Living Room

When we originally saw this house this is the room I fell in love with first. The previous owners had a great sense of design and decorated it in a cool vintage style. 

Coincidentally this was the first room to get painted. The living room doesn't get much light until later in the day and then color on the wall was making it feel dark and depressing in there to me. 

This picture is looking through from the kitchen

This picture is at the top of the passover staircase from the previous picture. The front door/foyer is to the right and the living room extends to the right. 

This is the far end of the living room. I love the built ins and original brick fireplace. The fireplace isn't functional now, but we're hoping to make it gas by next winter. This is where Stefano plans to put his second request…the TV. 

My parents, brother and his girlfriend came for a weekend and we painted the ceiling, trim and the entire room. We painted the the walls Benjamin Moore's Smokey Embers

OH MY GOD do I love this color! Painting the ceiling made a huge difference in the room. It was dirty and yellowing. My neck was stiff and cramped for days but it was worth the work :) My Dad is seriously a painter stud and he got a ton done the weekend he was here. Ninah was rolling like a pro! Kasey helped with the trim, primed an area I didn't plan on painting (!!!) and made sure we got some beers in. 

So much brighter, I love it. Immediately it felt like a happier room to me!

The floors are being sanded today and I just got back from checking them out. Good news is we can keep the original color and just seal them with a clear coat which will save us a lot of money not having to stain them.

A friend of mine introduced me to Abby M who has helped me a TON with paint colors and decorating the living room, our bedroom and Lucca's room. She is awesome to work with and it feels more like hanging out with a friend (who has REALLY good taste!) than picking out a bunch of stuff that overwhelms me. I would totally suggest hiring an interior decorator if you're able to. Especially if you are like me and starting from scratch when it comes to furniture. I'm the type of person that buys things on impulse, gets it all together and is sick of it less than a year later. Since we were going to eventually be buying quite a bit of furniture I wanted to make sure they were pieces that I could use for a long time. Abby has been great at pushing me a bit out of my usual comfort zone, but keeping my style overall. She is great with working with a budget and finding a good deal! Here is a preview of what the room will hopefully someday look like…

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273382639854302445/

Check out her blog while you're at it…she does e-design too!!

Hope you all had a great weekend! The weather is gorgeous here today, 40 and sunny and it honestly feels like 80. I've gotten 2 invites to bring Lucca to the park and play, a bit aggressive for 40 but I think we may head there soon :)