Blessed are the curious...for they create a better world.

Friday, January 27, 2012

My New Living Room!


Here is my new, shabby chic French Vintage living room!  My girlfriend Mary came all the way to San Diego from Portland to help me redecorate this room.  We were so excited to start that we forgot to take the before photos (boo hoo).  All I can say is that the tile on the fireplace was bright Mexican blue, and the mantle was the original wood oak color.  The room was very dark.  And voila, we created a bright, sunny room. 

The chaise is one of my favorite parts, and believe it or not, I found it at Costco.


This table was a great find, already refinished in the white distressed look.  It came from one of the wonderful little vintage stores on Newport Ave in Ocean Beach.

This vignette is all Mary!

These wonderful refrubished candlesticks are also from the same store as the table.  The teapot is from Vignettes, one of my favorite stores on Newport Ave.

These used to be candle holders that my girlfriend Randee and I created out of some pillars we demoed from my old house.  It was Mary's idea to use them to display this collection of pots.  Love the idea Mary!

And I still had to find a place to put my favorite photo of my dad painting plein air.  An angel to sit with him is so fitting.


Mary and I found this dresser at the Salvation Army. It was brown and broken.  We repaired it, sanded it and painted a few different coats of this very light robin's egg blue.  Then we had a blast distressing it.  It was the first distressed furniture attempt for both of us and we are hooked!

What a wonderful experience it was to redo my room with my friend.  Mary, I can't thank you enough for your help.  I'm so, so happy with my new beautiful and peaceful retreat!

I know this isn't pink, but I couldn't resist sharing this will all of my Pink Saturday friends.  Tahnk you all so much for visitng!

34 comments:

Lorraine said...

You know I ♥love♥ this room!! The pix turned out nicely! Thanks for sharing. ~Lorraine ♥♥♥

Anonymous said...

So gorgeous and aren't we glad that you shared with us.
Beautiful, gentle colours.
Wishes
Lynne

My name is Riet said...

What a beautiful room. I love it. Very stylish .Love the chaise. Beautiful
Happy pink Saturday

Cindy Adkins said...

Wow! What a beautiful room! I love the light robin egg's blue color. You two did a fantastic job. Thanks, also, for your sweet comment on my Grandmother's photo collage. Have a great weekend!
Cindy @ Art,Books,Tea

Loretta said...

Wow, it is lovely! Would you like to come and re-do my fireplace next? How did you change the colour? I'd love to know. Mine is currently PEACH. Ugh.

Diann said...

Wow, everything looks gorgeous!

The French Hutch said...

What a lovely room. Great pieces, love the blue dresser and so many great vignettes. What a great friend to travel so she could help. You're both lucky! Great post for your gorgeous room. Happy Pink Saturday….

~Emily
The French Hutch

Jil~Say It With Roses said...

You girls did a marvelous job and I bet it was fun, too!
The white dresser is just like two our boys had growing up. Our daughter painted it white and had it in her living room for a long time....
HPS!
Jil ♥

Yannie said...

I love it. I love vintage theme... Hope i can have my own place and decorate it

Gabriela Delworth - Instructional Designer said...

HPS!


Love this room!



Gabriela

Lynn said...

Your living room is so inviting and soothing! And I love that you did the transformation with your dear friend. That makes it all the more special. I love your robin's egg blue dresser. What a great color choice. Thanks for stopping by Cottage and Creek. Have a wonderful weekend.
Lynn

Anonymous said...

Your new living room is so beautiful! That chaise is to die for... and I especially like the touches of colors you have throughout the room. :)
p.s. many thanks for visiting me!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Wow, beautiful post. That dresser was a great find and it looks wonderful after your tender loving care. Great job.
Blessings,
Debbie

Sharon said...

Beautiful room!!! Happy Pink Saturday!

The Artful Diva said...

Your living room redux is fabulous. We all need a friend like Mary!

Maggie said...

Hi Marti,
I'm so glad that your shared your non pink room today, it truly is gorgeous!
Love your vignettes especially the one with your Dad's photo, and the mantlepiece looks fab!
Thanks for stopping by earlier.
Maggie

Sue McPeak said...

No worries about the Before Pics...what you've done with the After's is fantastic. Neat that you had a friend to inspire and help with your makeover. Well done. Thanks for visiting CITexas Gal today...Happy Pink Saturday!

Elegant Economies said...

So pretty! Love the colors and placement of your furniture!
Costco? That chaise is to die for! New follower.
Audrey

Curtains in My Tree said...

thanks for visiting my blog

i love artful paper

Nita Stacy said...

Thanks for inviting me over. Your living room turned out lovely. I adore that chaise! I can't believe it came from Costco. We don't have Costco here and I thought I wasn't missing anything but now I wonder. Love the distressed furniture piece you did too. I love distressing furniture too.

Jeanie said...

Just beautiful, Marti! So crisp and lovely and airy -- it reminds me of spring. Love the palest of blue!

Heirloom treasures said...

Hi Marti, I already left a message,but it never went through,so here goes again.
It doesn't matter if your post isn't pink, I'm sure everyone who loves pink,also loves that gorgeous aqua and white
I love all of your gorgeous finds and your lovely new room. It is so much nicer when it is shared with a friend too.

Thank you so much for visiting me and for your kind comments. It is the first time I have made fondant roses,and it was so simple a child could do it, I was amazed at real they look with so little effort.
xx jeanetteann

bohemiannie! art said...

It's ok if it isn't pink...it's BEE YOU TEE FULL! Great job!

1CardCreator said...

Wow this is gorgeous! I love the candlestick holders for your teapot collection! The robins egg blue is gorgeous too!

Terri said...

Oh wow! It all looks wonderful! The colors you have chosen to work with are so soothing and chic. I love your Cosco piece too! It really makes a statement.
I would have loved to see the "before", as I am sure you have worked a miracle in your room.
(blue tile!)
Hugs,
Terri

alicesg said...

Happy Pink Saturday. You have a beautiful living room. Love the coffee table very much.

Georgie Horn said...

What a lovely, lovely, lovely room. i could cuddle up in it right now!

Lounging with a Latte said...

Lovely room. Love the colours, they are very soothing.Your dresser turned out great.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh how wonderful your room turned out. What a fun friend! I love the dresser. That is one of my new favorite colors. I have that same little love dove you have. I think it's so sweet. Love all of your vignettes. Great job!! Now a new follower.
Hugs,
Jann

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Beautiful room...I love the color scheme. You did a wonderful job!

Anonymous said...

I'm jealous of your chaise! I've always wanted one, but have never been able to fit one into my decor. Love your new table too.

Robin's egg blue is my favorite shade of blue. You did a great job on your first painting project. Watch out because that hobby can get addictive.

If you'd like, you're welcome to add this to my "Your Cozy Home Party" that starts tomorrow night.

Just wanted to stop by to thank you for visiting my blog this weekend. I've been a bit slow on getting around to everyone, but I very much appreciate your vist. Have a great week!

Unknown said...

Oh, these colors are beautiful. I love all the touches, what a wonderful idea to use those old candlesticks to display your teapots. That shade of blue, is one of my favorites. Your new room is just gorgeous.
Karen

Jan@southernjunkin' said...

Ohhh so pretty and so relaxing! Love the colors and the buffet is perfect!!

thistlewoodfarm said...

I cannot believe you found that chaise at Costco! I think it is one of my favorite things in the room! I would love for you to link this up at our "impossible" party! Here's the link:

http://thistlewoodfarm.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/a-journey-of-1000-steps/

Thanks for the inspiration!

blessings,
karianne