Monday, October 15, 2007

New Job & Living Room Critique.....

Today was my first day on my new job, well actually it's the same job just working for a different agency and county. Quite beautiful because I am doing the same thing, I didn't have to learn a new job with new rules and regulations. My co-workers in the office seem really nice and they are all dog lovers, so I am in heaven.


My only complaint is that I cannot visit all my favorite blogs throughout the day. I have to learn the ropes and figure out what I can and cannot do, so please forgive me if I haven't commented in awhile, I haven't forgotten about anyone I just have to visit a few each evening. I also work 10 hour days now because I have Fridays off. My play time has been cut down.

I did manage to take some pictures of my living room this weekend, you can see just how TINY it is, it's the original part of the house (107 yrs) you see how big my furniture is. What I want is a smaller couch with English arms, like this one from LEE FURNITURE I know it will open the area up so much, I love my over sized couch and chair now but I need a much bigger house for it.

I haven't gotten around painting anything in the room yet, I am planning on painting all the molding and trim the Swiss Coffee like I did in the kitchen. We are also going to be opening up the ceiling to expose the beams and give us a few more inches as of right now both my husband and I can place our palms on the ceiling! *I'm 5'10" and he's 6' * Very low ceilings.

I'd love to hear any comments or suggestions on what YOU would do to the space, there are so many talented decorator bloggers out there, I'd love to hear from you. All comments are welcome :)












Oh and WHAT'S UP with VICTORIA magazine??? I see people are getting it in the mail! HUH?? I missed the memo on getting a subscription. I've been looking for it on stands and can't find it. Can you help a sister out???

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here you go dahling sister ~ http://www.victoriamag.com
Someone through Women Take Wing told us about it a while back and I got on the list. Their first premier issue just came out. The couch you linked to is similar style as mine in structure. I love mine. Congrats on your new job...yes, it cuts down on fun time. I check mornings and evenings. :) Sometimes just one or the other. Hope you have a great day tomorrow.
Alexandra

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Well Alexandra beat me to it! I was going to give you the same link. I order my subscription months ago....

I love the Lee Couch! I mean really love it! I want it... Your house looks so cozy. I could curl up on that couch and read a great book! As far a decorating comments, I will leave that for the experts. I tend to hem and haw over my own decorating for a long time. In fact this weekend I repainted my master bath for the 3rd time in 2 years! Because I am having a hard time finding a color I like with all the tile on the shower walls and floor...

Glad you started your new job today...
Penny

FarmHouse Style said...

Your living room looks so cozy, I love the floors, they look like mine. The fabric on the Lee's couch reminds me of the fabric I used to redo my new couch, so of course I love it:)

I feel your pain on Victoria, I missed the memo too. I am going to follow the link Alexandra gave you and get mine!!

Rhonda

Shelley said...

I love your decor! You've surrounded yourself with things you love! That's the only way to be, Michelle. Its so warm and inviting. I love the floor too. I wish mine were wood.

Free Art Printables said...

If you're looking for advice,and you're using whta you ahve now, I would move your couch across for the white armoire, And then put the chair by the window where the gold pictures are. I have almost teh exact same couch in cream and in a 1100 sq ft. house, it takes up a lot of space. Also,there 's alot of cool stuff on the walls, but there is so much, it's almost hard to focus on one thing.You have that awesome mirror and I almost didn't notice it. I also love the cream drapes between your rooms. What if you repeated those on your windows with a big red tassel as a tye-back? Love your stuff though! Thanks for being brave and letting us take a peek!

Rosie's Whimsy said...

I love the lee Furniture couch. It would look great in your living room. I always try to remember a couple things from Decorating 101......whatever your accent color is, make sure it is spread evenly throughout your room so your eye flows around the room......and every room needs a touch of black...lampstands, mirror frame, etc....

I ordered my Victoria a couple months ago but have yet to receive my copy in the mail. I think it doesn't hit the newstands until the end of the month.

Have the Best of Weeks...........Rosie

Nunnie's Attic said...

Congrats on the new job! I love that coffee table. Drawer space!! I need that. The wood in your house is beautiful, too. It's hard to tell in the picture - is the chair blocking the door or are you able to use it?

Love,
Julie

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Love your living room!!!!!!!! I spy Olivia on the sofa!!! She is so cute! Who is the little dog sneaking in the pic on the right side of the last pic? Too cute!!!!!

Glad to hear you like your job. Sometimes change is good.

Smiles to you,

Becky

Unknown said...

Found your blog and love it! Cant wait to see Victoria mag--I have been missing it terribly!

Annie
fireflyhilldesigns.blogspot.com

Dena said...

Hi Michelle,

I have the same problem with a small space and I had to get really creative when we moved in. The things that worked for me were not what I would have thought of at first. I ended up getting rid of my green checkered couch and loveseat in exchange for a leather couch in a solid color. Ditched the armoire for a wall mount flat screen and then angled a couple chairs to flank the sliding door across from the couch. The coffee table had to be stored, I use a small chest that my husband made instead. I wish I were closer, I'd love to help you move things around and play with different ideas. Glad to hear your job is going well! Thanks again for the lovely treats too!

Hugs,
Dena

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Hi Michelle-glad you enjoyed your first day at work!! I think your living room is lovely, it looks quite roomy, but then again English houses are quite small! Have a good week!!x

blessings said...

I'll bet you're exhausted after learning all the ropes at the new job?! Oh, it can be exhausting! I hope you're enjoying it. Ok, that said, I just have to tell you that I'm 5'3" so if you can touch the ceiling I'm jealous!! That floral Lee sofa is gorgeous. I just found an old beat-up thing on the side of the road. I hope I can make it look decent again. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow or Thursday. Rest while you can. Blessings... Polly

Alison Gibbs said...

Love that couch from Lee Furniture. It will certainly open up the feel of your room.
Alison

Meggie said...

Michelle: Congrats on the new job. Sorry it cuts down on your blogging time but we all understand. As far as decorating small spaces...I go to the magazine rack at WalMart or my local pharmacy and look for Small Space Decorating magazines. They have lots of good ideas...things you may not ordinarily think of. I LOVE the Lee couch. Good luck!

Sweet Remembrance said...

I love your charming home!
And Lee sofas are wonderful, aren't they?
Enjoy your new job...
Priscilla

Teresa said...
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Teresa said...
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Back Through Time said...

Hi Michelle
Your living room is darling!! I think it looks very cozy. I live in a small apartment and that is what I have to be satisfied with~cozy! And I am with you on running behind on Victoria~I haven't got mine yet and missed out in the early stages of ordering. Can't wait to get it!!
Thanks for the peek into your living room!!
Michelle
Oh yeah~hope you LOVE your new job! only bummer is less fun time Good luck!!

Diane Irvine Armitage said...

Your living room is very charming! I think that Lee's couch would be just the thing for it. I love your curtains dividing the two rooms. I also live in a small old house - built in 1915 and it's 1,000 square feet. Our living room ceiling is vaulted and that helps a lot! But I constantly have to restrain myself from putting too much furniture in there! LOL It's a real battle :-) I love your blog! I've added you to my favorites :-)

Anonymous said...

Michelle, glad your new job is going well! Hopefully you'll continue to like it.

I like the idea of opening up the ceiling. That should make a big difference in the feel of the room. It looks warm and cozy!

A couple of people have said that they didn't get their Victoria Mag yet. So you're not alone!

Manuela

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Your living room looks about the same size as my tiny one, but I do have high ceilings, you'll be glad you change that- it gives an illusion of space.

I went with a monochromactic theme to make the space look bigger.I'll bet that if your walls were the same color as your sofa, that would help. (of course, in a wonderful faux treatment!!)

Rosemary said...

Michelle,
I love your space. I will have to think about the decorating for you.
Yes people are starting to get the new Victoria. I subcribed during the summer. It will be on newstands Oct.30. Just go to their website to subscribe. Just google Victoria Mag. It will bring up the website.
Congrats on your new/old job.
Thanks for visiting me and the kind words.
Rosemary

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

i am of no help decorating...i can just buy the stuff...but what to do with it afterward is not my strong suit...but it is cosy...blessings, rebecca

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Michelle,
You can rub my shoulder for luck anytime!
Hugs,
Penny

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

Love, love, love the red! Keep the red and play with it as you get your smaller pieces. It will look great with the Swiss Coffee color too. Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

Anonymous said...

First off ~ After yesterday's post, now I know why I LOVE you. :) I was thinking about you and your sweet farm house on my drive home and your question about your living room redecorating. One of the best pieces of decorating advice I have ever heard was: Take everything out of the room and put back only that which you absolutely love. I have done that and the results were a refreshing change. With those large pieces of furniture...that might help you and give you a sense of clarity and space. :) Hope you have a beautiful day my beautiful dear ~
Alexandra

kari and kijsa said...

Hey....pssst....we wanted you to know that we think you are fabulous.....we referenced you and all your fabulousness on our blog today!

smiles, kari and kijsa

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Michelle, congrats on the new job! I just love that English arm sofa you are looking at. So stylish & classic at the same time. I look forward to seeing what you do with this old house!

Rhoda

blessings said...

I just can't tell you how hard I laughed when I read the comment you left for me yesterday! I'll bet you're hysterical all the time. Just such a great part of your personality! Blessings... Polly (oh, no I'm not on the Magnolia Pearl mailing list but I want to be - I posted my explanation as to why I fear I'll never be on it)

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I haven't read all the comments but I was thinking of a mirrored wall and some halogen track lights mounted on the ceiling and pointing at whatever you want to spotlight. Small spaces can be so cosy! I'm tall too but it is fun sometimes to be in a smaller area.

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle,

Your room looks so cozy, I really like it. I hate giving decorating advice from pictures (as you probably know from reading my blog a bit!), but the only thing I will tell you, since you've asked, is that I would move your mirror down lower, towards your couch. And maybe move your kitty picture to a bigger wall. Other than that really minor adjustment, I see a lovely lovely room! Cozy and comfortable, personal and inviting! You've got it going on!

Congratulations on your new job, no worries on the blog visits! I know how it goes when you have a busy life!

xo,
Melissa

FarmHouse Style said...

Hey Michelle! Thanks for stopping in to wish me Happy Birtday.

I am not familiar with the 50 cents Go Shorty song, but I would love to hear it sometime:)

Rhonda

Little ol' Me said...

I find the photos of your home to be so sweet and cozy!

I wouldn't change a thing! I adore a home with a puppy on the couch as well, it means that they truly are a part of the family!

We have two pugs who rule the roost at the Autumn Cottage!

Your blog is just divine! I'll be back!

Tiffany
ScrapsaDaisy's Autumn Cottage