LIVING ROOM UPDATE – CHAPTER 4

Time for another update to my living room makeover.  I was so happy to receive my newly recovered wing chairs, just before Christmas.  Which was wonderful, as I was hosting Christmas Eve dinner for 16 and needed all the chairs I could get. Here’s the original chairs -
And the fabric that I decided upon was from Robert Allen – you can’t quite see it on this photo but it has subtle gray threads through it.

And the whole reason, why I decided on reupholstering instead of slip covering, the upholstery tacks that I fell in love with.

And here’s the fabulous “newly” done chairs.

Since I went with such a patterned area rug (see previous post) , I kept the chairs in a solid pattern.  And because I like to change things up quite often, I choose a neutral colour, so this way I’m not tied into a colour that I grow tired off. 

Here’s a close up of the upholstery tacks.

So lovely!  I’m so happy with this little detail.  Stay tuned for the next changes I’ve planned…..

I’m linking up to Metamorphosis Monday’s blog party at Between Naps on the Porch.  Make sure and check out all the other fabulous transformations!

Also linked up to Boogieboard Cottage – Masterpiece Monday. Click on button below to visit and see the other masterpieces.

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space! Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

A COUPLE OF TREASURES FOUND…..

My hubby and I purchased an old cottage about six years ago.  It was in very rough shape and needed to be gutted and rebuilt.  But that’s for a bunch more posts.  Anyways, the previous owner left many items that she didn’t want to move and so we became the recipients of many interesting items. 

I insisted we keep some of them much to my hubby’s despair and a few of them have turned out to be precious little treasures.

The first piece was this desk that had belonged to the owner’s grandfather.

I couldn’t bear to get rid of it, I think I was more sentimental about it than she was.  Anyways, an antique dealer has told me that it was a library desk made in the early 1900’s of oak – in the mission style except for the scalloped edges at the front – a decorative touch the carpenter decided upon. 

It has these cute little shelves on each side to place books on from the side. 

It has it’s original finish with marks, scratches and drops of paint but I’ve been told not to refinish it as that will negatively affect it’s value.

So now it has a special little spot in front of the window at the cottage with it’s finish intact. 

Then there was also an old 1920’s chair that I refinished and blogged about here. 

If this wasn’t enough there was also a tiny Gibbard drop leaf side table which was in sad shape.  There were cigarette burns on the top and a piece of the leg was broken.  While I refinished it my Dad (the handy guy) fixed the leg and now it resides in my living room.  Gibbard was too good for the cottage!!!

Isn’t it a cute little table. 

(P.S. Don’t look at the wing chair upholstery that is on the list to be redone.)

Now see if you can see what is in the frame in the above photo – it’s another little treasure from the cottage. Stay tuned for a post about it soon. 

 

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at      613-762-0818.

Lisa

THE BEAUTY OF NATE BERKUS’ DESIGNS

The fantastic Moggit Girls have started Nate Day in honor of Nate Berkus' new show.  So for Nate Day I wanted to share some of my favourite “Nate Rooms”.  When I look at his rooms he and I have alot in common - design style wise.
I like simple, clean, uncluttered designs – that have more texture than pattern in calm, serene colours and with some black thrown in to ground the space.  Displaying some personal objects that have meaning add to the personality of the design. So many of Nate’s interiors are done with this same method.

Nate Berkus via Elle Decor
This room has all the features that I mentioned above plus a beautiful blue to add some colour. I’m loving that cute rhino on the mantel…

Nate Berkus via Oprah website
The navy blue painted doors in this room, the distressed leather seating, textured carpet and the bare branches give it such a natural textural mood. He is not afraid to have some sentimental objects out – decorating your space is really about injecting your personality into it. 

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
Another beautiful living room by Nate with beautiful texture and muted colours.  Of course, there is a touch of black as well!

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
ART WALLS – I see Nate loves these too! And look at that gorgeous black door.  That animal rug is so perfect here – though I think I would have to use a faux one!
 
Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
Another fantastic art wall – adding some personal photos puts your personal experience into the space.

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
Who wouldn’t want this bath room.  It’s soft, serene and so elegant.  The shape of this tub is too die for and you wouldn’t have to clean under the tub like a claw foot tub…..

Nate Berkus via Elle Decor
In this bedroom he’s reversed the colours by using dark colour on the walls, door frames and chair and added the light colour with the bed and bed linens.  Beautiful texture again with the wood trim, sisal carpet, coverlet and chair strapping.

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
This bedroom has a French feeling with the elaborate gold headboard and the French night table.  The crisp, monogrammed bed linens add to the French mood.  Looks like it should be in an expensive hotel.  To check out all the other posts about Nate click here.
Don’t forget that The Nate Berkus
Show launches Sept 13th!!!

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

Painted furniture

I'm a big fan of painted furniture - much to my Dad's horror! However, so many pieces look so much better with a fresh coat of paint. I have been doing this for years and I posted awhile back photos of my daughter's desk and dresser that I painted.

These are the chairs that we inherited with our cottage, they were an ugly shade of brown stain with fake red leather seats that had cracked and had no cushioning left. I painted them a soft white and added new foam and a cheery plaid fabric in green, yellow and blue (the official colours of my cottage). I also stain guarded them as we have children and lots of guests at the cottage.....

I think they look fantastic and the lovely detail of the back splat shows up much more now.

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space – email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.