Join me as I renovate my 1881 farmhouse with much creativity and very little budget. (Often with humorous results). Oh and there may be random ramblings posted from time to time. It helps quiet the voices in my head. Well, that and the prescription the Dr. gave me...
A NEW CAR! Sorry I just had a momentary lapse and daydreamed I was on The Price is Right. Man I loved that show. Although can you imagine being the person who loses the awesome prize because you were off by a $1. That would suck. Anyhoo, what IS behind door # 1?
I had blogged about my living room back in November. I have done a few subtle tweaks.
Goodwill trunk for my coffee table
Here I am using an old army trunk and a vintage wine crate flipped upside down as my side table. (Ignore the wireless router)
I added my gossip bench as temporary extra seating. And the table arm is great to set your drink down.
More books and room for a basket
I tucked a vintage child sized bookcase (only 9 inches depth) along with a industrial metal magazine holder behind the door. I can stash my books and magazines for easy access without cluttering up the room.
Still need to paint the bookcase
And look at these nubby cable knit sweater pillows. I bought these at Meijers on clearance for $6 each!
The covers are removable to I can just add new covers to use the pillows year round
That's it for now. I love that I have been able to give the room some personality by using some of my frugal finds. I realize it isn't everyone's design. It isn't matchy-matcy. It isn't high end (or middle end for that matter). What it is--collected and cozy. Just the way we like it!
I need to find a permanent home for the gossip bench. As much as I LOVE my big comfy recliner I think it may be time to retire it (sniffle, sniffle) and bring in more appropriate seating. I have a chair and ottoman in the spare bedroom that would better fit the space and all I need to do is slipcover it. I still need some decor or art behind the sofa. A little DIY will be in order as I patch in the baseboards and paint them. Paint the bookcase. Paint the door and door molding.
And if you are wondering WHY I have a door on my living room it began several years ago when I had abdominal surgery. I was unable to climb the stairs so I slept in the big comfy recliner and my hubbs installed the door to keep the dogs from jumping on me. I decided I really liked being able to close the door and limit access to this room. Besides this is the room where my guinea pigs now live!
Pansy (left) and Petunia (right) waiting in their holding pen while I clean their cages and after their baths.
At one point I considered naming my blog Crooked Critter Shack instead of My Cozy Little Farmhouse. I decided that was just depressing and kinda creepy. So me and all of critters thank you for stopping by. Kinda reminds me of the Beverly Hillbillies closing scene.
Thank you for all the well wishes regarding my cat! Wussie-cat is home from surgery and we are all so grateful. She is currently wobbling around from her pain medication. Drunk people=funny. Drunk pets=HILARIOUS!
Stay tune for tomorrow's post! Wednesday I am going to reveal my upstairs hallway makeover. It turned out rather well and I am very pleased with myself, hehe. Here's a sneaky peaky during the makeover.
The weather has been gray, overcast, cold, dreary and drizzly. It is winter in the Midwest afterall. Everything is wet, muddy and gross. Sooo I decided to brighten my perspective and look towards Spring!
Besides counting down the days until Spring here are the 2012 Color Trends! I mean how can you be sad when you see colors like this?
You know what's awesome? I already have Margarita PANTONE 14-0116, Solar Power PANTONE 13-0759, Cockatoo PANTONE 14-5420, Starfish PANTONE 16-1120 and Driftwood PANTONE 18-1210 incorporated in my house. Woo-hoo I am ahead of the design curve!
The mustard yellow, minty-green, aqua and taupe are in my living room via art and accessories. These colors are carried into my dining room and there even maybe a smidge of orange in some of the art.
If you look at the color chart (above) you have bright saturated colors (purple and fuchsia), the pastel sherbet colors (green and lilac), beach inspired colors (aqua-blue and driftwood) classic jewel-tone (royal blue) and earth tones (orange and starfish). There is something for everyone. I am not sure I want to see the room all the colors are displayed (sort of like a big-top in blender, eh?) But can envision how some of these combinations could work together?
The mustardy-yellow has been predominantly featured for the last year (paired with grey) as shown here
apartmenttherapy.com
But what happens when you pair it with a classic traditional navy blue? Something completely unexpected. What was once staid and boring is now vibrant and fresh.
aphrochic.blogspot.com
This little girl room in aqua and mustard yellow is a sophisticated combination. I love the modern lines of the lamp and headboard. The bamboo screen really warms the space up and is a nice texture.
designindulgences.com
Here is a Navy blue and lilac living room. I think it is still feminine but the blue really brings the room down from being over the top sugary-sweet.
Now what if you wanted to combine aqua and orange? (stop making the crinkle nose icky face) How cute is this boys room? Notice the color isn't overwhelming because the room is grounded with black, charcoal and wood tones.
fabricshopperonline.com
Okay- big finish. Fuchsia--looks great on roses. And little baby girls. And for a brief moment in the 80's it was lipstick, spandex clothing and hair color. (Hey--I said it was the 80's).
Modern and retro at the same time. Very cool vibe!
2modern.blogs.com
Think Fuchsia can't be sexy and glamorous? It's like a dark chocolate covered raspberry. This room is sexy and sophisticated. Love this!
youngshow.org
Me personally, I like to keep my furniture and walls neutral and bring in pillows, curtains and accessories for pops of color. It is much more cost effective and well we know I am all about the cheap frugal. And while I don't typically follow all the fads and trends for color and prints the designers push every year, it is still nice to know that I am not so out of touch. Although my house is antique my design sensibility is not (or so I like to think). Hopefully these colors have awakened your dormant winter brain and has given you something to consider.
I don't plan on having all these colors in my house, but look around my gardens when they are in glorious bloom and all those colors will be there in some form. Siiigh, I really want spring to be here. At least I have the nifty little widget to count the days for me. Happy technicolor daydreams!
Y'all come back, now hear!
