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Blue About Blue
images taken by Design That Inspires
I should preface this by saying, I love projects. Especially home improvement projects. I’ve tackled numerous jobs in my house from painting over dark green ceilings (why would anyone ever do that to begin with?) to realigning the lock on my door. Part of making my home the place I want to be is editing it here and there as my own style evolves, changes and matures.
Several months ago I did a little bedroom renovation. I got new pillows, a duvet cover that actually fit and re-painted my bedside tables. For the longest time I had bright pillows with crazy mis-matched patterns, and I loved them, but it was also time for a change. Something a bit more grown up, but not too grown up.
I was going for a cobalt blue and after a long Saturday of sanding and repainting, they were done and looked pretty good! I did wish they were a bit darker, but I could get over it. Or so I thought.
A few days later, they’d fully dried and I put them in my room. HOORAY, happy dance! I love the feeling I get when I finish a project. And a few months later, I find myself looking at them with and unpleasant face. They just don’t seem to fit the whole look. BOO, sad dance.
I don’t know if I was ever really satisfied with them. After putting them in there, I didn’t love it, but I assumed it was because it was new and I just needed time to get over it. But the truth is, I just don’t like the color against my light blue walls. Should have considered that before, huh?
So, alas, I will repaint them once again! I picked up a nice medium light grey color at Home Depot last week and feel confident that this is a much better choice. Grey should definitely compliment the rest of the room much better than bright blue. You can also see from the up-close shots that I didn’t have the cleanest paint job last time. Drips everywhere! I’m hoping I can sand these down this time around and end up with a cleaner piece with go around.
Inner Artist
via 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11
The artwork hanging in my living room was cool right after I graduated, but now I want to move onto something more adult. For months now I’ve been swooning over gorgeous abstract pieces that are cheery and filled with beautiful colors and textures. I swoon and swoon until I find the price tag. And then I just cry.
But then I start thinking about it. Okay, sure, there’s no doubt these artist’s have talent, but hell, I graduated with a minor in studio art and that’s got to count for something, right? My latest and maybe greatest (or scariest?) idea is to paint my own abstract piece for the living room. I want a BIG one! So the next step is procuring a canvas and actually getting it home — the bus will not work for this one.
These pieces are just a spattering of inspiration for this next project. The rest of my living room is becoming more and more neutral which I think will lend itself nicely to a bright funky piece! So wish me luck! I imagine this project will take several weeks of painting, pondering and re-painting, but with the cold temperatures, I need a good indoor project!
Which painting would you put in your house? I want them all!
Soon-To-Be Velvet Chairs
Since I moved into my apartment I’ve been dying to trade in my parents’ old club chairs for something that was more me, but chairs are expensive. Especially when you have your eye on chairs that resemble something above.
I decided to just keep my eye out for some vintage chairs on Craig’s List or hopefully stumble across a great deal in a store. Many months and fruitless Craig’s List searches later, I finally happened upon a fabulous pair of retro tufted club chairs! They were right here in Chicago, found by a little company called Department. The price was right too!
Now for the tough part — picking a color of velvet. Right now I’m leaning towards West Elm’s fabric by the yard because of it’s durability and cost. Has anyone actually used their fabric before? Or do you have a piece covered in their Performance Velvet?
After the color is decided, I’d love to add some nailhead detailing and possibly legs that make the chair a little bit higher off the ground. And finally, I’ll need some great pillows. I’ve already got my eye on a few from Arianna Belle’s shop.
So now, I’d love to hear what you think? Which color velvet would you choose??!
The Fox & She is a style and lifestyle blog written and curated by Blair Culwell.
