Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Ahem...


ok, this is going to be difficult...
1st because I'm a super-bad photographer,
2nd because it's very very difficult to speak about one's own home,
unless it's perfect...
& this one is not.
but, as promised, I'm sharing with you, my dearest, closest friends,
photos of our living room as it is today.
(oh yes, changes are coming).



view from entry, across gallery hallway into the living room


the brackets on the floor represent a DIY plexiglass dog barrier our houseman made many years ago.
we no longer have puppies, this is un-needed, however, there is a man in the house
who wants them there.

Bono, my Maltese, is watching everything.

the entire house is floored in these white tiles, except for the bedroom areas.
I cannot change this because it's about 4500 SF of tile floor.

so you see, very high ceilings, walls of glass...
a very open and beautiful room.





below, a view with fireplace in center,  to the left are 2 blue chairs

below, fireplace with a view to the right,
the antique piano I bought for my daughter when she was 11 years old,
ottoman in apricot/salmon color in front of coffee table



view across top of piano into living room 
showing the flame stitch sofa which sits behind the stone console table you see from the entry.
also 1 of the French chairs in apricot/salmon,
there is another exactly like this on the other side of the sofa



closer up you can see the fabric a bit better,
believe it or not this furniture was purchased about 1985 and has not
been recovered since then.  there is not 1 thing wrong with the fabrics, they are in
perfect condition, so let's say we got our money's worth out of all this.
remember, there is another chair to the left of the sofa, same chair, same fabric.

the room is really beautiful and no expense was spared when it was originally
completed, but in today's world it just looks a bit dated.  
the combination of colors being the main problem for me.




close-up of the border on the area rug



sofa fabric



walk-in wet bar immediately adjacent to entry and across gallery hallway from living room,
it's very functional & becomes the center of all entertaining...of course.



as you look to the right down the gallery hallway,
this big chest is sitting against the far wall of the breakfast room

breakfast room table, chairs, beautiful painting


dining room, which is also down gallery hallway, just before the breakfast room,
not a good photograph,
high coffered ceilings with cove lighting and recessed cans throughout the room

I'm only working on the living room for now.
the next project will be redoing the master bedroom.

OK, where to begin explaining.
1st the blue striped chairs are super comfortable so I would like to move
them into the bedroom, and out of the living room (where I think they look like
chairs in a beach house).
note:  the gentleman's mother helped him choose the decor in 1985.

anyway, we have 2 additional French chairs almost identical to the apricot/salmon
ones which would be recovered in this AMAZING fabric in a beige lizard-like print with
a certain sheen.  the piano gets turned a different direction and moved back about
2 feet which will allow me to place the new chairs opposite the apricot/salmon ones.

the ottoman is getting a drape cover in the same fabric as the chairs, with huge
tassels on each end, this will hang to the floor, covering the apricot color.

then 18" square down pillows in almost the same color as the tan/beige on
the sofa (the silk fabric just arrived) with braided cording the same color as the tassels,
 will be popped in on the apricot chairs & on the sofa, hoping
to make the room cohesive and more pulled together looking.

so the orange chairs stay, but get big pillows all done up in the same color
as the new chairs.
sofa stays, but gets the same pillows
ottoman stays, but gets the to-the-floor drape in the same fabric I use on the
2 new chairs.
the wood on all 4 chairs will be slightly changed so that it matches
more closely to the side tables, where the tables are more pewter,
the chairs have tended to the yellow tone.

I want so badly to have the border removed from the rug!

add candles to the amazing sconces on each side of the gilt mirror over fireplace
& beautiful tall plants & remove 2 of the little Chinese chests.

I think it is so much harder to do just a little to an existing room rather 
than begin with a totally empty room where one is choosing every 
element.

any thoughts or suggestions?
seriously, if I posted this right here in public it means I would love
to hear what you think now that you've seen the room.


&, you see, the master has to be next 'cause those blue striped chairs
are going in there and nothing will match them.
baby steps...




Photobucket

27 comments:

  1. Marsha-
    Your living room is beautiful I can't wait to see what you have planned finished.
    Thank you for sharing your home. Gorgoeus.
    Happy Tuesday.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    Linen Towel Giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I should have taken photos of the new fabrics, Teresa. When the chair fabric arrives I will do that.

      Delete
    2. Seriously, Marsha...Restoration Hardware could stage a photo shoot in your home!
      Have you been to visit their site? I love their mix of modern + industrial French!
      You home is as divine as you are my friend!
      w/L

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    3. I should have posted the pic with Bono sitting on the dining table!
      Seriously though, thank you so much for this lovely compliment.

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  2. What a gorgeous room, Marsha! I can't wait to see the finished product - I know it will be fabulous if you are behind it! Have a lovely day! xoxo

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  3. What a great space, it sounds like it will be wonderful with all the fabulous fabrics you have picked! I am in love with that Painting that looks like Greece! Cant wait to see the reveal!
    Best,
    Karolyn

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  4. Oh my Marsha ..... what a wonderful home you live in ....... you could fit at least 2 English sized homes in there !!!!
    It has a sophisticated look of a New York loft apartment ..... I just love the greyness of it all and the fabrics give it that little lift { even though you've had some for a long while, it hasn't dated. You chose well }
    I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do. I'm glad that I suggested that you did before and after photographs !! XXXX

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  5. Marsha,

    As you know, you and I have completely different aesthetics:). That said, this is a very, very sophisticated use of the Southwestern color palette. It's also a very sophisticated version of the Houston look - the mix of spacious, light, but ornate. You're clearly very talented. Hats off!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa, coming from you this means a great deal !!!
      Big hug...

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  6. What a gorgeous lounge. I love all the brick work and the wonderful fabric chairs. I can't wait to see how it develops although I love it as it is now xx

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  7. My favourite features in the room are the gorgeous windows and all that beautiful tile. The tile colour is so versatile, you could change all the rest of the colours in the room and it would probably match. I'm sure it's going to look beautiful, but I agree, it's harder to change just small things, than just starting from scratch. Good luck, and have fun!

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  8. Hello,my dear friend!:)*

    Woooow............WOW and Wow,Marsha!
    I am speachless,truly....
    I see you HOME,all decoration details with a big and big taste made.....YES,I mean it!!!
    I have no understanding of interior design,but,you know....when I walk inside there in you beautiful,full of light room,I feel me just so good:)*
    Gorgeous colour combination,Marsha and all this light,beautiful light!!!

    I am enormous curious for you next presentation!:)))*
    Oh,I can well imagine your living room are at all known living magazines!

    XXX,
    ***Violetta***

    ReplyDelete
  9. Can't you have the border cut off and the rug re-bound? The rug would still be large enough for the space.

    BTW - This is so NOT how I mentally pictured your home - I figured you for French antiques with a few Swedish pieces.

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  10. This space is huge. You have so many amazing features. I love the windows and tall ceilings. That bar is fantastic. I don't think it will take much for this space to be your idea perfection. I love your ideas, good luck.

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  11. I have a few suggestions but would like to email you personally if that is ok and let you share my suggestions if you wish.
    Thanks.

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  13. I agree with Linda, the windows and tall ceilings are wonderful. I love the way the windows bring the outside in. It will be fun to see what you do with the room!

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  14. Wow you do have so much space and so many features! I think it is lovely now but I am a sucker for a before and after! Can't wait to see the evolution :)

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  15. Your home is lovely...I love how spacious it is, and I love the size of the windows so you feel as if you are outside. Your ddecorating plans sound beautiful and timeless. Looking forward to more pictures! Thank you for sharing.

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  16. Marsha, what a room! The brick is great and the windows are perfect to see the lovely green space. Love your ideas! Yes I would change the colours of furniture upholstery and probably the rug. I know you are in Texas, and it is hot there...but I love hardwood look with the brick on the walls.
    Cant wait to see what you do here!!!
    xo Z

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  17. Can't wait to see the changes! What a lovely, light filled home. Pats to Bono. Shiree'

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  18. Can't wait to see the changes! What a lovely, light filled home. Pats to Bono. Shiree'

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  19. Marsha, I cannot wait to see the changes! It is a lovely room, the windows are fabulous and the piano is spectacular. You are going to make this stunning!

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  20. What a beautiful large space to work with. You have so many options. I would love to know if you painted or treated your brick walls. I have similar brick and want so bad to whitewash it, but I am scared!
    thanks,
    Jen
    bb2339@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I could wrap all of the brick columns & the fireplace with sheetrock and paint. I believe this would be a more polished look for today's styles. And, it would make me happy.

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  21. Marsha your house is amazingly beautiful...those windows...the height of the ceilings....the masonry walls....I love it all...and while it is always nice to freshen things up, the bones of the space give it such inherent beauty and grace...that part is so imperative to a wonderful space and this room has it in spades.

    And PLEASE do not wrap it all up in sheetrock and paint it!! Oh I would faint! The masonry is so beautifully textured, so full of character.

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  22. Marsha, I wouldn't have expected anything but gorgeous from your abode and to see the very spot where we will be clinking champagne glasses makes it all the more fabulous. Sending lots of love your way. Paul XX

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