I posted about the very pretty Louisa sofa yesterday, and it made me curious about how long we’ve had our sofa. I checked flickr for photos of our old apartment and I just realized how much of our living room has stayed the same over the years.
2006
now
We have had our couch since 2006. We also still have the same pink Robert Abbey lamps, and the same pillows (but moved around a little).
And hello, orange chair. You’ve been with us for five years now too.
2006
now
Yes, the living room in this house has its differences from the living room in our old apartment, but I was surprised to see so many similarities. It’s really my Making it Yours concept put into practice.
And wow, has my taste really stayed that consistent? I’ve been feeling the urge to shake things up a little lately, but I also still like our living room a lot. Do you ever feel conflicted like that?
Brittany
May 18, 2011 at 9:55 amYou have such great style and taste, I can see why you wouldn’t want to change it!! I love your living room!!! I always get in the urge to shake things up, but then don’t for lack of motivation (or because I like how it is).
amanda
May 18, 2011 at 9:56 amare you still planning on painting all of the trim white? that would give it a different look! p.s. i’m a big proponent of painting the trim!!
Making it Lovely
May 18, 2011 at 9:34 pmYes, painting the trim white will help! I’m looking forward to it, but not sure when I’ll start.
nhu
May 18, 2011 at 10:01 amoh yes, almost every couple of years. It’d be nice to change things out once in a while.
Laurie
May 18, 2011 at 10:12 amI just love your taste!!! LOVE those lamps, the wall color, the sofa, everything!!! Sometimes when I need a change, I just trade out throw pillows and that makes a huge difference.
Christina Winters
May 18, 2011 at 10:31 amyour taste is what mine would look like if i could do things like buy amazing chairs from anthropologie haha. i’ve loved your style for a long time now, and one of the things i extra love about it is that you are consistent! you never make any style choices that make me second guess you. i can see wanting to shake things up after so long of having pretty much the same set-up, but i’m sure it will be wonderful whatever you choose. just don’t freak out and paint everything neon green or anything! >_>
Christina Winters
May 18, 2011 at 10:32 amps – ditto what amanda said about painting the trim!
Vanessa
May 18, 2011 at 10:51 amWhere did you get your pink zig zag rug? I’ve been looking for one like that. Love your taste, btw too!
Making it Lovely
May 18, 2011 at 9:35 pmIt’s by Madeline Weinrib, from ABC Carpet & Home in NYC.
Vanessa
May 19, 2011 at 7:51 pmThanks!
Comeca Jones
May 18, 2011 at 11:12 amThat chair is the cutest and the lamps well youre already aware Im sure FAB-U-Lous
Lacey
May 18, 2011 at 11:23 amI find it difficult to keep some design consistency in the house. I want rooms to have some flow, but I also want to use them as an outlet for different styles! It’s tough. How do you feel about it? Is there a rule you try to stick to when decorating and switching it up?
Making it Lovely
May 18, 2011 at 9:35 pmNo steadfast rules here. I tend to find that my style comes through in everything, and that brings an automatic consistency.
jbhat
May 18, 2011 at 11:31 amYour sofa and your gorgeous Anthropologie chair ain’t broke (by a long shot), so why fix ’em? They are perfectly beautiful and seem to be in top-top shape. Classic, lovely.
jbhat
Jules
May 18, 2011 at 11:36 amOh no. As you know, I have the opposite problem. It’s hard for me to keep the same look for 1 year, let alone 6. Revel in your consistency!
Kellory
May 18, 2011 at 11:47 amMy tastes change all the time! I like to think I’m eclectic but maybe it’s indecisiveness :) I’m currently trying to decorate around a red leather couch that I love but doesn’t fit my taste.
Lisa
May 18, 2011 at 11:48 amIt’s great that you know your taste and love what you have. I think it’s great to make small changes, like pillows or tabletop decor. In your case, I wouldn’t change anything you love, unless you’re replacing it with a piece you love even more! I wish I knew my taste as well as you do.
Erika
May 18, 2011 at 12:16 pmYour places are/were both so nice. You have an amazing sense of style. I know what I like, but often feel like I cannot get what’s in my head to translate correctly.
I have been feeling that need for change since moving into our new home just under a couple of years ago. We went from a 1960’s Tri-level brick home to a 1990’s throwback Colonial. It’s so much more traditional and a lot of our furniture is Danish Modern, so things are a little off once you open the front door. I kind of like that feeling of the unexpected, but I often wonder if it just looks goofy. You know, you get used to what you like and sometimes think it looks fine because of that, not because it’s actually the right fit for the space. I continue with the slow process of redecorating and we will see where we end up.
Thanks for all kinds of inspiration!
Making it Lovely
May 18, 2011 at 9:37 pmI don’t think you have to necessarily fit the architecture of your home. To some extent maybe, but we’d all be living in period homes if that were the rule. My house was built in 1910, but I think my more modern (and mid-century modern) pieces look great in it.
amyks
May 18, 2011 at 12:24 pmI feel conflicted like that every time I walk into a West Elm store. I love all the new accessories and side tables and coffee tables and they seem to change so rapidly, makes me want to redo my whole house monthly. I haven’t finished furnishing my living room for that reason. Afraid to pull the trigger and then find something else I like better a week later. I wish I could just rent furniture on a monthly basis, so I can change it whenever the mood hits :)
Making it Lovely
May 18, 2011 at 9:38 pmI think it can be hard if you’re too tuned into what the stores are doing… they change with the trends so quickly that it can feel hard to keep up!
Melissa @ HOUSEography
May 18, 2011 at 1:23 pmTotally. I usually start by rearranging furniture or moving accessories around to different rooms in the house. Getting that itch with our master bedroom right now…
Fernanda
May 18, 2011 at 1:51 pmYes, especially because of my itch to always wonder how I can improve my home and the need to edit things a bit. I covet many pieces, but unfortunately I don’t have many room for all of them…
RebeccaNYC
May 18, 2011 at 2:28 pmGood design lasts. Good pieces last too. Glad to know your stuff is still making you happy. Wanna shake stuff up? Totally normal, I go through this every season, but the basics stay the same.
Helena
May 18, 2011 at 2:51 pmSigh. I’d love new couches (my taste has changed a little) but it’s hard to justify such a purchase when the ones we have are perfectly fine.
elissa :: ebb & flow
May 18, 2011 at 3:26 pmi totally get what you mean. i often feel that way about my bedroom but find that re-vamping a window treatment or, more often, creating new displays (atop dressers, bed stands, etc) really help bring new energy into the space. but it still feels like ‘your’ room.
Carla
May 18, 2011 at 4:10 pmI so feel you. My living room has been very similar for a long time now and while I still like it, I’m itching for a change. The biggest thing holding me back is time/money. I’d love to paint – time, and I’d love a new chair – money (especially since a Herman Miller Eames is what I really want).
Le Man and Wife
May 18, 2011 at 5:08 pmOooh can you tell me how you’ve felt about your Jasper sofa? We just ordered it last week and I can’t wait to see it in our apartment! Have you liked it? I haven’t heard any personal reviews about it yet.
Thanks for all of your great posts, I always love your blog!
Marie
May 18, 2011 at 5:26 pmWe’ve had a Jasper for about 5 years as well and we still love it. Ours is charcoal microfiber and has held up amazingly well through 1 child and 4(!!)* cross-country moves.
* we’re a military family ;-)
Erin - Dwell & Tell
May 18, 2011 at 8:59 pmWe also have the Jasper (mentioned below) in white microsuede. I know Nicole’s isn’t microsuede, but for us it’s been a lifesaver… with the right cleaner, virtually anything will come off.
You’ll love it.
Le Man and Wife
May 18, 2011 at 9:30 pmThanks so much, Marie and Erin! We are so excited to get it. I’m glad to hear you loved yours so much! Thanks again for the feedback!
Making it Lovely
May 18, 2011 at 9:39 pmMine has held up well too, though the back cushions have changed shape a little. We try to fluff them up every so often and that helps. I’d recommend the sofa to anyone though — I’ve been very happy with it!
Roxy
May 18, 2011 at 5:10 pmI ride the same confliction train! I pride myself on my ability to be creative in my work, but when it comes to certain things, I just can’t seem to break from my ‘norm’. Photography is one of those things — I love the look of distressed or antique-style photos, but so often, after putting the filter on a photo, I end up reverting back to the original. There are also areas in my home that have virtually stayed the same in the 7 years I’ve been here. I don’t consider it a bad thing — you just know what you like, and stick to it. It’s kind of like…marriage, right? :P
jj
May 18, 2011 at 5:15 pmOur living room has plywood floors with large strips missing while we wait for application of termiticide-changed four old sliders to reveal rotted mud sill-that damaged Sheetrock and paint-We must now replace all vinyl siding with HardiPlank-HardiPlank must be painted so $20,000.00 later My mantra has become- must not scream- must not screeeeeeeeeeeeam-maybe just a teeny tiny whimper. forgot to mention hardwood.
Jessica
May 18, 2011 at 6:24 pmI think it’s fabulous how long your furniture has held up over the years! You really do get what you pay for. We bought our first new couch from IKEA in 2008 and it already needs replacing soon.
Making it Lovely
May 18, 2011 at 9:41 pmIt’s true. Our furniture has held up very well. IKEA is still good for a lot of things though — I’ve had pieces last for years and still look great!
Mary
May 18, 2011 at 6:57 pmNo, I would re-decorate every year if I could. I love change!
Becky
May 18, 2011 at 8:46 pmLooks great in both versions!
Do you have any tips for preventing cats from scratching beautiful furniture like yours? We need a new couch, but I’m scared to spend money on something higher quality because I’m worried the cats will tear it up : (
Love the inspiration from your site – thank you!
Erin - Dwell & Tell
May 18, 2011 at 8:56 pmI bought the Jasper about a year ago and love it… Naturally gave you a shout-out on the blog for being the culprit behind my unending obsession, haha!
I love the Louisa too. It reminds me of Room & Board’s Loring sofa that I also adore!
The great thing about the Jasper is they have slipcovers made to fit perfectly! I think they even have a gray one. Have you considered that option to shake things up a bit? Fraction of the cost of a new sofa… BUT I love your living room just the way it is! :)
Erin
tina
May 19, 2011 at 12:19 amI’m another who loves your style and incredible taste.
Another thing I noticed is that you live lightly.
You are not hard on a home or your things.
I once had a family move in with us for 3 months (turned into a year) and they destroyed furniture I’d had for years. Carpet ruined.
But I am off track I think your livingroom looks perfect the way it is. I really love the soft tones, color of the wall with the orange chair that pops. perfection!
Sinea
May 19, 2011 at 6:01 amBeautiful interior! Love the look!
Caitlin
May 19, 2011 at 8:19 amI definitely feel that way! It’s annoying, because the “what if I don’t like it have have to do all the work to change it back” usually conflicts with the “I like how it is, but I feel an urge to shake things up”. :/
mp
May 19, 2011 at 9:58 pmlove the jasper sofa. we’re planning on purchasing the same sofa – what fabric/color is yours? and do you like the fabric you have?
kristen f davis
May 20, 2011 at 3:11 pmi’m always impressed by your ability to keep things the same for a while! i wish i could do that. :) it looks great, so why change it!
dg
May 20, 2011 at 8:16 pmWhat are those curtains behind the chairs?
Making it Lovely
May 20, 2011 at 9:23 pmBehind the orange chair in my old apartment? Those were from IKEA.
Luna
May 22, 2011 at 12:14 pmIt looks adorable, I wish I could make our living room look like that, but my husband would say it is too girly :-(
Did you have any struggle about that with yours?
Dawn
May 22, 2011 at 12:33 pmI LOVE that chair. I feel the same confliction about my living room. Like you like it but get bored. I try to divert my energies to something that actually needs changing. Like all those other unfinished projects around the house. haha
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May 27, 2011 at 11:38 pmWhat was the purplish color on the walls in the first 2006 photo?
Kerry
July 19, 2011 at 1:21 pmIf you ever decide to sell that zigzag rug, I will gladly take it off your hands. They only sell a red and white zigzag now.
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