My curtains revealed and an introduction to The Loaded Trunk!

My curtains are finally finished! Some of you might remember this post awhile back when I asked for suggestions for curtain colors after we moved into our new apartment in Chevy Chase, MD.

Before:

After:

The curtains the apartment came with were drab and heavy. Our couch had to stay, and is an olive-colored suede, that depending on the light and colors around it can look gray, brown, or green. The rug is a new purchase that I love, and wanted to make it work. Our walls, though hard to tell in the picture above, are a light aqua blue.

I tried photoshopping some different color options in this post, but all of them left me a bit underwhelmed. You guys offered up some amazing suggestions for DIY's, specific fabrics, and other resources. The amazing Christine of Design with Christine came up with an amazing edesign for me, utilizing some Ikat curtains, and some throw pillows to tie the rug in with the couch. You can see the amazing job she did in her post.

The curtains Christine chose.

My photoshopping the curtains and pillows Christine found. Christine’s genius really got the ball rolling for me to find a pattern to balance out the visual weight of the bottom half of the room with the visual weight of the top. So, since I wanted to sew my own curtains, I began the search for the perfect (afforadable) fabric.

via 6th Street Design School

I really liked the fabric above, which a reader suggested to me . Even though it was above our price range, I ordered a swatch. The medallions were a bit too large for my liking, and the background was more of a beige than a white, so we decided against this one. I also ordered a few more swatches, but I wasn’t sold on any of them. Then, I noticed the curtains below on Danielle Oakey's blog, and went on an internet scavenger hunt to find the fabric.

Long story short, I finally located enough to sew my curtains (9 yards) from Red Rhino on ebay. They were actually the only seller I found with the fabric available. Red Rhino gave me a great price, amazing response times, and I couldn’t have been happier with the fabric. The match was very accurate to what was on screen.

via Danielle Oakey Interiors

So, after hours and hours of measuring, ironing, starching, sewing, and ironing and starching again, we finally had our curtains. I also added a black tape on the right and left vertical borders of the outermost curtains to mimick the black border on the rug. We are really happy with the results. I'm also in the process of testing out some swatches to sew throw pillow covers.

Another view of the room with the ikat curtains

A close up of the curtain and the black border

I'm testing out a suzani style swatch, as you can see from the bottom pillow.

Isn't this red pillow AMAZING!?!?

I couldn’t be more thrilled with the pillow, which  I received from The LoadedTrunk!

There couldn’t be a better cohesive element between my couch and my rug! What’s even cooler is the history of the pillow, called a Hmong pillow:

“This beautiful vintage textile was once part of a garment worn by Hmong women in Vietnam. The Hmong, an Asian ethnic group living in the mountainous regions of Vietnam and Laos, are known for their traditional textiles which feature cross-stitching and often indigo block printing. They have been given a second life and were re-cycled to make these lovely pillows.”

 

They offer a handful of one-of-a-kind Hmong pillows.  This one in purple is gorgeous

I love that mine is one of-a-kind. They have other hmong pillows, and lots of other global goods. I could make a really long wishlist of items from this store, but here are just a few:

These bronze hammered bowls would look glamorous and beautifully organic anywhere.

The color in this Mexican coverlet is so rich.

Thanks again to The Loaded Trunk! You can see all their treasures on the online shop.

SO..how do you think our living room is coming along so far? 

We still have some art to hang,  maybe a floor lamp for the corner behind the palm, and the rest of the throw pillows for the couch (I want a pillow that will tie in the colors from the curtains)

And how about that pillow from the Loaded Trunk?

I can't wait to hear what you guys think!

*disclosure: I received the Hmong pillow as a sample

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Fabulous living rooms for every mood and taste

I'm not sure what you'd call the two styles above -- modern eclectic? But I'm liking this style more and more these days. Since things don't "match" you can use items you already have instead of buying new ones.

This living room - pictured above and below - is so unusual and luxe.  I ADORE the white media console and the huge white mirror...stunning

An otherwise dark and broody "club" like living room is brightened up by an interesting array of mirrors.
images above via Adore Home Magazine

Modern rustic feel in white and pastels...
via Ballard

All out vintage...
via Covet Garden

Do you have a fav?

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Take your pick: Living rooms for every taste and style

Along with your bedroom and the kitchen, I think the living room is one place in the house that should be a reflection of you - and be comfortable and beautiful. Hopefully one of the images below will provide some inspiration:

A simple and cozy country living room
via Ideal Home

A family friendly, flea market style living room
BHG

Elegant and feminine
House to Home

Traditional with a little twist of rustic
House to Home

Eclectic
via House to Home

Modern
via Home Sweet Home

New traditional
via Canadian House & Home

Which is your fav? What style is your living room?

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Living Room Feng Shui

How to Activate Your Entire House from the Living Room

No other room in the house offers the feng shui potential that the living room does. This room is central to family life and to feng shui. When it comes to feng shui, no other room can compare to this particular room. That's because the living room is the ONE room in the house that can be activated according to all nine sectors of the bagua or lo shu square -- making this a very important room, indeed.

When you want to affect the feng shui of the entire house, you should begin by applying feng shui enhancements or remedies to the living room. The benefit is that the living room can boost the feng shui of other parts of the house that may have afflictions or are missing or shouldn't have a particular enhancement.

For instance, if the bedroom is in the north sector, a water fountain would be a great feature for enhacing career feng shui. However, water in the bedroom is not recommended. But, water in the north corner of the living room will help boost that sector's feng shui with beneficial water energy in the corresponding corner.

How is this possible? Think of the yin-yang symbol in the center of the bagua. This symbol is called the "tai chi" --- yes, just like the martial art exercise. This tai chi can be applied to any size space and is referred to as the large tai chi or small tai chi.

As an example, you can apply the bagua to your lot that your house sits on. This is called the large tai chi. The small tai chi would be to apply the bagua to an individual room -- such as the living room -- or to an area such as a desk. In applying feng shui to the living room, you are activating the small tai chi.

Be aware, though, that depending upon the sector, you may not want to apply all enhancements. For instance, if your living room is in the northwest corner of the house, then it would not be advisable to add candles to the south corner of the living room because an open flame in the NW sector of the home is very dangerous.

I actually know of someone whose house began to burn down from candles that were placed in this sector. More importantly, is that the NW is the sector of "heaven" or the patriarch or breadwinner of the family (if the breadwinner is a man). With that caveat in mind, do proceed with making changes to your living room. By doing so, you will instantly improve your feng shui for your whole home!

1. Arrangement, arrangement.

The whole point of a living room is to create a room where the family comes together or where guests can be seated and all can enjoy conversation and each other's company. Living rooms are the place of celebrations and good times, so they truly benefit from proper arrangement.

Many times, living rooms suffer from a L-shaped configuration caused by L-shaped sofas or by position a sofa and loveseat at a 45 degree angle to one another. This creates conflict and a feeling of being unexplainably uncomfortable in the room. Remember, televisions and fireplaces aren't the focal point of a living room -- people are.

Instead, arrange the room so that sofa and seat FACE one another... Don't worry: you'll still be able to view the fireplace and TV, but you will instantly and dramatically improve your desire to be in the room and you will cultivate more loving and harmonious relationships. Better still, you will improve the flow of energy in the room. So, get to moving those sofas!

2. Add some red and gold.

To make certain that families are harmonious and enjoying good relationships with each other, be sure to add some elements of red and gold together. This could be a vase of red carnations and gold daisies, or it could be a pillow with gold and red colors. Red and gold together help calm conflict and create good feelings. Be sure to add these two colors together wherever there are conflicts or angry feelings.

3. The picture of happiness.

Be sure to hang a picture of a happy family or occupants in the living room. This picture can influence the entire family. Hang the pictures on an East wall to benefit family relationships. You may also wish to add pictures according to their direction in the living room to boost a particular area. For instance, a picture of a beautiful lake or waterfall would be wonderful on the north wall (career/opportunities) and a large, beautiful tree would be excellent for the east wall (health/family relationships).

4. Add some "yang" to your living room.

The living room should be a good balance of yin and yang. However, a little extra "yang" or positive energy is especially beneficial. This can come from the addition of a red accent wall, a bright chandelier, or a moving object.

5. Boost the lucky corner in the living room.

Where is the lucky corner? This is the corner of the room that is opposite and diagonal to the main entry to the room. If this corner is in the SW, W, NW, or NE, then boost this corner with a beautiful geode, bowl of semiprecious stones, beautiful vase, globe or other earth feature. If the lucky corner is the south or southwest, then boost the chi here with a nice tall bright lamp. If the corner is in the north, add a fountain here. If it is in the east or southeast, you can have a fountain here or add a grouping of beautiful lush plants or pretty flowers.

Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information visit http://www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant! To subscribe and receive the FREE Ebook, "Easy Money - 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui,"logon to http://www.redlotusletter.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Weber See another post

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Design The Perfect Living Room

Millions of people are intrigued with learning how best to decorate their individual homes all around the world.

The fundamental aesthetic of your home will be created thanks to the colors you choose for the walls, floor and furnishings.

If you pick the wrong furnishings it will not compliment the rest of the room, as well as the entire house. The truth is the furniture you pick is vital for the function of the house. From your bedroom furniture to the coffee table in your living room, you need furniture in order to properly use your home, the way it looks is also very important.

With the right furniture you can give your living room and home the feel you wish, you can turn it from boring into eloquent with the right choices. It is your chance to show your creative side and your personal style. Therefore you need to pick the right furnishings in order to give your home the feel and style you want.

Picking The Right Pieces

There are several things you need to think about when deciding which furniture pieces to purchase, such as the size of space you are working with, what kind of furniture you hope to buy, where you intend to position it and of course the decor and color of walls. When you consider all of these things you can more effectively purchase furniture for your living room that fits in as you wish and gives the right aesthetic.

These days it isn't hard to find contemporary pieces of furniture that fit right into your desired style, no matter what your tastes you will surely be able to find prefabricated furniture or have individual pieces made especially to adhere to your taste. No matter your personal taste, be it for a more modern decor, or perhaps even an ethnic look, you will be able to find furniture that will play off the overall style of your home. With a modern theme you are able to create clean lines and eloquent interiors with the right style of contemporary furnishings. For some ideas and examples of wonderful furniture that will fit snugly into any stylish and modern themes check out click4interiors. You can really put your stamp on your living space with the appropriate furniture.

Have A Stylish Looking Living Room

Do not forget that whenever you have guests around they will likely spend their time in your living room, the same goes for you even when you are not entertaining. With this in mind you want to create a relaxing space for yourself but also somewhere that gives the right impression to any guests.

You can accomplish this with some simple furniture that is both comfortable but stylish. You have a wide range of options to choose from in this regards and can easily create a modern living room with very little hassle. Create the perfect ambiance with the right furniture in a simple yet comfortable way. A quick search on the web for shops that sell furniture will educate you as to how affordable many of these options are. You can even have furniture created to your personal style and specs for a fair price.

Have the perfect living room thanks to selecting the right furnishings. Check out click4interiors.co.uk to have a look at the wide range of furniture just waiting to placed in your new modern living room.

Like funky furniture? For super awesome ideas -- including wicker chair cushions reviews, moon chairs and retro designs please visit our site. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_McNeil See another post

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Contemporary Living Room Furniture

The living room is one of the most important rooms in the entire house. It not only welcomes guests and visitors, it also serves as the focal point and acts as a showcase for the entire house. In simple terms, the living room is the focal point of a home.

Contemporary living room furniture is generally preferred by people who enjoy modern styles of living. Contemporary furniture can be chosen to fit any house, and offers a wide variety of choices that are almost guaranteed to suit any taste, comfort and style. Moreover, it adds a contemporary flair to the living room.

Typical characteristics of contemporary living room furniture include modular sofas, abstract lighting sources, pedestal tables, sleek sideboards, etc. Some of the hallmarks of contemporary living room designs include monochromatic color schemes that are deliberately understated, modular elements that are integrated so as to have multiple uses and curvilinear shapes.

Contemporary living room furniture often uses deliberate monochromes such as gray and black. However, to add a dash of color and luster, certain contemporary living room furniture designs make use of colorful cushions or leather covered stools of various shapes, like cubes. Other accessories commonly used to fill up bare spots include accent chairs, end tables and wicker coffee tables.

No living room is considered complete without the presence on an entertainment center. TV stands, speaker cubicles and racks to store CDs or DVDs come in a variety of models, some that incorporate futuristic designs and lighting styles to fit the décor of any living room. They come in a variety of finishes with clear or frosted glass doors. Most of these systems use innovative wire management systems to mask the jumble of wires that normally accompany any home entertainment system.

All said and done, contemporary living room furniture may be just what is needed to add that touch of elegance and sophistication to any living room. The décor and styling can be chosen to suit any budget.

Contemporary Furniture provides detailed information on Contemporary Furniture, Contemporary Bedroom Furniture, Contemporary Office Furniture, Contemporary Dining Room Furniture and more. Contemporary Furniture is affiliated with Modern Bedroom Furniture. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton See another post

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Cheap Living Room Furniture

The word cheap is a rather subjective word, because living room furniture that seems cheap to one person may be considered expensive to another. On the whole, the main reason one opts for cheap living room furniture is because one is on a tight budget, and cannot spend too much on living room furniture.

When buying cheap living room furniture, it will usually be secondhand furniture. It will be the furniture one person is selling to buy new living room furniture. So logically, the best place to look for cheap living room furniture will be secondhand shops. It is college students and the first-time buyers who usually buy cheap living room furniture for their home, to make their living room comfortable.

Another good place to look for cheap living room furniture is in consignment shops. This is the place where private owners sell their used furniture. These shops have become more and more popular, with the increase in the demand for cheap living room furniture. The inventory here will be unique, with only single pieces of furniture being sold, so there is no chance of someone else buying the same piece. It is always better to get to know the manager of a consignment shop, as he will then tell you when the sort of cheap living furniture that you are looking for comes in. Sometimes the cheap living room furniture may not look good or attractive at first. However, a little refurbishing will make it look more appealing. There are also some people who enjoy painting old furniture. After painting, this cheap living room furniture then becomes attractive and beautiful, to brighten up the living room.

Living Room Furniture [http://www.e-LivingRoomFurniture.com] provides detailed information on Living Room Furniture, Cheap Living Room Furniture, Discount Living Room Furniture, Contemporary Living Room Furniture and more. Living Room Furniture is affiliated with Upholstered Ottomans [http://www.e-Ottomans.com]. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Tobey See another post

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Creating Amazing Effects With Living Room Lighting

Having the right types of living room lighting can help you to achieve some pretty amazing effects in your home. Whether your goal is to make the area seem larger or more defined, you can do that by putting in the right types of fixtures and using the right types of bulbs. One great thing about this is that not only will you be transforming the ambience of the room, you will also be spicing it up with new and interesting fixtures. The best part though, is the fact that it is extremely inexpensive to do this.

Are you aware of all the different types of living room lighting styles that are available for very cheap? You could be after a fancy standalone lamp or something that will sit neatly on a console table, or you might be interested in modern sconces adorning your walls. Either way, you can do quite a bit without spending much more than $100, and doing so will make even the rattiest looking sofas look like brand new pieces of furniture. Ultimately, the right lighting will be able to make everything you own look better than ever.

If you are trying to make the living room look bigger than it actually is, then you'll want to arrange the lights in such a way that promote movement. In other words, you need to think about putting them in places that will permeate the rest of the home. This has a very nice effect and can make even the tiniest rooms seem bigger than they are. On the other hand, if you have a very open floor plan and want to make each area seem more like a defined room, then you should select more bold lighting options.

By placing sharply contrasting lights in the different sections of your home, you will give off the illusion that the areas are separate. This technique is even more effective than painting the walls different colors, surprisingly. This works wonders when the living room is right next to the dining room or the kitchen. Either way, you should never have to spend much money to get the effect that you are after, and it's a lot less expensive than anything else you could do for similar results.

Click here if you want to learn how to achieve amazing effects with living room lighting for very cheap. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_J_Sinclair See another post WA8QF3347R5T

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A lovely potpourri of living rooms

Happy Friday! I thought today I'd just share some pretty living rooms.

A stylish multifunctional space


three images above via House to Home

Maybe this one is more of a home office. I would love to have a couch or easy chair in my office for when I'm searching through my books and magazines.

two images above via Home-Designing

Pretty interesting that they used books to bring in their pop of color.
via Fjeldborg


two above via Elle Decor

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Gorgeous living rooms in all styles

I thought today I'd just grace you all with some living room beauty. Enough said?


images above via HomeLife

via Dwellings & Decor via Made by Girl

via Dominio


Some granny chic
via Decor8 Tumblr

I'm way too shy to use this color, but I love it in this room!
via Benjamin Moore

via Beluah Designs

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