Oprah has “aha!” moments. And, I have “duh!” ones. Remember the “pleather” ottomans in our foyer?
While my aunt was visiting last week, I recruited her help to make skirted covers for them (which I love and will share more about soon).
And, when she was finished, I realized the skirts aren’t going to work with that dang front bar on the console table. Genius—not! I guess it’s always better to make these kinds of mistakes in your own home instead of when you’re working on a paying client’s room—right?
Well, no worries. I’ve gone to Plan B and will show you next week. I’m actually happier with how the foyer looks now after some furniture rearranging.
Have any good “DUH!” decorating moments to share?
(You know—to make me feel better.)
And, you may remember the whole foyer saga started with me trying to cover up that vent. Although I went a different direction, a thoughtful reader sent me this idea that I wanted to pass along. It’s a custom-built piece of furniture that was featured in the Winter 2011 issue of Renovation Style. Pretty cool, huh?
BH&G Renovation Style Magazine
GENIUS! & don’t worry we all have plenty of “duh” moments.
Emily, I am so glad you posted about “duh” moments. I have too many to list! (I love those skirts, btw!)
Though we may not admit it, we all have duh moments (and we’re not pregnant with twins!). I love the vent cover furniture! I have an ugly vent in my breakfast room and would love to cover it like that. Thanks for passing it along!
you made me laugh with this post! and the aha vs duh moments! my life is full with duh, and a few aha’s … you don’t know how many times I have affected my wall changing from clock to a big piece of art, to now a collection of little pieces of “Art” I just need to fill those wholes in the wall.. well now I dont use nails anymore of course!
Great idea! I don’t always think custom for things like that.
Love the new slipcovers. I have plenty of duh moments too. Unfortunately, mine are limited to decorating.
Thanks for sharing,
Laura
Hahaha, I know how it goes! The first end tables we had in our living room were WAY too short for the couches and looked silly. All because I didn’t measure them when I was at the store. Duh, Paige.
What a fantastic idea! I have two stools just like those and they would look so much cuter if I slip covered them in a great fabric, I’m not a seamstress so I would have to pay someone to do it for me but I think it would be worth it!
You mean like Wednesday when I tried to hang my daughter’s bedroom chandelier by just screwing the hook into the drywall, no stud, no sinker, just thought it would hold a ten pound beaded light? Yeah, been there, done that!
I love the covers for the ottomans though, and that vent cover is brilliant. Have a great weekend!
It seems that I have MORE DUH moments than aha – why?
I have been MIA around here, jury duty :p but just wanted to stop in and check out what was going on over here. Sorry, but the ottomans are still gorgeous even if they can’t work there… it would be easy to find a new home for those winners! Thanks so sharing… Enjoy your weekend. Jalon
I did see that image of the built in! Cool idea. I think you’ve covered it up beautifully so far. I do love those skirts. great color choice. Looking forward to seeing your changes. And I definitely have duh moments quite often! More than I would like to admit. :)
I can completely relate. Those skirts are adorable! What a great idea that you reader sent in…genius!
i almost sent you the picture of that cabinet too! haha!! great minds think alike. we are all thinking about your foyer!
Yes we have all had those Duh moments. I read a saying once and I liked it, “There are no mistakes in decorating only moments to become more creative!” Now you have just become a little more creative. Love all that you do!! Happy weekend,
Kathysue
I have soo many moments like that (and I love the skirts on the ottomans…beautiful!!). I just moved our coffee table over about 2 feet this week (and the sofa too) and it changed everything (unfortunately my husband is not a fan) but it looks so cozy now. I just need to figure out how/where to add a rug… do you ever help with emailed pictures? I can’t believe we’ve lived here 7 years and just this past week my living room went from a place to sit to nice and cozy!
Oh, I know those “duh” moments very well! And being “genius” really is a relative term… :)
re: the air return – still better to be left open – lovely piece of furniture in front, but those peeps are still causing their hvac system to work a little harder for air… But, I’d probably risk it if my hubby could build something like that :)
So funny but the 1st thing I thought when you posted about skirting the stools under the console —
That bar will make the skirting thing tricky. Love the way they turned out. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
I agree. Genius!
Too bad the table has those rails on all four sides. If it didn’t have them in the front, it would be perfect. But I’m looking forward to seeing your solution.
LOL. I have at least one duh moment a day. Those skirts look fab btw. Can’t wait to see the final reveal. I’m having major foyer issues as well so I could use the inspiration! :)
That “vent” is not a vent. It’s the air intake for your air conditioner. If you block it, it will make your unit work overtime and will sooner or later (probably sooner) burn the motor out on the compressor. Just food for thought. Any “vent” that has a filter in it is an air intake and no matter how unsightly it is, has to be left uncovered and unblocked.
love those slipcovers!! Thanks for keeping it real with us. ;)
I can’t wait to see what plan B is!
Annie
House on Rene
I wish all of my “duh” moments turned out as cute as your spipcovers! I might have been tempted to cut off that support bar…then the whole table would probably fall over..”duh”…Looking forward to seeing your plan B.
My life has been a “duh” moment lately…:)
Love the covers and that custom made piece of furniture was brilliant!
I can’t wait to see next week, like everyone else I have those duh moments often. It’s called being human.
I know I have a better (worse) example of a “duh” than this, but I can’t think of it right now (maybe it was so painful I put it out of my mind!), but when I was making curtains for our kitchen this summer, I somehow miscalculated on nearly the last step on the last panel and started to cut the lining too short! Fortunately I didn’t make it all the way through and interfacing makes a great mender of cut fabric. Can’t wait to see what you did with those ottomans, they’re beautiful!
I don’t think there is enough hours in the day to list all of my “duh” moments! Around here we usually refer to them as “snowball projects”, because I start off wanting to change one thing and then it leads to another, then another. Love the new slipcovers!
Love that vent cover idea!!
Your little benches look lovely covered…show us what you did with them!
“Duh” moments happen here too. It’s great to find out that other people do this sort of thing too. Love the new covers!
Too many “duh” moments to count :) I appreciate that you are willing to share yours – and sometimes “duhs” turn into the ah-has. When I saw your pic I realized my next move would have been to hack saw the front bar off of the table and worry about how to make it look ok later (thank you Sharpies!) Looking forward to seeing what you end up with.
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