living room sneak peek

by Kaylah Stroup

Decorating the new apartment started with a bang. We got so much done in that first week and a half. I felt like we were way ahead of schedule. Friends and family commented on how quickly it came together. Elycia even said “It’s like you’ve been here forever.” which I took as it’s dirty and outdated. Haha! All the furniture was where I wanted it, and knick knacks were out. Then things slowed to a halt. For the past month we haven’t done much in terms of decorating, and it’s kinda sorta driving me nuts. I’m ready to be settled.

Really, all that is left to do is to hang things on the wall but it’s not a task I take lightly. Hanging things is always super intimidating. I’m not one to overly plan the whole process out so its basically just me crossing my fingers and hoping it turns out okay. It makes no sense, I essentially care about it too much and not enough at the same time. I was really really happy with how my last living room looked so needless to say I had high expectations for this one. The original plan was to keep the theme of black and white but I quickly realized I didn’t have enough stuff to fill the walls. If I were living alone I’d probably have just purchased more things that fit the theme but since Jeff had an abundance of wall hangings that needed to go up we tweaked the plan a bit.

I still wanted to do a “gallery” wall since I like that look. I think the key to a successful one is keeping a color theme so we ended up with black, white, and yellowy brown. Yellowy brown is never ever everrrr a first choice to me but I realized that Jeff and I actually own a lot of it. It shows up in my taxidermy, in my insect collection, Jeff’s arrowheads, our vintage photos, and our star piece, The Doctor*. Like I said, wasn’t totally sold on that color at first but I ended up really digging it. Our main wall, the one behind the couch, is kind of the coolest. The colors look really nice together, and I like how they look with all the plants in the room. Basically, once again, I kind of just threw things together and magically they turned out okay. Thank goodness.

I started taking the photos for this post intending for it to be the official full living room tour but with one wall not completed (the one behind the tv doesn’t have anything hung on it yet) and a few other tasks on my to-do list I’m opting to just call this a peek. I also just feel like it’s missing something. Maybe it’ll feel complete after painting our tv stand. I don’t know, I can’t seem to put my finger on it yet. I just know that when I finally bought the black and white Ikea rug for my last apartment the room suddenly felt complete. The rug really tied the room together. I’m looking for the one thing for this room that just seals the deal, that makes it complete. We’ll see if I ever find it. Either way, you can definitely expect more photos of this room in the next few months. I promise to share photos that show off the whole room, and give you a better idea of the layout, eventually.

xoxo


*The Doctor is not only a really rad piece but one with a bit of sentimental value. Jeff and I originally spotted it at an estate sale – actually THE best estate sale. He really liked it but couldn’t justify buying it since he’d already gotten so many other awesome things there that day. I went back the next day mostly for myself because I figured there would be more goodies for me but also half hoping The Doctor hadn’t sold yet. As luck would have it, it was still sitting there. I made an offer, they accepted, and while Jeff was at work I went over to his apartment and hung it on his living room wall.

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16 comments

Vkl February 23, 2017 - 1:56 pm

Your living room is beautiful! And I love The Doctor! That was so sweet of you to sneak back and get it! I collect arrow heads too. Love Jeff's display.

Vonne

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:07 pm

Thank you!

zooxanthele February 23, 2017 - 2:06 pm

I absolutely love all of the taxidermy and specimens! Your little duckling is precious, and I'm dying to know: did it come with the little hat? Or is that just an amazing find that goes perfectly with it?

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:08 pm

Just a little hat I had laying around that happens to fit him perfectly. I've been meaning to get all my other taxidermy some accessories too!

Brandi Baker February 23, 2017 - 3:21 pm

It looks awesome!! I love those yellow-y browns with the other colors you have. It warms up the space and gives a nice rustic feel to a modern color palette. You mentioned feeling like something is missing-I don't know how you feel about curtains, but I think they always make a space better! And I'm not talking about like granny lace curtains or drapes, haha! I'm not even talking about curtains that cover the window itself or block out light. I'm talking for color, texture, interest and warmth on the wall space on each side of the window. It draws your eye up when looking around the room and when hung from floor to ceiling, it makes the room feel taller, as well as making your window look bigger than it actually is! Enhancing your windows and adding a little extra coziness to the room overall. Kind-of like this: http://prod4.image.notey.com/12015544_the-dos-amp-donts-of-hanging-curtains_ef358f1c_l.jpg?bg=86847B ..or this: http://www.beeyoutifullife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/floor-to-ceiling-curtains-for-scandinavian-home-office-with-pattern-curtains.jpg ..anyway, something to think about! 🙂

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:16 pm

No, that's a great idea! I've been thinking that a lot lately!

Also, that room is DREAMY! Daaang!

Mindi Wooley February 23, 2017 - 3:26 pm

Kaylah, it looks so great! The yellowy browns really do tie in well with everything you guys have, and your collections mesh so well together 😊

My Grandpa collects arrowheads too, and he would totally swoon over Jeff's collection. So cool!!!

Hope youre having a fantastic day, and I cant wait to see more!

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:17 pm

Thank you so much, Mindi! 😀

Laura Jones February 23, 2017 - 4:13 pm

the room looks so lovely! xx

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:17 pm

Thank you! 🙂

Alexandra February 23, 2017 - 4:55 pm

I love everything (obviously) but "The Doctor" is really extraordinary. Not kidding when you say that was the best estate sale ever!

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:18 pm

It was! I wish I could have a do-over of it and buy every single thing that caught my eye!

Lii February 23, 2017 - 9:29 pm

I love seeing sneak peaks into other people's homes. It is definitely one of my favourite kind of posts. I think people's homes show a lot about them and your's is very interesting!

Lii
https://byliil.wordpress.com/

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:19 pm

I agree! 😀

Kate @ GreatestEscapist.com February 25, 2017 - 10:15 pm

Looks awesome! Did that great black & white rug not make the move with you, or did you just decide it was better in a different room?

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:19 pm

It lives in my laundry room now. I just didn't feel like this living room needed it, like it'd be too much.

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