Good morning my friends!
I’m excited to share a new blogging series I will be participating in with an amazing group of bloggers!
I mean, I am just so excited and honored to be included in this group of talented ladies! Over the next six weeks, each of us will be tackling a room in our home that could use a little love, culminating in a week of 18 awesome room reveals starting November 3rd!
So since we’re talking about “falling in love”, let me introduce you to the room in my house that I’ve never quite hit it off with…
My living room.
Are you surprised?
For a while, it was looking a little more like this, because a new coffee table necessitated an entire furniture rearrangement.
Which was terrible for watching TV, which, let’s be honest, is what we use our living room for 99.9% of the time. Let’s keep it real: the TV is extremely important to us.
Then Craigslist practically threw this coffee table into my lap and I was questioning everything once more…
So here’s why I’ve never loved this room and why I’ve experienced so much furniture [read: sofa] drama. (You may laugh, but the struggle is real.)
Yeah, that’s my Photoshopped masterpiece. Since I’ve never done a house tour, you might be justifiably confused about the floor plan. Here’s a little walk through.
Open the front the door:
Step into the living room:
Stairs immediately to your right. Living room immediately around you, mostly to your left. (Note: I’m using A LOT of old old photos in this post to give you the best idea of the space. Please pardon the sudden time shifts & pretend we are cool time travelers. Okay?)
That wide doorway leads to what I call the “old dining room” which is now sitting vacant since we moved the dining room to the second living room space back behind the kitchen (not pictured in the floor plan.) The plan is to turn it into a really cool bar/lounge area that is semi-incorporated into the living room.
Here is another very old photo to give you a sense of how these two rooms connect.
Does that make sense? Here’s the floor plan one more time:
So why has this room been a major source of irritation for me?
Two reasons:
1) Low light
2) Furniture placement.
As much as I would love to live in one of those light-filled, tall-ceilinged, midcentury inspired spaces that lend themselves so well to bright white walls, I’ve had to accept the fact that our house has short ceilings and is dark. It’s especially dark because we have solar shades on all the windows that seem to filter out 50% of natural light but also are a life-saver for our air conditioning bill here in the Texas summers.
When we first moved in, the living room felt very small and cave-like with its popcorn ceilings and one extremely dark accent wall…
I must also mention that the living room room has no overhead lighting except for that small stained glass fixture over the front door.
So my first instinct was to paint everything white and give myself a blank, bright slate. We had just come from apartment living where everything was fleshy beige, so I wanted the neutral beige walls in the house gone STAT.
And on a sunny day, the white looked really good.
As long as I upped the exposure on my camera a whole lot. *Gulp* #confessiontime
On overcast or low light days, the walls turned into this greyish color that I affectionately refer to as “dirty snow”:
So. Challenge #1 that will be addressed in this room makeover: choose a wall color that works in my low-light living room & address the lighting situation.
Challenge #2: Furniture placement.
What you can’t tell in this photo, or any photo I’ve shared from this angle, is that my beloved dragon couch is, unfortunately, much too long for the room in either furniture configuration:
And furniture placement is extremely restricted due the television placement. Which must go on that one wall.
I know this. I’ve tried every other possible placement. Multiple times. I vaguely recall some saying about doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result, but I didn’t listen because I was too busy moving furniture around.
On my birthday. It ended in tears. With the TV back where we started.
And I faced the reality that trying to make my old living room’s furniture work in this space was driving me… oh, that’s right… insane.
So I took stock.
Dragon couch: kickass vintage print, super long, pretty comfy, but the fabric is old, faded, and stained and the woven bottom of the couch is starting to fall out from beneath it. For a $50 Craigslist sofa, it served its time well and sparked much love and much controversy. (One Pinterest user suggested I burn it.) And it is just too long for our living room no matter how I maneuver it.
Curved chesterfield: A cornerstone of my blog. Drop dead gorgeous. Vintage. Sexy. So freaking uncomfortable. Neither one of us would ever choose to sit in it. It was like this enormous, impractical yet fantastic sculpture that was camping out in 1/4 of our living room.
Tufted leather high back sofa: The dark horse entry. Brynne’s List subscribers were actually introduced to this sofa a little while back, since I bought it with the intention of selling it. It’s huge and comfortable and stunning thick tufted leather… I had it on Craigslist for a few weeks with tons of interest, a few visitors, and a hate email or two.
And then, in a fit of logic, pragmatism, and resolve (and with tears, hand wringing, and a few panic attacks), I actually sold the curved vintage chesterfield and kept this one instead.
This massive beast is going to be amazing with some new turned legs (we think the old ones as well as part of its base were removed at some point so it could squeeze through a standard sized door) and it may be the first time ever I’ve settled on a piece of furniture where form and function unite. Spoiler alert: I usually go for “form” any day of the year.
And I’ll be looking for a good home for the dragon couch as well where it can live out its remaining years in peace or undergo loving restoration by someone who can afford it.
So Challenge #2 will be moving out some old furniture pieces and bringing in some new ones (thank heaven for Craigslist!) so I can finally make peace with our furniture configuration.
This quotation from Fight Club seemed only fitting at the moment:
I spent approximately half an hour trying to track down a YouTube clip of that scene, but the only one I could find looked like it had been filmed underwater with a phone camera, so I made a pretty graphic instead. Feel free to print this out and frame it – who knows, it may end up figuring prominently in my living room makeover as art.
If you’re familiar with the movie Fight Club at all, then you know that the scene I’m referencing is actually an argument against consumerism (and here I quote hot-young-Brad-Pitt: “The things you own end up owning you”), so please understand that throughout this post when I reference my “sofa drama” or overdramatically complain about room layout woes, I’m also totally making fun of myself just a little bit too.
I mean, this is what I hear in my head and it’s kind of silly… Ugh. If only my living room weren’t SO BIG and awkward to furnish. Gosh, whatever am I going to do with so many vintage sofas to choose from? #killmenow. Crap, I found something awesome on Craigslist for super cheap and it is WRECKING my floor plan.
So please, bear with me. I promise not to take myself too seriously if you won’t either.
My living room has been causing me undue and admittedly ridiculous angst, and I’m just so excited to throw caution to the wind and tackle it in a bolder, funner, more tongue-in-cheek and Brynner way than I’ve ever had the guts to do before. I hope you’ll enjoy the journey over the next few weeks!
And whatever else happens, at least I’ve got that sofa problem handled!
Read Part 2 Here; Read Part 3 Here; Read Part 4 Here.
But hey – I’m not the only one with rooms to paint and plans to make!
WOW Brynne. I LOVED this post. Superloved! I am excited for you and your colossal room. I am also in awe at how you wrangle all those craigslist finds back and forth. I am feeling very enthusiastic about you make-over and I can't wait to see it coming together!!!
Thanks Katja 🙂 Those darn Craigslist finds, always messing up my plans 😛
HAHAHAHA i NEVER buy a piece of furniture and think that's it…. i think…. how can in convince chris that i think "that's it" but then in a couple years warm him up to changing things for fun. 😉 LOVED this and i can't wait to see what you do- you have such killer style.
lol, that is so me Cassie!
Yep, I change things up all the time too. But I delude myself into *thinking* that once I have finally settled on something, everything will be okay 😉
Can't wait to see this room come together, you already have so many great pieces!
Thank you Bethany! I love the collecting part; I'm not so great at the editing and composition part… Here's hoping I can pull it together well!
You have amazing Craigslist skills! I can't wait to see how this all comes together!
Thanks Michelle! 🙂
Ooooh this is exciting! Can't wait to see what you come up with. I'm still laughing that someone on Pinterest felt the need to tell you to burn that sofa. LMAO
Haha, I wasn't even mad… I was like, "brb, grabbing matches." It still cracks me up. People are passionate about printed fabric!
You know what I like about this post? How it's long like mine. I was feeling a little sheepish about all the other people and their ability to self-edit. also, of course, I love all your sofas and coffee tables, and I need to move closer so that I can more easily take your extras off your hands ;). I've never seen Fight Club. People are always like, "Gretchen! Fight Club is great; you should see it!" And I'm all, "but I already know the first rule of Fight Club AND I looked it up on Wikipedia so I know the twist ending."
#1: Thank you! I don't think it's possible for me to not write a long post. I've tried, but I don't feel like I'm truly expressing myself unless it's a novel. I could have probably made this one twice as long, but decided to call it before the tomatoes started flying and I got pulled off stage.
#2: Go watch Fight Club immediately. Sure, the first "POW" watch-through is amazing, but the movie gets even better with rewatches when you already know the major twist. It's seriously one of my favorite movies ever. PLUS: hot-young-Brad-Pitt.
She's right! You have to watch it even knowing the ending! You'll catch little things that the rest of us didn't the first time we watched it, but then rewatched it and picked those parts out and ended up being all "I should've figured that out, now it's so obvious!"
I cannot wait to see the end result! So far it looks great.
Thank you Jess! It's going to be so different – but I think it'll be good!
I can't believe you let that large living room mess with your multiple amazing sofas!?!? Seriously I have a difficult family room layout too and I totally get it. We had to go with the parallel sofas that don't directly face the tv. Sub optimal. But I am sure your new gorgeous couch will solve everything!
Hahaha. Right? Here's hoping!
I can't wait to see where you end up— my living is on it's like 15th configuration at this point and if I had the money I'd sell almost everything and start from scratch. I feel you, lol.
Yes, you get it! 🙂 I love buying most of my furniture on Craigslist because I feel less guilty when I want to start from scratch.
You are so funny. Love the post and that couch that you kept! Gorgeous! I can totally relate to the no light in living room. We put one in last year and it totally saved my sanity! Why on earth builders at any time would think that no lights in the middle of the rooms were a good idea…. I have no idea! Can't wait to watch what unfolds. Ps. How's the kitchen progressing? Would love to see an update!
I wish new overhead lighting was in the cards! Maybe one day! It's just so odd that this is the only room in the house that doesn't have one!
The kitchen is on hold… Feeling more motivated to do the living room at the moment 🙂
Our living room is also the only room in our house without an overhead light fixture. Strange decisions those pesky builders make!
You crack me up with all your furniture. Love your honesty and can't wait to see this plan come together.
Thanks Kim 🙂
I'm so jealous of all of your awesome Craigslist finds! I'm looking forward to seeing the progress you make throughout the next 6 weeks!
The pressure is ON! Here's hoping I can pull it together 🙂
Can't wait to see your room come together and whether you'll sneak in a few more of those awesome thrifty finds! 🙂
Thank you Anu! Who knows… okay, probably 😉
I'm jealous too of your finds but I told you that so many times already, I can't count anymore. You totally have to hang that graphic up as art, it suits you well.
After posting this, I immediately founded 70% off sale on Canvas People and ordered it! You know me well 🙂
So much deciding!! Layouts are hard. Then you add in finding pretty and functional furnishings. You weren't kidding – the struggle is real. I can't wait to see how this room evolves to fit the way you live and you're incredible taste!!
This whole thing makes me appreciate even more why people actually go to school to become interior designers instead of aspiring to be one in their free time…
Because I arrive at my conclusions by making Bryan help me arrange and rearrange and rearrange the furniture some more because I have to SEE and EXPERIENCE it in place to make a decision. Sore muscles a bonus. I totally lack the skills to space plan in my head (or, you know, on paper)…. I need a book called "Layouts for Dummies with Tired Muscles."
Dirty snow DOES sound pretty…but…probably finding a more pleasant paint color is in order if that's what it makes you think of 🙂 Please don't burn the dragon couch. Can't wait to see what you do and I hope you love it in the end!
I mean, yes, as appealing and evocative as the name is, I'm ready for new paint 🙂
P.S. No dragon couches will be burned in the making of this documentary.
OK first of all HOLY CHESTERFIELD. I mean seriously, how does one end up with not one, but TWO gorgeous chesters. Its just not fair. You should play the lottery. Then give me half the loot when you win. Love the cheetah rug, Love the malachite curtains. Love the term "dirty snow". Its all the rage here in CA where we get "invisible snow". Love your home and all the wonderful pieces you've collected. Seems you are a fellow sufferer of a little affliction I call Rearrangitis. There is no cure, no medication, only support groups. We meet every Wednesday on Skype. But I gotta say, im gonna miss tomorrows meeting bc Ill be busy rearranging my living room:) Cant wait to see this gorgeous space come to life.
Thank you Shavonda! I seem to reach a point where I have a collection of things that I love and then pulling them all together cohesively is the hardest part for me – I hope I'm on the right track with this new plan! And that an attack of Rearrangitis doesn't hit halfway through 😉 That support group sounds like exactly what I need… "I'm Brynne and it has been two weeks since my last episode of rearranging."
LOL, way to make it fun! I can't wait to see what you do Brynne! xoxo
Thanks Kristin!
Oh the angst! I've actually fallen out of love with craigslist lately. I don't know if it's the change in season or there's someone new in town grabbing things up before I can spot them, but I'm dang defeated in my furniture hunt. You know I am all too thrilled to see what you do with the space as I secretly live vicariously through you due to the fact you don't have a small human to be concerned with in your choices. He's a great kid and all, but that coffee table would never last (#firstworldproblems).
Ah, so true – my house is probably a toddler death trap 😛
I know – Craigslist can be so withholding sometimes! Here's wishing good Craigslist luck to you soon!
I am becoming more and more addicted to your blog the more I read. Here are my thoughts… 1) Move the less comfortable couch into your future bar/lounge area and decorate the room around the dragon couch! 2) Put the dragon couch across from the TV and get some light colored club chairs to provide additional seating, then use a dramatic color on the walls! 3) Maybe a couple of brass sconces on the wall can provide pretty light, and an arc lamp can create the feeling of a ceiling light? I guess most of my suggestions are based around keeping the dragon couch– because it is bomb diggety!
I do so love that dragon couch as well! Unfortunately, I think it needs to go 🙁 It's just too long to float in the room and maintain a decent walkway around it, and the sagging seat issue means it's on its last legs before needing some major inner repairs (it's from the 50's – woven wood slats that are starting to disintegrate). It's definitely a hard piece to let go though!
But you are right on what I'm thinking with the club chairs and wall sconces!
I'm so behind on my blog visiting but YAY! I can't wait to see what you do – you have KILLER INSTINCTS when it comes to vintage, I have no doubt you will make this room sing baby 😉 xxx