Wednesday, January 15, 2014

filling in the blanks...

All the Christmas stuff is finally put away.
Well, almost all of it.
There is a little pile of things that needs to go up in the attic that I keep adding to when I come across something I missed.
Anyway, I know some of you will agree with me that it's a little discouraging to see so much "empty space" around the house after the holidays.
My home looked just fine to me before I decorated for Christmas and now it looks so bare.

Today I cleared out my den as I am preparing to give this room a little makeover...again.
I am giving the ceiling, walls and trim a fresh coat of paint.
The trim will go from cream to white and a pale grey will replace the Swiss Coffee on the walls.
To be honest, after looking at way more than 50 shades while making over my master bedroom, I really don't want to look at another grey paint chip.  I might just go with the grey from my master bedroom at 50% intensity.  
(And I promise, the reveal on that makeover really is coming soon!)

In the midst of prepping the room I started filling in the blanks in my living room with some of my treasures from the shelf over our computer.  Here's what the shelf looked like at Christmas...


I put a few of the pieces on my dry sink...


Looking for a new quote for my chalkboard ~ care to share your favorite?




Then I put a few more at the end of my couch, also replacing the french window with my chippy old shutter and a vintage mirror that were in the den as well...





I feel like I gave my living room a no cost makeover today just by using items from a different room!

To be honest, I am a little nervous about putting a color on the walls in my den, which is open to my living room.
I do like the creamy white and how the two rooms flow perfectly, but I am ready for change and it is only paint.  If I don't like it I can change it back!
My master bedroom is a combination of grey, white and cream and I am loving the look of it so I am confident that all my treasures in the den will look just great against the new wall color.
(Maybe even a few new treasures too....sshh, don't tell Jim!)
Eventually the living room will be painted to match the den...eventually.

So, if you have found yourself staring at a lot of empty space after the holidays, try filling in the blanks with some pieces from another room and treat yourself to a no cost makeover!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Joining Timewashed for Blissful Whites Wednesday
and
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday.

29 comments:

Art and Sand said...

I constantly "shop my house" and rotate from room to room. Things feel fresh and it costs nothing.

I love your look and the sweet vignettes.

Pat said...

Sandi,
The den is going to look marvelous, darling!!!
I love, LOVE, L O V E the Agreeable Gray in the Guest Room!!! . . .and we have Popular Gray in Studio One!!! You can put any shade and any accessory with it and it looks fabulous!!!
Shopping the house always give me a chance to use many of my decor accessories that are often tucked away into other rooms that I don't frequent. I kinda' go ah~h~h...I missed seeing that pillow!!!
I'll be watching for the Master Bedroom reveal...the sneak peek was quite intriquing!!!
Fondly,
Pat

BECKY said...

Love the idea of shopping the house to refresh a room! I need to do more of that! I did a tiny bit on my shelf above the tv, but could probably do more! Love how it looks!!
Have a lovely week, and thanks for linking up to Blissful Whites Wednesday!!
Hugs,
Becky

Seawashed said...

You know I love quotes and should be able to think of one to share...try the quotegarden.com it is one of my favorite places to find quotes. I like a blank canvas, so am having no problem filling spaces...I leave them blank! Everything looks lovely over here.

Burlap Luxe said...

Always inspiring, always inviting, looking forward to the painting :)
Love to shop from your home, I spy a few charmers I wish I had.

Beautiful week and weekend to follow.
Xx
Doré

Tete said...

Love it all. I do this from time to time. I have a vintage mail cart that I go through rooms collecting things. Then I go back and put it in different places. Use what you have! Can't wait to see the paint color, and so understand not wanting to go through any more paint chips. When I painted the living room, I wanted a tan. I had no idea how many different ones there were, and after driving myself crazy, I picked an olive green to the gray tones. LOL

Unknown said...

I love the look you have with your dry sink! I, too, am a big quote person; the one on my chalkboard right now: The important things in life aren't things.

Junkchiccottage said...

Sandi,
I love repurposing and reusing things from your own house in new ways as you know I just did that in my ktichen redo. It is amazing the new looks you can get using stuff you already have. I love grey, cream and white all together. So pretty.
Kris

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Gotta love no-cost makeovers! I hear ya about the rooms feeling a bit bare after Christmas. I'm still trying to figure out a new 'look' for January/February, but nothing screams out at me. Guess I need to 'shop' around my house like you, Sandi. Your changes look wonderful!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

The new combinations look wonderful! I just love how neutrals allow for just a switch around to look sensational. I hope you love your new paint!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

My post before last was my neutral winter decor.....it really is a challenge once the Christmas things get put away. Looks to me like you are getting there! You have a wonderful home, and I love all your collected treasures!

Thanks so much for popping in today.

Ivy and Elephants said...

I love how you move things around and keep it fresh in your beautiful cottage. Can't wait to see the reveal and the new changes.
Hugs,
Patti

Blondie's Journal said...

I had to laugh, our posts this week are almost identical in issues. I'm still finding Christmas stuff, I just had my master bedroom go from Swiss Coffee to gray (I forget the shade) and it turned out more blue (sob) and I am trying to figure out where I want to go with my living room. Everything is quite bare right now. Oh, the stress of it all! ;-D

I think something about snowflakes would be perfect for your chalkboard, I'm watching them fall right now!

XO,
Jane

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

So pretty, Sandi! I wish I hadn't sold my dry sink. Looking forward to seeing your paint choices!

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

Everything looks so pretty! A favorite quote for me right now-"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn" :)

Okio B Designs said...

Yes, I feel the same way but my Valentine's Day items are filling the blank spaces now. I don't have as much for Valentine's as I do for Xmas but it's enough for me. We're gearing up to re-paint some rooms in our house and I'm terrified to try new colors! But I'm going to do it!

Jeanine

Curtains in My Tree said...

The soft grey will look wonderful ,

And on your chalk board just write
A Cottage Muse Home

Robin Johnson said...

I always love seeing photos of your dry sink since I am totally in love with it. I'm loving the new display on it. You always come up with wonderful looking displays.

Heaven's Walk said...

lol Isn't it funny how quickly we get used to all the Christmas decor - and once it's put away, our house looks like a deserted island? lol I felt the same way and just started embracing the "clean and airy" look...until I started moving things around, bringing things up from the basement, and voila! My house was warm and cozy and looked lived-in again. :)

Can hardly wait to see your room transformation, girl! Sounds so chic and pretty!!!!

xoxo laurie

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Everything looks so good!!! I love all your books and your dried hydrangeas! There are sooooo many quotes to pick from these days...you will find the perfect one at some point! x0x0

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

You have such an eye for putting things together in a pleasing way, Sandi! I've been looking at a bare living room mantel since Christmas and nothing's coming to me. I better go back and see what you've got on that shelf!

must love junk said...

Love what you've done so far! The clock faces and dried hydrangeas are my favorites :)
Susan

chateau chic said...

I'm also one of those who stares at my rooms after Christmas and wonder what to do with the empty spaces. I really like how you freshened up your rooms. Everything looks so nice!
Mary Alice

Lady Pamela said...

The quote I have on my chalkboard right now is "Consider Yourself Vintage"
*Smiles*

Roberta said...

Such satisfaction you must have after rearranging everything so beautifully Sandi!! Can't wait to see your grays...what a great idea cutting it by 50%! I love gray with white and pretty pillows to make it come alive!!
Hope to meet you at the shop soon! xoRoberta

Evi said...

it looks lovely! You know I felt the same way after putting all the Christmas things away. I think it is the greens that we put in with the decorations.
Love gray but am always chicken to try it. It is a cooler color....and oh so Nordic French.
Have fun. It will look wonderful.
I am starting to work with my newly acquired antique fabrics.
Wish I was close to your shop. I would spend much time there.
Warm hugs,
Evi

Unknown said...

I hope all is going well for you and yours.

Pamela said...

Your displays and vignettes are so lovely Sandi!
I love your home!

Lin from A {tiny} Cottage In The Woods said...

BeaUtiful! And I'm so happy to have found another blogger who loves all things cottage-y.
Following...
Lin

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