Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

#ProjectLivingRoom

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*EDIT* My first delivery arrives today! (Squee!) But first, I was just creeping through the Urban Barn website and came across this little wonder…

Fish Hotel Fishbowl ($35): Give your pet fish a life of luxury with this palatial fishbowl.

Loves it! Ryder has been begging for a little fishy friend and I was sitting on the fence – mainly because I hate the look of traditional fishbowls. But I think this one will make the cut! And stay tuned for more #ProjectLivingRoom chat!

Original Post…

After a month-long Reno-cation earlier this year, you’d think I would be done messing around with my home. Right? Riiight? Wrong.

I am an incurable redecorator, and I’m not going to apologize for it.

Redecorating is fun! It’s a fantastic way to channel your creativity; allows you to experiment with colours, textures and placements; and most of all, it’s MUCH cheaper than moving! I tend to get bored with spaces after t-minus 24 months, so you can expect a complete overhaul of any given room in my home after a couple of years. Most of the time, I keep it simple; a fresh coat of paint, a new armchair, or simply moving furniture around until it suits my fancy. Redecorating keeps us interested in our habitat and allows me to cherish my abode.

On my hit list this time around is my living room, or “Great Room” as the builder so aptly called it. The only thing not so great about it? The furnishings. The accessories. The accents. I’m SO over them.

Here are pics from our last redesign (and likely the last time my house was spotless) –

At this point you may be thinking,”What an ungrateful b*tch! Her room looks fine to me!”Well, I didn’t say anything was wrong with it, just that I needed a change. Oh, and may I point out:

A) The light fixture that Ryder has tried to topple 36 times. I’ve always managed to catch him in time, but now that he finally understands he’s not allowed to touch it… the appetite for destruction is alive and well in his little brother (who laughs like a maniac as he tries to bring it down).

Yes, it was purchased 11 months B.C. (before children).

B) The shifting glass coffee table from hell. Seriously, it can take someone’s eye out. Again, a B.C. purchase (give me a break! Ryder was a surprise honeymoon baby, ok, thought we’d have more time to enjoy it!), we generally have it moved off to the side and balance our drinks on our laps instead.

C) The area rug that doesn’t show dirt. Cause it looks dirty all the time, obviously. Husband loves it – I’d love to leave it on the curb next garbage day. #notmycupoftea

D) The mass-marketed bonded leather sectional. Four words: It’s not Urban Barn. And it’s certainly not American cowhide leather. Nor does it look anything like my dream sectional:

CARRADINE LEATHER SOFA CHAISE, URBAN BARN

Phew. And that’s just from one photo. I didn’t mention the mirror which reflects our bulbous light fixture, the flatscreen TV which has more fingerprints than pixels, or the green cushions that have an envious collection of  food stains (but no more than 10 that we can’t identify).

It’s time for #ProjectLivingRoom.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’ve been working with a couple of AMAZING brands who fully support my design addiction and have delivered the goods. And by goods, I mean a brand new living room.

Oh yeah, it’s a whole cup of awesomesauce.

Looking for decor inspiration? Think it’s time for a makeover? Love stalking before/after photos? Be sure to come back as I unveil #ProjectLivingRoom.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Did someone say Renocation?!Girl, I love your posts, but especially your home design ones. So relatable to real life and real issues, especially trying to meet design and children. I look forward to seeing the progress – that couch is drool worthy in a stock photo, can;t wait to see the final reveal!And, I'm in need of some inspiration too, I need me some #projectbedroom soon – you should see that disaster!

    • You are too sweet! And ooooh, #ProjectBedroom – you HAVE to check out Urban Barn; remember my Reno-cation photos? I love my UB bedroom!

  2. Can't wait to see the finished room! I need a sectional so bad and will be in the market for one in the next year so I'll be watching closely. We renovated our house now to get rid of the garage sale chic and upgrade.

    • “garage sale chic” – love it. Definitely let me know what you think about my new furniture when it arrives…

  3. i do this too, i cant really buy new stuff, but i have to rearrange the rooms every 6 months or so , dont know why but it always feels better and everything gets a really good clean at the same time

  4. I love to redecorate too but as roswell said, don't really have the money to buy all new pieces. But I find if I just buy one new piece and design the room around it then it's refreshed and new.I love Urban Barn! We purchased our dining set in 2008 and love it.

  6. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this time. I've still got your renocation bookmarked for inspiration (especially your son's room). Excited!

  7. Words cannot express how excited I am about Project Living Room…You have such an eye for design Lena, I still think about your W HOTEL bedroom (and how you keep it so clean?

  8. Can't wait to see how the sofa DH picked fits in :) I am in #projectpurge and #sellthishouse mode right now. Will be looking at your #projetlivingroom for ideas for the next home.

  9. Oh how I love this!! I have a wall in my house that is just screaming to be knocked dowm. Hubby and I have toyed with the idea of doing it ourselves, but here's the thing, we really like eachother and would like to stay married. I'm think a reno would be the end of us! lolWill stay tuned for the results!

    • oh yeah, my husband and I wouldn’t survive a renovation either. We almost filed when our basement was being finished, LOL! xo

  10. Very cool fishbowl! They've come a long way from what I used to have. Wonder if it comes with a consierge and room service. ;)

  12. I loved your renocation and am looking forward to the big reveal! And I seem to remember that you live in Toronto, and I would be happy to take the old furiture off your hands!!!