Oct 2, 2014

Living Room Updates And Fall Decor



Fall has settled in beautifully here in Boise, and I'm loving the chill in the air!  

I've been busy transitioning our living room from being cool for summer to cozy for autumn. This room hasn't been redecorated for about twenty years, and there have been lots of changes lately. I've shared a few in-between photos on my blog as I've been trying to work it out just the way I want it, and in a future post I'll share the fun old before photos. There are still a few things I want to change, like new lamps, but I can now say our living room is my favorite room in our home, and I'm excited to show it to you! 



Our front door opens off our front porch right into one very long room, so we divided it up into an entryway and sitting area. 



This is the entryway side.



Our hutch is in our entryway because the dining room is a tad too small for it. I store table linens and large serving pieces here, and since the dining room is just behind me, it's a convenient location. I also keep table linens in the dresser. I just might have too many table linens. 



I had so much fun drawing my fall chalkboard following Lucy's (from Craftberry Bush) tutorial for how to draw pumpkins on eHow. I had to improvise using just a few chalk colors instead of pastels, but I was shocked how well it turned out. I'm definitely no artist, but Lucy's a really good teacher! I tucked a lamp into the tray with the pumpkins and flowers because I love to have a soft light on by the front door to welcome my husband home from work on cold dark evenings. 



I didn't change too much on our hutch for fall, just added a few things I like. 



My favorite thing was just sprinkling some acorns around the candles on this cake pedestal. Our candles are the faux candles that automatically come on the same time every evening for five hours. I just love these, and have them all around the room.



Across the entryway we use this narrow cupboard to divide the room and for much needed storage. My husband and I made it from two leftover wall cabinets after our kitchen was remodeled. We screwed two cabinets together and nailed a few boards on top that I stained and poly-ed. The bottom was painted with white homemade chalk paint and waxed. I keep all my silver, crystal, vases, and candles here and now that I have it, I don't know how I got along without it.

   

It's super fun to decorate the top for the seasons. I found this yellow vase at Home Goods while shopping with my daughter the other day. I love it madly. You wouldn't believe how heavy it is. My daughters are always good luck for me when I'm shopping. I needed a vase heavy enough to hold tall branches for every season, and I just knew I'd never find just the right thing for anywhere under $100. But there it was at Home Goods! Because my daughter was with me.  



On the other side of the room is our seating area anchored by our new super plush and cushy area rug. I change my curtains for the seasons, so it dawned on me one day, why not change the rug, too? In the hot summer, I like having more of the hardwood floors showing, but in the cold fall and winter, I wanted a larger, thicker rug to warm things up. We found this one at Lowes and chose it because the colors are perfect for fall and winter and it's the thickest coziest rug I've ever felt.



This is our new custom made sofa from La-Z-Boy. I tried to choose a well-built, comfortable, neutral sofa, that will go with any kind of decorating I can throw at it. I went kind of crazy with cozy pillows and throws in all the fall colors I love. (If you haven't figured it out yet, cozy is my favorite fall word.) I bought two of these throws for the family room from Target last year, and they are so warm and soft and just the right size, that I went and bought three more for the living room. They're so cozy, we turn the heat down just so we can curl up under them. And they're only $14! 

   

The square coffee table next to the sofa was my mother's. I ruined the beautiful top years ago while trying to strip the shellac for re-staining, so I ended up painting it black to match the hutch. I bought this little cast iron horse at the thrift store for $2. It's broken, and I think a child may have painted it, but I still love it. Isn't it funny, the things that capture our fancy?



Across from the sofa are two chairs and my graphic painted end table. It looks a little crowded over here in the photos, but this seating area is about the size of an average living room.



We call this chair our place holder. It's holding this place for the perfect chair we're hunting for. This is our front porch wicker chair, and every year when it gets cold, we happen to find a place inside where it's needed to fill a space. It's very handy that way. Have you seen the two wood and upholstered arm chairs in the living room of Fixer Upper's Magnolia Farms? That's the chair I want! 

  

I love my cow from Antique Farmhouse. It's so heavy! I nailed three boards together, and my husband hung them from our plaster wall with a French cleat attached by three huge molly bolts. Then we hung the cow on the boards with a big nail. If it fell off the wall on your head, it would send you to the hospital, it's so heavy! So now hopefully it's not going to, and it's safe to sit beneath it in our place holding chair.

  

This wood compote was another thrift store purchase I painted and waxed. I've just started collecting white ironstone dishes. It has kind of become a passion!



This is my favorite thing in the living room, and in fact, maybe in the whole house. This is my (MY) new Simon Li leather reading chair and ottoman in a custom leather and color from Sofa Mart that took four months to make. I have dreamed about having a leather chair since I was about thirteen years old and started loving to curl up with a good book. It's the most comfortable chair in the universe, and the perfect spot for reading. And maybe for a bit of snoozing, too.



This long wall is hard for me to decorate and will take me awhile to get just right. We found this huge pine armoire at a consignment store last summer. I needed one more big piece of furniture to store my seasonal decor, and this is perfect. Next to it is an old military trunk. You can see from the next picture that I added an old window on top to give it more height under the big clock. 


  
I filled my glass hurricane with green split peas, red kidney beans, and yellow corn from the bulk bins at the grocery store, a great easy fall decorating idea I found on Pinterest by Amanda Jane Brown

I waited a long time for new living room furniture, and I'm over the moon happy with what we found so far. I'm loving how the neutral shades look with all my favorite fall colors, too. 

Thank you so much for sharing it with me! You make it all more fun!

44 comments:

  1. OMG! LOVE that last pic! I'm going to copy you, lol!

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  2. Love the armoire.
    Love how you re-purposed the old kitchen cabinets.
    LOVE, Love, love that armchair!!

    Where on earth did you find that around here?!!

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  3. Very pretty and inspiring. I love your fall colors.

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  4. Wow Laurel, I don't even know where to start - I love it all! You have created such a warm and cozy space with your fall decor. Awesome chalkboard! And with your clean neutral palette, it will look just as beautiful for every season of the year. I especially love the way you divided the space and that "sofa table" is sheer genius! I have big leather chair for reading too. Isn't that just the best seat in the house! I also love the way you accessorized the cow! Your home is really fabulous. I hope it makes you smile every time you walk in the door!

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  5. Laurel it is all just beautiful!

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  6. Oh it's so beautiful! and that hutch of yours catches my eye EVERY time!

    xox

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  7. that pumpkin chalkboard is lovely. I think your room is wonderful and love that basket with the green leaf. you are inspiring.

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  8. This was SO inspirational! I love your cozy seating area, and all the decor. I love your house!
    Brenda

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  9. I don't know where to start, everything is so gorgeous. I love the cow head displayed with a frame around it. Your chalkboard is also adorable with the autumn banner. And that big black clock, Swooning! Your home is lovely!!!!!

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  10. I love all of your fall decor and am getting very inspired! We have a similar bungalow and we added on to the back about 17 years ago. We love it - it's cozy! LOL!

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  11. Laurel - I love love love all your autumn touches in your beautiful home.

    You've done a GREAT job being festive - just gorgeous and inspirational! : - )

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  12. Everything is lovely!! You put this room together so well. Love the separation of the two uses. Love the oak dresser and how you corralled the lamp, mums and pumpkins in that low oval container....very clever!! And I really like the new sofa fabric, kinda tweedy, very pretty!! I use the dried beans and peas in various containers but never though to stack them....gonna copy that one........thanks for the tour.........cozy and warm.........

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  13. It all looks so nice ! I love the chalkboard art and the little banner. Everything is so cozy. And your photography is perfect.

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  14. So pretty, Laurel! It all looks great and manages to look cozy, warm and inviting, too! I love all your touches. How are you liking the sofa? My hubby is complaining that the small sectional we have in our sunroom (where we watch television) hurts his back so I have a feeling we will be looking for something soon. It's too bad since the sectional is not even 3 years old.

    Love all your touches. You have found some great things at the retail stores and thrift stores. Your pumpkin chalkboard came out great!

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  15. Love your beautiful fall decor and am sharing it on FB today. I'm new to your blog and love your style.

    Paula@SweetPea
    www.virginiasweetpea.com

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  16. Love your room
    So Cozy! Does Target have the the throws this year? Must go buy them. Happy fall!

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  17. Laurel great fall touches, love them all the colors are gorgeous. The chalkboard is perfect.

    Cindy

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  18. It is all so cozy! Love it! You did a great job...my favorite though is your.....place holder chair...it's so perfect! ;)

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  19. Oh my ! Laurel! Your living room does look so cozy and inviting!!!! Your home is very beautiful. I love your sofa and I have the twin to your white chair (blue pillow) Mine hasn't been painted...but seeing yours makes me want to whip out my paint sprayer! :)

    gail

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  20. Hey, friend! My fall blog post is finally up on my blog today! I always feel kind of lame for even posting things about my home after I see amazing homes, photography, and decor style like yours. I know I shouldn't feel that way though. I'm so grateful for all the good Lord has provided us with. Anyway, your home looks AMAZING and magazine worthy as always. You have so much inspiration in every corner and on every surface of your home! I love all the tables, trunk, hutches etc... I would love a hutch like yours. Someday! I've been looking for months for a small dresser or cupboard to turn into a tv stand for my living room. Right now our smaller flat screen tv is on an old wash stand table. It looks cute but it's not that sturdy and I don't want Olivia pulling the whole thing down on her. That's my big thrift store search right now. Wish me luck! :) Have a wonderful fall day curled up in a chair reading a book, Laurel! ~ Jamie :)

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  21. simply gorgeous! I feel like I just browsed through a magazine.

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  22. Everything looks amazing! You did an incredible job on your pumpkin...:) Thank you so much for sharing it ..xo I featured it on my fb page...xo

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  23. I love this whole room and what a great idea framing the cow heard.

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  24. I am just blown away, Laurel! This is sooo beautiful. I love every detail and your photos are so crisp and striking. I think I need you to come decorate my house. Your furniture placement is perfect and I love how you used a cabinet to divide the 2 sections of the room. Genius and Gorgeous all rolled into one. I really love this room!

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  25. The yellow vase from Home Goods is fantastic. I would snatch it up, too, if I saw it. I adore the pillow in the basket next to the wicker chair. Overall, your room(s) are very friendly and very "cozy"! :)
    Best,
    Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com

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  26. I am so jealous! Your decor is so lovely. This Pumpkin sign. OMGosh! Link tomorrow on my blog! My readers would love it!
    XOXO
    Isabelle
    www.lechateaudesfleurs.com

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  27. I love everything about your home. So welcoming. Thank you Lucy @ Craftberry Bush for sending us your way.

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  28. Great fall decor! All the perfect touches!

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  29. WOW what a wonderful inspiring post of your fall decor. This is truly magazine worthy and your talents amazing.
    I just have to go back and view your pics once again. I love the faux flamless candles too and have them all over the house on timers. So cozy all year round.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Hugs

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  30. Everything looks beautiful Laurel! I love all the color and that hurricane filled with corn & beans. I remember wanting to do that last year...now you have reminded me! Very pretty!
    Shelley

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  31. Laurel, girl you certainly have the eye for putting everything together. I ABSOLUTELY love everything you did!!

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  32. You have such a great eye for design, Laurel. Everything you've done in your home is beautiful, and this room is no exception. I love your chair and ottoman, and that armoire is fabulous. I like the way you've used fall colors with your neutrals, and the mix of painted and natural wood furniture. The antique dresser, the hutch. . .wow, it's all wonderful. Great accessories. Well done! ~ Nancy P.S. I've bought several rugs from Lowes over the years. I think they have some of the best.

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  33. Laurel, I just love your Fall decor! I can't stop looking at the pictures. LOL Love the mix of Fall colors. Every detail is just gorgeous!

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  34. Hi Laurel, you really did a great job on your chalkboard art. I can see why cozy is your favorite word. This room definitely is the picture of what I think of when I think cozy! I love the little cast iron horse and would have picked it up as well. I have a tall mustard colored vase with that same graphic that I bought a few years ago. I love it for Fall too. The hurricane with the peas, bean, and corn is simplistic beauty. Pinned a couple of things. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  35. What a beautiful space you created Laurel!! I LOVE LOVE the "entry area" that pretty chest and chair and your hutch is accessorized to perfection!!

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  36. Laurel, I just love how you decorated your home for fall. The chalkboard over the chest in the entry has to be my favorite!! Love it all!

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  37. Your home is beautiful!! I love how you divided the room with the cupboard too. It works very well in there. Your chalkboard looks perfect! Such pretty things!

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  38. I just found you at Between Naps on the Porch. You're home is beautiful! I love every detail and your pictures are fantastic. I love the cabinet you made to hold all of your candles and things - brilliant! I also have that cow head and it is crazy heavy! lol Thanks so much for sharing your lovely home. I will be back to snoop around some more!

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  39. Hi Laurel, just hopping back to let you know that I will be featuring you at SYC this week.
    hugs
    Jann

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  40. Love it all but I must say my fave, aside from the acorn touches, was that leaf arrangement on top of that cupboard! SO PRETTY!

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  41. Loving this whole scene! You are wonderful at what you do!
    Im all for solid painted animals these days! Love how you encorported them as well!

    http://freshlifeliving.blogspot.ca/

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  42. What a fantastic use of space! I love the hurricane glass with the peas and beans… I think I may have to pinch that idea!
    Thanks for linking up at the Talented Tuesday Link Party!

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  43. I absolutely LOVE room makeovers and all your gorgeous fall touches make me love your space even more! I'm not ready for it to be November, yet.

    ~Meaghan

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