31 May 2011

Back to the old curtains

If you didn't read my previous post about having a party and going all crazy last-minute to fix my family room/ basement, well, that pretty much sums it up.  I've always wanted to replace my ikea curtains with doublewidth panels and tried out the Peytons from Pottery Barn because there was no time for custom curtains.  When I put them up, they completely changed the look of the room.  I figured I could repaint another time and switched up my rug and accessories for a quick change:


BUT it was completely the wrong feeling.  I loooove that rug but not in my family room.  I wanted fresh & fun & happy (we hang with the kids here a lot) and the rug & curtains were taking the room into a more serious, richer place.  Not okay.  So, I tried out the PB peytons in french ivory and with the lining and double panels, they still felt to "decorated" for me so up went my old cotton Ikea curtains.  I added additional rings so they wouldn't sag as much and am totally fine with them now after my fiasco.  (Just need to hem them! ;)

{The two men in the photographs are my dad (top) and my husband's dad (bottom) waaaay back when.  We have very odd wood work going on in our old 70s house so for now I'm just forgetting about it.}

I also switched up the art & accessories, FINALLY pulling in the green I was craving.  My basement was bothering me because it was so unrelated to the rest of my house but now with the added green, I'm loving the flow.  I had this old dinosaur chart and added the Peter Dunham pillows and a Dash & Albert rug we had:

{ignore the messy blanket and toys & books- sorry no time for pretty!}


And here's a pic of the natural woven shades we put up:


I'm ordering another set for the large window by the sofa to replace the white roman shade there, which will add the texture that's missing for me over there.  And here's a quick pic from the party:


I'll share pics from the party in my next post.  It was a ton of fun and took place almost entirely oustide.  I'm pretty sure no one even noticed my curtains.  (Except for those who'd read my whacky post before coming!)  Ah vell.  I do have to say though, I live for this stuff. 

xoxo,
lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

29 comments:

  1. Nothin' like a $0 makeover when you thought you were spending a bundle! I love the green-- and that Stray Dog lamp from the showhouse looks perfect in your house!

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  2. The room looks great and happy! Love the pops of green!

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  3. The basement room looks great, love there green lampshades!!!
    LuLu

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  4. You crack me up Lauren but I have to say I do the same whacko stuff you do…curtains, chairs, lamps, you name it I pretty much drive people batty if things don’t jive. But I drive my poor husband to distraction because he’s usually the one moving everything and then moving it all right back again. I love your choice of greens, green is one of my favorite colors but have always used greens with grays in them but I found I prefer your cheery spring greens better. You’ll get your basement right when you use your own fabric line.

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  5. Love that green lampshade with the turquoise paint.

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  6. the green additions look great! it is so much fun even though we drive ourselves crazy!!

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  7. I love this setup much better than the more formal one...it looks so much brighter and more cheerful (perfect for kids)

    I have a question...where can I purchase Peter Dunham pillows like the ones on your couch...or did you have them made?

    Thank you.
    Cali

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  8. Wish I coulda come! :)

    Love the sofa you have. Love the greens and the stripey rug. Looks great unstyled!

    xo Terri

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  9. You got it! That looks more like 'you'. Don't you love when it finally all works. I loved watching your process... I go through the same thing in my house - funny, not for clients but maybe because for me I am trying to work with what I have, it seems to take a while to get it to all mesh sometimes. Great job! It looks fresh and updated. xo

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  10. I love that you used the things from the DC design house in YOUR house! That worked out vell:) From fellow lover of green and peter dunham...oh, and THAT LAMP! bravo:)

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  11. I think we're all a little crazy sometimes. I bought 8 yards of ivory linen to make Roman shades but have decided it's too gold with the sun shining through. So now I want white-aaaggghhh. Where are you ordering your new woven shades from? I bought ONE like that at Lowes,I think, about a year ago--they don't have them anymore.

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  12. I love the patio laterns outside!!

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  13. Oh my goodness, the sea-dinosaur chart fills me with joy! What an amazing find. I'm so glad you found the look you were after. Sometimes trying things out is the only way to know how it will all "feel" together, and you deifnitley found a great feel!

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  14. I think that is the best rug for that space yet!!! The green pillows look great with the aqua and black too. Where did you get your woven shades? I'm on the hunt right now for my son's big boy room. Thanks!

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  15. i really really love the green/aqua combo. it looks great with the black and white rug!

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  16. Your basement looks beautiful...of course! Where did you get those great outdoor lanterns?

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  17. Lauren- Love this new palette, and that dinosaur print is AMAZING! I can't believe how you find such great things. Your kids must never want to leave that room!

    I'm excited to see that palette because it's in the inspiration board for my living room. Blue walls (a little grayed down) , black and whites, green accents. Your basement is the newest addition to my inspiration board!

    Loretta

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  18. Hi Lauren,

    Great makeover. It really makes the room look so much brighter.

    April
    The Carpet Lady

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  19. It's funny, I'm having a hard time with curtains for my living room, too (I've already returned two!)
    But, I really like your simple white curtains and the room is looking great!

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  20. I love the natural woven shades. Where did you get them? Were they pricey? I'd love something like that in the tenants' apartments.

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  21. Yep...much more kid fun/friendly! That lamp and dino print are the cat's pajamas!!

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  22. Don't you dare sell that rug,
    regret, regret!

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  23. Now it is you :)))) looks amazing!

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  24. looks beautiful. Love the way you don't want it to look too decorated. I am so with you there :)

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  25. Your basement is beautiful! I love the rug!

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  26. I love the striped rug... Absolutely gorgeous.

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  27. I am googling and googling for blogs to read, and bumped into your blog. Nice place you got. I live in a tiny studioflat in Bergen, Norway, only 210 sq ft, but I like it.

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  28. love the color sheds for walls. also the wooden curtain looks really beautiful and unique.

    Emergency Locksmith

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  29. Do you mind sharing your source for the natural woven shades. I love the color(s)and have been searcing for that color in the style that mounts outside the window. Love them & your site!

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I love hearing from you- thank you for taking the time to write!! :)

*If you have a specific question, I'll try to answer it in the comments section so be sure to check back! If you're looking at an older post, email me directly. Thanks!
~Lauren