Feathering My Nest
August 17, 2015
Share this
Fall is approaching whether we want it or not (I'm starting to get really excited!) and I find myself "fluffing" quite a bit around here. I'm craving more comfy spaces.
I've been moving things around and layering onto what we already have and loving it. Come January I'll probably want to remove all of it again, but that's how it goes. :)
I moved some things around to prepare for the upcoming changes in the kitchen and rearranged some stuff on the shelves in our kitchen:
I LOVE the new "gather" sign (from World Market) too -- it probably won't stay red but we'll see.
I wanted to simplify the actual items on the shelves, but still make good use of them. This one is a prime example of form and function for us -- this shelving unit it a work horse! It's an animal station -- all the food and treats are here, plus we keep napkins and placemats on the shelves and a ton of office supplies and storage as well. I added some of our plates to the top to free up some other storage space and I love the white there. We will use these often during the holidays and for upcoming parties so it's nice to have easy access too.
I think I've finally decided what I'm doing with the kitchen table so I hope to get that done in the next month or so!
I moved a few of the frames I had on the kitchen shelves to the dresser in the family room:
It's little changes like this that I step back and appreciate -- first of all I love having family photos out. Our kids are cute. :) I also just love how it adds layers and some warmth to the decor.
A few weeks ago I was checking out my favorite local nursery and got an incredible deal on some fiddle leafs that weren't doing so great -- this one is a small leaf fiddle and they say it's even easier to take care of than the larger leaf version:
I threw it in a basket, as I love to do with all of our plants, and it filled this space nicely. Plants do that so well -- if you can keep them alive I can't recommend them enough for your decor!
I added the limelights (as big as my head and that's a big head) to what is normally a candleholder -- I removed the candle and put a Goodwill vase inside instead.
I moved some chairs around and don't know why I waited so long to do it! The chair that used to be in this corner was moved a few feet away in the family room, and the spool chair that was in that spot was moved to the living room (more on that in a minute). I took the blue chair that was in the living room and put it in this corner:
Got that? ;) It was basically musical chairs. This is when I call the Bub into the room and get his advice -- he is seriously my deciding factor anymore. If I give him two options he always picks the one that looks best. He got it from his Mama. ;)
This feels SO much cozier now! I think it's the added contrast that the dark chair adds to this corner. This is the chair I sit at most mornings to write, like right now. :) I love being able to look out at our pretty backyard one way and my massive limelight bush the other direction.
That spool chair that used to be in the family room? It looks so. much. better. in the living room:
Love! That dark gray chair looked odd with the blue credenza. Now all is right in the world. The pouf was from Target last year and I love it's more modern look combined with the traditional spool chair. A small side table added another layer to this spot as well and now I'm thrilled with it.
What you don't always see in this space is a couple very bright, very red juice stains in this rug. I usually edit them out of most pics because they are SO BRIGHT. I've tried every single product or concoction you can think of to get them out and they won't budge. I've had professionals out to try it too and nothing works. (The drink sat and soaked in before I realized it, I think that's why they won't go away.)
So anyway, I had been eyeing the tribal coffee table from World Market for months. I loved the look and I wanted to pull another round shape into the space to break up all of the rectangles. (The coffee table before was another rectangle.) And the bonus -- I could cover up the stains. :)
I stalked it online for months and then it went on sale. I ordered it in the store and they honored a coupon I had as well, so I got more than a third off the price. Sold!:
Absolutely love it! I'm so glad I waited a while to get it -- I got such a good deal. And that massive fiddle leaf in the corner was the deal of the century! It is in rough shape (I've taken about 20 dead leaves off) so the price tag on this six foot, $130 plant was $30. So far it likes it's new home…hoping I can nurse it back to health.
You can see here why I wanted to add another circular shape to the space:
Rectangle sofa, rug, chair, dresser and art!
It works great with the round mirrors on the wall:
And finally, while I was picking up the coffee table I couldn't resist this pretty wall lantern:
It was on sale as well and it looks very "Pottery Barn" to me. I put an LED candle in there that goes on and off with a timer. I added the plant to that corner as well and adding the "layers" makes that area look so much better!
The palm used to sit in that corner where the fiddle is and I tell you what -- I can't keep these palms alive! Thankfully it was on sale at Lowe's and I only spent $7 on it, but the other palms I have like this don't do well either. I can keep just about anything else alive but these. Tips are welcomed! (I've trimmed most of the dead off of it so there's not much left.)
All of these little changes make the house feel cozier without getting too busy. I don't like a ton of stuff out and am pretty minimal in my accessorizing. But something about this time of year makes me want to fill spaces just a bit more than usual. I'm loving all the changes, and most of them I did for free. I find there are two sure-fire ways to refresh a space -- purge it and remove 20-30 percent of the stuff in it, or move things around from room to room and see how they work in their new homes. When something clicks in it's new spot it feel like I just went shopping. ;)
Do you feel the need to cozy up your space yet? Or is it still super hot where you are? Our temps are slowly starting to drop -- next week it looks like we'll be in the 70's. I just hope it sticks!
Have you thought about moving some of your artwork so your lamps aren't in front of it?
ReplyDeleteI like them in front of the gallery. :)
DeleteI love that coffee table, Sarah - such a great look. Did I somehow miss the dresser/furniture piece with the cool hardware that's in your entryway? Love that!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny! I was a Craigslist find that used to be in my office, then in the dining room. I'm thinking about painting it because it's so dark with our black front door. Love it though. :)
DeleteI love all the changes, especially that you used a lot of pieces that you already had. It's such an inexpensive way to give your home a fresh new look. I also love the white and gold hardware on the dresser in your entryway and that amazing tribal coffee table.
ReplyDeleteI have the same (bad) luck as you do with those palms. Everything else in our house lives except those! Can you share where you found the fiddle leaf figs? I've been searching all over Fishers/Indy for those and haven't run across them yet. The one in your living room is awesome!
ReplyDeleteAllisonville Nursery! Love that place.
DeleteThanks! I've checked there a few time but never with any luck. I'll keep trying!
DeleteYes, love the changes. Very cozy and inviting indeed!
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me what color is on the walls?
ReplyDeleteAnalytical gray by Sherwin Williams
DeleteOh how much I love your blog. We just moved to our first home and your blog is such an inspiration.. Thanks for all the wonderful stuff you share!!
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing! Where is your carpet from with the gray design?
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was from HomeGoods and the brand name is Tahari.
DeleteWe are still up in the 110 to 115 degree temps in Phoenix Arizona. We are supposed to start dropping 1 degree per day by the end of the month. Excessive heat warnings all over. :( I WANT FALL to be here...so starting to plan a Fall Pinterest Party just to get me in that mood.
ReplyDeleteI always love your posts. I only wish we had temps in the 70s instead of 90s :)
ReplyDeleteeverything looks great, as always! i am guessing that since you said you've tried everything that this was one that you have tried, but what about "Spot Shot"? i LOVE it, and it seems to get out any spots that i have ever had, even those that have sat for a bit. just thought that i would share in case you haven't heard of it. (: have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI did! :( I have tried like ten different methods/products. I've never seen a stain like it, ha!
DeleteTry using hydrogen peroxide on the spot. Love all the changes. Palms need light - they are tropical after all!
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things but that didn't work for me either. It's crazy! All of my palms have been in light and they still die within weeks. I don't know what I'm doing wrong -- maybe not enough watering?
DeleteI bet it's not enough water. If I don't water mine weekly, you can tell.
DeleteI love all of the changes you've made! It all looks so inviting, and refreshed! I definitely look to your blog for inspiration, and you've done it again with this post. Fantastic job yet again!
ReplyDeleteSarah , my mother grew palms like crazy ! They were huge . She would take them outside wash them down with soap and water hose them off .They would sit outside for a couple of hours while she cleaned up where they sat inside .This would get done about every 3 months or when they started to look bad .Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Maybe I'll try that during the warmer months!
DeleteI'm in the market for chairs for my living room and I love your spool chair and your blue chair. Can you tell me where you got them and are they comfortable?
ReplyDeleteBoth are really comfy, especially the spool chair. They were both from HomeGoods over the past year or so. Neither has a name brand unfortunately. I was looking for another of the dark gray forever and couldn't find one but the spool chair was at locations all over the country for awhile.
DeleteI saw a beautiful spool chair at Pier One the other day.
DeleteBeautiful photos and beautiful home! I love your World Market buys!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this will help but I bought a new rug for our living room and one of my cats threw up some red stuff all over the new rug. Nothing took it up but out of desperation I put some baking soda on it and then put vinegar over it. The red came out and the rug looks better. Hope it helps.
ReplyDeleteI will try it, thank you!
DeleteFall is a good time to re-organize. You have inspired me.
ReplyDeleteI love your style! It feels very cozy and beautiful! I'm ready for fall but it's still pretty hot in Missouri. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWould you show us a picture from your living room couch? I keep wondering what part of your house the couch faces....
ReplyDeleteI love your home, it's beautiful and cozy and inviting.
ReplyDelete- Kaitlyn | www.TheCrownFox.com
The spool chair looks like it was made for the new spot you put it in!
ReplyDeleteI love the wall lantern, where did you get it?
ReplyDeleteI love the changes. I am looking forward to adding some circular items to my family room to break up all of the rectangular shapes. Love the plants. That small leaf fiddle is so cute!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing space! I love your mirror and the lamps in front of the pictures. Very cozy living space! X
ReplyDeleteEmma xx
http://www.littlehouselovely.co.uk
Beautiful! I love the open shelves and the gather sign! I'm getting that same itch to start making the house cozy again...amazing the cycle we go through with the seasons : )
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous! I love how everything stands out against the white wainscoting and gray walls- so pretty!!!
ReplyDeleteI love all your accessories. The photo vignettes, the plants, the kitchen rack. Anytime you want to come out to the San Francisco bay area and help me decorate my home, you're welcome. We have a guest room. (You can help decorate that too, lol!) :D
ReplyDeleteAs always I really like the changes you have made. I am curious as to where you found the LED candle with a timer on it. What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteMost of the company understand that,selling a bad quality product is a huge waste in time. In these reason why there are many companies doing research first before they release their products.
ReplyDeletebut a modern high quality product such as this "www.gvshopfit.com, you have made a right choice by investing your money on this one.They are 100% financing. I think this site is a great site for equipment concept..For more,
outdoor kitchen
Have you tried Windex on the carpet stains? I got hair color on my carpet & by the time I noticed it was already dry & set. I tried everything and finally gave up. About 3 years later a friend told me to saturate it with Windex, let sit for 5 minutes and then scrub with a brush. I was so surprised when almost all of the stain came out. Now I use it for any stain.
ReplyDeleteYour home is beautiful! I'm so awed and inspired by your abilities and accomplishments! By the way, have you tried shaving cream on those red spots? I was able to remove a very dark tea stain with it. Just a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteYou are my inspiration. Finally picked up a power tool at the age of 60 and loving it (the power tool-the 60 not so much) I love how you rearranged. As for the juice stains I wonder if you could paint over them. I've seen some painted rugs on pinterest-there must be how tos and what kind of paint. It may not totally get rid of the stain but maybe less noticeable. Can't wait to see what you do in the kitchen. Annie
ReplyDeleteYou have such great style! I love the way you accessorize. Thanks for all the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThere is a specific carpet cleaner put out for red stains (I spilled a whole huge cup of big red and the cleaner got it out with no traces left).
ReplyDeleteLove the changes!
ReplyDeleteThe Decor is very incredible, and I have some furniture for your decoration on Furniture Jakarta
ReplyDeleteHello - where do/did you get your basket(s) for your plants? Especially the new plant basket you just shared.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hi, love your redo on the living room. Can I ask where you bought the pillows that are on your sofa? I just love that mix of patterns and the great shape those pillows have.
ReplyDeletethank you!
I love all of the changes -- especially the new location for that spool chair. It's like it was always meant to be there! Shopping the house and finding new places for things is one of my favorite ways to nest. It inspires me, and it's free! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your house - all the rooms look so full of light! I've noticed you have great plants. I've just started getting plants too. I put them in bathroom and bedrooms - they make the rooms look nicer and cleaner. I've also got some great rugs and carpets for the living room and bathroom to make my place cozier. http://rugratsva.com/logo-rugs.html
ReplyDeleteYour house is beautiful, I honestly LOVE that front room now and that pouf ? Oh my heart. Keep that sign red!! It looks fantastic and pops so well. I can't wait to see more of your kitchen and that dining table set up is great. The round table is so pretty yet masculine and I love how your mixing it up with shapes in the front room, it looks so much cozier and all that natural light, yes please!. All the accessories you found I want in my home! Ha-ha one day one day!
ReplyDeleteKeep sharing awesome posts!
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx