What I've Been Up To - Redecorating Edition

We had a pretty busy weekend....swimming, movies, sunburns (for Jason and I). I was pretty busy yesterday. I have had some ideas for redecorating for a while. If you look at my "ideas" page you will see some things I've been wanting to do. One thing is chalkboard paint projects. So, I stopped by Lowe's on Sunday to find some. While they had metallic paint, rust paint, stone paint, etc, they had no chalkboard paint. (Lowes has a MUCH better selection of spray paint than Home Depot, by the way) But they did have clear finish paint (my black paint on my new shelf is getting dinged) and some beautiful brownish paint that will go on the furniture with some white accents. Stay tuned for that redo.

Here is what my living room looks like before. I have really hated that mirror there for a while. It's been the backdrop for my couch at each apartment I've lived in for 6 years. I found those candles 4 years ago and they were really cute at the time. But now, the mirror/candle combo seems very boring and not cute or original at all.

I found a bunch of frames, painted them black and wanted to hang them on the wall. I am still not a fan of how this turned out, but I think there are some things I can do. First, I need to add more small pictures/decor in between the larger frames to make it fit better. I like the idea of it, but I am not thrilled with how it's looking, for now.

I decided that I didn't like the blank sections on either side of the pictures, either. So, I had these wood pieces of art that once again, matched at one point but do not go now. I bought these at Linens and Things and got them on clearance because they are scratched up. But, I am making some great new pieces that will match my living room. Stay tuned for how they look after (I think they will be really cute).

This is what my living room is shaping up to be. Oh, and how it looks as we are actually using it on a daily basis. Baby on the floor, sitting and playing. Pile of clothes on the couch to put away, dog pillows strewn about the floor. But, it's coming along. Now, as I am slowly but surely redecorating, it's hard to look at things I don't like. Like those hideous couches, that don't match and that are dirty. I haven't really known what color slipcover to put over them, so I haven't done anything with them yet. We might just end up getting new stuff. Not sure quite yet. But I think I will know once that dresser in the corner and end table are redone. I hope they look as good after I'm done as they do in my mind. :-)

Which reminds me: I think one's style is really developed over time. Part of what's hard about redecorating is that you just don't know where to start. Or what you like. Or what colors go good together. The trial and error over time is what helps you develop your taste for what you like. I still am not sure what my style is, but I am learning. It's hard not to just do everything at once, but I am loving the journey! It's been so fun doing things myself, educating myself on paint and hanging things and making curtains. Part of me is glad I have been broke because I never would have started this if I had money just to go buy stuff.

I wish I had a picture of what this room looked like before I started. Dog kennels in the middle of the room, horrible, horrible curtains on the windows. Random, mismatched things hanging on the wall. It's coming along.

Finally.