Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Blog-Style Changes In The Living Room!

Before I show you the following pictures I have a confession to make.  There is NO WAY on God's green earth I would have EVER thought to paint my coffee table teal.  I just don't possess that kind of vision.  And that, in a nutshell, is what scares me the most about venturing into the world of design on a professional level.  I have decorated a few homes for people who have paid me, but I dare not call myself a designer.  No, that designation only belongs to the best of the best.  Like the lady who gave me the inspiration for this project.  I doubt there's a soul left in Blogland who doesn't know the beautiful and hospitable Rhoda from Southern Hospitality.  What a pleasure it is to know this true Southern lady who I'm sure is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside like so many of you.  While browsing Rhoda's blog for inspiration, I came across this post which set my creatively rusty wheels in motion.

My poor dark Living Room was in desperate need of some change.  Something was missing and as I looked around the room I noticed it was color.  Not wall color, as I quite like the creamy yellow against the furnishings and mirrors.  No, I'm talking more like "pops" of color.  It cracks me up that I'm even writing that word because Mr. Bliss and I are always poking fun at the designers on HGTV for over-using that word.  But for lack of a better word here, alas, I have no choice.  The logical color choice was lost on me until I saw Rhoda's gorgeous accent table.  And she was kind enough to include all the details about the paint.  Don't you just love it when blog friends are so kind as to include the whole 411 in their posts?  I'm gonna remember to do that from now on!

So without further to-do, here is the BEFORE picture of my Living Room:


And here it is AFTER:


Yeah, big difference.

From dark and dreary:


To fresh and cheery:



And I only made a few small changes.

I added an aqua urn to the secretary.


Which brought out the blue in my pretty birdie print.

Bought some new pillows from Burlington Coat Factory and painted the coffee table.


Those small changes added just the pop of color that was needed in this room.

The dark brown of the leather, combined with the dark wood floors and all of the dark furniture in the room was just too much heaviness for a room that doesn't get much sunlight during the day.


Per Rhoda's post, the color came from Lowe's Valspar color line and is called Green Water.  Now Rhoda used the Valspar swatch but her paint was Olympic in an eggshell finish.  Since I only wanted a very small amount of paint, I used the Valspar in Satin.


My coffee table was given to me by a dear friend, Missy, and it was originally dark walnut with a removeable glass tray top.


I painted right over the walnut without using a primer because I wanted some of the walnut to show through in the details.  I used two coats of the Green Water, waiting a full day in between coats.   I then sanded and added a layer of walnut stain, quickly removing any residue with a clean cloth.  I waited 2 more days then gave a quick spray of clear poly.  Let that dry for two days and then voila!


So Rhoda, I thank you, my Living Room thanks you, and my coffee table thanks you.  From the bottom of our combined teal hearts.  And for those of us who are fortunate enough to be in on the little secret I call Blogland Inspiration, I hope you continue to be inspired by eachother's wonderful and creative imaginations!
For more inspiration check out these parties I'm joining this week:
Chelsea at Room To Inspire's Be Inspired Linky Party
Kimba at A Soft Place To Land's DIY Day Party
Mustard Seed Creation's Furniture Feature Friday
The Shabby Cottage's Transformation Thursday
Mrs. Matlock's Alphabet Thursday (P is for Paint!)
My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday
DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm
Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch
Kimm at Reinvented

54 comments:

Stacey said...

Gor-geous! The new color brings out the beautiful details in the table so much more! I love the bird print and the aqua urn too. It's beautiful Kim!

Jemsmom said...

Now THAT is awesome!! That is a bold move, but it sure did pay off! I just bought a lamp in that blue for my living room and I just don't know about it yet!! I think the blue vase is perfect. It does just make that print stand out! Very very nice!

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

Hey kim! I love the new look. I have also been contimplating painting a sofa table with the same look. It looks fabulous! I love the irises, but I also think the red roses would look awesome with the aqua table, too.
It feels so good to be back to blogging. Now, I just need to find a j-o-b.

~Misti

Terri Smith said...

Love the teal! The previous was nice too..but the new color looks stunning! I love how the previous umber color peeks through to reveal itself against the teal. Well done Miss Kim!

Blessings, Joy & Tuesday Sunshine, Terri

Blondie's Journal said...

I adore Rhoda and all her creative ideas and expertise. Your table looks wonderful and really changes the look of your living room. So much brighter now. And the accents look great. Nicely done, Kim!!

xoxo
Jane

Privet and Holly said...

Oh, yes. PERFECT. You've accented with my favorite color! I love how it all ties together. The table truly comes alive! Thank you for sharing the paint color; I'm jotting it down for future reference. What a fun and satisfying project! xx P&H

Anonymous said...

Oh, Kim! It's gorgeous! I love your pretty table and your room. That's a great color, too!
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Embraced Chaos said...

Thanks for stopping by my site, www.embracedchaos.com. I'm still traumatized by little one's hair, so all nice comments help ease the pain :) I'm inspired. Your post makes me want to do something in my living room, but there's so many toys and junk on the floor, I can't see anything :) I'm a follower now, and I look forward to reading more.

Kimba said...

It's gorgeous! That teal color is perfect for your room. Thanks for sharing your project.

Sarah @ Hennessey House said...

wow, i would totally steal that table from you. the color is amazing!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I just had to write down the color of the paint you used. It's great!
I cannot believe how it made your room even lovelier than it already was. Just that little interjection of color made all the difference.


Lovely.

hugs
Sissie

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Awww, Kim!! Thanks for telling me about your post. that is fantastic & I'm so happy you got the paint & tried it out. How funny that a left over gallon of paint in my garage would get passed around blogland. I love it! It truly does look perfect in your room too. I was so happy when I opened that can & took a peek. Just what your room needed. Thanks for linking back to my LR. I'm so enjoying the added color too.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Sorry, Blogger is acting screwy & posted twice.

AND, I love the aqua vase & how it totally brings out the bird print. LOVE it.

Nancy Rosalina said...

HI Kim!!! I love the new look! It does look so fresh! I love the vase! Great job! Nancy

Aimee said...

That does make a huge difference. I like it a lot. And just in time for summer time!!!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Kim, this just looks lovely...gives the room a restful feel and such personality! Just love the touch of color!

Katie said...

I just love the color you did!

Room to Inspire said...

Great updates - it is just such a great room either way! That couch is just lovely. Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired today.

Chelsea

Viki said...

Here from Jenny's. That table is just the right "pop" for that room. It really made a huge difference. Great job.

GardenOfDaisies said...

WOW1 I love the difference a new paint color on a table and one vase can make! All of a sudden we see that there is some aqua in the rug that we never noticed before. Makes the room seem so much more alive. Great job!

Annie B said...

Looks GREAT! here is a tip...bring the coffee table color UP-- paint your mirrors the same color as the table..

It is so nice and springgy-!(not sure if that is a word lol) CUTE!

laterg8r said...

totally fab makeover :D

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Amazing what a difference that little big of color makes. I need to add some "pop" to my living room also...

Jenny said...

Absolutely profoundly amazing how much that pop of color transformed the room!

Good for you!

It looks wonderful!

Thanks for such an elegant stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's Letter "P"!

A+

Terra said...

what an amazing difference. Whoda thunk?

Carolyn said...

I love your pops of color! You did a great job on the coffee table too.

Carolyn

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

Pretty!
Pretty!
Pretty!
I would just sit in here for days!

Anonymous said...

This is one of the most beautiful living rooms I have ever seen. I am looking for a table just like that. I have the chair, it belonged to my grandmother and I have the desk. Victorian parlor, wow! Thank you for sharing.

Kathy said...

I love it! What an imaginative color and the vase is perfect to draw the eye and connect the colors!
Kathy

Donna said...

Oh my gosh! I just love your coffee table! The color is perfect, and I really like how you distressed it to bring out all of the beautiful detail. I also love your cute little bird print!

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hello Kim, I'm so happy to have stopped by your blog for a visit. Wow, a fest for the eyes. The new color you painted brings out all beautiful details in the table! I adore your sweet bird print and the aqua urn, amazing what three changes can do for a room, the pop of color is breath taking. Thank you for sharing, you made my day!
Hugz,
Kim

Cindy said...

WOW, two small(ish) changes made a world of difference in there. The teal brings out the similar color in your rug, too. Wonderful choice! And you did a beautiful job on that table. I agree, I too love Rhoda of Southern Hospitality. Hugs, cindy s

kanishk said...

It's gorgeous! That teal color is perfect for your room. Thanks for sharing your project.
post free classifieds

Katy Noelle said...

It's just super! The teal is a gorgeous color and really transforms not only that pretty little table but, really the whole room is brightened up. I guess it doesn't get lost against the browns in the couch. But, you knew all of that already. =]

You're giving me renewed courage. I KNOW that I need to repaint a coffee table that we have but I shrink from it. First, I have to repaint the room. Well HI HO, HI HO....

Love, Katy Noelle

Judy said...

First time visit to your blog but so glad i found you! Love, love, love your teal painted coffee table. And I know what you mean about the ever-inspiring Rhoda....we met 3 years ago through blogging and then in person. She lives VERY close to my son and since we first met, we've enjoyed several outings as well as "drop bys" at her gorgeous home. I love her to death, she is truly a "southern lady."

Judy

Debbiedoos said...

Kim thst table is amazing that color, I love it! Your other little aqua touches where just perfect KIM, nice job girl...Happy Mothers day to you!

Tracy said...

that was an amazing paint job.

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hi Kim, Thank you for stopping by for a visit, you touched me as much as I have touched you! Boy, are we both emotional today? Well it's a pleasure meeting you and I'm sure we will both be visiting each other often. Have a wonderful Mother's Day!
Hugz,
Kim

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

First time here. Beautiful table! I love the details on it. The paint made all the difference!

Christy said...

Perfect pop of color! Love what you did to the table.

Shaunna said...

It does look wonderful! Coming from someone who refinishes furniture...beautiful job and your accessories really do help create a unified space! -shaunna :)

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I love the color! I think a few of the frames would look great painted that color!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

What a great color, Kim, and it looks great on your table!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Beautiful! The coffee table color brings out the blue in the rug! It is just beautiful!!

Lou Cinda :)

Steph said...

This is lovely. You do have a gift of beauty and design (even when borrowing some inspiration :).

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Surprise, isn't that fun! I love how it pulls the blues in the rug. My Mother has a sofa just like yours that belonged to her great Aunt. Mom's is done in a blue fabric but I adore your brown sofa.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Lori said...

I'm surprised what a few color changes can do to a room. Yours is a perfect example. Lovely.

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

Love this! The picture actually made me gasp. Love the blue pops in the room and look how the newly blue table even elevates the look of the rug. Just beautiful.

Miss Mustard Seed said...

I LOVE how it bring out the color in the rung. It has transformed this room from being very pretty to being a show stopper. Great choice!

Unknown said...

It's gorgeous! I think it's perfect for that room. So lovely the way it brings out the blue in the rug!

Marie said...

Hello sweet Kim - I'm catching up from last week's Met Monday! Love what you did in your living room. It is amazing how much new life was brought in by adding a few touches of blue! Love your coffee table in that shade. So fabulous! Great job.

Thank you for sharing. I'd love for you to come by for a visit - having a giveaway!
http://emmacallsmemama.com/2010/05/bff-giveaway/

Blessings,
Marie

Patty's Stitches said...

Oh. My. Goodness. Your coffee table is gorgeous! I'm headed to Lowe's by buy paint! ;-)

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

Kim - I'm amazed at how that blue table changed your space. Love it! So pretty and fresh.