Since I placed my living room couch diagonally a couple months ago, I have had space to decorate behind it, where I put a small book shelf. I also had my old windows layered with the photographs my husband took.
My plan for fall, was to move the photos to the bedroom then replace them with some leaves I pressed into a photo album last year. How I remembered those leaves, I have no idea.
Anyway…after going through all the trouble to take down the windows and place each leaf perfectly on the glass, it was an epic fail, and I didn’t like it at all. Not at all.
Since I’m using hydrangeas again this year, I wanted them to tie in with the leaves, but no matter what I did, it didn’t work, and I was not about to give up on the hydrangeas.
So I tried 26 several different vignettes, and lucky for you, I didn’t photograph them all. Here are a few, though, so you can share in the ridiculous OCD process I sometimes get myself caught up in.
After taking the windows, with the leaves, down, I decided to add one of my doors in the corner, even though having tried a door there before, I knew it would not work and close up the room. But I tried it anyway, because — well, because.
I added the oil pastel thinking the colors would bring together the blue with the warm leaves, but it didn’t. The tray didn’t help either. It was ok, it just didn’t work with the room as a whole.
I was, however, liking what I had on the shelf — minus the blue tray.
Then I replaced the oil pastel with one of my husband’s photographs, which I started to like better, but it still was not right. At this point I was realizing the leaves had to go.
Then, I changed out the white door for one of the oak doors from the old house. I felt like that might be it.
The dark wood really made the canvas look like a window, opening up the corner again.
Thinking I was right on track with the look I wanted, I started to add some gold to the room with pillows and a throw.
Then after all that, I looked back at an earlier photo with the two windows and canvases, and decided, as much as I liked it, the door had to go.
So, back to square one, and the way it was before, except for the styling on the shelf and the gold accents, which really gave the room the autumn warmth I wanted. Really? My poor husband just shook his head and smiled. Bless him.
After all that, the leaves ended up on the antique print over the dining buffet.
And all is well now.
Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this. I have found, though, that if I don’t try out the ideas I have in my head, regardless of how crazy they might be, I might miss a really good one.
I guess that’s why they call it trial and error:-) I’ll show you the rest of the room and some more fall accents tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by:-)
I’ll be joining:
I know this post isn't about your coffee table…but that coffee table is amazing! Are those horse-shoes on the base?
If so, I'm obsessed & I'm going to have to find a way to make one because if it's equestrian inspired, then it needs to be in my home!
xoxo, SS
TheSouthernStylista.blogspot.com
Hi Jordyn, funny you would mention the table because I have had it for so long, I sometimes think of changing it, but it has a story. My dad made it from a wheel we got in Montana where his sister had a ranch. He welded the horse shoe base then I finished it. We have a wheel to make another one, but the glass cutters will not attempt cutting a hole in glass that thick, so we never made it. He also made my mother one years ago so I had to have one too. I was collecting Native American art at the time, and it really went well with that.
Sigh… alas you are NOT the only one. I find that if I don't try the ideas in my head… I never get any peace. So, like you , entry them. Some bad! Some good. Some not so much… I did like the door one 🙂 But yes, the windows do make for a pretty corner .
I too have hydrangeas all over. I LUV the way they look! They are the backbone of my Fall/Autumn décor.
All the time. Sometimes I make myself live with it a week but others I know it's all wrong and just need to figure it out right away.
Wow I love the antique print. I am constantly changing things out as thoughts go through my mind. I get bored really fast so changing things helps.
You definitely are not alone! It's so funny I read your post tonight because I've been struggling with a plate rack that we just received that belonged to my husbands grandmother. It's a large piece and we don't have a dining room and it didn't fit in the kitchen so we hung it in the living room. I rearranged it at least five times and I think I like what I have on it but not the space below it. I had a dresser there, nothing there, now a lamp table. I just finished rearranging all the living room furniture. All because of a plate rack! I am determined to make it work because it's a family piece. I really look forward to all your beautiful decorating ideas. Your living room looks beautiful.
All of your "tries" were beautiful but I must admit the first photo took my breath away it was so pretty. As the old saying goes.."if it ain't broke don't fix it"…..lol. I do the same thing…and the best part about rearranging is that corners get swept and whatnots get dusted….:) Thanks for sharing!
So funny how everyone is the same …. but different…I believe that everyone probably has the "Decor dilemma" every now and then.. I know I do .. but I noticed so many had a different opinion of what they liked best!!! lololol… I personally thought the dark door was beautiful, so that was my fav!! However… as always.. the front room of your home has turned out amazing … gorgeous!!
So pretty! I am slowly converting my house into a lighter color pallet. Do you ever miss your richer and deeper colors? I kept our bedroom w the rich jewel tones because my husband likes that color way. I also change things around until they "feel" right to me. It can get exhausting but as long as I enjoy it …:) your home is just lovely… Sigh! Blessings!
Thanks Ana! You know, I am loving the lighter colors and can always add back in accessories that are richer. I think I needed a "palate cleansing" from all the dark color I had, but I'm also sure I'll want darker colors again at some point. Thanks for stopping by:-)
That is EXACTLY why they call it trial and error! If you don't try it, you can't know if it's a hit or miss! I admire your sticktoitiveness in trying to come up with just the right look for the room. A lot of people would just settle for whatever because they took the time to do it whether it was exactly right or not. Playing around with room decor is much like getting dressed or fixing your hair or makeup…you have to fiddle around with all of the elements until you strike gold. It's not always a one-and-done situation.
I love the end result. There aren't a lot of drastic changes…just subtle swap outs that look fantastic and evoke the season's best. Well done…even if it did take you 26 tries! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend!
Everything looks so beautiful Anita!
What a gorgeous print Anita. Your home is look simply gorgeous and ready for Fall! I still love that couch so much.
Oh you are truly not the only one…I move thing about,then they are back to the original place…but we continue to keep experimenting seeing what could possibly look better…the photograph is beautiful…and the leaves do look great on the antique print….if at first you don't succeed…we try try again….and again. I so love your gorgeous room!