Decorating Making it Yours (MiY)

Making it Yours 11B: French Modernist Armchair

First, thank you for all the kind words on yesterday’s announcement! It feels great to finally be able to share the news of baby number three.

Now, onward! We’re continuing with Monday’s Making it Yours, featuring the French Modernist Armchair. It was paired with a green sofa the first time around, and plenty of feminine pattern (very much my style). This time, we’re going fairly neutral, with plenty of natural textures to mix things up. Plus one very interesting (read: possibly ugly) rug. I’ll show you at the end of the post the difference that having a crazy rug like that makes compared to something very safe and neutral. I think it makes the room.

MiY 11B - French Modernist Armchair #makingitlovely

  1. Apricot White Paint, Glidden

  2. Bentwood Pendants, West Elm

  3. Wren Curtains, Crate & Barrel

  4. Bronze Candlesticks, Eva Zeisel

  5. American Buffalo Photograph, Sharon Montrose

  6. Pascal Embroidered Floral Pillow, Pottery Barn

  7. Favorite Throw – Ink, West Elm

  8. Mongolian Lamp Pillow – Pebble, West Elm

  9. Graydon Sofa, Jayson Home

  10. Plus Side Table, CB2

  11. French Modernist Armchair, Wisteria

  12. Cortona Bookcase, Pottery Barn

  13. Rococo Floor Lamp, Wisteria

  14. Wavery Rug, Lulu & Georgia

And now for comparison, we have the crazy, bold rug vs. the simple, neutral one from Monday’s design. They both look fine, but I like the off-kilter drama the bold rug brings. Which one do you like better?

Which rug do you like better?

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

You Might Also Like...

  • mudslide cookie
    March 19, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    The visual weight of the colors in the “crazy” rug is what anchors the room’s neutrals…the other neutral run makes the object “float”…

    • Making it Lovely
      March 19, 2014 at 3:45 pm

      Agreed, though I know plenty of people like the light and bright feeling that the other rug would bring to the room.

  • Jenny
    March 19, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    Crazy rug, definitely, the other one makes it feel less personal. Even if you don’t like the rug it’s got personality which brings it all together!

  • Christine
    March 19, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    Haha, I love how you called it “possibly ugly”, but I think you’re right it totally brings pizazz to the room! Sometimes safe is boring! I like it.

    p.s. HUGE congratulations on your exciting news yesterday! Hope you are feeling well!! xo

  • Rachel
    March 19, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    Wow I love the neutral curtains works well with the crazy rug!

  • amyks
    March 19, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    Crazy rug, please!

  • Ellen
    March 19, 2014 at 10:15 pm

    Something may be wrong with me, but the crazy rug doesn’t seem all that crazy to me. I do prefer the *colorful* rug to the neutral on in this setting.

    Great rooms, but I miss the Making It Yours stories!!! “Camille is a marketing executive in her mid-30s living in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. She has spent the past several years furnishing her condo with a mix of colorful pieces and classics with a twist. Lucky girl, she has been transferred to Paris for a year. Her bulkier pieces are in storage while she’s away, but her French Modernist armchair, along with her wooden end table and Zeisel candlesticks are in the care of her twin sister, Liza, while she’s away.

    Liza is an internist living fairly close by, in River North with her husband. While both sisters share of love of classic pieces and clean lines, Liza prefers a quieter, more neutral palette with fewer overtly feminine notes. The French Modernist armchair’s new home is in the couple’s guest room/office. But changes are afoot: Liza is pregnant and the room will soon become the baby’s nursery (11C)! And after Camille’s return from abroad, the chair moves back to her condo, and a new decor, influenced by her time in Paris (11D)…”

    • Making it Lovely
      March 19, 2014 at 10:34 pm

      Ah, I love you! I was wondering if I should keep with the story aspect on these or not, and I thought maybe nobody would really miss them. They are fun to include though — I should go back to it the next time around.

      • Amelia
        March 21, 2014 at 1:13 pm

        Oh, yes, the stories are so fun! And so is the (not so crazy to me) crazy rug.

  • Kim Gheesling
    March 20, 2014 at 5:38 am

    Without a doubt, crazy rug! Children = spills and other debree, colors will blend with whatever it encounters.

  • Ashlee
    March 20, 2014 at 7:49 am

    Crazy rug! It’s just fun, and you look to have fun elements in all your rooms!

  • merlin513
    March 20, 2014 at 9:16 am

    Definitely the crazy rug for me! Don’t have kids but with 3 cats I have ample experience with messes!

  • Jessica
    March 20, 2014 at 9:27 am

    The “possibly ugly” rug, no question. It wakes the neutrals up and pulls then together. I don’t like the sleepy rug at all.

  • Nikki
    March 20, 2014 at 9:33 am

    I totally agree with all the other commenters, I like the crazy rug! It makes the space feel so much warmer.

  • Karen Clair
    March 20, 2014 at 9:52 am

    That rug is crazy fabulous! I may actually get that for my loft. Thanks!

  • Trisha Toelstedt on behalf of Thos. Baker
    March 20, 2014 at 10:06 am

    I fall on the “crazy rug” side, for sure { although I might have chosen a different crazy rug :) }. Thank you for the comparison photos ~ it really shows how important it can be to take design risks sometimes instead of erring on the side of “safe”. Incidentally, the America Buffalo, Bentwood pendants & bronze candlesticks are also another grounding trio in this room ~ great choices!

  • Sarah
    March 20, 2014 at 10:09 am

    I love the crazy rug! Glad I’m not crazy and many others are thinking the same thing, haha :)

  • erin
    March 20, 2014 at 10:19 am

    Crazy rug! I love it. :)

  • Sarah
    March 20, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    I love the colorful rug! It brings great energy into the room.

  • Sarah
    March 21, 2014 at 12:21 am

    I like the crazy one! It will hide stains :)

  • Alana
    March 21, 2014 at 9:43 am

    Crazy one!!

    For lots of reasons, but mostly because, well…dog, cat, 4 year old boy.

  • Blair
    March 21, 2014 at 10:17 am

    crazy rug! just looks more interesting. i’ve been searching for my first home and i’m so tired of all the neutral, beige, depersonalized houses that are on the market – they start to become indistinguishable.

  • Shermi
    March 21, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    I was looking for the story too. I always thought they were well thought out and cute.