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    How to Fall in Love with Your Room (+ Our New Living Room Arrangement Using What We Have)

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    It’s that time of year when we all want our living spaces to be cozy, welcoming and comfortable. We want to love our homes. But as you look around your room, do you ever have a nagging feeling that something is “off” but you don’t know exactly what it is? I definitely have! Perhaps you’ve considered getting rid of everything you have so you can start over with new things you love. I’ll admit that thought has crossed my mind a time or two.
    Sources: Plaid Arm Chair // Waffle Weave Blanket on back // Jute + Cotton Rug // Round Black Art (my art is birds which is sold out, but this is the same style with butterflies!)
    I’m a fan of using what you have when possible and not always buying new things.
    But sometimes it’s hard to figure out where to put the furniture you have, or how to combine what you have in a new way or a new room. And how to determine when you just need something new!
    Did you know years ago I wrote a book called But Where Do I Put the Couch? with KariAnne Wood from Thistlewood Farms? Seems like I should be an expert on answering that age old question of where a couch should go in a room, but as is often the case with design, the best answer is often found through trial, error and experimentation rather than in a universal set of rules to to follow.
    I think we need to give ourselves freedom to try new things, to break the rules and just arrange furniture in a way that is best for the room! This way your room will be better designed for you and make more sense.
    Source: Brown Gingham Pillow on Wingback Chair // Jute + Cotton Rug with this rug pad // Blue and White Floral Ginger Jar // Clam Shell (similar) and other sources // No link for those toys on the floor, ha!
    I am happy to say I stand by my advice in the book (which is not just about where to put the couch, by the way! It’s so much more than that! It answers 101 actual decorating questions from readers like you! Read all about it here).
    But even if we know the rules, break the rules or both, we can still feel stuck. I get stuck, too.
    Case in point.
    I was so excited when our renovation was nearly complete because I finally got to arrange furniture and get settled. But my enthusiasm soon turned to a slump. I just wasn’t feeling like the living room was coming together.
    It wasn’t the backdrops at all. I was grateful for this newly refreshed space and love our paint colors and new flooring. Love the new feel and layout of our main floor. I still planned to get blinds in the living room, and I knew we’d get those soon.
    Sources: Wicker Trunk // Jute + Cotton Rug // Leather Sofa Armchair Version (loveseat no longer sold) // Pleated Lampshade // Blue and White Stamped Pillow on Sofa // Dining Room Details
    While I was stumped at how to solve the furniture arrangement, a little voice in my head told me to STOP DROP AND ROLL.
    Catchy, yes? You’re welcome. A little lesson we all learned in kindergarten.
    This time though, there was no fire to put out.
    Just a little crisis in my head, but nothing STOP DROP AND ROLL can’t handle!
    STOP scrolling for more ideas that just overwhelm or confuse you.
    DROP the idea that shopping is the only way to solve problems.
    Get out of your head so you can get ROLLING!
    Sources: Blue and White Flower Pot // Plaid Arm Chair // Waffle Weave Blanket on back // Jute + Cotton Rug // Lidded Rattan Basket Under Table // Lidded Basket on Right // Round Black Art // Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
    Even though I felt stumped — like I already tried every combination or arrangement, I told myself I needed to get up and try again. If I didn’t like it, no problem, I could just move it all right back. If nothing else, it could give me clarity on what it was I needed so I could make a better decision.
    It was time to STOP DROP AND ROLL!
    I turned on my Fall Puttering Playlist, got my comfy tennies on, and started moving the furniture all around the room. I tried every possibility, even the ones I was pretty sure I wouldn’t love. But you never know until you try!
    Several arrangements later…it suddenly clicked! This felt right. Cozy, inviting, and pleasant for conversation. Funny enough, this is the arrangement I tried FIRST! I promptly dismissed it previously because when I tried it before, the dining room was still under construction.
    Sources: Wicker Trunk // Jute + Cotton Rug
    Here’s another handy tip. Don’t judge a room when it is under construction (or in a mess as the case might be). I can often look past a mess but this time, I made a quick judgement that was incorrect. I thought it was too crowded, but I am so glad I gave the arrangement another chance once the mess was picked up.
    There is plenty of room to get around, and the couch there gives each room a cozier feeling! It works! Best of all, I was so happy I was able to use what I already had! All I had to do was try and try again.
    Stop drop and roll.
    Sources: Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
    Once I fell in love with how the room felt with the furniture this way, it gave me ideas of things I had in other rooms that could serve a new purpose in this space. Our ottomans seemed too big and there were just too many legs in the room with four more on an ottoman (although I might try again, or maybe just get a new one someday). But I brought down a basket trunk I had up in the Snug and much to my surprise, it worked just fine in front of the couch!
    We love how the room feels now. I’m so glad I didn’t give up!
    If you’ve followed along here for awhile, you’ll recognize that many of these pieces are ones I’ve had for years and years and have used in many different ways in several homes!
    If you’re not feeling the love for your home, maybe it’s not your home or your furniture!
    Maybe you just need to STOP DROP AND ROLL!
    Source: Jute + Cotton Rug
    Hope this inspires you today! If you try a new arrangement in your home, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @theinspiredroom. In my HomeBody Gathering Place membership group I share in depth on decorating and creating a sanctuary through custom mini-courses and workshops.
    Join the waitlist HERE (homebodygatheringplace.com) to join us when we open HomeBody Gathering Place again!
    Find more inspiration and encouragement for your home in my books, including Love the Home You Have, The Inspired Room, and Simply Home. Find all my books here.

    Jute + Cotton Rug – with this rug pad
    Plaid Arm Chair
    Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
    Waffle Weave Blanket on back of chair
    Round Black Art (my art is birds which is sold out, but this is the same style with butterflies)
    Blue and White Flower Pot
    Lidded Rattan Basket Under Table
    Lidded Woven Basket by fireplace
    Wicker Trunk
    Leather Sofa Armchair Version (loveseat no longer sold)
    Pleated Lampshade
    Blue and White Stamped Pillow on Sofa
    Brown Gingham Pillow
    Wingback Chair
    Blue and White Floral Ginger Jar
    Clam Shell (similar) and other sources
    Dining Room Details
    My Battery Operated Candles
    Blue paint color: Beach Glass Benjamin Moore
    White paint color: Classic Light Buff Sherwin Williams
    Find more sources from my home and more decor I love in my shops! More

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      in Style Tips

      Spring Mood Board: A Charming Layered Look

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      This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

      Today we are featuring a spring mood board with a charming layered look that could inspire any area of your home. An entryway, an underutilized wall in a living room or bedroom, a beautiful backdrop for a reading corner…so many possibilities!
      A few ‘takeaway design tips’ from the mood board:
      I love the charming layered look with the soft color palette, textures and nature inspired elements such as the floral lamp (very similar to one I have in my bedroom!) and the heron bird art (I also have similar artwork to this in my bathroom!).
      The black candle wall sconce adds a layer of old house charm and ties in the black of the picture frame.
      This artificial lilac flower arrangement adds a hint of nature and interesting organic shapes. Plus the mustard vase the plant is in ties in perfectly with colors seen in the bird art, the lamp, and the pom poms on the basket and the brass whales!
      This brass whale object would be a fun third decorative item to place on the the console table. The rule of thirds in design is that items arranged in odd numbers are most pleasing to the eye. Not a hard and fast rule, but can be a helpful styling tip!
      The pom pom basket is just fun, and would look grate sitting next to the console table with a blanket draped over it (or anything could go in there…umbrellas in an entry, rolls of gift wrap, extra pillows…etc).
      The rug has such a beautiful pattern and colors that tie in nicely with the artwork.
      These shallow lidded baskets are one of my favorite Amazon finds. I use them to store remotes or other little things I want easily accessible but out of sight. They could be placed on the bottom shelf of that console table, or on top! Find more baskets I love in this folder in my Amazon shop.
      A couple of design books are always a welcome styling accessory in a space. I’d probably stack a few on top of the console (or underneath on the shelf!). This Patina Homes book is one I personally have and love. See more of my favorite design + garden books here.
      Mood board source links are below, and remember you can always use any of our mood boards as inspiration to design a mood you love with things you already have!

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      Two Drawer Console with Shelf and Cane Detail (multiple color options)
      Floral Chinoiserie Table Lamp with Brass
      Rug
      Heron Art Print in Frame
      Textured Solid Throw Blanket
      Patina Homes Book
      Lidded Shallow Storage Baskets (set of 2)
      Brass Whale Objects
      Black Candle Wall Light
      Lilac Artificial Flower Arrangement
      Pom Pom Basket
      Do you enjoy mood boards? You can find more HERE, and you can also follow my new Instagram @theinspiredroomstyle for more mood boards and decor finds. More

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      in Style Tips

      How to Decorate a Room with Color (While Keeping the Mood Simple and Calm)

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      This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

      Do you like decorating with color? Or do you prefer neutrals? I appreciate so many types of rooms. I sense the beauty in rooms with primarily neutrals and a serene organic look…and I also feel so happy when I see rooms with fun little pops of color…as well as rooms bursting with color all over!
      Perhaps you know you are a tried and true neutral fan, or a color-for-life fan. Or, maybe you’re like me and you love BOTH, so which one should you choose for your own home?
      The good news? You don’t have to choose! In my own home, I love to include color, but still strive for an overall sense of calm. I sometimes have a little more fun with color in certain rooms, and then transition into a room with a calmer palette. I also give myself freedom to change things up with my whims!
      There really are no rules, so if you love color but see your favorites on the “what not to do list” in any given year, or if someone says the style you love the most is going to be a passing trend, don’t worry!
      Ultimately your style should be all about what YOU and your family love for your home.
      If you are like me and want to add more color to your home while keeping the overall mood simple and calm…here are a few inspiration rooms along with my design observations and takeaway tips!

      This room uses a lighter muted wall color with fun pops of color! Color was brought in through furniture with the sky blue painted armoire and fun orange painted chairs. Accents like a bouquet of cheery sunflowers, green and white patterned pillows and chair cushions, and an orange throw blanket wrap color around the room.
      Using neutral elements as well like the eclectic mix of baskets and pottery bring in a natural calm feeling. Whitewashed wood floors keep the whole space light and airy. The connected room is a bright bold blue, but with white paneling below.

      This space brings in spring green with the muted green and white patterned wallpaper, dried hydrangeas, a stack of springy beach towels, and landscape artwork. Simple off-white wall trim and wood floors keep the atmosphere calm. Natural texture was brought in with straw hats hanging on simple white peg hooks and the large woven basket! A tiny pop of extra color comes in with a blue ribbon on one of the hats. I love how that one simple touch pairs the color with the neutral texture. Adorable!

      This cheery space uses white paneled walls with a bright turquoise painted wood floor. Colorful striped braided rugs, a cheery dresser painted a similar color as the floors, fun colorful rows of books, and a green and white patterned chair. Color was even subtly brought in on the white bedding with blue scalloped trim.

      This kitchen has been a fave of mine for awhile now! I love the soft and muted blue/gray cabinets–they add a whisper of color while keeping a distinguished and serene tone. Another tip for adding color subtly in a room is to incorporate warm metals! Notice the brass wall sconces, copper pot and colander, brass hardware, and lanterns. Greenery and a beautiful pot of bright red flowers adds some cheer. Colorful patterns and accessories in the adjoining room make it an all around lively space that is still calm and comforting! LOVELY!

      You can certainly bring in color with furniture, but for investment furniture pieces, choosing neutrals can be a wise choice for flexibility and longevity. A neutral sofa has always felt like a classic investment to me. My white slipcovered sofa and leather roll arm sofa (above) have stood the test of time, we’ve had them for years! They’ve allowed me to easily swap out pillows or rugs when I want to change up my look. A pop of cheerful color was added with a less expensive piece (that tufted ottoman!) and of course, the rug adds color and pattern.

      If you want to just dip your toe into adding color, check out this kitchen. It’s primarily neutral, but they brought in the same repeated color through blue upholstered barstools, a blue painted island, and a blue accent backsplash behind the stove. There’s even a hint of blue in the pendant lights. You could certainly add more colors to this space if you wanted to, but repeating a few of the same color is a simple place to start!
      A neutral backdrop can give you total flexibility to change up your accent colors throughout the seasons, too! You can see some of the paint colors we used in our craftsman home HERE, and more paint colors in our Seattle home HERE.
      How do you use color in YOUR home? I’d love to see in our free Facebook community! You can share your homes there, as, decor advice, and get inspired! Join us here.

      I share more decorating advice in my books The Inspired Room, Simple Decorating, and “But Where Do I Put the Couch? & Answers to 100 Other Home Decorating Questions.

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      Related Posts:
      A Calm Home (While Decorating with Color and Pattern //// Dignified with a Riot of Color //// Freshen Up for Spring: Green and White //// My Old Laundry Room with a Green Barn Light

      You’ll find lots of inspiration in our galleries, I’ll share links to a few of the categories below:
      Browse Inspiration by Color
      Bedroom Inspiration Gallery
      Kitchen Inspiration Gallery
      How to Decorate: find inspiration room by room (and browse posts in other categories)
      Style Tips (designer advice, home styling tips, how to find your inspired style, mood boards and more)
      You can also search anything specific you’re looking for below (just type in the box and click search!) More