Eeney Meeney Miney Mo

Using white as the base color in a room can make re-decorating much easier.  My walls are a shade of white and several pieces of furniture are as well.  I wanted to change up my living area a little bit and thought a few pillows might do the trick.  This area has Saltillo tile so I thought I'd try that color.  I removed my current pillows and added these.  Here is the initial change.

As of late, I have also added a few accent things in turquoise in this area and also in my kitchen.  At an estate sale recently I found this awesome Club Aluminum dutch oven that I added to the top of my stove.  LOVE it!

Then, while "treasure hunting" with a new friend this week, I found two great things that I thought would fit great in the living area.  The first one, an old step ladder that had been painted and distressed.

The second, an old wooden tray, again painted and distressed.  When I asked the owner of the shop had updated these pieces herself using "Wal-mart" paint in "Josie".  Great color!  She had painted them both, used some splatter painting on the stool and done some distress work on the tray and then put polyurethane on them to protect the paint.  

 I found one more thing that I really love, a horse "paint by number" picture.  It is a similar turquoise shade but has just a tad more green in the paint.  I have not decided on it's placement yet  I just have it hanging randomly in the area for now.  It may even go in a different room.  I'll have to add that photo later.
So I pulled things together and this was how it turned out...for now.  The step ladder is off to the right.  The sun sort of fades it out.  It sits between the living area, dining area and kitchen.

The little lighted tree on top was my mother's.  It adds a special touch, especially at night.   The fun thing about both of these items is again, to change things around, you can add and take away items that sit on them.  I've already done a little change or two since these photos were taken.

Well, I was pretty happy with the new look.  It pulled things together and softened them a bit and definitely gave things an update.  That was just what I was looking for.  In my original pillow shopping trip, I had purchased some outdoor pillows I had hoped would work on my patio chairs.  As it turned out, the colors were off.  When I arrived at the store to return them, the store had received some great lettuce green shade of pillows that I fell in love with.  I found another green pillow with turquoise embroidery to add to them and a solid lighter turquoise seat cushion for my wicker chair.  I had a whole new look to try out.  See what you think.

Pillows, perhaps a little paint or just a new accent color added can be some of the most reasonable ways to update or change a room.  The turquoise items can stick around and for less than $30 I can change the pillows out and have a whole new look.  So instead of choosing between the two, I think I'll keep both!  Go one step further and change the rug (which I'm always on the lookout for) and things will really appear different.  I think that is why I love white...

PS  Pinterest really has my attention.  What i love most is how when you love a photo it links you back to who pinned it first and their blog if they have one.  What great folks I'm finding.  This week I found this gal, Anne and her website.  Check her out if you have time.  She introduced me to "Rose", an elegant and long time designer who is celebrating her birthday soon (so am I).  Knowing her must truly be a treasure!  Happy birthday Rose!
http://fionaandtwig.blogspot.com/2012/01/published-my-romantic-living-feature.html

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