Springtime Living Room

For this springtime living room, I just wanted pretty.  Pretty, mixed in with some balance, harmony, and a little comfort.  An inviting mixture and combination of textures, colors, finishes, and patterns.

I am calling this a springtime living room, but really and truly, there is nothing specific or themed about it.   This look could work in this room all year round (assuming one does not decorate for fall or Christmas).   (And, that would not be me.)

My inspiration was to incorporate my blue and white pottery pieces and mix them in with the basic neutrals I use all the time:  ivory, white and cream, greenery (fresh & faux), and wood tones.

These accessories are casual, every day, common types of décor pieces.  White pitchers, finials, candleholders, blue & white pottery, topiaries, a lantern, baskets, trays, pillows, runners, and throws.  Really and truly simple pieces that can be used in a dozen different ways, at any time of the year.

I have been following a very strong desire to accessorize my home with simple, clean vignettes, and accessories that are natural feeling, not forced or pushed.  I find myself drawn to uncluttered arrangements that are put together with care and thought.

I surprised myself a little when I purchased this ‘butterfly’ fabric at JoAnn’s.  First of all, it isn’t Waverly.  Second of all, I am not usually drawn to patterns in fabric that are so pronounced.  I think what reached out to me is the layer of patterns.   This fabric is layered with 3 separate elements. First of all, a  pattern of botanical images printed in a subtle blue-gray color. Secondly,  passport-like stamped images imprinted in black, as well as text and words in different fonts. Thirdly, a final layer of colored butterflies.

Happily, this fabric mixes well with the hydrangea print and pillow ticking fabrics.  This is more of a mix than I have ever attempted before.   I’m trying to be a little more bold with combining colors and patterns of pillows on the sofa.

The ‘new’ pieces are these two oversized square pieces on each end of the mantel.  I don’t even know what they are called, and the only name I can think of to give them is “architectural squares”.  And they’re really not even new.  I bought them over a year ago at Hobby Lobby, and just have not found the right way to utilize them.

Warning! This is a total rabbit hole story!  At the time that I bought them, I had made the decision to incorporate tobacco baskets into my living room décor.  I really do like how they look when I see them on blogs or Instagram.  I know they lean ‘farmhouse’, and I am not at all about ‘farmhouse’. But I felt they were flexible enough to work in my home. Clutching my gift cards, I dragged Sailor to Hobby Lobby, where he promptly busied himself in the ‘Fishing’ section.   I went through the display of tobacco baskets and got as far as putting one in my cart.  And then I stopped.  A voice in my head said: “Is this really you..?” The fact that I even questioned it made me take the tobacco basket out of my cart.  Has that ever happened to you?

So I pushed my empty cart to the Fishing section to fetch Sailor, but on the way there, these 2 architectural squares caught my eye.  I knew right away – they were ‘me’.  Thank goodness for the Fishing section in Hobby Lobby. (But I am not saying never to tobacco baskets!)

And actually, the basket on the dining table is new.  I really like these oversized, flat baskets that can be used as trays.

I know I just wrote a post on thrift shopping, so I really should let this go, but I can’t!  This vignette on the dining table truly represents my philosophy and outlook about decorating. Not only for this springtime living room, but for decorating year-round!

Both the basket and the runner are thrift shop finds, and the lantern is a garage sale score.

This sweet little white pitcher is also from a thrift shop.  They wanted too much money for it the first time I saw it, so I took a chance and waited. Sure enough the price got a mark-down!  Happily the detail shows up in the pictures  – it’s a summery pattern of berries, leaves, and flowers.  And on the bottom, it’s stamped “Made in Italy”!  (I honestly do not understand how people can let such pretty things go?)

And the lavender topiary? I found it at a craft fair many years ago!

From my little soapbox here at Red Shutter Cottage, my message is to create an environment that reflects you.  Take the time and effort to learn what speaks to you and lifts your heart.  Study Pinterest and blogs to learn about balance, color, vignettes, and arrangements.  Pay attention to room sets and house decorating in movies and television.  Pop into model homes, or snoop through open houses. There are dozens of options when it comes to creating a home that is warm and inviting.  And dozens of ways to combine, and re-combine the basic fundamental pieces that I listed above.

Oh….were you wondering what Sailor bought in the Fishing section at Hobby Lobby?  He bought a plaque that reads “A fisherman lives here with the catch of his life.”

Happy Spring from our home to yours

Kristine

I am sharing at these link parties:

Across the Boulevard Snickerdoodle Create Make Bake Party   //   Finding Silver Pennies  // Create with Joy Inspire Me Monday  // Life & Linda Love Your Creativity  //  Marilyn’s Treats Over The Moon     //   A Pinch of Joy Busy Monday   // Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday   //  Hearth & Soul Link Party  // Follow The Yellow Brick Home Favorite Things Thursday  //