Living Room Redo

I've been working hard over the last month or two to spruce up and change up my living room a little.  I have had red as my accent color basically since I got married over 10 years ago and it was just time for a change.  But considering it's not the time for us to be buying all new furniture, rug, curtains, tv etc. I had to be a little creative.  There are still some more changes I'd like to make but for now I am content with the things I've been able to do and feel like I've at least freshened it up.
I wish I had more before pictures but here's what I've got...(sorry many pics are dark, my flash on my camera doesn't seem to be working right now).

 Although this picture is from a while back, you get the idea of what it looked like before.  We had the same basic pieces but very different placement and accessories.

The changes all sort of started with this "side of the road" find.  I loved this chair (Shane not so much, but oh well it was free) and it was in great shape besides the upholstery being dirty & damaged in places.  But I figured it was a good one for me to try my first slipcover on.

Here's how it turned out.  I'd like to think I'd do better next time but for my first time, I'm pleased.

Another good find, I got this cute little table at a garage sale for $3 a couple of years ago.  I liked the distressed white finish but decided it was time to spruce it up.  I remembered "before" pics during the painting process but you get the idea.

Here's the "after".  I love the bright pop of color.  A little departure from me, since I usually like to stick to neutrals but I'm enjoying a little fun piece.

We love the window seat and bay window in our living room.  It's one of the room's best features and for the past 5 years, it's served as a place for the kids to look out at the neighborhood and play with certain toys that we keep up there.  But I've always wanted to do cushions and make it a place to curl up and read and that sort of thing. So when my neighbor offered me these large neutral color cushions, I knew my vision would come true.  I just had to sew up some throw pillows and a comfy window seat was born (thow pillow fabric is napkins & a table cloth from TJ Maxx).  I used this when our power was out as a place to read because it is the brightest spot in the house!

 I saw this tutorial on a blog and thought it would be fun to monogram a little burlap pillow.  I used a small burlap bag that I had been saving for just such a project as this and made it into a pillow.  I had some green fabric paint and letter stencils from a project years ago.  I think it turned out so cute. 

My sister, who helped me sort out alot of the design of the room, especially the new layout, suggested I do a gallery wall on the wall that used to house the armoire & tv (yes we still have the giant tv that has to be inside of a cabinet.  one day we'll move into this century, but not today.).
I read The Nester's posts on gallery walls and some others too and they suggested you do the layout with paper before actually nailing it up there.  Good suggestion.  Here's what that looked like:

And here it is now.  I painted the diamond green (it's metal and was a dark finish).  I still need a few little things but I really like it.

 I used this tutorial on making your own silhouettes.  Love these!  It cracks me up that Bennett & Noah ask all the time who's who. 

 Another project inspired by The Nester.  I took this fake ivy topiary I've had for years and covered it in real moss.  It was super quick and I love the organic feel.  Especially next to my burlap curtains and lamp shade.  Also, the little fleur de lis was formerly brown and rust colored so I just spray painted it white to replicate milk glass.  I think it's kind of cute!

 As with the rest of this stuff, this is a lamp I've had for years.  I just hot glued burlap to the shade to give it a little update.  It's not great but I definitely like it better.

 Here's the little green table, lamp with burlap lampshade, moss covered topiary, and burlap curtains (made as copies of the ones in Ballard).

And finally a few shots of the whole room.  To me it feels much larger but also more cozy.  What more could I ask for?!

Oops, a little dark.  But you get the picture!

Hope you like it and maybe saw an idea or two you would like to try!