You’ve seen the built-ins starting to take shape, but what I’m really looking forward to is painting the front parlor and getting everything back in place. I came across the top two floral images below on Pinterest the other day, and they’ve stayed with me. This is the direction the color palette is heading, I think.

Images: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4

You’ve seen that bottom image below here, and I’ve been thinking of picking up a few blue and white porcelain jars or vases like this since using a similar one in the design of this room.

I haven’t really made a conscious effort to keeping things to a palette yet (although it’s been kicking around in my mind), as I’ve been enjoying the process of collecting and taking my time. Happily, everything does work pretty well with the above inspiration, and here’s how the furniture and accessories between the two parlors are looking so far.

1. Black Beauty Paint, Benjamin Moore
   You can see the second parlor from every other main room on the first floor, and the black walls give fantastic contrast to the surrounding spaces

2. Pink Ikat Polka Dot Pillows, Jayson Home (Warehouse Sale)
   I picked up two of these pale peachy pink pillows.

3. Gold Suzani Pillow, Jayson Home
   Expensive, but huge and luxe and worth it.

4. Twin Beacons Brass Lamp, Anthropologie
   I waited and waited, and was able to finally grab it on clearance. It’s a heavy, substantial lamp that looks vaguely insect-like, and I love it.

5. Winifred Sofa, Anthropologie
   The most expensive piece of furniture we’ve ever bought (even with it being on sale when we got it), but it’s perfect. It’s also the most comfortable we’ve ever had.

6. Dog Rose Botanical Poster, The Evolution Store
   I cashed in some credits on Fab to get mine a couple of years ago, and now I think I like it even more in this house than I did in the old one!

7. Built-in Bookshelves, Krieger + Associates
   Those are fantastic. I hope mine will be, too.

8. Antique Striped Sofa, Chairish
   I was looking for a smaller striped settee, but this sofa was so perfect that I went for it.

9. Tufted Pink Ottomans, Target
   I like the dash of hot pink these bring.

10. Pale Pink Table Lamp, Robert Abbey
    I used to have two of these, but alas, one of the kids broke one shortly after we moved here.

Of course there are a few outliers that will probably show up in the two spaces too, like my Emily Rickard painting and the crazy floral Blythe chair.

Our carpenter did a lot of work installing components yesterday, and the bookshelves in the front parlor are up on both sides of the window now. He’ll be taking next week off and returning the week after to finish up some of the details, but the bulk of the project is in place! I’ve been trying to stay mindful of the sightlines in this house, and the wall of shelving looks good in context and in relation to the other rooms. The house is an oak-stravaganza (shall I never use that word again?), and I’m good with that.

Now, what color should I go with for the walls in there?