Neutral Tones in Main Living Space

So, I am still on this kick of toning things down in my main living space.

But, neutral does NOT mean boring.

I am still JoJo. 

I am still eclectic.

I still have STYLE.

So, all my friends who are worried about me becoming boring..... NEVER!

And, to tell you the truth.... I can't wait to start experimenting with pops of color {as accessories} in my new neutral space!

So, without further ado.... let's get in on the tour.... shall we?

Our sitting space.

It's a smaller area.

But, it is still considered our "Living Room".

It's about 13' x 15'. The Living Room area that is... then we also have the Kitchen and Dining Room and another sitting area. I pack a large punch in our smaller living space!

Comfort is key.

A place to sit, relax and visit.

It helps that our TV is mounted. All the equipment is inside a dresser located on the other side of the wall in our Master Bedroom. 

I created framed wallpaper panels for interest and flanked the TV with these sconces that make the TV appear as part of the decor and not as something that sticks out like a sore thumb.

The wallpaper is a huge change from the teal color previously. I really do like this neutral palette. However, it has A LOT of glam and shine. Very Hollywood Regency in sheen and fun in the pattern department!

I utilize a lot of geometric patterns throughout this space for added interested. 

This helps balance out and play up the dark brown sofas and chair. 

I decided to embrace the brown as a base color, but keep things light and interesting with other items.

It also helps that I have a plethora of natural light {wink.... wink....}!

The difference in the upholstery and pillow fabric textures adds a tangible sense of variety. 

From velvet, to linen, from thick weave to soft and fuzzy components, when you are sitting in this area.... you can feel the comfort of the fabrics. 

I also utilize a variety of metals.

I mix it up!

I LOVE this old industrial cart table I found a long time ago. It is old, rusted in places and has been used and abused through the years..... but, it is such a unique piece that always gets a conversation started. This piece may be considered dark and cold..... but the warmth of the other items around it, makes it quite at home and cozy.

The layout also helps maintain a sense of unity and provides a great location for casual chit chat or long deep conversations. It really provides a corral, of sorts, when we entertain. We love it!

The textured shag rug is a bed of comfort for those hard wheels.

And then the warmth of this antique hand carved mirror on the surface of the cart, again adds interest and a balance. {I always need that "added balance"....}

This stone horse statue is a new find and a PERFECT compliment to this area!

And now.... we will move on to the "Dining Room".

I created a divider with a vintage campaign dresser I picked up at a garage sale for a FABULOUS steal price. It needed A LOT of TLC.... but, I think it turned out quite divine when all was said and done.

And, it is a FANTASTIC place for me to house all my DIY tools and drop cloths for my paint projects!

I also have the vintage Dorothy Draper chest in the background that aides in additional storage space.

A girl can never have too much storage space! 

I continue with the "separation" wall by including the thick textured stools. I try to incorporate natural elements throughout the space because it provides needed warmth due to all the hard marble, cement and glass everywhere.

These acrylic chairs are a new addition to the space. 

We LOVE them!

They are sooooooooo chic..... but, yet.....  COMFORTABLE!

A TOTAL.... win - win!

It's also interesting how they have seemed to add vibrant life to the place.

You can take in the beauty of the table and the host and hostess chairs much more easily now.

I never would have thought these chairs would make such a dramatic impact. 

But, they do!

And, they are easy to clean. Believe it or not. A little soap and water will clean up any 8 year old boy's mess!

Again.... a WIN-WIN!

I love how our beige leather swivel chairs fit into the space much better now, too.

Everything just seems SO much more uniform. And that is actually an important element that is needed in this space of many uses. 

Speaking of more uniformity....

I also changed up the art on our gallery wall. 

Black and white photos, sketches and paintings really compliment the neutral changes quite well.

These new sconces also add charm to the gallery wall. They replaced lamps that seemed to intrude on the space. Things are now more sleeker and they actually provide much more light {which was greatly needed at night}.

Yes, I kept my painting. See, not all the color is gone. But, it is still a neutral/natural tone. 

Plus, this is my first piece I ever did. It has SUBSTANTIAL emotional value.

There you have it....

My changes.

Going more neutral in my main living area. 

But, neutral does NOT mean boring.

I am still JoJo. 

I am still eclectic.

I still have STYLE...... and my office!

Going More Neutral

I don't know what the deal was....

Was it all the funky colorful Christmas decorations?

Was it all the items on display through these past several months from B-day Parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years?

I am not quite sure...

But, I wanted to tone things down a bit in our Double-Wide in the Sky.

I wanted to keep the canvas more neutral. So, when previously mentioned events and other fun decorating opportunities would arise, I wouldn't always be fighting with the loud colors in our main living space. Namely, the teal wallpaper and other teal accessories.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE it. But, I feel we are already fighting so much "busy-ness" because of our wall of windows {floor to ceiling windows} that extends the entire length of our home. It's a beautiful skyline, but there is much much much going on with our view.

So, I have been eyeing some inspiration this past month.

Source unknown

I like how soothing this feels, yet it is classy and sophisticated. I love the mix of patterns. But, even with the toned down tones you could always incorporate a pop of color with pillows or accessories... and easily change them out. That is perfect for my needs and desires!

Source

And then... there is grass cloth....

Source

Grass cloth. I have been obsessing over grass cloth. And the truth is.... I have recently {as in Thursday of last week} installed some in my guest bathroom. It replaced a bright green wall coloring and we are IN LOVE with this change! I am still looking for a piece of colorful artwork to hang in there, but I love how this space is coming together quite nicely!

Some easy and immediate changes I made, while I was packing away my Christmas decor, was a change out on our Gallery Wall. I went for some more black and white artwork.

I still kept some color in the mix. But, again it is more of a neutral tone.

I'll share more photos throughout the next couple weeks of the updated space. 

We are enjoying the change... although, kiddo misses the color in the main living areas. He has pleaded not to mess with his bedroom. I told him not to worry, that is HIS space and HE gets the final say in any change we do within those 4 walls. Besides, we all still need some color in our lives!

The Old Man is Snoring....

So, it is raining like C-R-A-Z-I-N-E-S-S here in Dallas.

I like the rain at night.

I even like the rain during the day {if all I have to do is snuggle up, sip some tea and read a good book}.

But, when the drops continue to fall after a 24 hour period.... it can get me a lil' bummed.

So, I wanted to share with you some gorgeous, fun and STYLISH umbrellas for days when... you just need to add some pep to the continued drops that are falling outside. After all, those drops are watering the earth... and we need that here in North Texas.

We'll start with the most expensive.... from across the pond....

Aspinal of London - Red and Polka Dot

Aspinal of London - Black with Gold Leopard Print

That red is just fabulous!

And the gold leopard print...... MEEEOOOW!

I am really digging the polka dots. Here is another one with fun frill around the edges from Dorothy Perkins.

Dorothy Perkins - Black Polka Dot Frill 

And some more RED! 

I have wanted to get this Scalamandre Zebra print in wallpaper for our guest bathroom. Instead, I am opting for a more natural grasscloth, but this would be SO much fun as an umbrella!

Scalamandre Zebra - Masai Red

These little gals are just plain FUN!

Fred Flare - Rain Parade

And now.... for THE DEAL!

What was once $78 at Kate Spade.... is now on sale for.....

$40!

Kate Spade - Live Colorfully 

I really love this umbrella! It can turn any dark, dreary and rainy day into one filled with SUNSHINE.

It just makes me happy!

And happiness is a good thing.... a VERY GOOD thing!

I hope to be sharing with you some more fun and stylish finds throughout the year.  

Ya know... we gotta help each other out!

Later, my friends... 

Closet Turned Office Revamp Reveal

Well, with this new year... I plan to be more productive {ahem.... ahem....}.

We'll see how that turns out ;)

But, seriously, how can I NOT be productive. Can you relate? All the hats we wear..... wow! There seems to be NO choice. Like it is a mutiny upon us....
BE productive or you will feel like everything is falling apart!

I have days where I feel like I am on top of it all.....
and days where I feel like my WHOLE ENTIRE world is falling apart.

Can you relate?
Surely, I must not be alone.

Good.

I didn't think so.

So, this is where some of my worlds collide.

I have not been productive on the posting front. During the holidays, my family and the activities around us took priority. And that is all fine and good.... but, I promised a post on the Closet Turned Office Revamp back in October! That's like 3 months ago...... yikes!!!! It wasn't until my Master Bedroom Revamp Reveal was just featured on Tater Tots and Jello {yippee skippee!!!}, that I realized how non-productive I was in completing that promise.

 

So, here I go.... making good on a promise!

Here is the link to the original version of my Closet Turned Office.  You can get the whole story on how I fell in love with our Double-Wide in the Sky just because of this closet.... and yes, I am still in love {hearts popping all over the screen right now}.

And here is the revamp reveal in all it's promised glory!

This is what started it all.

THAT WALLPAPER!

That removable wallpaper found here!!!!
It's from Tempaper Designs and they have several other print and color options. Once I found which option I liked, the cheapest place to purchase it was on Amazon... go figure!

I used 2 rolls in this transformation.... so, I was able to do it for under $100. Not bad for the complete impact it provides. But, it wasn't that easy to install by myself. Yes... I said by MYSELF! I would have to say it is a 2 person job. But, I was productive that day... so, I made it happen {wink wink}.

I decided to take down the wall of photos since most of the photos were old. The pics of my kiddo were from 4-6 years ago! That's a long time.. due to the fact he is 8 now! I am NOT very productive in the family photo department. Boo... me.... I know.

And this wallpaper just gives me so much energy and inspiration! I LOVE it!

I also, love the collection of items on my desk. It really speaks MY STYLE very loudly. 

It makes me so happy!

And that's... a good thing...

The Foo Dogs were found at an antique store {aren't they gorgeous... and so large!}.

The vintage framed bamboo art was also picked up in an antique store.

The gold frame was found at a thrift store and I framed some gorgeous marble print paper.

I have a couple of clear paper weights from my rather large collection joining the group on the desk.

And that heart.... that heart... makes my heart happy. It is actually from ZGallerie, but it speaks so much of what I am about. Not only am I a heart disease survivor, but I volunteer on the Passion Committee of the American Heart Association here in Dallas. 

This lamp was in the old set up. I just revamped it by adding Gold Rub 'n Buff to the wood base and top. It glams it up nicely. The lamp shade was from Target a while back.

I added the wallpaper to 2 walls in the closet... ahem.... I mean my office.

This wall is seen from the entry of our Double-Wide in the Sky. I keep the door open -- always --- except for when I am working. And from my last post about this office space, you will read about how much I LOVE having a door and a place ALL MY OWN!

And that is, after all, what this space is about. 

It's about ME. Not like I am a selfish person.... But, my kiddo has HIS room. My hubby has HIS office.... I now have a place all my own. And it is a little feminine.... but that is because I am too!

And I will really send it over the edge when I find or redo an office chair in PINK... hah!

Or, maybe red... or coral.... or navy.... I'll feel it when I find the perfect chair!

I've still kept the painting from Guatemala. That is a very sweet reminder of my loving family that lives there. I cherish this painting. And it just suits the space so perfectly! I still have all of our current homeschool curriculum housed in that black dresser. It's just perfect to work out of.

I did change up what these drawers are for. I actually organized them quite nicely. They are divided into compartments. The drawers house my American Heart Association pamphlets, etc... cards.... office supplies.... art supplies, etc, etc. Just MY items though, no homeschool stuff in this dresser! It keeps me more organized for those many hats I wear. Can you feel me?!

This was the second wall I covered with the wallpaper. I also added a LARGE mirror. Do you know how difficult it is not to capture yourself in mirrors when taking pics. That's why I always do so many interesting angles... hah!

But, I thought I would show you a little bit of me too --- in my pj's ---- hair not done --- chipped nail polish --- no makeup -- zit showing. Don't enlarge the photo.... trust me..... you don't want that looking at you.

Pretend I am all made up for a photo shoot like the lovely Madonna here. Please refrain from any negative feedback on this piece of art... cuz... I LOVE it! I was fortunate enough to attend her concert as a VIP guest and I was able to view her tour from the Golden Triangle..... talk about FUN! Whoah!!!! So, this numbered limited addition piece is part of the VIP package... and it is just the perfect addition of color, fun, memories and sass into my place of work.

I feel my office has taken on a whole new life form. I know I received SO many wonderful comments about the first go around and they really made my day.... I hope you can appreciate the fun creative changes I made to this space....

and.... I hope....

I CAN BE EVEN MORE PRODUCTIVE!

Can you feel me?

Linking up to the Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick.