βIts always difficult to keep Fridays confined within themselves..they tend to spill over.β
-Kai Sinclair
Happy Fri-Sat-Sun, y’all!
I had a few questions about the rug in our living room, so I snapped a couple of pics so the folks who asked could get a better look. It came via a partnership with the peeps at RugsUSA and it’s called Beaumont Adileh VI15:
It’s cream, taupe, gray and chocolate brown, and it’s suuuuuper velvety soft…
We’ve had it rolled out in the living room for the past couple of months, but we actually moved it up into our bedroom this morning.
We’re going to move the Homespun Trellis rug (that’s currently under the dining room table) into the living room this afternoon. I want to try it in there for a while. (You know how we “homies” like to move things!) Here’s a photo I pieced together in Photoshop, just to see how it would look before we move it:
You’ll notice I also popped in some cabinetry (ours won’t look exactly like that), some picture lights (I thought it might be nice to have some accent lighting over there.),Β and my beloved drapery panels. π
Anti-curtain peeps, I know you’re over there shaking your headsΒ because you thinkΒ I want too many curtains in the room, but IΒ feel pretty sureΒ this space is begging forΒ some vertical softness. There are soooo many hard surfaces on the top 2/3 of the room right now. We’ve got theΒ gallery wall, which is planked with wood and covered in lots framed art and photos. The fireplace wall, which is mainly wood and bricks and limestone. The window/mirror wall, which is well, windows and mirrors– and the doorway wall, which will eventually have floor-to-ceiling (wood) cabinetry on it.
Hard. Surface. City.
IΒ want to show you more of what I have in mind, so I’m going to post another vlog over on my YouTube channel this afternoon after we get the rug in place. Come chat and smell coffee with me if you’re free! π
Sian McDowell
Looks LOVELY Layla! I wasn’t sure how the drapes around the door frame would look but I am so inspired by it. It really adds a cozy, loved feel. LOVE it, go for it!
Karlene
I love the drapery and built in combination! I agree the fabric softens all the hard surfaces. Without seeing all of the 3 walls in the sample photo, my eye is drawn to the pattern of the rug/ I lose sight of all the lovely features in the room. Hopefully when you stand there and see the full gallery and fireplace walls, the pattern of rug isn’t only thing you notice!
The rug you moved out there is gorgeous, love the colors and soothing feel it evokes!
Jennifer
I love the cabinets and the lights! I think the drapes are genius. It would not work for me because we have dogs who would brush against and get them filthy! I also like that rug in the family room. Have a great weekend!
Debra W
I really like the drapes that you have around the door. That was a good idea. And the rug in the living room goes well with the other colors already there.I think that you have a beautiful room. π
Louise
Whatever you do will be incredible! Can’t wait to see it all put together! Have a great weekend!
Laura
That would be perfection! Wish I could help you schlep rugs around the house. Moving things around the house is my favorite form of therapy! I often say that it’s not a good week until you get to move some furniture!
Julie
Okay, when I pictured the drapes in my head, my head said, “no”. But after looking at your photo, my head says, “Yes please”! I love the look and it does soften the space very nicely.
Karen
Personally, I like the curtains, a lot. Also, the built ins give the room a polished, finished look. In the picture,which rug is now under the dining table?
Layla
Hi Karen!
I just popped one from PotteryBarn.com under there for the photo. Not sure what I’ll use under there eventually, but I’m thinking something natural like that.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh
There’s nothing like “shopping” in your own house! Just did that yesterday! π
Layla
Amen, sister! π
Dawn
Hey, Layla!
Could you have Kevin do a 360 degree spin, very slowly so we could all get an ideal view of all the hardness going on in that room? I am really falling for your curtain softness idea.
Dawn
Monica
Layla – I was one of the “anti-curtain peeps” but I have to say that the second I saw your mock-up photo I realized I was wrong. I actually really like it with the curtains now. Maybe because they are a subtle color and kind of blend into the cabinetry. Although, I did notice them instantly. It really does cozy up the room. I like the rug in there too. The room is looking great! Great job!
geri
Hi Layla.
I am way older than you and my generation didn’t have bloggers, design shows, DYI magazines for a budget or talented decorators to learn from like you and the many other talented peeps out there. I also never knew how many people love to move things around in their homes and redesign continuously till they think it feels or looks right or just plain needing a change. I use to think I was def a candidate for therapy but after reading all the wonder blogs especially yours I know I am in good company.
Thank you all for encouraging others to be excited about their homes and that it can all be done with paint, a hammer, dumpster finds or Pottery Barn goodies.
Hats off to you!! Lets keep moving that furniture, repurposing those finds, and changing our minds whenever we want. Happy Friday.
Layla
High five, sister! π
Colette
Way to go!! Loving it all!
Layla
Thank you, Colette! XO
Karyl
I love your photoshop skills! The built-in shelves are perfect for the room, however I’m not sold on the curtains as a room separator…what do you think about installing two vintage doors (perhaps with obscured glass) to slide closed when you have guests? It doesn’t rule out having curtains to soften the space, but I think if it’s going to be used for guests it might be nice to be able to separate it a bit more from the kitchen for both privacy and noise control. You could do them as pocket doors since you still have the wall unfinished, or sliding barn doors on the dining room side. I think both would give a nod to that vintage farmhouse look you like, and bring either warmth (in wood tones) or color.
Layla
Thanks, Karyl! π
As for the barn doors, I really am craving some softness there, and I only have about 12 inches (max) to work with, so there wouldn’t be enough room to do sliding doors AND built-in cabinets.
That would be neat though!
Cindy Jones
Last week you were talking about the drapery hardware getting in the way of allowing to cabinet doors to open and that you mights need to have the drapes overlap the window more. I thought about it and now seeing your mockup today, I don’t thnk you will have that problem. You show a stile (the vertical support on the cabinet where your hinge would attach) and that stile could be made wide enough on that cabinet to not mess with the drapery hardware. I would only widen in on that cabinet. That difference with the one on the other side of the entry probably wouldn’t be noticeable. I love the idea that you will capture the extra depth from your divider wall.
Layla
Oh, that’s actually an optical illusion, Cindy. That photo is not to scale, and those cabinets aren’t sticking out as far as they will in real life. They’re just photos of cabinet fronts, pasted in place. π
Judy
Lovin’ it Layla!
Debbie V.
I love the way the cabinets look but did you decide against a library ladder?
kelly
Ohhh I like the photoshop version! I see what you mean now about the curtainsβ¦yes, you have converted me! π It looks so light and airy and welcoming. Good choice about the rug, too! Okβ¦headed over to hang out on your vlog!
Polly Wagner
I really like how the curtains have been used throughout your home. In your photo, I can see you used them in the kitchen and/or the dining room too. Nice common element you’ve used and they look soft and lovely with the built-ins. I also like how the picture lights tie in with the curtain rods. Nice use of detail and the wash of light will be such a perfect touch! Can’t wait to see the end result! π
Polly Wagner
And thank you again for letting us know about your rug source! The grey in the rug you had in the living room looks like spa blue to me? Or is it more grey? Pretty rug but the other one is also a nice look.
Layla
Hi Polly!
It’s definitely a gray rug. No blue tones. XO
Angela
I love it! I wasn’t sure about the drapes before I saw the photo but it is a nice look and adds softness. I love how brave you are to do your thing and think outside the conventional box.
Kim B. in az
I love what you have going on in that room. Well really your whole house. What about the idea of leaving the wall open and using it like big book shelves only for storage. Although It would not solve the problem of hiding your stuff away. You could use boxes or baskets to put stuff in on the shelves. Anyway just an idea.
Layla
Hi Kim!
I’m actually looking forward to the clean look of doors…and the opportunity to be messy behind them- LOL! π
lyn moon
I love the idea of curtains at the opening to your living room. If they aren’t wide enough have you thought of adding a border down the edge of each one to add the extra width you would need. Good luck. Your room is looking beautiful. Have a great week.
Layla
Thanks, Lyn! A border is a great idea!
Marie Claire
Isnt’ the wall between the dining room and the living room also partially an exterior wall? Don’t you need insulation?
Layla
Nope- it’s all inside. Here’s the post about it if you’d like to see where it sits: https://theletteredcottage.net/living-room-update-partition-wall-part-2/ π
Natalie Whitten
Layla,
Did your Beaumont rug shed? I’m looking to replace a hand tufted wool rug that is STILL shedding after 3 years! I want soft and I know viscose is dreamy but was wondering if shed? I’m about to have a crawler so I don’t want little baby hands covered in rug fibers!
THANKS!!
Layla
Hi Natalie!
The Beaumont hasn’t shed at all, but the Homespun Trellis sheds a good bit.
XO
Layla
Jenni
hi layla! i’m loving all of your living room ideas. curtains and all. π can you please tell me the source for the little sofa table that you have on the left. the iron one with the wood top. thanks!