Subject: A Tale of Two Chairs

What is the difference between these two chairs?

Target Abstract Print Slipper Chair

Slipper Chair Indigo Ikat

It's not a trick question.  I mean they do look pretty similar, right?  Although I've been eying the Urban chair, I found a picture of John's Journal blogger Maria's chairs posted online.  I thought they were the Urban chairs, but she told me they were from Target.

via Made By Girl

So, I went ahead and ordered one.  The Target one that is.  It was on sale and free shipping, so I figure if it's not good I always have the Urban chair as a backup.  Now all I need it the perfect finishing touch...

Jonathan Adler Lemon Pillow

Subject: Family Room + The Couch Crisis

Good morning Kara!

I'm on a roll catching up with these posts.  I'm happy to report that my family room is coming together...FINALLY. 

I realized that I never shared with you the couch crisis.  If you recall, late last year I wrote about the custom couch that Hubby and I purchased.  It was from a leather store in Georgia and we were able to choose the leather color, if we wanted to add nail heads, etc.  All the fun customized touches that people love in furniture.  Well, needless to say the company stinks and because I don't want to dwell on the subject I will sum up the crisis by saying what arrived was not the Milky Way brown colored couch I hoped for, but a Cherry Cola colored couch leather with more red tones than brown.  My heart sank as I looked at it in the family room.  Thankfully, Hubby saw the unhappiness in my eyes and made them haul the couch away. 

Fast forward about a week later, we got our money back from the "custom" leather store and went on the couch hunt again.  We were pretty sure we wanted this Pottery Barn couch, and the only store that had it in stock was the outlet in North Georgia.  We took a ride to the outlet, sat in the couch and immediately knew it wasn't for us.  The price at the outlet was awesome, but it left a lot to be desired.  Right across the way from the PB outlet was the one and only Restoration Hardware Outlet.  We walked in, walked around and knew we had found a winner.  I present, straight from our family room showroom, our new couch.

This is the Maxwell, but last year's model.  The good thing is we like last year's model more than the 2011 version, because this year's model only has two cushions.  The color can best be described as an old bomber jacket.  It looks worn in and is absolutely delicious!!  There is a word Jewish people use to describe finding your husband or wife because it is believed that person is your destiny.  The word is beschert.  And while AJ is my beschert, I'm pretty sure this couch and I were also meant to be!!

I also picked up pillows from Target the other day and am trying them out every now and then.  They photograph a little Missoni-ish.  Pretty cool! 

I also ordered this pillow from Anthropologie on my little shopping spree.  I'm curious to see how it looks in person and works with the blue Target pillows.

Fireworks Pillow

On Sunday, our Crate and Barrel sideboard arrived too, really pulling the room together.  I can't get over how perfect the size is for the tv wall.

Isn't this wood gorgeous?  It's Peroba wood from Brazil.  I did some research and it's all reclaimed.  They take it from the floors and walls of old buildings.  Love being environmentally conscious! 

We are still in the market for some side tables and a lamp for the room, but it's all a process.  I also want one more chair for the room and have been eyeing this one.  I ordered a sample of the fabric to try and get a better feel for it. 

Indigo Ikat Slipper Chair

Wouldn't it look awesome with this pillow??? 

Jonathan Adler Lemon Pillow

I am OBSESSED with Jonathan Adler.  Hubby...if you are reading, forget bringing flowers home, just deliver this pillow! 

I'll be sure to report back on the Anthropologie pillow and if we end up ordering the Urban Outfitters chair.  Have you seen any cute side tables around?  That's my next hunt for this room.

Can't wait to hear what you think!  Maybe the readers have some thoughts, too??  :)

Re: Re: Subject: Accent Walls

Miss Kara -

I love that I turn to you for advice, only to be told that wall decor basically scares you!!  :)  However, it's your honesty that keeps this friendship alive and well..  Just like the time you told me my favorite chandelier, the one that I hope to have in my dining room one day, looks like a spider!

Pottery Barn

So, I totally agree that one day I will get sick of whatever I decide to put on the tv wall and therefore I am not going to do anything with wall paper.  I really love that stripped wall with all the pictures, but I am thinking I am going to have to save it for a guest room or maybe the living room.  Hubby has decided he wants to hang the tv on the wall, so that won't leave much room for pictures.  And that pretty much answers one of your questions.  We are going to get a long tv stand, but we want the tv to be visible at all times.  I just need somewhere to store the DVR and DVD player along with the hundreds of DVDs and VHS tapes.  (Please don't ask me why I still own the later.  There is no good excuse!).

Right now I am leaning towards the zig zag wall.  The wall is currently Kilim Beige by Sherwin Williams.

Sherwin Williams - Kilim Beige #6106

I know it might look a little blah on here, but it is a really soft neutral and at this point I would only have to add in white zig zag stripes.  Seems easy enough!  I will let you know how it all goes down.

Here's to the first of many painting projects!!

Cheers,
Melissa

Re: Subject: Accent Walls

Dear Mrs. Homeowner -

First, I have to admit - I am terrible at wall decor. We lived in our house for nearly three years before I finally decorated a huge, blank wall in our kitchen. I just shut down mentally sometimes because I get overwhelmed by the options and then I don't do anything. Encouraging, I know. I just like to come from a place of honesty :)

Anyway, I love your inspiration and the overall look you are going for. Will your television be out? Like, not tucked into an armoire, but on a piece of furniture so it will always be visible? Since your television is most likely rectangle with straight sides (I mean, right?), I like the idea of doing something kind of eclectic and bringing in some shapes and textures. I really liked the first picture you sent with the striped wall - the grouping of things together (especially the mirror), not the stripes themselves. You could incorporate a mirror, some plates, a shadow box, a wreath, maybe even a few empty window frames if you wanted. You could either do all black & white photos or mix it up and do some colorful paintings too. Maybe just keep the frames all similar so there's some cohesion.

I also like the idea of doing something subtle on the actual walls to act as a backdrop. Have you seen this post from Little Green Notebook? I like how the "wallpaper" is obviously there, but it's not so in-your-face that there would be too much going on with the television (especially when it was on) and everything else you put on the wall. This might also be a good option too because if you ever got tired of it (which you inevitably will), you can just paint over it instead of having to peel wallpaper (dreadful).

Okay, I hoped this helped some. I'm so excited for you and can't wait to start seeing some before & after pictures!

Xoxo,
Kara

Subject: Accent Walls

Hiiiiiii - 

Today, I have the first of many house projects to discuss with you.  Our new family room is essentially a big rectangle.  The couch will go under the window wall, which is one of the longer walls, the fireplace is on one of the shorter walls and then the tv wall is on the other longer wall.  I want to say the tv wall is about 8 ft. long, and doesn't touch any other walls in the room.  We are on the hunt for a great tv stand, but that's another story for another day.  For now, we must discuss the actual wall....it is in dire need of some sprucing up.  My mom and I, mostly my mom, have been finding accent wall pictures for inspiration.  When it comes to the overall look of the house, I want the vibe to be industrial chic and feel like Anthropologie when you are inside.  Does that make any sense??  Well, despite whether it does or doesn't, the inspiration for the entire house, color palette and all, is this overpriced, but AMAZING, shower curtain.  (Which has yet to be purchased, but also another story for another day!)

Anthropologie - Flamenco Shower Curtain

 

So, now that you have the visual of the room, my overall inspiration and color palette, what are your thoughts on the following accent walls?  Have you come across any others that you thought would be great?  HELP!  Okay, it's not an emergency, but I have to say this accent wall dilemma sometimes keeps me up at night.  :)

Domino Magazine

Okay, so you know where this is from!  And no, I did not bring a camera with me.  I got it offline.

Apartment Therapy

Centsational Girl

Design Sponge Online via We Love Indie

Decor Pad via Material Girls Blog

Apartment Therapy

HUGS!  Have a fab weekend!
Mel

Re: Re: Subject: There's No Place Like Home

Inspections and closing dates and we are almost homeowners, OH MY!  So, we made it past the inspection and due diligence period, and our officially closing on Friday.  This process has been an absolute whirlwind, but SO exciting!!

The move in advice is great, and I can tell you, for right now, I am keeping the walls the neutral color they are!  I also agree with waiting until we get in to the house until we start buying.  Living in our apartment, half the stuff we own is in my mom's basement.  It will be fun to go through and find everything!!

Guess what I did purchase though?!? A couch!  Here it is, except I was able to customize it a bit.  I made the bottom straight across instead of scalloped and added the nailheads only on the the arms.  Also, I was able to choose my own leather and went with a milky, chocolate brown.  I can't wait to send you pictures once it gets delivered.   

I came up with the nailhead idea on the arms only after coming across this Anthropologie beauty.  If not for the $6,000 price tag, I would have loved  to have this as my family room couch.  But I am THRILLED with what I am getting.

That's all for now.  Wish me luck on Friday.  Not that I think anything could go wrong.  I assume they just take your money and you sign your life away.  :)

Love,
Mel