Two Options for Laura

Hi Christine,

We are slowly getting settled into our house.  As you can tell, our family room is in need of some help.  We want to get an area rug to add some color, but need to be budget friendly.  We kind of like the colors in the pillow that came with the sectional, but are open to ideas.  The windows also need some type of window treatment, too.   Coffee table?  We probably won't get around to painting for a while, so we'll be sticking with the white walls for now.  Thanks for any suggestions you have!   You're the best!  (Let me know if you want better/different pictures).

Laura



Hi Laura,

Your room is so neutral, it is hard to know where to start with colors.  Because of that- I thought I'd show you two totally different options.  The first is the more neutral of the two.

The Chrysanthemum rug is from Martha Stewart's line on homedecorator.com.

The pillow is from DwellStudio- I would get a couple of these as well as some solid blue and brown throw pillows. 

The drapes are from West Elm.  I would get three panels. 

Next- I wanted to show you a more colorful option:

The rug is from homedecorator.com. 

The bird pillow is from DwellStudio.  I would also add some solid color throw pillows to the mix. 

The drapery panels are from Pottery Barn. 

There you go- let's all vote for Laura- which collection would you go with?  They are both very similar in price- The colorful options total $569 and the the neutral items total $537. 

Jen's Sunroom

Hi Jen,

Thanks for sending in the video.

I want to start with your wall color. You have a real disconnect with your wall color and everything else. I can imagine the window treatments have yellow in them- but that does not make that paint color work. You can only keep one -- the wall color- or everything else. To really make that wall color work- you would have to go with furniture like this. However- I get the feeling that this whole bright look would then have a disconnect with the rest of your house. Just a hunch- since I haven't seen the rest of your home. But - to assume my hunch is right- we will lose the wall color. I selected Ramie by Sherwin Williams for you. You can see it in the room below.

Yes- I would also take down the valances. Use panels that go to the floor. To keep it light and airy- I selected a sheer from West Elm- in a simple off white. I would not put them on the interior doors- but yes to the rest of them.

Pull it all together with the rug. The rug below is from Homedecorators.com. Get a larger one than your current rug. It should help to ground the furniture- by being at least partially under all of your seating pieces. Pull your furniture away from your walls more- into the room. Remove the bookcase and all the wall decor. It will look better without them. I would move your chairs to another room and use instead a pair of chairs like the one at the top of the post- only $199 each from Homedecorators.com. Without the ottoman- you have room for a larger ottoman in the center. Get a nice large plant for the corner that currently has the bookcase. Your room has beautiful bones- with these small changes it will be your new favorite room in your home. Pull in a couple more patterns- one on your ottoman- and another in some throw pillows.

Thanks again for sending a video! It is so helpful!

From 1980's to Today

Stacy Garcia Seripi Texture Wallpaper
Ellery Chair- West Elm

Hi Christine,
I found you while searching online for ideas for our guest bedroom to redecorate. The room has painted molding and wallpaper border all the way around the room. Very 1989. I’m not sure whether to take off the molding and try to strip the wallpaper or fill in the space covering the wallpaper border with something else. Any ideas?

I’ve attached the other two photos in separate emails.

Thanks so much,
Janet

Hi Janet-

As far as the wallpaper/trim border goes-... I would take down the whole thing. I know that will leave some drywall repair- but it is worth it. :)

I see that your carpet leans to the mauve - I thought I'd give you some ideas to update the room without replacing your carpet. You know what they say- you keep something long enough and it comes back in style? Well- I don't really believe that- but- with that said, pink is a great color in interiors right now. Yes- seriously.

I selected some bedding for you from West Elm- their Winterberry collection. the quilt at the foot of the bed really ties in the colors with your carpet. The raspberry color in the pattern is just enough to coordinate- but still very 2010- not 1985. I like the headboard and night stands as well...

I like the close up of the pillow here- really showing that raspberry color.

Don't forget variation in texture. Use your bedside lamps as a way to increase your textural variety. The raspberry color invites a bit of femininity to the room- go with that. Sure you will have male guests also- but do you really want them to be too comfortable... The mirrored surface of the lamp leans toward the feminine glamour- while the shape works so well with the boxiness of the West Elm furniture.

You can be more whimsical in a guest room than you would perhaps want to be in your own bedroom. So- who among us does not love shoes and purses???? Anyone????

You don't need a lot of furniture in a guest room- which might leave you with large empty walls. Check out this oversized mirror a full 62 inches in diameter. I picture you using the soft neutral of the bedding background for your wall color- use a highly textured wallpaper and you won't have to worry about the nail holes left from the trim. It will also add a great texture to the room. Add a fresh coat of white on your closets and trim. Your closets are looking a little drab.

Tuck a comfortable chair in the corner- and you might find yourself escaping to the guest room for a quiet place to read. (Anyone read Mockingjay? I just finished that one and I am trying to get into 1776. )

Don't forget a large plant and up-light in another corner. Your place will look great- thanks for writing in.

Christine

Furniture and bedding from West Elm. Wall decor and lamp from Uttermost. Wallpaper from York.

Jenni Part IV

I finished Jenni's Boston Apartment. I found that CB2 had a lot of great items at terrific prices- unless otherwise stated- CB2 was the source--- so- here goes: With my $6000 budget:

For the bedding in her bedroom- I kept it very simple- neutral linens with a fun pillow in the center. Fold back your duvet, use crisp white sheets, two bed pillows and two shams.

This "believe" print goes on the wall by the window. $179

Two of these "perspective" mirrors go over the dresser. $300

I would use four of these sconce pieces on the larger wall as you enter the bedroom, to your right. $200

This is still the dresser from Scandinavian Designs: $645

For night stands, I selected the "Twiggy" table: $200 for both.

The headboard is from West Elm: $475.

Two barstools in for the counter bar: $180

Two dining room chairs: $240

The 39 inch dining room table: $199

On the wall by the table- I selected this piece from CB2- it is made of re-cycled newspapers- a great look- and only $99 for piece over 40 inches is wonderful!

In the entry, as you enter- to your left, I added this bookcase. She did say her husband was in grad school- yes? I figured he might have a book or two. $199

With the funny shape of the living area- I took out the sofa all together. Even the love seat size was awkward to fit in there- I decided to go with two lounge chairs only. $1000

The West Elm Hudson Media Cabinet: $400

The Element Coffee table $349

On the wall behind the two chairs I am putting four mirrors- each is 31 inches square. $516

For Jenni's rug- I selected a fun green shag- 5 x 8 would probably be a good size for her place. $299.

Well- it came to $5700. I would do a a little searching for sales. I find that the best times to order furniture tend to be Labor Day and Memorial Day- so if that happens to fit into your schedule... These prices don't include tax or shipping- so we need a sale for it to work.

I would check out Craig's list once you get there to find a cute set for your patio- and pick up a couple of planters. I want you to notice a couple of things with my suggestions- stay away from matching dining sets and bedroom sets. They are so boring- and small places especially that don't have a lot of room for variety can't handle the repetition. Notice how the color pallet doesn't change dramatically from the living area to the sleeping area. Consistency in a small place is even more important than in a larger home. Notice the different textures and different materials. Double check your scale of items by putting painters tape or newspaper on the floor. Add some red and green accents on your bookcase, and other places. I added the pop of red barstools and the green rug- but you'll need to repeat those colors a bit. If you can- I would do one thing- get your two chairs locally- something that you can sit in first- and make sure they are comfortable for your and your husband. Boston will have a lot of resources.

Boston! What an adventure! I hope you love it there!

XOXO

Christine

Jenni part II

Element Coffee Table $349

Scan Lounge Chair $500 (save $300)
Today's post is a continuation of yesterday's- I am trying to help Jenni furnish her new Boston apartment with only $6000. In this- I am still on step 1- which is the furniture itself. I want to keep this to 2/3 of the budget at $4000- so I have some money left to make it all look great with wall decor and accessories. Yesterday I was at $5420- too high. Today, Using CB2 as a source to lower some prices I have brought it down to $3787. Once you add shipping to that price- you will be around $4000. What do you think? Anything I should switch? Can you find some better deals for me?

Engine Stool CB2 $180/ 2 (saved $220) Reed Chair $240/ 2 CB2 (Saved $160)

Odyssey Gunmetal Dining Table $199 (saved $900)

Annex Slate Love Seat $799 (saved $400)

Queen Headboard West Elm $475

Scandinavian Designs 6 Drawer Dresser $645

Hudson Media Console West Elm $400