Living Room Updates

I ordered this console table via Etsy to perfectly fit over the radiator below. Art via Josh Young. Lamp.

My favorite accounts to follow on Instagram are the ones who share their process. I want to know the why behind your selections. I care less about the end result and whether its my style; I find I learn the most from folks sharing the why and resources (where did you get that remnant fabric, piece of art, etc). I've been trying to lean into this on my own Instagram account and hope you'll join me there if you haven't already.

Delaney of Tremont Home is a fantastic follow because she really shares her entire thought and physical progress on any project. Recently, she recapped some changes she made to her bedroom and made a comment to the effect of "the changes were so incremental I barely even noticed," but they added up to a real, finished room. I realized the same could be said of our living room.

It's our most used room in the house, but it hasn't been a priority for whatever reason. When we first moved in we converted the wood burning fireplace to gas and re-did the hearth (the tile was chipping and a bit dangerous because it was jagged on the edges). After several attempts and way too many holes in the wall, we got our Frame TV mounted above the fireplace. TVs above fireplaces are controversial, I know. But it was the best option for how we use the space. The gas fireplace insert is black and a black box TV above a black box firebox was not doing it for me. I contemplated - and still consider - painting the surround a dark color to make it recede even more. Opting for a frame TV was a game changer. Do I think the art is fooling anyone? No. Nevertheless, it was unquestionably the right move.

This is a snippet of our mantel. You'll see the Frame TV to the left (we have this frame).

We moved into the house in 2021 from a small condo with very little furniture and even less appropriately scaled furniture. So, I immediately started working on ordering seating for the room. The first couch we ordered started squeaking just weeks after it was delivered. The company sent out a furniture repair person only to determine it was structurally defective and would need to be replaced, which they did. The process was painless and I was so pleased that they made it right. Except, earlier this year, the replacement couch also started squeaking. Not to mention, the performance fabric hadn't held up well and the original damage from delivery (which was repaired at the time) was beginning to resurface. I was over it and decided I would go the Facebook Marketplace route this time to get a high-end designer couch at an affordable price. I lost out on a couple, but eventually snagged this beautiful Lee Industries couch. It's everything I could have hoped for; the arms are particularly beautiful and given our layout, they really shine in the space.

Newly delivered Lee Industries couch via Facebook Marketplace. Style 3701-03 if you also want to hunt one down.

I also replaced the light fixture with this and the new couch inspired me to get a proper couch cover instead of cobbling a bunch of blankets together to protect it from the pets (and honestly, me). I can't overstate how big of an impact one continuous blanket had on the look and feel of the space. I ordered this one. Please note that I do think it ships directly from China so it took about two weeks to arrive. I have been very pleased with the quality.

This skirted table was also a Facebook Marketplace find. Bird print from local vintage store. Bottom floral via Kirsten Williams Art.

The art above the sofa had been hanging on a nail left over from when the house was staged to sell. This piece was painted by my husband's grandfather and I always intended to move it to our foyer and buy a larger piece for above the couch. I haven't found the perfect piece yet and my husband really wants to keep this above the couch. So, I finally lowered and centered it above the couch and it suddenly looks so much better. I may eventually stack a smaller piece of art above it or add a picture light or sconces. I also still want a vertical piece of art on the other side of our skirted end table.

Real life photo. Couldn't even be bothered to straighten out the blanket after stepping on couch to hang art.

This room is still far from done, but these changes have had such a big impact and I'm so much happier with how it's looking and functioning.

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