In a recent post about having dirty house secrets (not the dusty kind, but the embarrassing kind), I told you how averse I have been to posting photos of certain rooms in the house and asked if any of you had secrets and received only two comments. I know you’re reading–hello stat counter– so we either have a bunch of really shy people or you don’t have any ugly parts of your domiciles that are off-limits.
If you’re in the latter half of this equation, I’m trying to get like you. No more ugly rooms! Since the paint job I did in the bathroom over the weekend turned out pretty bad and I cannot bear to take any photos of it until I do it all over again, we start with the living room. Introducing the before photos, hopefully to be replaced very shortly with some lovely after photos.
Things I Like About the Living Room
- Architectural detail. This is not a simple box. There are moldings and archways.
- The size. It’s a pretty good size. No, I don’t know the square footage because I’ve never entered a contest on AT.
- The Ikea bookcases my friend Evan helped me install.
- The new couch we hauled from my friend Kate’s house last night (thank you, KB!).
- The art above the couch from Vigilism, even though they desperately need new frames.
- The modern lamp above I picked up for $2.40 at Village Discount Outlet and later saw at Vintage Heaven for $50.
- The Barcelona knockoff(s), $100 for both on Craigslist.
- The coffee table, $50 on Craigslist.
- The metal plant stand, below, $5 at Goodwill.
Things I Dislike About The Living Room
- The floors are way too scuffed to even be considered wabi-sabi.
- The dog bed is ugly but necessary.
- The windows.
- The lack of light.
- Colorless, especially when compared to our colorful kitchen.
- The addition of the new couch, much bigger than our previous one, has made for a weird balance on either side.
- Our TV stand sucks (not even pictured, there is no point).
- The white stand in the little nook above is on its last legs.
- We have two uncovered Barcelona knockoffs but only one fits. And yes, I said uncovered! Dislike immensely.
- Our curtains. Blech.
This begins my quest to overhaul the living room one day at a time; it would get done a lot quicker if the next seven days weren’t forecasted to be over ninety degrees, too, ugh. I’ve got some plans that are going to be in motion just as soon as I post this and take a freezing cold shower. I’m hella– remember, I lived in Cali for two years, I can say that– excited for the new room. Small changes will go a long way and since my ideas involve spray paint and thrifting, I’m very, very charged about the redo.
