Thursday, November 5, 2009

Changes and Balance

What has been going on in your life?
My Life in the Fall:  harvest time, dinner and supper in the field (LOVE), hauling cows and hay home, moving vehicles, giving rides, Mr. Pink Heaven's political trips- which means movie nights with my Pink Girl, trips to town, (which includes waiting, but I always have my craft supply bag with me), spending time with my mother, trying to avoid the horrid flu, but my household did not escape it. Thankfully, everyone is well right now.  
Like all of you trying to maintain the balanCe when life gets busy. 
Just remember to stop and look for God's blessings along the way. 

Oddly enough to help me "feel" balanced, I like to move furniture, take away decor,  and add decor. The changes don't have to be huge or costly, just change.
Changes= (satifying attention defeceit) Balance

I have shown you bits and pieces of the changes in my main floor family room, but had not shown you proper before and afters.
BEFORE:

Objective #1
Eliminate Smaller Items (so the eye is not traveling all over the place)
This was achieved by taking away the antique buffet and adding a higher black curio so the eye has a place to rest. Do-dads, plates, and some pictures removed. The picture of my three kids on the wall stays. They are the heart of my home. I also moved the Kennedy rocker and added the black and white chair. A coffee table was added . You know I'm not matchy matchy, so I added a coffee table that is different then the curio. It works because the wood grain top coordinates with the floor and the black legs coordinate with the curio. The antique Chinese buffet was moved to the opposite wall. The area rug with the   hideous country nice blue border  was removed, and has new life in my son's basement. 

Objective #2
Update Lighting (HELLO, Can you hear me? It's not the 1980's)
Mr. Pink Heaven and son changed out the SOLID GOLD (pun intended)  light fixture with this chandelier.


Objective #3
Warm up the floor
I LOVE the original hardwood floors in this house. They are a beautiful golden color, but with cold weather on it's way, I wanted to warm things up. Winter time is a time for layers, even when it comes to floors! When it came to the bottom layer, the large area rugs I looked at where not the size or color I wanted.  A visit to the carpet store took place, and I chose to have a solid taupe carpet cut and bound to exact size of my choice.  The multicolored top rug, which adds a pop, was purchased at a discount store. It is placed directly on top of the taupe carpet, and under the coffee table. I was thrilled to find this rug as it matches the chair in the last post. Would you believe I trimmed the chair BEFORE I bought the rug. Sometimes things just work.

Objective #4
Fall it Up
Adding touches of Fall completes this room. I left the perimeter of the hardwood exposed, and added a few accessories. The gold pillow was replaced with a black and white chandelier pillow. A white pumpkin, Autumn  bouquet, and black crow candle were added to the coffee table. All give a sense of Fall and harvest, and life on a farm.
AFTER:

I like the changes. I feel balanced. For now.
Fall blessings to you,
Ele

26 comments:

Floss said...

It looks great! I love the way you've given your reasoning, as well as what you did - I learn a lot from people who can put their design thoughts into words. Thanks.

Sweetina said...

A completely cozy and beautiful transformation!
It makes such a big difference to change out each season...and on a budget.
Thanks for sharing,Ele!
Tina

Unknown said...

So sorry you have all been sick! I am so glad you are feeling better now. There is so much going around here.

Your living room looks beautiful Ele! So warm and inviting!
Hugs,
Amy

Rebecca Nelson said...

Lovin' it all, Ele! Truly wonderful transformation!

Sorry you've been sicko! Us, too! Finally we are all getting well!

xoRebecca

littlethings1 said...

I saw your comments about the moving of vehicles and supper in the field ! Brought back memories, I am a farmers daughter and I did a lot of that ! I love all of your changes , love your black curio cupboard ! It is always fun to change things around , what a blessing that we can do that !!
Eunice
The Little Things

Connie said...

You did a great job, sugar, and am glad everyone has survived being sick. It looks lovely how you are doing the rooms. But I especially love the sunroom, sweet chick! Just so Scandinavian looking!!!!!
xoxo,
Connie

vivian said...

I love to rearrange and make changes too! One of the reasons I love the changing seasons and all of the holidays so much!
your home is lovely!
hugs
vivian

Preemie Donna said...

Great cabnet and Love the saying on the wall. Always important to stop and count our blessings.

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Ele,

Your new look to your room looks great.
I am like you love to change things around. I used to always do that to my bedroom as a little girl.

Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

LuLu Kellogg said...

This looks wonderful. Very warm and cozy.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

LuLu~*xo

Kai said...

THANK YOU, ELE! I'm not a bit ashamed to admit that I constantly use your love of and definite talent for decorating to improve my sadly lacking skills! This post not only shows the changes you made, but takes us through the steps & reasoning behind each one. The room is beautiful! Of course, there was absolutely no DOUBT it would be, but it was still fun seeing it. Every detail adds to the feeling of the season & makes for an elegant (sigh - you KNOW I had to use that word at least ONCE) AND cozy, welcoming finish!

Jennifer said...

Hi Ele,I love the room setting that black cabinet is great.Mittens has gotten so big.Who is the puppy on the sofa?So cute!Hugs,Jennifer

Jean Tuthill said...

Wow, I love the new look. I like how you documented the changes. It looks beautiful and you did a wonderful job!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Lovely site. I am looking forward to being a follower
Maggie

Shirl said...

Hello, I love how your put your thoughts into words. What a beautiful makeover. Your home is so pretty, love the rugs. I always learn some great decorating and craft ideas when I visit you. Your floors are georgous! I always love seeing a kitty laying around, makes it look like home!
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas!
Love ya, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

ReneƩ DeLano said...

Love all your photos! Thanks for sharing! xo ReneƩ

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Blue Creek Home said...

Just discovered your blog this morning. I get lost in blogland on the weekends. I really don't know exactly how I got here! But I am glad I did.
Your changes and balance post is great.
and I love your black curio.
Rhonda

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Pearl said...

It looks lovely and inviting Ele good job!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Ele, your post just speaks to me. I love to rearrange rooms, repurpose rooms and redo rooms. Yours looks so warm, inviting and Fall cozy.

Sorry you were sick. So glad you are on the mend.
Blessings to you,
Celestina Marie

vickie said...

Looks beautiful, Ele, love the chandelier! Who is that little critter on your sofa?

savvycityfarmer said...

JUST LOVELY ... you're reading my mind ... I am edit-ing here, too....
i love the feeling of change for the eye

Suze said...

your room looks fabulous. I love your black server in the back.
Thanks for the idea about the under rug.

I've been looking for a room size one for awhile and am having the same problem...nothing out there I like. Although, I never thought of going to a carpet store and having them cut it and bind one for me.

Hugs,
Suze

CatieAn said...

oh Ele
thank you so much for sharing before and after pics. The changes are amazing and of course make it look like a brand new room!
Hope you are all still doing well--sorry you were ill.
merry christmas
catie

Brisbane Hotels said...

Love wood furniture. Actually our house is all-wood furniture. We love antiques. We even go to provinces to get some stuff. Love the way you decorate. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I will surely keep it in mind always.