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Emily A. Clark

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Little Updates to Our Living Room

August 28, 2012

When it comes to our house—especially our living room, I’m forever adding, taking away, fluffing, rearranging, and editing.  Do you feel the same way?  Hopefully, you don’t get tired of seeing my little changes.  Personally, I eat this stuff up when it comes to other people’s blogs.  So, here are the latest changes and additions I’ve made to our family’s main hangout:

emilyaclark.com

I restyled our bookcases—again.  It was just never quite right, but after the addition of more white pieces mixed with some texture and a little green, I’m feeling better about it.  (Btw, I find that it helps to take everything off and start all over when I’m restyling.)

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I have a lot of old family pictures that I dropped in this glass cylinder:
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And, since I didn’t have enough milk glass for all of the shelves, I grabbed some glass candlesticks and a small vase and sprayed them white.  Spraying them with a flat paint gave them a similar milky look.

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Stupid book title?  Just flip it so the pages show instead :)
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I also added some punches of black and white with these large chevron pillows (from Etsy).

 IMG_1818

emilyaclark.com

And, the IKEA Eivor throw:

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I hung these two pieces of art together that I bought at the flea market:

emilyaclark.com

And, I’m thinking of adding a collection of baskets on top of the bookcases, so I’m testing this one out for now:

emilyaclark.com

 

PS–Linking to this fun party.

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Filed Under: living room, our home

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenny says

    August 28, 2012 at 10:44 am

    I’m constantly tweaking my house too, but I enjoy it. Keeps things fresh, right? Great styling – what is the color on the back of the bookcases? I love it!

    Reply
  2. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:08 am

    I love to see everyone’s fluffing and tweaking! Your bookshelf looks stunning. The navy background really makes everything POP and stand out!
    I love your MIX of things… it really shows off your style perfectly!
    Lot’s of inspiration here!

    Reply
  3. Amy says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:24 am

    Looks great Emily! I am really loving your painted shelves … in both kitchen and living room! And I think the baskets would look great. I have been tweaking over here too … something about getting kids back in school just makes you want to freshen up!

    Reply
  4. My Crafty Home Life says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:26 am

    I love how you use white as an accent. Looks great, and those flea market pictures are beautiful.

    Reply
  5. Melissa W. says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:28 am

    You have some great talents!

    Reply
  6. Will @ Bright.Bazaar says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:29 am

    You bet I am! I’m always rearranging my living room – one of my favourite past times! Hope you are well, Emily! Cheers from Londontown!

    Reply
  7. 17 Perth says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:43 am

    Oh where do I start? Okay, I am milk glass obsessed—love the styling of the bookshelf. The new pillows are great—I love the little pop it gives—and I love your piece of driftwood. All looks wonderful and definitely never tire of your changes, :)

    Reply
  8. Susie @ Maddie's Nest says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:54 am

    All looks great but I love the idea of the old photos in the glass jar….such a cleaver idea!

    Reply
  9. Jennifer {The Chronicles of Home} says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:54 am

    I’m with you!…it’s always an evolution in my family room. I’ve been feeling lately that I need more white on our family room built-ins. Like the idea of spraying white!

    Reply
  10. Emily says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:58 am

    I am the ultimate tweakster! It relaxes me…I love all the white and then the black and white for punch!

    Reply
  11. BaileyWife says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Once a tweaker, always a tweaker! :) And love the addition of black/white pillows!! I am still trying to figure out how to add *fall* into my summer-ish living room! ~Kim

    Reply
  12. Colleen says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    I love the texture of the basket on top. I say more baskets! Ugh. Those shelves make me miss my bookshelves from my old house. I had so much fun styling them. You do a beautiful job!

    Reply
  13. Naz says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    Tweaking is a way of life for me. So happy to see others follow suit.

    Reply
  14. tina says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    I like the changes! I think the baskets would look great. You need to show some views of the whole room.

    tina

    Reply
  15. Kaley Garin says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    I’m sure you’ve mentioned it before but what color is the back of the book shelves? I love the pops of white and the accessorizing is perfect! Well done!

    Reply
  16. Debra says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    Love the punches of green in the bookcases and I really need to find a piece of drift wood like the one you have on your sofa table.

    Reply
  17. LivingSolutionsid says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    It looks great! I love the idea of putting old photographs into a glass jar. I’ll have to steal this idea :) And I love the art you found at the flea market. Everything mixes so well together! ~gina

    Reply
  18. Tasha says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    My husband has asked me to please stop moving the furniture :)

    Reply
  19. mixiedesigns says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    I love rearranging the bookcases, pictures, furniture, you name it. Like some of the other comments, I think it drives my husband nuts because he’s a creature of habit. If it’s a major change, I’ll take him on a tour and show him what’s moved. It’s hilarious.

    Reply
  20. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    My hub always asks me – why do you care what I think – you’re going to change it in a month anyway. ;) Tweaking is apparently what I do best – I’m surprised he even noticed!

    That black and white striped Ikea throw is my favorite thing ever! I have 2! and I’d like 20 million more –

    Reply
  21. SHERRY HART says

    August 28, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    Tweaking…that is just what we do…cause we’re not busy enough right? Your shelves look great and I love that you added white. And that throw…what I deal and too bad that they came out with it after I bought my striped one for 10x’s the price. Geez.

    Reply
  22. Cindy F. says

    August 28, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I have a whole row/shelf of books turned to show pages. Love anything that shows your house bec it’s stylish and budget friendly.

    Reply
  23. Cindy F. says

    August 28, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    I have a whole row/shelf of books turned to show pages. Love anything that shows your house bec it’s stylish and budget friendly.

    Reply
  24. Courtney {a thoughtful place} says

    August 28, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    Super tweaker over here as well. It’s in my blood. I love the new tweaks. The ikea throw looks great and I love the idea of the flat paint.

    Reply
  25. Jen Gilday says

    August 28, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Looks just great! Love the addition of the black stripes/chevron!!

    Jen
    athomeinthenorthwestblog.com

    Reply
  26. Hyphen Interiors says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I’m constantly tweaking as well. Isn’t there always some room for tweaks? Looks great – love the painted backs on the shelves.

    Reply
  27. pam {simple details} says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    Ha, BIG tweaker here! Sometimes I wonder if my readers get tired of seeing new pillows and coffee table and vignette updates…again! :)

    Reply
  28. Nancy says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    wonderful. I do the same thing. Let’s trade houses and do it to each other’s homes–wouldn’t that be fun. I love the black and white pops…doing that in my neutral LR and it’s making all the difference!
    Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

    Reply
  29. Mrs. Chic says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    love it! I love those bookcases! i hope to find my sons nursery/toddler room soon :)

    Reply
  30. {Hi Sugarplum!} says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    Love your updates and these kind of posts! And the green campaign in your son’s room!!?? so cool! My son is dying for bunks too, but I’m not up for buying new bed and mattresses when he already has a queen size!

    Reply
  31. Megan {Honey We're Home} says

    August 28, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    It looks good!! I like the little plants too- wondering if they’re real- they look like it. I do like seeing these updates too. :)

    Reply
  32. Meredith says

    August 28, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    LOVE the old pictures in the glass vase! Beautiful :)

    Reply
  33. Lisa Sekora says

    August 28, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    May I ask what color of blue that is in the bookcase? I have a small built in with light green walls. I love the POP of color!

    Reply
  34. Jenny @ misssavvychic.blogspot.com says

    August 28, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    Love your style…mix of natural, refined, feminine, and masculine! Always what I’m going for! Blessings!

    Reply
  35. Our Pinteresting Family says

    August 28, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    So beautiful! Good idea about turning the book cover around. Megan

    Reply
  36. Holly says

    August 28, 2012 at 7:07 pm

    YESSSSS to the baskets! It gives a warm texture that makes a place homey!!! Your room is beautiful!!!
    Holly
    McCallManor.com

    Reply
  37. Camille says

    August 28, 2012 at 7:07 pm

    Everything looks so pretty. Your bookcases are stunning, I love how you’ve hung the art next to it. And I adore your black and white accents. ;)

    It will be fun to see what the bookcases look like with baskets on top.
    Camille

    Reply
  38. Stacy Curran says

    August 28, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    Everything is absolutely perfect!!
    Stacy

    Reply
  39. [email protected] says

    August 28, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    I love your changes and you have totally inspired me. I have a few odd pieces and wasn’t sure what to do but now I know I want to spray them all white and use them together.

    Reply
  40. [email protected] Nest says

    August 28, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    Looking good Emily! I love the addition of all the white items and that piece of driftwood is still my all time favorite!!

    Reply
  41. heyhomeslice says

    August 28, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    So fun! I love to see little changes in real homes too. Everything’s really great. I love that big driftwood you have on the table behind your sofa. Beautiful!

    Reply
  42. Carla says

    August 28, 2012 at 10:02 pm

    I love changing it up too! And don’t mind at all seeing your great room with its new changes anytime!

    Reply
  43. Kathysue says

    August 28, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    I call that playing house, it is always fun to rearrange and get a fresh look. Love the chevron pillows and the milk glass additions. Kathysue

    Reply
  44. Lisa says

    August 28, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Looks great Emily! It’s so fun to just rearrange your items and see them in a new light. Great idea to paint some items matte white. Love the idea of baskets on the top of the bookcase.

    Reply
  45. Amy @ Five Kinds of Happy says

    August 28, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    Beautiful! I love everything about it – your knack for mixing patterns is amazing :)

    Reply
  46. Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    I an constantly changing things up.I love your black bamboo style coffee table. I have been looking for one and haven’t been able to find what I want. your book cases look great.

    Reply
  47. Erin @ Two Story Cottage says

    August 29, 2012 at 3:00 am

    Love the peek at your family room! Ours is hands-down the hardest room for me to decorate. I’m always switching something around. Your bookcases look great!!

    P.S. I grabbed a pic to add to a post I have going tomorrow about sofa tables. Hope that is okay – I linked back of course. :)

    Reply
  48. Hello Jimmysann says

    August 29, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    Looks really nice and fresh..my husband always shutters when I use the words “I’ve been thinkin” cause he knows a change is coming. Looking at your room makes me want to say….”I’ve been thinkin…”

    Reply
  49. Megan says

    August 29, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    I love seeing all the little changes to you living room and shelves. I LOVE the punches of black and white in the room. I too have a dark blue back on my living room built-in shelves and didn’t quite know if I could add black and white patterns, but you have proved that it can be done because it looks phenomenal especially with the Chinese patterned pillows you have! Very fun! Great new artwork as well.

    Reply
  50. Nicole Scott says

    August 29, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    Your house is really incredible! Somehow all the tweaking I do to my house seems like it could hit or miss. I love your design confidence Emily!

    Reply
  51. Michaela says

    August 30, 2012 at 11:21 pm

    Looks great Emily! I can never leave my bookcases alone either…it’s so funny. Such a designer habit, I think! The white pieces are perfect…and I love that Ikea throw, too!

    Reply
  52. kelly arent-Copper Roof Interiors LLC says

    September 1, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    I love your “little” changes…keep em coming! Love following you!

    Reply
  53. chanerain says

    March 16, 2013 at 8:29 am

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    Reply
  54. Kate says

    May 1, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    Hi Emily,
    Could you share the name of the fabric on the floral pillows on your couch? You have it paired with the black and white chevron pillow…..love it!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      May 1, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Sure, it’s chiang mai dragon fabric by Schumacher. I bought the pillows on Ebay a couple of years ago.

      Reply
  55. Dawn says

    February 10, 2016 at 6:59 am

    Love it. What color did you use in the back of the bookcase.

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      February 10, 2016 at 8:30 am

      I wish I could remember! That was two colors ago, and I’ve thrown away the paint can :(

      Reply

Trackbacks

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