Living Room Makeover on a Budget

 When Stephen and I moved in together, the house was yellow. A very ugly yellow. My old house was yellow also (by my own doing). I adored the perfect neutral gray I had painted my old house so much, that I decided I would also paint the new house with the same color. It really opened the room up and it was looking amazing before long. That was back in June of 2015. Last month, after I had finished my tables on a budget, I decided it was time for me to give Rooms to Go in the Wilmington area a shot. I despised the Fayetteville store, but wanted something with great financing, and so I headed that way.  I fell in love with the Lucan Cashmere sofa set.  I also decided, I wanted the oversized chair and ottoman. Then I fell in love with this gorgeous shag rug, so I added that to my bill as well. All in all my furniture came to $2100. Not bad for new furniture at all.  My financing broke it down to an affordable $38 a month for the next 5 years.  I used my DIY Pottery Barn Knock Off mirror that I did a few years back, along with my DIY coat hanger paper wreath and hung it above the love seat. I absolutely LOVE my new living room. Let's take a look, shall we:

BELOW: These were one of the only few before photos I had:

 BEFORE:

BELOW: Waiting on the new furniture to arrive:

BELOW: The new furniture, the rug was another week out..

BELOW: I was so excited when the huge shag rug got here, that I struggled to lay it out.  Let me tell you, this is ONE HEAVY rug. I absolutely LOVE IT! I would recommend it to anyone it's literally so gorgeous in person!

BELOW: Confession - I didn't want to pay $100 for a pad, so I used the old rug, it's seriously so comfy!

BELOW: With the DIY table I did and the DIY mirror and wreath I made

BELOW: DIY craigslist dresser I re did a few years ago is my entertainment center

So, let's do a little cost break down:

* Wall paint and supplies:  Valspar, Oatlands Subtle Taupe, Satin  $25

*  Furniture and Rug $2100 (finances for $37 a month making it super affordable)

* DIY Pottery Ban knock off mirror $30 (as opposed to $699 from Pottery Barn)

* Craigslist refurbished dresser: $35

* Book page wreath - FREE (a coat hanger and book pages)

* Side tables $100

* Coffee table $60

* Stain and clear coat $24 or less

Total Cost of Entire Room Reno:  $2374 

This look could have easily cost a ton more if you purchased the DIY items at full retail. I am absolutely in love with it, but I do plan to take better photos later.  Lately I have only had time to use my I phone. I plan to do some DIY picture frames above the sofa as well.

Enjoy your week, dear readers!

Living Room Updates

Please ignore my half "rear" attempts at photos inside the house. I finally did an over the sofa wall and I semi decorated for fall (all be it I am posting after Halloween)..Thanksgiving is around the corner, so I'd like to think I am still okay;)

(Below: I used an old nursery wall hanging plaque and painted it with chalkboard paint, cute refurbish!)

(Below: I made that book page wreath out of a hanger and old pages, nothing more) :)

I'd been spying pinterest and have wanted those cute large striped curtains I have seen on a few blogs. Most were hand made. BEAUTIFUL. Of course, no retailer makes them, and people on etsy want $100 or more per panel (I know it's worth it, but I am beyond paycheck/paycheck living right about now). ;) I decided it'd be worth my patience to just spend $39 for the alternative: A west elm shower curtain.  I'll hang them later but I think it will look great in my silvery sage living room :)

*UPDATE: here's one of the panels, sorry for the crummy cell phone quality, but I love it - I should have ironed it, but I'm too lazy).

I only bought one panel and will probably purchase the other sometime around next pay period, then I'll take a photo, but if you type in west elm shower curtain in pinterest, you'll get the idea;) It will look great:)

*EDIT: 3 January 2013: A Photo of the West Elm shower curtains during Christmas:

Adios Ripe Wheat Walls, HELLO, Calm & Serene!

(Above: After images)

When I first bought my house, almost 10 years ago, I splurged and bought 5 gallons of Behr's Ripe Wheat.

Now, I know what you're thinking; FIVE GALLONS?!

Yes, it was the first time I EVER painted. EVER.

Little did I know a whole gallon would have plenty done the trick.

But for 8 years, I've literally been in a love/hate relationship with the Ripe Wheat walls. Sure, they were beautiful, primarily in Christmas when I had  a rustic Christmas theme going, however, they just were NOT me.

So a few months ago, I took myself to Lowe's and purchased a new color, it's beautiful!

I can best describe it as a silvery sage color but VERY neutral. It's just..

I LOVE IT.

So here are the befores (gag):

(Below: Clearly, MUCH older pictures of my home,

my hardwoods actually looked decent).

 (Below: Picture was I'd say 4 years old judging from Ethan's infant bouncer,

I've since painted the entertainment center white).

 And, now for the during/afters :)) These are mostly cell images (sorry, I'll get it together one day)



AND the big after: I think I am going for a coastal cottage theme.

I purchased the Beach Sign at a local craft store, my hallway has my book page wreat I made and the lower picture shows the transition between colors. The curtians are NOT mine, but it's what I want in there. Currently I just have white sailcloth drapes. I will keep hints of vintage reds and minimal oranges alogn with coastal colors. I'll be sure to post more once I have it complete.