evolution of a living room

When The Boy and I first got married, I had just moved out of my college apartment where my room was painted a nice color in the purple family. I had a big fluffy comforter, a body pillow [affectionately known as Fernando] and the most romantic poster I could find adorned to my wall. I decorated like a girl.

When we got hitched and moved into our first apartment, I was overwhelmed with the opportunity of adopting a new style - one that worked for both of us and represented us as Mr. and Mrs. One of my mother-in-law's favorite stories to tell is about a conversation that took place between hubby and me. We were talking about decorating and remodeling and I said, "I'm feeling the need to feather my nest." To which he responded, with his finger to his brain like he was drilling it in, "Credit is a tool, credit is a tool." Needless to say, it's been in my blood to add flair to our lairs. And it's in his blood to guard and protect the checkbook [any Bachelorette fans out there??]

My inspiration for our first place was a set of Italian travel posters that I got online and framed with cheapo frames from Michaels. We painted the living room a beautiful, bold yellow and got all of our furniture from IKEA [the night before both familes were coming over for Mother's Day...oh hey, crazy.]

We loved this living room. It was perfectly us and we did it [for the most part] on the cheap.

Then we moved into a rental house [with a yard, for our high maintenance puppy] for about 7 months. At that point, we knew that a Navy move was likely on the horizon, so we knew this place was temporary. I didn't do much in the way of decorating. Except for hanging that painting over the fireplace.

And those Poinsettias? Don't be confused into thinking this was Christmas. It was actually late January. No motivation whatsoever.

And now here we are! In the most adorable Charleston rental you ever did see! I've been promising some folks pictures of our house for ohhhhh, months now? Since this room is almost done, I'll be rolling out some of the projects I've been doing around here and then...the big reveal :) Here's a sneak peak:

Hint: buh-bye dark furniture, hello white, light, bright and shiny happiness :)

autumn day dreams

Don't judge me. Yes, it's not even the middle of August and I'm already thinking about fall. Yes, I know the temperature probably won't even dip below 70 degrees [but the humidity will be gone, hollerrr!] Yes, I know that the official first-day-of-fall is more than a month away. And yes, I know that picture is blurry but it's before I knew how to use a camera.

I.don't.care.

I'm so excited, I want to talk about it NOW. For the last 3 weeks, I've purchased something every time I wandered into Goodwill with my fall tablescape/mantel in mind. Sue me. I love it :)

The first fall I had my very own abode, we were living in the cutest apartment ever, The Boy had just gotten laid off and we lacked the dolla dolla billz. I got that wreath for $7 at HomeGoods, splurged on a Yankee Candle and called it good. The second fall, we were in the middle of moving and I don't even remember the leaves turning. And now here we are: settled, semi-stable and in loooove with this Charleston rental. I have my very first dining room table. I have my very first front porch. I have my very first [legit] craft room. We are in for a wild ride.

I'm forcing myself to wait until September 1 to break out the big [hot glue] guns, but I'm saving my mad money for a trip to Hobby Lobby to rack up on the goods. [!!!!!!!!!] In preparation, here's some inspiration I've been eyeing for the last few weeks:

How cute are these? You could totally coordinate your entire table with just a few stamps. Love it.

One of my most favorite things about our house is our front porch. This would look A-dorable out there.

I'm totally copying this. Every single part of it.

Purple, is that you? YOU can decorate with my favorite color appropriately!!

Easy peasy. Are you kidding me? I love how subtle it is. Perfect for the handful [read: 8] pieces of glass candleware I've purchased in the last few weeks.

I'm DYING. The littlebittycutielittle acorns are SO me.

All of that wonderfulness comes straight from the Hostess with the Mostess. Thanks, Marty.

[You're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiraaaation]

Totally kidding. Sort of.

what's my style again?

I have to tell you something.

I'm fickle when it comes to decorating. For realz. My style from house to house has been completely different. I guess because (a)
it's a blank slate and (b) the houses have been SO different and (c) we're renting (thanks, Navy!) so we can't do anything permanent, like paint. That gives you a license to be even more creative, don't you think?

But really, I don't even know how to define my style. That chair? LOVE.IT. It's vintage, it's curvy, it's turquoise for cryin' out loud. And I found it on a blog called Big Daddy Seashell. Hellooo, what's not to love? But it wouldn't go with anything in any.single.room in my house. NOTHING I have would go with this chair. And yet, there it is. Beautiful and pulling on my heart strings.

The funny thing is, if you showed me the fabric that ties my living room together, I would be like "uuummm, no. That's not me AT ALL." Because I'm fickle, and I don't know what I want. But looking at it in there, so cute and traditional and modern, all at the same time and I absolutely adore it. So what gives? Why do I like things that aren't reflected in the style that I thought I loved?

Here's what I do know:

I love bold things, like this awesome painting, but I'm not quite brave enough to pull it off in my own home. And I don't know if it's what I really want to define my style.

I'm easily inspired and love a design that can be tweaked to take on a different feel. White, white, white....you are my friend.

I live with a boy who wouldn't appreciate it if I decorated with my real favorite color. (Sigh)

But listen. As I've been working through this in my most recent abode, I've finally defined my style: modern traditional. Sounds boring, doesn't it? It's not cottage-inspired, it's not vintage, it's not shabby chic or french country. It's modern traditional. And that's okay! Page, it's okay that your style is modern traditional. That's just who you are. And it means I can spice it up with little pieces of flair in unexpected ways - little glimpses of the other styles I like that don't necessarily require transforming the whole room.

Am I right, or am I right?

PS: This totally turned into a "you go, girl" post and that was not my intention. Just do what you want - you pick up what I'm puttin' down?

PPS: All those other pics are from IKEA, because who doesn't get inspired by IKEA? Except for the purple bedding, which is from Crate and Barrel. I've wanted it foreva-eva. Maybe that could be the inspiration for my next guest bedroom?