Apparently a house isn't like a car, you shouldn't expect a smooth finish on anything... but I digress, this post isn't about our dodgy builder, it is about me trying to style it on a little money as possible.
There are a few things that need to be done around here. They are:
- New carpet in bedrooms and 'formal' living/dining area (which is actually used as a toy room and my craft space)
- All interior walls repainted- Some of our house wasn't actually completely painted in the first place and the kids have not been kind to our walls either.
- Replace dining chairs with some gorgeous Eames replicas
- Re-cover lounge
- Buy new rug for lounge room- Our current rug is just an Ikea cheapy. I think it cost about $50...
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| As you can probably see, I still haven't recovered all the chairs... |
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I really need to sort out that toy pile and stop Ethan from playing with the Tupperware too...
Looking back our lounge purchase was a BAD idea. Suede and kids do not go together, but it was bought pre-kids and has seen some better days.
I am struggling to decide which colour to paint the walls. I do know I would like a bright rug for the living space, something with a pattern. Possibly a kilim type mat...
Do you have any suggestions?
It's Tuesday, so I am linking up with IBOT!
I think you're doing really well so far with it! If you want a new rug on a budget, CostCo has a few (an interior designed friend of mine gave me that tip).
ReplyDeleteI think if you are going for a softer look - maybe consider replacing the stainless steel fan with a simpler white one?
We have made the same suede mistake...only ours is a a heavy cream colour. Not even beige, but a really dark cream. Every friend and family member with children has walking into our living room and gone 'cream suede...that's bold' knowing that we plan to have kids in the next 18 months! Oh well, we're enjoying it while it's lovely and clean x
I was only thinking about the fans yesterday, Hannah! I think a simple white one would look great.
DeleteWe don't have a CostCo near by, but thanks for the tip.
And scotch guard that couch ASAP. Our couch is beyond fixable, I have cleaned it so so many times, but it doesn't get everything out.
Wow you have a lot of space! :) we aren't very happy with our current lounge sofa either. Just waiting for it to fall to pieces or something before we change heh
ReplyDeleteAi @ Sakura Haruka
Sounds like me and my couch!
DeleteThose faux suede lounges are good but you need some sort of fabric protection. Get it cleaned then buy a can of durapel or other liquid protection spray. In terms of colour, I am a sucker for green & purple. This picture on pinterest has a nice bright colour scheme with green incorporated
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/199706564696790898/
Get yourself an upholstered blanket box for the kiddies toys too.
We have had our lounge cleaned a few times, we just can't get all the stains out. I will hunt down some durapel though. I am looking to re-cover it myself in the near future, I am trying to hunt down some fabric though.
DeleteAnd great idea on the upholstered blanket box, I actually have one that I am about to recover! It was my great grandmothers :)
Looks stunning and very livable :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen, it is totally liveable, I just feel a need to re-decorate. AND I didn't show you the horribly stained carpet and the banged up walls ;)
DeleteI am doing this exact thing at the moment - trying to decorate my home on a teeny tiny budget. I think it is possible, it just takes a little more creativity and time to find things at the right price. All the best with it, I look forward to seeing how you go!
ReplyDeleteI like that we need to be creative. My mind keeps trailing off with so many ideas, if only I could convince Hubby that they are all fantastic ideas!
DeleteI love dream shopping. I bought a leather lounge and it's been great with the children. Still looks great after 6 years and 2 babies and toddlers. Rachel x
ReplyDeleteWe should have bought leather, but alas we were silly! I would love one now, but hubby likes big high backed lounges and I don't. So we will have to solve that dispute before we purchase anything new. :)
DeleteOoooh... there is so much potential in that room! I love the green drapes and the open space.
ReplyDeleteHave fun jazzing it up!
Will watch this space.. I would love to do some make-over bits, but I think we need to actually FINISH things before we go back over ourselves!
Great post!
B
Thanks B! I have actually just started writing a post on my kitchen. I think I will do a home tour on the blog soon. I have plans to do things to the whole house, so blogging it might actually push me to be more proactive about it all!
DeleteI agree with a few of the others - I think it looks lovely. But yes, a new rug would certainly soften it up a little. Maybe some kind of hall table in the entrance (under the "Keep calm and carry on sign) to distinguish it from the dining area a little more?
ReplyDeleteThe wall from that the Keep Calm and Carry On sign is on, isn't actually in the entrance, the entrance is another 3ish meters behind that. I will have to take another photo from the other end of the dining table so you can see it.
DeleteI think the rug is something that I will be buying soonish. The one we have now was just picked up quickly at ikea because we needed something.
Thanks for stopping by Julie!
Amy x
Love that pretty cushion in the first photo! Where did you get it, Amy ? I wish I could give you interior decorating tips but my place is a shambles at the moment. We have milk, vomit, poo-stained blue couches from Fantastic Furniture and I don't think we'll be making any big furniture purchases while the twins are still at their toddler tornado stage :) Beautiful home you have there x
ReplyDeleteThanks! I made that cushion, Grace (http://www.mahlimoo.com/2012/05/more-sprocket-pillows.html)
DeleteI hear you on the milk, vomit on poo-stained couches, our are pretty much the same. I want to make removable covers for ours as so I can wash them at least once a month.
I think it looks charming. I love the freshness of the green accents :-)
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for a rug for ages for our family room - something that will tie all the colours in nicely, y'know? We have suede couches too but in a chocolate colour so doesn't show the dirt and spills thankfully! Most of our house is neutral cream/timber, would love to introduce some aqua/blue in a rug, curtains, and accessories. I know exactly what I want in a rug - a shag pile one in mixed coffee and aqua - but do you think I can find one anywhere? I think I missed the whole aqua decorating boat, it's so last year or the year before LOL. Now it seems everything has red or purple!
Love that cushion you made and i dream of eames replica chairs too. I know good design when i see it but have never stretched my decorating muscle so would be no use (am good at picking between choices though so maybe a few mood/style boards for another post?)
ReplyDeleteHi Amy I love your space. You could paint the walls Dulux Hogs Bristle half strength which is a nice taupe colour. It looks great with white skirting and doors. Very crisp.
ReplyDeleteEven though I love your green curtains for a light and breezy look - you could keep the sheers and put roller blinds behind them for privacy. The sheers look very fresh and roller blinds can be cheaply bought from Spotlight. If you want to see a picture of this look email me:)
oh I know that feeling!! Regreting decision to put wooden floors down instead of tiles - the wooden floor is scratched up so bad :(
ReplyDeleteHope you find a rug - there a gazzillion rug sales on all the time!! You'll be able to pick one up cheap but BRIGHT :) good luck!
I'm actaully quite pleased we haven't bought or built yet, because I think you almost need to live in a few places to decide what you want.
ReplyDeleteAlso, cheap I think is almost better with kids, cause then at least it doesn't cost heaps to replace.