9.21.2009

Lighten Up Part Deux: Metamorphosis Monday

Inspired by Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Front Porch (here), I am continuing my mission to slipcover every inanimate object in my house. As much as I love dark, dramatic, and cozy rooms, I've been on a mission to lighten up my own home, or at least the front two rooms--a combination of living room and office/library. I've found that with each step toward a lighter look, my own outlook brightens. Though I've had several distractions in the past month, I've continued with my plans. Here is the office/library as seen through the cased opening from the living room. Notice the brown trim (what was I thinking?), the brown chairs, the heavy esspresso colored desk, the black book cases and the dark orange in the adjoining dining room. I think this was a nesting instinct after the trauma of Katrina and the difficult in renovating the house afterwards--I was searching for a safe and cozy haven. Eventually, though, cozy and warm became heavy and suffocating.



Notice the chair on the extreme right in the above photo (I swear it looked better in person). It was the catalyst for the latest round of change. My partner picked them out--they are recliners (for the sake of truth in reporting, I will say that they are among the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in)--and in a rare moment of weakness I let him have them--a decision I instantly and long regretted. However, the fabric was defective, and Lane replaced them---however, the original fabric and wood finish were no longer available, and there was no similiar pattern. I liked the new dark arms, hated the new fabric--at any rate it wouldn't go with the current scheme, so I slip covered the black sofa. I liked it so much, I decided to slipcover the new chairs as well:


At that point, I decided I didn't like the current furniture plan, and moved the larger recliners to the office and the brown chairs (awaiting their own slips) into the living room where they are a bettter fit. I moved the desk on to a new home (a young engaged couple who just bought their first house), and replaced it with an antique round tiger maple table--I had always loved that English country look with a round table piled with books and things. I still have a work space, but I also have a more adaptable floor plan for entertaining--the changes really opened up a lot of floor space in the office. Edited bookshelves, wide off-white horizontal stripes in the dining room, and creamy trim complete the transformation:






And, you might ask, why are slipcovers necessary in this house?
I give you Exhibit A:

And Exhibit B:

11 comments:

the gardeners cottage said...

Hi,

I'm a first time visitor and am in the same mood to lighten everything up. Even though it is fall and everyone is talking about fallerizing their homes, I feel the exact opposite. I love what you have done and I see the dogs look absolutely thrilled too!

Janet

CarlosMaster said...

I love the idea of slip covers cause they always make things look better. I must be honest though and say that you might choose a different fabric for those slip covers. They kinda look like wash clothes. But maybe its just in the picture. LOVE THE ROOM THOUGH.

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

I think the reason Exhibit A and Exhibit B are keeping their eye on you is because they are wondering if they are getting slipcovered next. :-) Ok, between you and Joni at Cote de Texas, I am seriously falling in love with slipcovers! The chairs look great! Ummmm, wonder how this would look in my upstairs family room with all my Swedish pine. I so love seeing your sweet furry faces in your pics. :-) Now, I'm gonna scroll down and see if you've posted on the horizontal stripes...looks so interesting...the little peek we can see through the doorway.
Susan

Anonymous said...

What a great job you have done!! I have several chairs that I would like to slip cover but am so hesitant that I would really screw things up!!

blessings
mary

h. m. settoon said...

Susan: Exhibits A and B just better be glad they have a roof over their heads in this economy--especially since I haven't seen them bring home any paychecks lately.
Carlos: Though the fabric may look lightweight in the photos, it's actually an upholstery weight cotton canvas.

Mary Ellen: You can't screw up slipcovers---or at least, if you screw up slipcovers it's o.k.--since they're not attached, the chair is still intact.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh my dear, take it from me: you can indeed screw up slipcovers! I once did a huge sofa slipcover in 3 hours, racing to get it done before a TV crew showed up. Let's just say if anyone had sat on it....

I LOVE Exhibits A & B --- what adorable doggers! Please don't gold leaf them; they look light enough to go with your new scheme.

Cass

Bill said...

Nice job on the slipcovers! They create a great light, airy feeling, but the room still looks cozy and inviting. The light neutral fabric really shows off the dark wood tones as well!

Cass is right; your "exhibits" coordinate perfectly!

Bill

cotedetexas said...

they look great!!!!! love the dark arms and the slips - wonderful! cute dogs too.

Kammy said...

My pups are black, so I would need black canvas...or such , LOL ! What we won't do for style or our pups !
Kammy

Maria Killam said...

So fun, I wouldn't have thought you could slipcover a recliner but it certainly works!!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I adore both Exhibit A and Exhibit B!