Spring gets me every year. More than any other time, I crave changes around our house. So, while I was “watching” a basketball game on TV a couple of weekends ago, I jumped up and started moving furniture around our living room. #multitasking
The bookcases behind our couch since we moved into the house, but it really made the room feel off-balanced to me. I’d envisioned built-in bookcases around the French doors but moving things around gave me the look I wanted for now. The open wall behind the sofa instantly made the room feel more spacious and open. I’m liking it.
I also purged a lot of books. Who wants to help me pack these up to our attic??
I moved a console table behind the couch and am now in search of the right pair of taller lamps for that spot. (The red one stays until then. . .)
pagoda mirror // I painted the “abstracts.” :) // Details on the frames here.
For fun, here are a few lamps I considered at HomeGoods. Still looking. . .
Perfect size; kind of regretting I didn’t grab these. . .
I like the base but wasn’t in love with the shade.
Would be perfect if they were a little taller. :(
My plan is to go a little more neutral overall (but keeping most of the blue and white pieces, of course). Later this week, I’ll show you the (very inexpensive) art I made for the mantel.
.
I get the same way this time of the year – I blame it on Spring fever (March Madness works too 😉). This is a fun change and it is looking great. I love the artwork you made! Books are a tough one for me too – we have a ton and I love them all.
Wow! Looks great.
I love your style! Your space looks fresh and relaxing. Did i miss your kitchen reveal post?
I love the changes! More airy and light. Quick question, where do you get your frames from? The frames on your little abstracts and the Asian emperors are so lovely.
Looks great, as usual. :-) We are in the beginning of a renovation and everything is a mess. I crave order and spring cleaning! I’ll live vicariously through your beautifully arranged living room!
I like your red lamp. You could put a few large books under it to give it height.
I was wondering the same thing. And you have to extra books, right?
This room desperately needs a pair of lamps or I’d keep it as is. The darkness is killing me and I won’t let my husband turn on the overhead light at night. Ha!
What do you think of black lampshades? I have always loved them but don’t know quite how to pull it off or if it’s a good choice. I was thinking of using in my bedroom on good old stiffel lamps. My bed has a white spread with gold trim. Light cream headboard and sage colored wall paint
Thank you
I love the look of black shades. :)
It feels so light and airy! I love the change so much. I kind of dig the red lamp too. I also love the black bookcases leading into the black office! Have you ever considered a home tour post week? I know it must be tough getting the whole main level picture perfect all at the same time, but I would love to see how it all looks together.
I really like the change, definitely feels more open and the red lamp, oh the chunky red lamp. It balances all the blue & white just perfectly and I am no fan of red at all. I know you want to change it but I’m hoping it stays.
I’m admire the change. It looks amazing
I really like the first lamp. Perhaps they are still there? I’ve done that many a time in not buying it and when I returned it was gone.
I love it!
Hi Emily! It looks great… and cheerful, and welcoming… I love it. I’m so impressed with your art work. I was hoping for a link :) to purchase, as they would look great in my dining area, but wow… You’re the link!!! Do you mind sharing the type paper, paint brush, and paint that you used? Also, your frames… did you paint them, or buy them with that frame? I know that’s a lot to ask, please only share what you’d like. Thank you for sharing your family spaces, as always! xx
Oh, I like this change! It feels so open and fresh and I really like art behind the sofa! I’ve wanted to try creating my own art but am pretty sure I wouldn’t want to display what I end up with! Haha Your work is lovely, Emily.
Emily I love the changes. Sooooo good. Can you tell us about the gold framed art that you moved to the wall behind the sofa? Love it! Also, I like the red lamp for the splash of color. Otherwise, I like the first lamp from HG.
Oops. My bad. See now that you created the art! Love it! If you can tell us where you got the frames with those wide mats that would be lovely! Everything you do is really good. Keep it coming!
I updated the post but here are the details on the gold frames. I’ve had them for a while and just keep reusing them:
https://emilyaclark.com/2015/01/my-most-asked-about-accessories.html
Hi, Emily. I love the lightened up rearrange for Spring. What is the distance between the back of your sofa and the wall? I love the setup and I am wondering if I could move my console in my den.
I think I like this new look better… Enjoy your site and posts as always!
I’ve been admiring black abstract artwork as of late. The longer I looked at them, the more I realized I could make my own. So I did!
I love the new location of your mirror…with your artwork.
I like it! Feels a lot more open.
Really like the switch a lot!
I like the changes and the suggestions!
Love the room and especially love the abstracts you painted! Is there a post on them? Would love to see more photos of them!
I didn’t write a post on them but they were so very simple. Just a little acrylic paint and some water. I’ll see if I can find some more photos.
You are so talented Emily! They look awesome!
Would love more info on how you created the abstract art. As always I love your style!!
Looks so great! Love the change!
The changes look great! So fun to rearrange things :).
Love it!! I’m getting ready to make some changes and would love to know how your IKEA sofas are holding up. Would you buy them again? Thanks!!
Hi Juli! I really like the Ektorps. They’ve held up well and have been even more comfortable than I expected. I do kind of wish those slipcovers would wash themselves, though ;)
Damn….small change….big impact! Love when you get an idea and it it’s perfect!
I knew this comment was from you when I read the first word. Ha!
It’s perfection. Your pagoda mirror looks even prettier with her new sidekicks.
So refreshing, Emily! Great idea!
I love the female bust on bookcase … where is it from? please tell!
Hi Denise, I think it’s from Joss & Main but several years ago. Here’s a similar one that’s also a planter (I actually like it better). http://bit.ly/2oCFJp6
Thanks for the info, Emily.
I do like the planter one for outdoors, but have searched awhile for female bust for indoor decor — one with smoother/clearer facial features.
(Have I seen one on your bedside table?)
Appreciate your ideas, though — thank you much!
Since I live in rural area, don’ get to b&m stores much and shop online.
I’ve recently gotten three things you suggested and love them all!
I’m also haunted by a pair of lamps from Homegoods that I left behind. :-(
This change looks great!
Emily,
This is off topic but I am remodeling my kitchen soon and the only way it will work is the sink in the island. Do you like yours that way or would you have done it different? I am a little worried about it.
Yes–works great for sweeping all of the dirty plates off of the counter and into the sink. :)
What a big impact this change made! I love it- and I totally agree, this is the season for de-cluttering and switching things around.
BOOM! This looks great, I love a little re-arrange redo!
Love the changes!
Emily – I so like what you do! Do you have the list of colors you use in your home on the website? I really like the color in this living room fresh blue tone and would love the name of it if possible thank you
I don’t but the living room is Palace Pearl by BM.