O.K. That's it. I'm not changing it again (having said that I've already changed it since I took these photos a few hours ago). But that's not because anything was terribly wrong in my living room, things are only terribly wrong in my head.
And a head is a much easier thing to fix than a f*>k ugly sectional. Do I hate the sofa? Absolutely. Will I replace a couple of things. Sure. But I feel cozy and comfortable in my living room and that was the goal.
You know when a dog sniffs and circles and digs and digs and circles and almost lays down then changes direction because ALL the spots to collapse seems so good?
That is now me in my living room.
In fact, it hasn't officially been confirmed but I broke the world record of putting 23,000 steps on my watch - while sitting.
Let's take a look at my living room over the years.
This monstrosity is within the first 5 years or so of buying my house. So. Many. Things.
A year or so before I started this blog I threw out, gave away or sold almost everything I owned and started new.
Nothing makes sense here. The whole left side is light, the whole right side is dark, there's a reading light and a lamp right beside each other and there are no less than 4 hides (sheep or cow) - that is entirely too many hides ... and yet all you see is sectional.
O.K. well it feels cozy I'll give it that. Raise your hand if you TOO had that shag rug from Costco. 🙋🏼♀️
Things improved a lot in 2018 when I made interior shutters for all my windows. But it still wasn't right. Feels too fancy and austere.
These versions of my living room (which is also my family room) were all unfortunate. And I knew it. But I just couldn't get it any better no matter how many Elle Decors I bought but forgot to flip through.
But now? Now I just go from seat to seat marvelling at the perfection of all of them. Over and over and over again. To the point of it not even being relaxing if I'm being honest. I just can't pick a favourite spot.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
All the seats have a good view. There isn't a clunker corner in the bunch. The proximity to the fireplace, the television, the windows, the foyer ... the layout is the best it has ever been.
I'm honestly a bit unsettled by it. I really don't know where to sit and liking this room feels - weird.
I've hated and felt the need to apologize for my living room for 25 years now.
Oh, hi, it's so good to see you, come on in. You haven't been here before have you? O.K. I hate my living room so don't look in that diritttACKnocrap Avert your eyes!! Well, you've seen it now so just ... be a sport and gouge your eyes out. I SAID GOUGE YOUR EYES OUT.
Why I think anyone cares at all about my living room, let alone in a deep way, is something I should probably examine about myself.
I now know my living room has the potential to be my favourite room in the house. Just by doing that one little thing.
And there are a few more little things in my future.
Painting for one thing. These walls were Simply White at some point. Now they're fireplace and old-age yellow.
This view needs a bit of work but if I move the television to another wall it would help. I could also get and hang a Frame TV with landscape art over the fireplace and it would look MUCH better. Plus then I'd make a thin, natural wood frame for it, so it would be perfect.
It's the Bermuda triangle of design - a corner with a black chair, the black hole of a fireplace and the black hole of a television. It's icky.
Huh. I didn't even really realize that was the problem until I just had to explain it to you. Thanks for listening.
Plus I have to make the bookcases less ... well just less. They either need to be completely decluttered or completely filled with books so there isn't as much commotion.
I could replace both the sofa and the upholstered thrift store chair, or replace the sofa and have the chair recovered. And I need a rug - nothing dramatic. Something like this.
In conclusion, I really, really thought I was going to quit apologizing for my living room.
Chris W.
It's such a great idea to take pictures rather than stand in the space and ponder. That's one way to tell what's off...if anything. I'm a quilter and I use pictures to see where my eyes land when considering what's next. I feel there has to be some sort of focal point but that everything else should gradually compliment it. I also agree that some subtle greenery would tie things together - add a softness and an organic tone. I totally think that you are way on the right track so relax and enjoy!
Karen
Thanks Chris. The room definitely needs flowers or plant etc. but that's a small fix. Also it will be redundant once for the first time EVER I get to put a Christmas tree up in my living room. I'll just push the down chair into the corner and a tree will go right in front of the window. Once I put a Christmas tree in here there will be NO leaving this room until it comes down, lol. ~ karen!
Bethany Hubbard Jones
We’re your fans, lady. OF COURSE we care! It’s your mental health, after all.
And, just my wacky two cents, have you considered a dark color on the walls? A deep peacock blue or emerald green?
Lynn
I love the rug you are considering--braided jute--wonderful. But think long and hard before you commit to it since you now have a beautiful dog! I almost bought a jute rug for our living room and thank God, I didn't! Our Macy--just died from cancer at 14--she was a pit/yellow lab mix and just the best girl ever! As the end got closer--she began to lose control of her bowels and I apologize for the unpleasant topic but if she had wandered into the living room during one of these attacks--I would have had to burn the jute rug. Not an exaggeration--burn it! Just something to think about--your room looks wonderful but I also loved the first 'cluttered' room with the red sofa! I am a sucker for red!
Susan
It looks great but I think the Cy Twombly is throwing off the balance.
Maggie Van Sickle
When u don’t want that comfy looking living room chair I can take it off your hands. I love it and I like a coffee table for my books coffee and my feet. I like comfort and a coffee table works for me. I like your 15th? rearrangement.
Maggie
Amber
Finding a good white paint color is really hard. I spent 2 years looking, testing, hating, feeling sorry for myself, moping, testing again. I can honestly say I’ve found the perfect white wall color for my northern home: Oxford white. With super white trim. I did the ceilings, walls and inside doors in it. It gently picks up the browns and blues and never looks yellow or grey. In direct sunlight it looks sunny, but in a quiet way. The super white trim keeps it all light and clean. For 3 years now I’ve loved it.
Shelagh
Sounds lovely…who makes it?
rosemary patterson
Personally, I LOVE the coffee table/bench look. I wouldn't change a thing.
Erika Collins
I like it a lot. It draws me in and begs me to sit awhile. Good thing we are parted by the miles or you might be over run by good friends stopping by. Or strangers! Now rest! Surely there is another junk drawer whispering your name!❤️
Mary W
Your long coffee table is my favorite thing ever. So practical, friendly, warm. I did notice that in all the others rooms, you did have some 'heaviness' going all the way up to the ceiling to balance the lower parts. Your living room doesn't have that 'feeling' so maybe something more noticable along the top edge. I don't know, I'm a hoarder and live in my mess. Too little for all my 'needs' of crafting, sewing, canning, gardening, preserving, grands living with me lots of the time. I decorate with their dog, legos, clothes removed the minute they get home from school, lovely art works, plates of food and treats, dog toys, and dust. They get to draw in the dust. They even tell me they don't know why they need to come over to 'my side' (my MIL suite) and relax, do homework, play. I wouldn't have it any different!
Jeannie K.
NOBODY has a coffee table anymore. Nobody.
Got rid of ours 11 years ago.
Love the room, otherwise!
June Kelley
Hi Karen,
I’m no decorator by a long stretch.
Like you, I know when something isn’t right—-but what the heck is it?????? 😤😤😤🤦🏻♀️
I think it’s that long coffee table/bench.
Too much wood with the wooden door. And it’s just kind of ‘THERE’.
Maybe a nice leather ottoman you can put your feet up on and a huge tray for candles and books.
That bench is cool.
Maybe weatherproof it and put on porch🤷🏻♀️
Ok. Just a suggestion.
Good luck.
I feel your pain.
Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving
June
Karen
Hi June! The bench doesn't bother me. It's the right feel and look to act as a coffee table or ottoman for almost every seat yet still allows room to walk around. It could be 1' shorter, but no more than that. And with a leather chair and ottoman already in the room (I don't think you can see the ottoman) that's probably too much leather. I do like a bit leather ottoman as a table, but it isn't something that would work in this room. ~ karen!
SuzeM
Ditch the bench/coffee table.
Sabina
I concur, not sorry we ditched ours. You learn to live without the clutter that accumulates on them otherwise. Bonus, it eliminates a tripping hazard as we age ;-)
Elizabeth Kays
How about adding a “Z” plant and a couple of green velvet pillows into the mix? I don’t think the wood coffee table is right, either. I think you’re missing some organic branches and real color. Maybe an uplight in a corner.
Not all things on wall should be rectangular, also…..I think it’s organic shapes are what’s missing. Maybe a round ottoman?
I’m learning to put a stag horn fern onto a wooden plaque to create some of the organic quality in a room as I am lacking it as well. I’m also questioning whether a couch/sectional/sofa is a must have. Ideaphoria is my problem.
Karen W
How wonderful to see I am not the only one with a stump in my livingroom! Mine was here for my kitten to claw on before she got all her shots so she could be let out. She also used to like to sleep on top of it but she's getting to big to do more than sit there now. I thiught it was time to pit it outside until I saw yours. It looks like you have dipped it in resin or something. If you did this yourself I'd love to hear how you managed that.
Karen
Hi Karen, yes I made that table years ago. In fact the stump table it was one of my first DIY posts. It normally has legs on it, but I took them off this week. :) I coated it with a polyurethane. ~ karen!
Carrie Anne
It'll all work out in the end. Look forward to seeing the end result. (Which ....I have a feeling....will be you with that new sofa....😉)
Also, I want to make shutters for my windows AND don't ever apologize. Your home is an extension of ourselves. I don't know about you but I feel that I change so why wouldn't our dwellings change also?
I wish I had your skills!
Call me jealous!!
Linda J Howes-Smyth
You're right, I don't care. Just get a new couch if you don't like that one.
Maria
Is the weather bad where you live? Do you need to take a walk? Or a nap?
Sande
I would drive up for that gorgeous red,rolled arm camelback If you wanted to unload it. I’ve been looking for one for ages. No one offers camelbacks anymore.
Will be fun to see what you finally decide is perfect for you!
Randy P
You are indeed an especially talented and creative woman. Your eye for design aesthetics is amazing and your bravery sharing this decor journey is a testament to your fortitude. Now......... make some chip dip, fry up another batch of crisps, get comfy on the sofa and turn on a Rom-Com or better yet 'The Princess Bride' and let farm boy and the Dread Pirate Roberts soothe your mind and warm your soul. If not then I can only gently say to you - "As you wish."
Karen
Inconceivable. ~ karen!
Randyp
It remains among my top films, maybe a near perfect bit of entertainment.
Karen
Agreed. It's fantastic. ~ karen!
Linda W
Some of us are affected by our surroundings and some of us aren't. I totally understand how you feel about your living room. I felt uncomfortable in mine for 33 years and it wasn't until I got rid of all my dark colored furniture etc and went light colours that for me now feels relaxed. But my walls are now dark lol but it works for me. Some would say 'first world problem' but cave men drew on their walls so there's that
Shirley Mancino
Or cave women drew on their walls!
Linda W
Haha yes of course more than likely!
Deb from Maryland
100% this. :)
Linda Schombert
Love, love, love spending time in your blog! Your mind and sense of humor add joy to my life…thanks for being you…as for your living/family room I think you need to sit down, close your eyes, cuddle ‘Lip and relax for a bit…you will sort out any “needed” changes/improvements in due time…
G. Bruce Chapman
Your TV should be set to the "Fireplace Channel." ;-)
Lydia
Lol, why? She has a real one just below. And a wood-burning one to boot. It would make too many fireplaces on one wall.