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Emily A. Clark

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Changing & Rearranging Our Living Room

April 4, 2017

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

sofa-wall-changes

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.

doorway-wall

bookcases-doorway

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. . .)

sofa-tablepagoda mirror  //  I painted the “abstracts.” :) // Details on the frames here.

 

For fun, here are a few lamps I considered at HomeGoods. Still looking. . .

IMG_2831Perfect size; kind of regretting I didn’t grab these. . .

 

IMG_2832I like the base but wasn’t in love with the shade.

 

IMG_2833 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.

 

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Filed Under: Colonial house, living room, our home, Simple Design Ideas Tagged With: decorating, living room

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janna says

    April 4, 2017 at 8:02 am

    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.

    Reply
  2. Betsy says

    April 4, 2017 at 8:23 am

    Wow! Looks great.

    Reply
  3. Trish Rooney says

    April 4, 2017 at 8:35 am

    I love your style! Your space looks fresh and relaxing. Did i miss your kitchen reveal post?

    Reply
  4. Erin says

    April 4, 2017 at 8:39 am

    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.

    Reply
  5. Sharon says

    April 4, 2017 at 8:53 am

    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!

    Reply
  6. Cate McCartney says

    April 4, 2017 at 8:59 am

    I like your red lamp. You could put a few large books under it to give it height.

    Reply
    • Mary says

      April 4, 2017 at 2:49 pm

      I was wondering the same thing. And you have to extra books, right?

      Reply
      • Emily Clark says

        April 5, 2017 at 10:26 am

        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!

        Reply
        • Liz says

          January 31, 2020 at 9:49 pm

          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

          Reply
          • Emily Clark says

            February 1, 2020 at 11:17 am

            I love the look of black shades. :)

  7. Jody Olympia says

    April 4, 2017 at 9:29 am

    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.

    Reply
  8. Tiffany says

    April 4, 2017 at 9:42 am

    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.

    Reply
  9. Jen says

    April 4, 2017 at 9:58 am

    I’m admire the change. It looks amazing

    Reply
  10. naz says

    April 4, 2017 at 10:24 am

    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.

    Reply
  11. Kathryn says

    April 4, 2017 at 10:39 am

    I love it!

    Reply
  12. Selena Bragg says

    April 4, 2017 at 11:15 am

    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

    Reply
  13. Janice says

    April 4, 2017 at 11:54 am

    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.

    Reply
  14. priscilla stim says

    April 4, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    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.

    Reply
  15. priscilla stim says

    April 4, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    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!

    Reply
  16. Emily Clark says

    April 4, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    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

    Reply
  17. Andrea says

    April 4, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    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.

    Reply
  18. Katrina says

    April 4, 2017 at 1:53 pm

    I think I like this new look better… Enjoy your site and posts as always!

    Reply
  19. Mary says

    April 4, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    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.

    Reply
  20. Marlene Scoville says

    April 4, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    I like it! Feels a lot more open.

    Reply
  21. Arlene says

    April 4, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    Really like the switch a lot!

    Reply
  22. Karen L. says

    April 4, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    I like the changes and the suggestions!

    Reply
  23. Michele says

    April 4, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    Love the room and especially love the abstracts you painted! Is there a post on them? Would love to see more photos of them!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      April 5, 2017 at 10:25 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Carrie says

        April 6, 2017 at 2:30 pm

        You are so talented Emily! They look awesome!

        Reply
      • Lucinda says

        July 14, 2017 at 2:17 pm

        Would love more info on how you created the abstract art. As always I love your style!!

        Reply
  24. Sara A. says

    April 4, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    Looks so great! Love the change!

    Reply
  25. Jen Reil says

    April 5, 2017 at 12:25 am

    The changes look great! So fun to rearrange things :).

    Reply
  26. Juli T. says

    April 5, 2017 at 3:50 am

    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!!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      April 5, 2017 at 10:24 am

      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 ;)

      Reply
  27. sherry hart says

    April 5, 2017 at 9:19 am

    Damn….small change….big impact! Love when you get an idea and it it’s perfect!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      April 5, 2017 at 10:23 am

      I knew this comment was from you when I read the first word. Ha!

      Reply
  28. elise fowler says

    April 5, 2017 at 9:30 am

    It’s perfection. Your pagoda mirror looks even prettier with her new sidekicks.

    Reply
  29. Denise Pike says

    April 5, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    So refreshing, Emily! Great idea!
    I love the female bust on bookcase … where is it from? please tell!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      April 5, 2017 at 1:52 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Denise Pike says

        April 5, 2017 at 4:37 pm

        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!

        Reply
  30. kathryn says

    April 5, 2017 at 2:01 pm

    I’m also haunted by a pair of lamps from Homegoods that I left behind. :-(
    This change looks great!

    Reply
  31. Marilyn says

    April 5, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      April 6, 2017 at 9:16 pm

      Yes–works great for sweeping all of the dirty plates off of the counter and into the sink. :)

      Reply
  32. Julie Blanner says

    April 5, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    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.

    Reply
  33. Leigh Ann says

    April 6, 2017 at 1:49 pm

    BOOM! This looks great, I love a little re-arrange redo!

    Reply
  34. Catherine says

    April 7, 2017 at 10:06 am

    Love the changes!

    Reply
  35. Suzanne says

    April 7, 2017 at 11:19 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      April 9, 2017 at 9:23 am

      I don’t but the living room is Palace Pearl by BM.

      Reply

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