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Emily A. Clark

easy interior decorating ideas

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Our Living Room: The Details

May 9, 2011

   

Our living room is literally the first thing you see when you come through our front door.  And, it’s open to our dining room that I shared a couple of weeks ago. I knew I wanted the rooms to have a similar feel, creating one bigger open space.  I gave them the same color of paint (Dutch Boy “Flatlands”) and used the same IKEA curtain panels, with added trim.

We rarely use this room, to be honest.  The most traffic it gets is to and from the armoire, which was too big to get upstairs to the nursery and quickly became our art cabinet.

This room was probably done on a dime more than any other space in our house. Almost every piece was bought from Craiglist.

Here’s the rundown:
The artwork was a Craigslist purchase.  It was one of the first pieces I bought while the house was being built.  I didn’t know where it was going, but it was big and a great price.  Unsure of the artist, but the seller told me a friend had painted it for him.  Wonder what the friend thought of him selling it . . .
The Rowe sofa and loop rug were also bought from Craigslist.  I previously used the sofa in our family room and the rug in our playroom.  Nothing ever stays in the same place around here.  
And, the two accent chairs?  You guessed it–Craiglist.  This one is in pretty bad need of reupholstery, but until then, it’s getting the old folded throw and big, pretty pillow trick:

Most of the pillows are from the Etsy shop, Elegant Touch (who also happens to be one of my wonderful sponsors!).  I won the two cream pillows (in Kelly Wearstler fabric) from a blog giveaway.  I told you this room was done on a budget :)

The lamps were a consignment shop purchase and are one of my favorite parts of the room.

The end tables are actually nightstands turned sideways.  And, the “coffee table” is more like a tea table, but the size works well in the small space.  I bought it several years ago at a thrift store and have used it as a nightstand and end table.  I’ve found that if I just buy what I like, I can usually find a place to make it work.

Proof that you can piece a room together, without a set plan and on a small budget. . . If you’re in a rut, I would suggest starting with a walk through your own home and looking for pieces that you may be able to use in different ways.  You may be surprised. . . and inspired.

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Filed Under: living room

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Comments

  1. 17 Perth says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    That artwork is a Craigslist purchase??? I am still drooling over it from yesterday! It. is. gorgeous. And those lamps. Love.

    Reply
  2. the cape on the corner says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    seriously fabulous. love that painting, and can’t believe most of that stuff came from craigslist! crazy!

    Reply
  3. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    Beautiful room. I love all of your pieces. I also love to shop for thrift and consignment finds, it is so worth the hunt. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  4. Jenna Lee says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    I love this room! What a great place to see when you first walk in!

    http://jennaleelac.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  5. Jessie says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    It’s a beautiful room and mostly everything are Craiglist purchases? Wow! Emily, you did great!

    Jessie
    http://www.mixandchic.com

    Reply
  6. Luciane at HomeBunch.com says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Wow.. simply fantastic. This space feels like a sunny day…

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

    Reply
  7. M3nI says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    So beautiful room!!
    And so inspiring photos!!

    http://whateversuitsu.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  8. H.G. The Countess says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    I can’t believe the painting is from Craigslist. It makes the room!

    Reply
  9. Kathysue says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    This goes to show good design does not have to cost a fortune. You have created a warm and inviting room. You are one clever lady!!Kathysue

    Reply
  10. Becca says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    so impressed with the craigs list purchases, I can never find that great of things. Beautiful room

    Reply
  11. Lisa says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    Gorgeous! I love how you pull a room together Emily!

    Reply
  12. Lovin That! says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    Looks great and I love how you decorate on a budget – makes it more achievable and creative…

    Reply
  13. Ms. Bright says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Emily- You know I have loved that coffee/tray table thing since I first saw it. If you ever think about selling it, you better email me!!

    Reply
  14. Katie @ Noodle and Boof says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    Love it! Those cream pillows are gorgeous! And love the lamps!

    Reply
  15. Interior Design Musings says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Great job no this room!!! M.

    Reply
  16. Lelanie says

    May 9, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    It’s a fantastic design. You have a nice style.

    Reply
  17. courtneyoutloud says

    May 9, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Yeah for beautiful rooms on a budget!

    Reply
  18. Carol@TheDesignPages says

    May 9, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    You should do a post about how to purchase from Craigslist. How long did it take you to find the things you were buying. I find I look for an hour or two one day and then get discouraged not knowing how long it should take. The room is gorgeous.

    Reply
  19. Rene says

    May 9, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Emily, you have the best luck with craig’s list and I never find anything. Boo-hoo.

    Loved that mother’s day pic, btw :)

    Reply
  20. Michaela says

    May 9, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    The lamps are my favorite! I love that you found the artwork on Craigslist…wonderful find! Rooms designed around the artwork always turn out beautiful!

    Reply
  21. Whitney Interior Design says

    May 9, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    Emily you are an excellent thrifter. Well done. like you, the lamps are my favorite! The finials and well-proportioned shades make them look like a million bucks. Way to go!

    Reply
  22. Elizabeth says

    May 9, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Beautiful design. I love the artwork, it works great in the space. You did amazing job searching craigslist, I am still trying to get the hang of it.

    Reply
  23. Brooke says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    What a beautiful room! I LOVE that you decorated it so cheaply- very inspiring!!
    http://www.inside-outdesign.blogspot.com

    Reply
  24. SHERRY HART says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:37 pm

    Emily….what can I say…it is beautiful!

    Reply
  25. laurie says

    May 9, 2011 at 9:53 pm

    Beautiful room! One of my biggest concerns about buying furniture off craigslist is the “clean” factor, in particular a sofa. Did you do anything special after purchasing it to clean it??

    Reply
  26. Linda@ Lime in the Coconut says

    May 9, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    SWEET! Love this space. That ART!! Amazing! Great ‘craigslist” job!

    Reply
  27. Mr. Goodwill Hunting says

    May 10, 2011 at 12:38 am

    You know I am a fan of anything 2nd hand!

    Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting

    Reply
  28. modern jane says

    May 10, 2011 at 12:47 am

    I never would have guess that you got all those things on Craigslist! Even the painting? Crazy! It all looks so great!

    Reply
  29. Camille says

    May 10, 2011 at 5:15 am

    Emily, I am loving all of the black, white and green! So much so, that I’ve had to come back several times to study the room. And I find it immensely satisfying that you can accomplish something like this on a small budget — I think all of your readers really appreciate that!
    Camille

    Reply
  30. Karen@StrictlySimpleStyle says

    May 10, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    Even though you didn’t feature the armoire on the right hand wall, I love that you used an unpainted piece along with the painted wood pieces in your room. It adds a real warmth to your already inviting room. I’d love to curl up there with a good book.

    Reply
  31. Amy says

    May 11, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    Emily, I love the curtains. I want to add either a ribbon or ribbon of fabric to the edge of my white sheets. Is your fabric a grosgrain ribbon or fabric that you sewed on? Any suggestions of where to get some great patterned ribbon?
    Thanks!
    Amy ~mysunshineshere.blogspot.com

    Reply
  32. Drew {Coral Cafe} says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:38 pm

    Your living room is just GORGEOUS!!!
    My sister Dana told me we both live in the same neighborhood!! How ironic!!

    Reply
  33. radn@HouseonAshwelllane says

    May 21, 2011 at 1:27 am

    I love the bamboo chair!

    Reply
  34. lizfuhrvanness says

    August 4, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Love it all! You are inspiring!

    Reply

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