bit. That's such a neat piece of furniture and I think it might be more versatile that way. I know - Come to my house, paint a few things and then compare!! You're welcome ~ ♥♥ I love how you rearrange things - isn't that fun??

Tara said...

Your window frame is beautiful..I'm leaning towards a pale blue..Your room looks really inviting..xx

Jeanne said...

Gotta send love to any decorating blog w/ a Brady Bunch reference!

Sandi said...

I think your armoire would be great in either blue or white. I love to paint most anything these days so I would definitely paint! Cute room!!
Blessings~

Katy Noelle said...

Hmmmm, this wasn't a long post. =] Fun post!

I've been thinking about you ALL day as I've been working in the boys' rooms. Et, voila!! Here you are. I just want to say that your touches are just wonderful - it keeps getting better and better!

Love, katy

Theresa said...

WOW, you have my head spinning around in circles! I like the Wii friendly room as my favorite! I DO love that window with the wallpaper backing!

You are so creative and perhaps you should put your furniture on wheels:) Can't wait to see what's next for the armoire, blue will be fine with me or WHITE!

HUGS!

Cindy said...

Elyse...I so love the room now..I love seeing the window with wallpaper!!

I do Lovvee the blue armoire! But you want honest opinions...so here goes....If you go light blue...your whole room will change. Why not go with an unusual dull red...or a deep Blue
sanded down...That would balance your room....but girl it is your room..you go with your gut!!

Hugs..Cindy Rick-Rack and Gingham

Melinda said...

I like the armoire the way it si but.....if you HAVE to paint it--how about a cream color.


Melinda

Itchin' Stitchin' said...

The whole time while reading your post I was thinking how I loved the way the armoire contrasted in the room - I love it just the way it is!

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

Elsye, your room is simply beautiful!! I love all of the calm and beautiful elements you use...

I think the armoire will be beautiful if you go with blue... Maria's is just GORgeous!! I also love the idea of white too!

xoxo Heather

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

that was supposed to be Elyse... sorry! xo

Anonymous said...

Light blue armoire... ARE. You. Freakin. KIDDING. ME. SERIOUSLY. that is SO CUTE & DELICIOUS I COULD JUST EAT IT UP OR LICK IT!
I need it, I REALLY DO.

Jenny Shain
http://pummeledbyadoringfans.wordpress.com/

luckygirlgifts said...

O.K. I had to scroll all the way back up to the top to see the title of the blog. How did you even know that was a Brady Bunch song? You silly lady must have been a huge fan.LOL
Love the room in all it's forms but favorite is most recent. I think the armoire would look lovely that color but I don't know if you'd have anything to anchor the room then.
I'm sure that whatever you do will be fabulous, as always!!
Keep us posted.
xoxo
cari b

Hearts Turned said...

Love all your change-ups, Elyse! I think it looks beautiful each time, but I DO love how it is right now...and you're right--your window piece looks fabulous where you just moved it!

Loved that Brady Bunch episode....aaahhhh, memories...!

Hope your weekend is wonderful!

Julie

Simple Home said...

I love the colors in your room, and the final look is so pretty, along with Wii practical :-) I love that blue armoire too. I'm reading the book "Summer at Tiffany" too. I love it.
Blessings,
Marcia

Stadsmuissie said...

I love your color scheme! I wish Ikea would sell some pale blue covers for the Ektorp chair, then I would buy them right away. I like to combine pale blue with pink, pale green, whites and a touch of red. The Cath Kidston colors ;-).

Bet blue paint would look just lovely on your armoire. Go ahead and try it! You can always repaint it if you don't like it ;-).

Good luck!
Debby

Faith said...

I like to move things around too..my DH not to keen on it..why are men like that? Fortunately for him, we don't have alot of options in our little bungalow,but if I could move it,,I would! It freshens things up and gives a new perspective. I like your window hanging on the wall with the pretty roses...

Karen said...

Elyse!
Squeal!
I want that soft blue in my master bedroom!
Don't know if I'll get it . . . but I can dream!
Until we moved into this house, I changed our rooms around ALL THE TIME! Mark would come home from work, and never know what he'd find. I switched the living room and the dining room once, loved having the bigger room for the dining room. And the fireplace was in there. . . loved that. Can't do it here. Everything is so big and heavy - not an option.
I'm ready to downsize!!!
:) Love this! Love the blue. I vote yes.
:) HAGD! Karen

kibbygirl said...

The room looks great everytime! I do like to move things around a lot too though, but I wish I had your design sense. If only you could work on my house too!! I love your style. :)

Unknown said...

This look so lovely. I just love your colors too. So so pretty.

I love painted furniture, so I love the idea of a blue armoire.

Karen

Kateyed said...

I am amazed, Elyse. Clearly you are not the only one. We basically have things in the same place as twenty years ago, except for a few new items and new art. We are boring!

I do love the armoire...go for it!

Hugs,
Suz

debi said...

I just LOVE your beachy-cottage livingroom! And I LOVE, love that blue cabinet! Painting your armoire that color would be soooo pretty!

Lisa said...

I like your current arrangement. I do know how it is that the room looks good but not as usable, always an issue. I think pale blue or white would be great for the armoire!
Hugs, Lisa

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

A little rearranging is good for the soul! I just love a free makeover.

Angie Acapella said...

I'm selling my house and buying a cottage! LOL I just LOVE that room! I want to snuggle up on that couch and watch it thunderstorm on a lazy afternoon! {sigh}
Oh and one other thought...since the screens are behind the couch now, I was wondering if you've thought of maybe placing them on something to make them taller so they would show up a little more? I LOVE those screens!

maría cecilia said...

Hola Elyse, I like your living room either ways, it´s so charming that it looks so wonderful!!!
Would you believe that I´m so in love with Maria´s cupboard same as you? and I have it in my favotire colors furniture!!!!
hugs to you,
maria cecilia

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

That was really fun and thoroughly enjoyed by a fellow re-arranger! I vote to paint the armoire the dreamy blue, fab! Ive rearranged to make the room more wii friendly too.

p.s. You have no idea the stuff I am sending your way! Now I look at everything and say "Elyse can use that"!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

A girls gotta do, what a girls gotta do...nesting! It is very important in our lives! I was just talking with my neighbor tonight about "nesting"! You ado a very good job at it Elyse!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and will have a great week!

Love,
Maryjane
xox

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I always move things around when I feel the need for change. After being away for a month and a half -- I am thinking there will be some changes going on when I get back to Kuwait. I love that color of blue -- sounds like a good plan to me. Best wishes to you and yours for the week ahead. :) Tammy

Unknown said...

Love that room, Elyse. So pretty. I'm gonna go opposite of most of the comments and say you should paint it white or cream with blue accents.

Happy day,
Deb

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Your room looks so fresh; I just love what you're doing with it!

S

Design Love said...

I think it would look nice white, or Black! (leaning toward black and distressed/flat) I think it would give it a real punch and anchor the room.

I am thinking of painting mine as well!

Beautiful sofa's!

Cindy

Chris Kauffman said...

I think you should copy the inspiration pic , it would be perfect.

Vicki said...

Hi, Elyse,
I love the changes and the arrangement you have settled on for now~The window is very charming with the vintage wall paper, and I love that color of blue for your armoire. Have a happy week, dear friend~ love and hugs~ Vicki

beachvintage.com said...

I am in utter love with your sofa. The colour is just amazing. Thanks so much for your kind words on my blog last friday. Hugs. Simone xx

fairiemoon said...

Love the idea of painting the armoire blue! Totally fitting!

I am clearly not as creative as you, nor as tidy.

Erin :)

Brenda Pruitt said...

We bloggers would be bored to absolute tears if we could not move around our furniture. It's like calling in new cast mates for the same show. I love what you've managed to do with this smallish room. (Don't you just love Waterside Cottages?)
Brenda

birdie blue said...

your living room is lovely.

how about a deeper vintage green on the armoire? either a forties 'eau de nil' or more of a cath k. green?

all of your ideas are charming...

have a happy day!
~molly

Karen said...

Hi, just found your blog. I'm the same way, it's like getting something new without spending a dime, isn't it?

Drawn to The Sea said...

Gee, I wish I could sew. I've been looking for slipcovers in that shade for several years. And I agree, the armoire shade is perfect.

Anna Terra said...

Hi :)
I'm brazilian, so sorry about my english, but I just loved your blog.
Your living room are so cozy, and I just rebloged it one my blog.
Feel free to visit when you want.

Congrats!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Hi Elyse...

Love your room....it's so charming and cozy...

Warm blessings,
Spencer

Stevie said...

I just love the window with wallpaper behind! MUST find a window :0). I could spend hours searching and being inspired by your blog!

LoveForLynn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.