Okay. Before you look at these pictures, you need to keep a couple of things in mind.
1) The before and after aren’t going to look all that different.
and
2) The before and after aren’t going to look all that different.
Honestly, I felt like a bit of a goofball when I was uploading these pictures, because they essentially amount to LOOK, Y’ALL! I SWITCHED LAMPS!
AND CLEANED!
But since the ($10!) desk and the two ($3.88 each!) end tables need a little refurbishing, they’re not in these pictures (and wouldn’t be even if they were finished – because I’m going to use them in other parts of the house).
So what this post basically amounts to is that I tidied up my living room – which certainly needed to be done – and I worked in some of my thrift store/estate sale accessories. I do think that the thrift store lamps make a big difference, mainly because we have big furniture, and the scale of the old, big lamps works better than the lamps I was using before.
I’m afraid that the “before” pictures may be enough to keep Mama out of church for three Sundays straight, because how will she ever explain to her friends why her daughter’s coffee table was in such disarray? And that there were pictures of the cluttered coffee table ON THE INTERNET?
It’s a good thing I didn’t take pictures of all the old, dusty candy I found underneath one of the couches. Because I’m afraid that would’ve sent Mama straight to the emergency room.
One woman can only bear so much shame.
(sidenote: I’m very nervous about this whole thing, to the point that I would like to distract you from the underwhelming spectacle you’re about to see. As a result, I am fighting a seemingly irrepressible desire to tap dance. In a sparkly costume. While twirling fire batons. Because that would most certainly make you forget about all of this before and after business.)
Oh, never mind.
Here’s what I was up against when I started this process.
This is kind of an overview of the room – and I know it’s hard to see what’s going on because the sun was bright and I couldn’t get the camera settings changed and I AM NOT ANNIE LEIBOVITZ, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.
But if you look really carefully, you’ll see two smallish lamps over to the left-hand side of the picture. They look ridiculous given the size of the room, but they’re what I had when we moved in, and I’m a make-do kind of girl.
Here’s D.’s chair and one of the areas I was hoping to re-vamp with my thrift store finds.
I had resorted to using a plant stand as an end table, and the light from the lamp was at horrible angle. The phrase “uncomfortable glare” comes to mind.
And don’t ask me why I have the throw on the ottoman pulled up halfway. Because I have no idea. I can only assume that at some point I had to retrieve a ball or search for a remote or rescue a small action figure.
The next area I wanted to work on was our coffee table, which was what one might refer to as a hot mess.
And I’m sure you’ll agree that there are few things in life as klassy as a large wooden bowl filled with six or forty-two remotes.
Finally, I felt like the end table next to the beige sofa needed something bigger to anchor it. The lamp was too small, and all the accessories were even smaller.
So those were the problem areas.
I contemplated trying to rearrange the room for about four seconds, but I become a woman obsessed when I start moving furniture. I wanted to actually finish whatever projects I started yesterday – as opposed to piling all the furniture in the center of the living room and then collapsing in a corner, wailing about how NOTHING IS DONE! NOTHING IS DONE! EVERYTHING IS A WRECK! while D. looked on in horror.
Anyway.
Here’s the finished product.
I mean, if nothing else, neat helps. You know?
Perhaps I have learned a valuable lesson.
And this is the first “target area” – by D.’s chair.
The round table is from the estate sale, and the lamp (only $9.88! with shade!) and piece of green glass came from the thrift store. I really do love how the table fills up that spot, and the lamp is a great punch of color against the wall of windows.
Even better:
A drawer for the remotes!
Isn’t that the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
Next, I tackled the coffee table.
I got the brass planter from the estate sale and the green candy jar from the thrift store. Everything else was mine – just re-purposed a bit.
And then the other end table, previously known as Where The Small Things Are:
The oh-so-60’s lamp came from the thrift store (another $9.88 find), and the Partridge Family metal tree (that’s actually Hallmark circa 2002) came from the estate sale. I feel like the table can now hold its own next to the big ole beige sofa. And the metal thingy actually has the color of my walls in the leaves, which was an unexpected bonus.
And I have to say: I feel so much better about the whole room now. D. remarked this morning that he really likes it, and trust me when I tell you that is a huge deal – because normally his only decorative observation involves whether or not he has an unobstructed view of the television.
I didn’t spend a lot of money – maybe $60 total – and best of all, I have a room that’s finished, comfortable, and a little bit eclectic. This room is totally “us” – a reflection of our family’s personality – and for the first time since we moved in December, our living room feels like home.
And that, oh internets, is priceless.
hey, I’m first ;) I used to stage houses, and I’ll tell you that keeping everything in the right scale really helps. That other lamp looked like it was teetering precariously on the books. Now you have a lamp with some body to it.
Looks cozy and the price is right!
With wonderful windows like you have, who would even look at the room!!! I loved the before and after.
I love the funky new ~ and bigger ~ lamps! They look great in there and much more ‘to size’. Congrats on completing your redo! :)
Everything looks lovely, you did your Mama proud.
Wow S. – that looks so good!!! So good! I am in love with the lamps – it is JUST what the room needed!
Y’all hurry on over Thursday – we CAN’T WAIT for y’all to get here!
xoxo!
It looks gorgeous! And the larger lamps do make a world of difference.
Thanks for making me laugh every day. I want to see the fire baton routine….
Hey Boo Mama!
Lovin’ it, lovin’ it, lovin’ it!
Doesn’t it feel good! I posted some pictures lately when we did a bit if finishing off, its entitled “Busy Bees” on my blog… http://www.peteanddel.blogspot.
com.
Adele x
I think the lamps and the new table make a HUGE difference! It looks great.
What a nifty, funky new look… very “you.” :) I love that “this finally feels like home” moment, although I’m finding myself wishing we could have more of them before we are up and moving AGAIN. But such is the life of a military wife. :)
Looks great! I LOVE the lamps!
I love the ‘eclectic’ style. Who needs ‘design on a dime’ anyway? I’ll just keep reading blogs!
I still can’t get over the partridge tree! It’s Hallmark? Ebay, here I come! Bet I won’t find it for six smackers, though! =)
I love those lamps. Very cool.
I love your ‘wall-o-windows’ :)
The room looks great!
Your living room looks great. Much better than my decor which can best be described as “Early Day Care” with all the toys and blocks strewn about.
And because I am both a huge fan of books and of Louie Giglio, I couldn’t help noticing your copy of I Am Not, But I Know I Am. Great book! And if you’ve never heard him speak, you’re missing out! He is the best communicator I have ever heard. And his passion for Jesus is contagious.
I hope you enjoy your “new” living room and your book!
I LOVE it! I’ve always loved the “wall of windows” anyway, but this really is a nice touch!
Blessings,
Karla
I loved the “before” room too – your windows are amazing. But my goodness, what an improvement the bigger lamps and that estate sale table make. It’s amazing how little money it really takes to make a room feel comfortable and homey. You did a great job.
The lamps make me happy. So very happy.
Wowser, well done! And yes the remotes all lined up in the drawer like that are beautiful, just beautiful!!! It just makes me want to sing :)
Laura (orgjunkie)
You are too cute for words!
I love the lamps and now I’m curious which thrift store you went to…….. Our Lady of Sorrows is having a thrift sale this Wednesday. I’ve never been, but the paper said they would have furniture. My favorite thing in your room was your rug!! Is it a Heriz? I’ve bought several old Heriz rugs on ebay and LOVE THEM!!!!
I can’t see any clutter in the before picture because I am too busy looking at the WONDERFUL deck outside the windows! SO BEAUTIFUL!
The table was a perfect find for that spot! It was a good shopping day indeed!
i really like it. and the new lamps are wonderful. so very cute. will you come do my living room now?
Love the Southern Living mags on the coffee table. I would doubt whether you were truly a southern gal if those hadn’t been there!
You did a great job at a great price.
That wooden bowl with the remotes? I have a basket in the exact same shape. I thought it would look really cool with a couple of mags and then I threw in the remotes as an afterthought. Then every action figure, pencil and comb found it’s way in there and I threw the whole thing out.
I enjoy your blog!
You have to love trift store finds. My best friend and I love what we call “trash picking.” Some of my favorite pieces come gently used and greatly reconditioned.
I love your blog. I check it each morning for a quick laugh to start my day.
It actually made a big difference! Very nice! I also love the wooden bowl.
I marvel at the fact that you can actually keep your end tables and coffee table looking … nice, organized, and un-broken.
Hod DO you do it with an active toddler??
Looks groovy!!!!
Looks fabulous. You wanta fly west to do my livingroom?
Susan
It looks good, BM. I love the tree! I do rather like the image I have of you tapdancing in spangles, though…..
Love it!!
It really looks great and I can tell a difference.
I also love to shop at the Thrift store but I do not do estate sales yet b/c they do not have buggies to contain my children and my 2 boys need to be contained.
God bless,
Kim
Great job, BooMama. I’m proud of all your hard work, and it does look much warmer with the larger lamps and the “new” round table. I always knew you were an interior designer at heart!
It does look groovy.
And if your momma would be ashamed of you for your before pictures – oh my, please, please Lord let her never come to my house ’cause even when it’s clean it doesn’t look that nice.
Love the new lamps – I’m a fan of the funky, nobody-else-has-this-furniture style. I found a great lamp at an auction, and it’s been waiting to be re-wired for, oh I dunno, say, 10 years. But in the meantime, it makes a great decorating item!
Oh. And for the record? You’re “hot mess” and “disarray” before photo? My organizational and tidy-ness goal.
I have to go now – must go straighten up. Thanks for the kick in the seat!
Have a good one!
~Jen
Looks fab!
I still think you should have painted the walls in primary colors and hung album covers on the walls, but oh well…maybe next weekend. ;o)
This whole situation makes me smile really big at the cuteness and fun-ness of it all. Good job, girl! You stylin.
Is there any chance it’s klassier to have the remotes in a Longaberger basket??? I sure hope so…. :o)
Love the new look. Don’t you just love thrift stores and estate sales. I’m new around here, but have been reading your blog forever. You always have something to make me smile!
Your mama would just need to be put on a ventilator if she saw my living room most days! I kept looking for the “before” picture. All the pictures looked great! But the new lamps to add a nice touch. You did good.
Looks great! However, it wasn’t bad to begin with.
I thought about you today!!!! I was at Costco and they have Liz Claiborne Terry Cloth Capri suits for about $15.00. In 3 different colors!!!!!
You are amazing! I love it!
I think your new accessories look great. . .loved the harlequin look 60’s lamp, and you are just the gal to put it in a room and make it look like it belongs there.
AND, if you think your coffee table was a “hot mess” then I am glad you cannot see my house, ’cause you would BAR MY ADDRESS from EVER leaving a comment on your blog again. . .and your momma would STILL stay home from church for three Sundays because the likes of me has even SPOKEN to her child via internet.
Oh. My.
I love it! Everything looks great and in much better scale!
I had to laugh out loud when you said you were fighting the urge to tap dance while twirling fiery batons!
TOO FUNNY!
Your house is beautiful! I have a rug similar to yours that my sister in-law brought us from Pakistan a few years back. I just knew we could be friends!
Oh Boomama, you make me laugh! The pics are great. I just have one question…how do you make D. put those remotes back in.the.remote.drawer ??
S.
LOVIN’ the retro lamps….
yes ma’am!
I am LOVIN the lamps! I bet you do have some good bargain stores there –
I would like to get ahold of some “Mountain Brook” throw aways! No tellin what those people get rid of- and how much $$ it is worth!
Well, look at you go, girl! You must be hitting some better thriftstores than I have found, cause I sure didn’t see no $3.88 end tables ever. All your finds look great in place…isn’t it fun to change things around & get new looks. I’ve been doing that myself the last couple of days. Love those lamps..those are really cool.
Rhoda from B’ham
VERY nice! But how do you get the boys to keep the remotes IN THE DRAWER! And not tucked into the cushions. Or under the couch. Or in the refridgerator. Not kidding.
Actually the lamps make a big difference. You have inspired me to go thrift shop hunting.
Totally loving your “finds”. i just don’t have an eye for stuff like that. i’m jealous! If you’re ever in my area you have to take me thrift store shopping!
It looks great!
First off, I’m totally impressed that you big adult stuff on your coffee table, what with a 4 year old in the house and all. Seriously, I cleared the decks til the kids were about … well, wait. I think it’s still cleared. HA!
It all looks great, Boo. Very homey and comfy.
Although, I’m totally partial to that sweet little clock on your end table :)
It looks great. The retro looks like new retro (as in expensive retro) so YOU GO GIRL… wait,my cat is licking my leg…stop that.
IT was driving me nuts because I KNEW I had seen that tree somewhere. Thanks for clearing it up. Hallmark! YES! NOW I can sleep at night.
Your lamps look great against your wall color! Isn’t it the best to have a productive shopping day for UNDER $100. Just having a home for the remotes alone would be worth it! :)
Sarah, TN
I didn’t have time to read the other comments, but I must say I do love the funky new lamps…. oh so cute! You made some great finds and pulled it all together so well! Also, just for the record, I don’t think you needed to re-arrange the furniture….looks great, now just ENJOY!!!
Well, you Mama can now show up at church next Sunday! LOL!!
The room looks great, even better the PRICE!
It all looks really nice. You’ve inspired me to start to redecorate. And I haven’t hit the thrift stores in ages.
Nancy
I LOVE that end table and the drawer for the remotes is a total BONUS!!!
Organising Queen blog and
Take Charge blog
I SO have those hanging baskets outside my house, too, and have all the same copies of Southern Living at my house. {{Double take}} Are we kin?
I love the lamp in the last picture! You done good BooMama! How do you keep little hands from messing everything up on your tables?
“because normally his only decorative observation involves whether or not he has an unobstructed view of the television” My hubby to a tee! Love it!
Your room looks great! I love the remote drawer, because I a guilty of having the big wooden bowl to hold our assortment of remotes.
Love it! I’m ready to go home and clean and move furniture and, oh yeah, get into the attic and pull some stuff out and…oh my!
It looks awesome! I was not distracted in the least by the dance with sparkly costume and firey batons!
The little lamp perched on the books (from the before shots) would look really neat on a bathroom counter…if yours is large enough….just a thought.
Next I would like to see pictures of you tap dancing in a sparkly costume while twirling said batons. It actually did distract me momentarily.
The thing I love the most is your wall of windows. OK, I realize that has nothing to do with what you changed…just my first observation. The lamps make a real statement with their size and color. As you said, they really help anchor the room.
Great storage for your remotes. I’m just wondering how long they will stay there. Hmmm…maybe your family is not like mine. ;o)
The fact that you can take a post about cleaning your living room and make it so dang funny is a true gift! Great job on the room…and for $60 nonetheless!
I don’t normally go for the funky look, but it looks good on you. And I mean that in a nice way! :) Great job!
I love the new look and I love even more that you spent so little to accomplish said new look! Congrats on making your living room feel liveable!
Verrry nice !! I wanna come shop YOUR thrifts – looks like good stuff to be found there !
Still waiting for the flaming baton routine to begin….(tapping toes impatiently)