Decorating Making it Yours (MiY)

Making it Yours 15B: Pink Persian-Style Rug

Persian-Style Pink Rug, West ElmThank you for the great response to my new approach to these Making it Yours posts! I love sharing a bit more about the thought process behind the designs.

The last post was pretty girly and young, and this time we’re going a bit more grownup, a bit more neutral. Well, as neutral as one can get with a pink rug as the foundation, but I’m going to show an alternative color scheme at the end. This is going to be a living room, so with the rug already chosen (since we’re seeing it in three looks), the next big choice is the sofa. Sometimes I know exactly which piece I’ll be incorporating, and sometimes I have to look around a bit. In this case, I immediately thought of the latest sofa from Interior Define, designed by Maxwell of Apartment Therapy.

Maxwell Sofa, Apartment Therapy for Interior Define

The walls are going to be painted either in Clunch or Dimity, both by Farrow & Ball (I’m considering both for a project I’m working on right now, so the colors are top of mind). Between the pink rug, pale walls, and the beige sofa, it’s all very light. We need a little depth and contrast in the form of dark finishes, maybe leather or velvet, and wood. How about a big display cabinet, or maybe a wall of bookshelves to start?

Dark Cabinets and Shelving
DARK CABINETS AND SHELVING: Chelsea Display Cabinet • Tuscan Flush Bookcases • St. James Armoire • Geometric Double Door Cabinet • Soft Metal Industrial Cabinet

It’s probably going to be the chelsea display cabinet or the geometric double door cabinet (both hit the right mix of modern and traditional), but I won’t decide for sure until everything else comes together.

Now chairs. A matching pair or two different styles? Maybe one upholstered (good way to introduce leather and/or color), and one wood? Gotta see what’s out there and what works. Maybe one pricier option and one more affordable — I try to mixup the price points as I would in my own home.

I started by looking for slim-profiled dark leather chairs with metal bases. These are a nod to the lines of the SAIC sling nightstand in the bedroom.

Dark Leather and Velvet Chairs, Slim, Metal Base | Making it Lovely
SLIM METAL-BASE CHAIRS: Barcelona Chair • Cue Chair with Brass Legs (velvet) • Borough Leather Chair • Milo Leather Chair • Major Leather Chair w/ Polished Brass • Mellby Leather Chair

My favorite of the bunch for this room was the cue chair with brass legs. It’s the only non-leather chair of the bunch but it fits stylistically, and because it’s fabric, it’s a bit more affordable than most of the others. I think wood is out for the other chair now; these need something more plush. And what color? Pink, bien sûr. Maybe a wingback, or something with tufting? It needs to be different in shape from the other upholstered pieces, and a bit larger in scale than the cue chairs.

9 Pink Upholstered Armchairs | Making it Lovely
PINK CHAIRS (numbered, so we can discuss)

  1. Tom Dixon Pink Wingback Chair
    So cool! So tall! Too tall?

  2. Linen Gwinnette Chair
    This is a good option. I like the tufting that’s not present anywhere else. On the traditional side, but that could work depending on what else ends up in the design.

  3. Bliss Down-Filled Chair-and-a-Half
    I like the envelope styling of the cushions, but this is a bit too wide and low for the room.

  4. Thompson Wing Chair, Blush
    Kind of feminine — a good balance to the masculine chairs.

  5. Linen Astrid Chair
    Maybe too feminine? It’s a contender though. I bought this chair ten years ago in an orange/red pattern. Sometimes I still wish I had it.

  6. Belgian Chair, Blush
    Subtle reference of the sofa arms, but not an exact match (that’s a good thing). Nailhead detailing is a plus, as is the traditional lines.

  7. Söderhamn Light Pink Chair
    Great price ($330), but a little too flat and lean for my liking here.

  8. Linen Glenlee Chair, Wilcox
    The rolled arms are too similar to the sofa’s pared back version of the same style.

  9. Saba Powder Pink Amélie Swivel Chair
    A little deco. I’m into it.

Screen shot! Here’s what I’m looking at as I write this. (The post is coming together stream-of-consciousness style. It’s different for me, but I’m enjoying it! Also, we’re at the point where I want to chuck all of my furniture and do this in my house. Happens just about every time — I’ve gotten good at ignoring it.)

Writing Today's Blog Post | Making it Lovely

The rug, sofa, and black chair are staying. I think the geometric cabinet is staying. For chairs, I’m thinking #2, 4, 5, 6, or 9. Let’s look for a coffee table, shall we? Not brass — too on-the-nose with the brass chair legs. Wood, or maybe lucite? OK, found what I wanted without too much searching: the Boom Coffee Table has a nice wood tone, and the chunky/blocky shape is nice against the spindly legs of the chair and the turned legs of the sofa. A little gold accent table for next to the pink chair would be good with it.

Wood Coffee Table, Gold Accent Table
Boom Coffee TableEllison Side Table

I had been thinking I would bring back one of the white table lamps from last time, but now I think a floor lamp would be the better choice, and I know just the one. Time to pull this all together!


Pink Persian-Style Rug, Making it Yours 14B

  1. Floating, Alice Gao, Offset for West Elm

  2. Brooklyn Summer, Erik Melvin, Artfully Walls

  3. Thompson Wing Chair, Blush, Serena & Lily

  4. Ellison Side Table, Birch Lane

  5. Cue Chair with Brass Legs, CB2

  6. La Jolla Baskets – White, Serena & Lily

  7. Caged Bubble Vases, West Elm

  8. Clunch Paint, Farrow & Ball

  9. Boom Coffee Table, Dwell Studio

  10. Pink Persian-Style Rug, West Elm

  11. Judy Bust Statue, CB2

  12. Geometric Double Door Cabinet, Restoration Hardware

  13. Cylinder Floor Lamp, Rejuvenation

  14. Maxwell Sofa by Maxwell Ryan, Interior Define

  15. Channels Ebony & Ivory Pillow, Arianna Belle


OK, and just because it’s so simple to change this out, let’s take a look with a different color scheme. Everything is the same except for the rug and the color of one chair. Funny how color changes things so much, eh?

Alternate - Pink Persian-Style Rug, Making it Yours 14B
IDENTICAL, EXCEPT: 3. Thompson Wing Chair, Gold, Serena & Lily • 10. Taza Hand-Knotted Jute Rug, Dash & Albert

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

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  • Mary
    September 7, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    This is so fun! I love your choices. But I’m partial to the pink version.

  • SMF
    September 7, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    Hi, I stumbled across your blog after searching the Ikea Patrik swivel chair, which I recently purchased. I love the design and ergonomics – however, the fabric is awfully scratchy in a way that gets uncomfortable. I am thinking of returning it. Since you purchased the chair years ago, did you find the scratchy fabric improved over time? Thanks!

    • SMF
      September 7, 2016 at 7:36 pm

      just to clarify, it’s like 90% wool which I find scratchy but I know not everyone does.

      • Making it Lovely
        September 7, 2016 at 10:19 pm

        I bought mine a long time ago, and when I did, there were two fabric choices. One was a gray felt, and mine, a red nubby textured fabric. I don’t think mine was wool (acrylic?), and I didn’t find it scratchy. I felt like it stayed the same over time though, if that helps at all.

  • Sam
    September 7, 2016 at 7:39 pm

    This is such a blast! It also showcases what an amazing eye for design you have; Consistently, you think of things I never would, which is why I keep coming back. Cheers!

  • Peggi
    September 8, 2016 at 6:18 am

    Love, love, loving this! Everything- the process, the options, the design. I appreciate how your choices tend to be more affordable-ish. I am not against “aspirational” design (I read Elle Decor.), but it never feels like where I’d want to live. Thanks for being awesome.

  • Giulia Doyle
    September 8, 2016 at 10:10 am

    I really like this and that you changed the colour in the end. It showcases how you don’t have to change a whole room to get a different feel. I really enjoyed this post.

  • Melanie
    September 8, 2016 at 10:24 am

    Really cool; we’re moving to a bigger house so I’m liking your thought process, helps me figure out where to start a bit better (with mostly all my existing stuff of course, but knowing what else I might add for contrast, etc!)

  • sarah
    September 8, 2016 at 11:38 am

    Love this, especially the shot at the end with the color scheme changed–it really is amazing how a small change can make such a HUGE difference!

    Question about the sofa: have you had any experience with Interior Define pieces? I’m in the market for a new sofa–a sectional, actually, and need something nice-looking that will also be comfortable and stand up to kids. I’m intrigued by I/D, but can’t find much about how they’ll stand up over time (and don’t have a showroom to actually sit in one to see how it feels…).

    • Making it Lovely
      September 8, 2016 at 11:39 am

      Yes, they have a Chicago showroom! I haven’t been in since this sofa debuted (it’s new), but everything else was great quality. We have two of their armchairs in our den and they’re super comfortable.

  • shannon
    September 8, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    This is such a good endorsement of choosing neutral furniture. Say you choose an assortment of mostly neutral pieces for your living room and later get bored with it. It’s just a quick rug and chair swap to completely change the feel. That may not even involve buying anything new because you may be able to ‘shop’ the other rooms of your house. I love how you illustrated that whole process at the end of the post! Such a great visual!

  • Anne
    September 8, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    I want to echo what other commenters are saying and agree that I love seeing the design process, and I particularly enjoyed seeing what a difference the change in rug and chair color made. Not really saying anything new here, but I just wanted to make sure you knew that you’re great at what you do! Keep on keepin’ on :)

  • Sherry
    September 9, 2016 at 6:46 am

    Love the pink room! That rug is gorgeous. I think hubs might have an aneurysm if I surprised him with it. ;-). Maybe another room?

  • Catherine Davis
    September 9, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    You are so talented!

  • Shauna Roux
    September 12, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Really like them both. Great ideas and combinations and textures…I thought I wouldn’t like the yellow version but I’m actually enjoying this refreshing mix. Thanks for the ideas!

  • Rebecca
    September 20, 2016 at 11:38 am

    You put together such beautiful options! They will look so great all together!

    http://www.thebeccalynn.com