Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Evolution of Design

As I take my living room from a fairly modern look to a cottage look, I've run into a dilemma.

I thought this would be the perfect time to walk you through how I make my decorating decisions. 

Not all that long ago I purchased this beautiful picture for my living room. 


It was kind of a kick off and inspiration for turning my living room into the garden cottage I envision in my dreams.

It is GORGEOUS!!!  And I adore it!!

Then I made my no-sew curtains!  Which I also ADORE!


Here is where the dilemma comes in.  If you have a keen eye, you might have even noticed it as you looked at both of these pictures.

What is it you ask?

The new picture looks to NEW compared to the darker, more vintage looking curtains!!!!!

Not sure?

Let's back out and take a look.  This is my living room as it currently sits.


Do you see it now that I've pointed it out?

If not, let's get even more detailed as to how I know these two don't work together.

Don't look at the picture above the couch.  Lets just look at the bright red throw pillows and the curtains for now.


Would you say these pillows complement the curtains?  Or clash?

I'd say they clash.  They are way too red.  The red in the curtains is a much darker, deeper red.


Now let's take a look at the picture and pillows without the curtains.


Now do you think the red pillows compliment the picture?  Or clash?

I'd say the red pillows are a complimentary color to the picture.

SO......if the pillows compliment the picture, but clash with the curtains....then the picture and curtains must not have complimenting reds.

Let's take a look again at the whole picture.


Now do you see the dilemma?

One of them has to go.  But which one?

Let's look at other aspects of the room that have been updated lately, to the cottage style I'm going for.

This vignette I showed you earlier this week.


When you see this vignette, do you see the curtains or the picture?

I clearly, without a doubt, see the curtains here.

This is how the pie safe in the room currently looks.  It's not done, but it's definitely going in the direction I like.


Do you see the curtains or the picture?

Again, I clearly see the curtains.  The picture just seems to "new" for the pie safe or bookshelf vignette.

So, when I take everything in to account, the picture is the delimma.  It's the thing that is not going to make the cut (along with the bright red pillows).


But I love it so much I'm going to find it a new place in my home.  I'm not ready to part with it, that's for sure.

So, my living room is heading exactly where I want and what I have envisioned in my mind.  But not every decision is right the first time unfortunately.

Decisions like these can be costly.  But I know me and I know that clash of the reds and the clash of too new vs. vintage feeling will drive me batty.   Well, battier than I already am. ;)

Thank goodness for Craigslist.  Or in this case, another room, :)


9 comments:

  1. My first thought was that if you have to get ride of one or the other, then get rid of the picture and find another one. Then I started looking at the other things. Your fan, which I LOVE by the way, has a touch of modern to it with those shades. And the sconces and matching lamp look a bit modern too. So maybe all of these things match the picture better than the curtains? Hmmm I don't know! But I def think the 2 red's clash a bit! I have two living areas that are pretty much a blank slate. I posted about them yesterday showing pictures. If you get a minute to take a look at yesterday's post, I would LOOOOVE any suggestions you have!!

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  2. Hi Erin,

    I don't think the picture clashes at all. If anything, it can help to bring the cushions and the drapes together. What I would suggest, and you may hate me for it, is to paint the frame out in white, with some distressing and bring it down so it sits over the sofa, removing the other items from there. Sitting between those beautiful sconces, it will be a show stopper.

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  3. I don't think it is the color but rather a stylistic difference, although the picture is beautiful and very romantic it just doesn't seem right with the rest of the room. Maybe if it wasn't so close to the pattern in the drapes it would work. Incidently, don't feel bad I just finished painting the interiors of my bookcases for the third time!

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  4. I think you need a bigger frame for that picture, something more chunkier. I like the pillow colour but what about adding 2 more pillows to the look and have them be a deeper red (but "going" with the current red pillows you have there too) Like, take out the white pillows and lampshade and make them the darker red. I dunno....

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  5. Isn't it interesting how everyone sees something a little different? It's just one of the many bonuses of blogging! :o)

    What about putting a glaze of some sort over the picture? That way it looks a little aged and you can still enjoy it's beauty?

    I can't wait to see what you come up with!

    Many Blessings,
    M.

    PS - I also think deeper red pillows would be nice as well. Kiss Lucy for me!

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  6. I'm with La Vie, the stylistic difference...I,m saying the picture goes....I don't think we have been any help at all LOL

    Happy Easter!

    Carol

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  7. Hey Erin- I kinda like Heather's input. I love the room and was intrigued who you walked us through it with questions..very cool.
    tammy

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  8. Okay, so I like this room. The drapes have wonderful character, love the sofa and the pie safe. If I were to do anything in this room, I would start adding a pop of color somewhere...maybe red pillows?

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  9. um...where did that fab rug go? is that too many florals with the curtains, pic, and rug?

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