Well, we did it. We finally found recliners that not only are super comfy, but look a lot more stylish than most. Not an easy task. Trust me.
After searching on-line for hours and then pounding the pavement and coming up short, I have to give credit where credit is due…Fisherman found them.
And you thought he was just another pretty face.
A few weeks ago I was in the same store where we later found the chair with a couple of friends and must have walked right past it. I saw a couple of chairs I liked so a week later I took Fisherman to the same stores to hopefully make a final decision. At the store (Raymour & Flannigan) he plopped down in a chair, gave me a smirk that clearly meant ‘this is the one’ and threw in puppy eyes to seal the deal.
At first, I thought it was a little too contemporary.
But it’s not. I mean, they’re not. It was a floor sample, and the store only had one. We couldn’t fit it in our car so with the help of a friend we brought it home a couple of days later, then we found another one, and there you have it. The search is over.
I love that the arms are cushioned and the backs are pillow backs, and yet they don’t look bulky like our Frazier chair did. I also like the mid-century design which goes surprisingly well with the overall rustic feel of the space. Not predictable, and a little unexpected, but nonetheless appropriate.
Now about the rug.
I mentioned in my last post that I had decided on one of the rugs I had asked opinions about, but it was out of stock until June and I didn’t want to wait that long.
The same day we found the chair, we were in another store and found it.
I wanted something that had some color,
something that was nature inspired,
and something that wasn’t too busy.
Was that asking too much?
Apparently not, because I got it, and more.
Now here’s a test to see if you’re observant: Did you notice how the art work I painted in the above picture has flowers that are almost the exact shape of the flowers in the rug?
I didn’t think so. Now scroll up and see for yourself.
Pretty cool, right?
And how about those umber colored petals? They match the existing wood elements perfectly.
I’m feeling nostalgic today, so I thought I’d show you a picture of the living room as it looked about 4 years ago. Just about everything is gone with the exception of the leather sofa and chair. This picture was part of my first post which you can read here. You can see the living room was pretty kitchy, and my pictures not much better!
This window that you see next was actually where the house ended when it was built in the 70’s. The previous owners added on just behind it, and created a space for a bathroom (although when we purchased the house it was just down to the studs), a master bedroom and another bedroom. There is a third bedroom in the lower level which was also an add on. The original house actually had no bedrooms, but just a loft space above the dining area.
Fisherman and I completed the bathroom, but after one too many times witnessing him on the John from the living room (TMI?), we quickly realized it was weird to have a ‘window’ right there so I made the canvas art to provide some privacy.
This next picture is what the living room looked like a few weeks ago. We still have the brown recliner in the foreground and we’re not sure if we’re keeping it or not. BTW, we sold Frazier and the rug on Craigslist super fast and I’m still getting inquiries daily!
I never liked the grates on the fireplace and they’re not functional either, so a few weeks ago I purchased some philodendron but they didn’t cascade enough, so I got some fake foliage for some instant gratification. Not perfect, but it does soften the overall look a bit.
If you look closely at the ‘before’ picture below, you will notice we removed the wall shelf on the left so that we could hang the drapes higher. I think it really opened up the space. We also brought the armoire you can barely see on the left downstairs and replaced it with a wall mounted tv. The kitchy stuff is all outta here, except for the ‘singing’ deer head on the right wall. It found a home downstairs.
Pick your battles, I always say.
With the exception of a couple of pillows and possibly changing out the cocktail table (if I come across one that blows me away), I’m done with the decorating bug for this room. I’m really happy with this space now. It feels a lot more open and more like a ‘real’ home, rather than a room that some toothless guy in Alaska named Jethro who hunts for his food hangs out in.
(My apologies if your name is Jethro and/or toothless, but I do know a good dentist. You’re on your own with the name though.)
In other news…
Most of you know we purchased an RV recently, and a by-product of that was we decided to trade in one of our cars and get one that can be towed with all four wheels on the road. Did you know that not all vehicles are created equal when it comes to towing? I didn’t. I had no idea that towing was so tricky! We did not want to purchase a dolly to tow a car. Not only are they fairly expensive, but it’s just another thing to deal with when you get to your destination. Fisherman did some research and learned Ford Fiestas can be towed ‘4 down’, so we purchased a 2012 Ford Fiesta with less than 4,000 miles. I drove it Thursday night for the first time. I was alone and driving on a dark road with no street lights when suddenly a VERY large bear was directly in front of me, crossing the road. I slammed on the brakes and veered into the other lane (no other cars were there) to avoid hitting it head on. I heard a thump and knew contact was made, but I think it was maybe just its back right leg that the car crazed. I don’t think it was seriously hurt because the car sustained no damage.
(Do you remember our bear incident last year? If not, click on over if you have a minute, but suffice it to say bears are fairly common around here.)
Coincidentally last week we attended a presentation by the Audobon Society about how to deal with injured wildlife. Of course, it was mostly birds, not bears, they were speaking about, but they did say one of the most common forms of injury to many animals in general was from cars.
Less than 20 minutes after narrowly missing the bear, I almost hit a skunk that was crossing the road.
As happy as I was to get home that night, I think the local animals were even happier.
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Judy Clark says
Love your new chairs but really love your new rug. It is perfect. Quite a change from the beginning – it looks warm and cozy! I would totally freak out at the sight of a bear! Glad no one was hurt!
Judy
Dewena says
You did it! I can’t visualize something beforehand but obviously you knew what you were after and it all came together. I have to admit that the rug is perfect there and yes, your artwork could have been the inspiration for the designer. I love the new chairs!
The room was cozy and charming before, way too charming for toothless Jethro but the new look is fresh and light and more now.
Al says
Love the chairs! I don’t think they look overly contemporary. Or maybe they do, but they’re toned down by the space. Either way, they are darling. I’d love something similar in my house. Also, I’m glad you and your new vehicle are ok, and hopefully the bear is too. I had a (too close for my comfort level) encounter with a black bear last year and I hope to never have another one.
kelly says
That rug looks perfect in there! Love your new chairs too. You did a great job making over your room.
Julie says
Wow Doreen congrats on your new chairs and rug! I really love how nice it all looks and you must too. Boy that is scary seeing a bear. Be careful! Take care and enjoy the weekend.
Julie xo
Feral Turtle says
WOW!! I love your new rug and those gorgeous chairs don’t even look like recliners! Good job. I hit a skunk many years ago and was reminded daily for about two weeks. How awesome to live among the bears!! Glad it was just a bump.
tammy j says
now now dear bean! jethro gibbs is hardly toothless on NCIS!!! and he’s gorgeous! so i’m going to picture HIM living in your before picture. LOLOL.
i’m so glad the bear wasn’t hurt badly. and that you remained SAFE! only probably very shaken. when we live in their front yard so to speak… i guess we meet them.
i’m finding that this blog is addictive. i of course clicked on last year’s bear encounter WOW!!!… and then i had to click on the tomato sauce and the soup!!! OH MY. can’t wait to try that cauliflower and leek soup!
THEN i have to say… i absolutely love your room now. it’s beautiful. out of a movie set. and yet i know a REAL fabulous lady really lives there with such creativity and humor and warmth. what a pleasure meeting you has been. and now i can’t even remember how i did!!! that’s blogland for you! isn’t it wonderful! XOXO β₯
Donna says
You must be a Ted E magnet. I am happy both of you are okay. Love the living room.
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
Oh, but what I would give to live out there. Bears, skunks and all.
Brenda
Jane says
The living room is gorgeous, Doreen. I love the stylish chairs…I think you have a great mix pieces that definitely flow together nicely. What a change after 4 years. I know you probably mentioned it, but where did you get the rug?
I am so afraid of bears, coyotes, wolves…whatever. I’ve never made contact with any but I’m a sucker for those horror stories I read or see on TV. Do you feel comfortable sitting outdoors at night? I would be such a baby!!! Still, I’m glad the bear was okay, and most of all you!
Jane x
Doreen says
Hi Jane! We got the rug at a store not far from where we got the chairs. West Springfield in Pieroway, though I’m sure that means nothing to you. lol It was the same store we bought Frazier in nearly 10 years ago. We went there to look at recliners, not even knowing that they had rugs!
Although we do have lions and tigers and bears, OH MY, they really don’t bother humans unless provoked in some way so yes, we feel safe being outside. Having said that, I would never let a small pet outside to roam around.
xxx
Olympia says
Yes, those armchairs are super! A great makeover Doreen! Be careful and take care of yourselves!
Happy new month and week!
Olympia
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Great chairs, Doreen! They do look comfy and I like that they are not so big and bulky looking. Love your rug, too. It looks like everything came together very nicely for you in this room. It’s a bonus that you both like it, too!
Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
Your room looks great…love that rug and how well it goes with the art work you painted. I learned how hard it was to find a chair that fits and your like! Chair are very deceiving until you sit in them, and in our small house way to big. Glad the bear and you are both at home and not hurt!
Poppy says
Doreen,
It’s delightful, dazzling, and done! You, my sassy designer have put your amazing touch on this space, so that it is now even prettier, with personal touches, like your beautiful artwork, that is highlighted by the sweet rug. Okay, now every major designer has her assistant(s), and let’s not forget where they got their skills from, so kudos to Fisherman for finding those beautiful new chairs; they’re perfect! After all the research and legwork, you’ve completed your lovely living room, and it’s a big, bright space where you can totally relax and enjoy.
xoxo
Poppy
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
It’s really coming together nicely. I love how the rug has soft colours to make a peaceful room, but enough colour as well to make it happy.
Doreen says
As always, you’ve managed to describe it perfectly Magali. I think I’m going to have you write my posts from now on. ;).
Cecilia says
Doreen, your living room looks so fresh and bright. Amazing how your rug looks similar to your artwork! How perfect. The chairs look very comfortable too. π
Yikes on the bear. I noticed the deer were out and closer to the road than normal. Had several run across in front of me too. Glad you didn’t have any damage. Have a good week!
Hugs,
Cecilia
Doreen says
Be careful Cecilia! Drive a little slower than normal. I know I will. It’s a horrible feeling to kill an animal, but I think it’s even worse to injure one. It’s not like they can go to an emergency room :/.
XXX
Cecilia says
Don’t worry, Doreen. I went slow and will continue to do so. I hate it when I hit something (like the squirrel that made it across the road THEN turned back and ran right smack under my tires. I wasn’t able to stop in time. Sigh). Definitely don’t want to hit anything bigger. Makes me sad every time I see an animal or bird dead along the road.
susan says
You did a great job on your living room, Doreen. The chairs go perfectly and actually don’t look like recliners.
Love your painted shades – they match the rug beautifully. Sounds like you’re getting ready to hit the road again in your new RV – how exciting for you!
Doreen says
So glad you like the chairs Susan! It took hours of research but we finally found something not overly clunky looking and comfy.
As for the RV, we are only doing a few short, local trips this summer, but will take off early next year for almost three months to Florida. Looking forward to it π
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
xxx
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
OH I absolutely love everything Doreen!! You (& the Mr.) did a great job!!
I really love those chairs – they are so classy looking for something so comfortable! And I LOVE the rug!! Love how nature inspired it looks and the colors are perfect! Beautiful all around! π
We also deal with the wildlife fun around here regularly and I have narrowly missed hitting many a critter – especially deer in our area. Not fun!
And Yay for an RV car accessory! π I’ll keep that in mind when we’re shopping hopefully one day.
Happy week ahead Doll. xoxo
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen, I love to see before and after pictures. Thank you for sharing a peek with us today. These chairs look very comfy, and I really like the rug. You home reminds me of my mother-in-law’s home in the mountains, it’s so lovely and charming. I do like that little white rocking chair though, and I’m wondering if you kept that. So glad you’re project is completed for you and that you’re happy with how it turned out. Everything looks wonderful.
~Sheri
Doreen says
Thank you Sheri, and yes, I’ve kept the rocker. That was purchased when our daughter was born and it’s first home was in her nursery, which makes it 29 years old! It’s in our bedroom now and isn’t going anywhere ;).
xxx
Jemma says
Doreen,
First off I am not receiving your posts in my inbox-and we both know I have signed up for MadMimi.
I am so thankful you were not injured, this must have been terrifying for you, I cannot imagine having a bear run into me!
Although I am looking forward to living out away from the city and having deer, coyote and bobcats:)
I so enjoyed your before and after photos-you have done some serious decorating and I love it, love the chairs, the rug and the way everything has come together, you have a good eye for color.
xoxo
Jemma
Doreen says
It seems quite a few people aren’t getting my emails Jemma. I’ve been in touch with Mad Mimi and they said they’re working on it. When looking at your info, it looks like you didn’t receive the two posts prior to that either. If that’s not correct let me know. They said they were going to make sure that whoever didn’t get updates will be brought up to date.
Glad you like the new chairs! I’m sitting in mine now as I type this, as usual. lol
xxx
Pat Cable says
I love your rug and wish I had one in a lighter color. My living room rug was given to me by my friend. It was expensive and like new but it’s too dark. When Spike is sitting on the rug he blends in and I can’t even see him. LOL. I had a run in with a bear at my previous home and I’m glad I live in the city now.
Doreen says
My granddog is black Pat, and it’s so hard to get a good picture of him! lol He looks best when he moves his eyes so you can see a little bit of white at least. Too funny!
Pat Cable says
LOL! I can only see Spike in the dark by shining a flashlight on him. Then his eyes glow. LOL
Doreen says
We should put Spike and Charlie together Pat. Like an Oreo cookie without the filling ;).
Did you turn comments off on your blog?
Vicky Hunt says
SO much goodness in one post! Love, love, love the recliners. What brand are they? Love the rug choice too and all the changes you have made. The rug ities everything together perfectly! Congrats on the new car. My daughter drove me to work the day after she got her learner’s permit and hit a skunk. I had never even seen them anywhere near our house. He was the only one I had seen in the 14 years we had lived here and the last one I have seen in the 10 years since…lol! It was awful…she was crying and gagging, gagging and crying. Funny now, but oh my , what a mornin’! LOL!!! Have a great week…:)
Doreen says
Hi Vicky! The recliners are made by Southern Motion. I believe you can find them on their website. I’m so happy with them! I really thought I was going to have to sacrifice style for comfort or vice versa, but I didn’t.
Lately, a couple of birds have flown into my car, and I’m sure they either were killed or severely injured. There are few things I dislike more than hurting animals, but it seems as we humans encroach on their space more and more, these things will continue to happen.
Ok, off my soap box now. lol
Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments. It’s always good to hear from you Vicky!
xxx
Amy @ StowandTellU says
As I was reading your last part, I thoght you might say deer, dog, or yes, maybe skunk. Never did I imagine you were going to say bear!!! Even though I remember your patio/bear incident, lol. So glad you and the bear, and skunk survived. Your makeover is fabulous. Every detail is complimentary to something else in the room. Those chairs look so comfy and look great in the room. Love it all!!
Sue says
Pretty entertaining about the bear and skunk Doreen and glad you or bear were not hurt. My own fisherman wants to live in the country in a log cabin type place someday. Oh you did a marvelous job with the rug and chairs and that painting you did, gosh it’s a masterpiece.
Doreen says
Thanks so much Sue! The painting was so unbelievably easy, truly anyone can do it. When someone says ‘I can’t draw a straight line’ (I have said that too) I always respond with ‘drawings rarely have straight lines, so you’re good to go’ ;).
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Good grief a bear and a skunk in the same evening ….good thing you had new comfy chairs to sink into in utter relief when you got back! π
It all looks bright and cheery and comfy / cozy! π
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hi Doreen! Wow! Those are recliners? I love them! I’ve been looking for a recliner that doesn’t look hideous for a long time and haven’t been able to find one. Fisherman did great! I’m also loving the rug. The living room looks bright and airy. π
Doreen says
Thanks Vashti! Glad you like them! You might want to check out my Pinterest board ‘recliners’, which is the result of several hours of research. You can pay me later ;).
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Ha, ha! Okay, will do. π Thank you!
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Doreen, the transformation is just beautiful! The room looks twice the size! Everything you chose works really well together, and brightens up the room tremendously. OMG, I would have fainted if I saw a bear while driving…ok, or anywhere for that matter! The other night, we almost hit a deer, and 30 seconds later, another one jumped out onto the road. We were all lucky!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Love the chairs and the beautiful rug!…The room looks so light and fresh…and I cannot believe you had another encounter with a bear…so glad you for the most part missed him…can’t imagine the possibility of running over a skunk!…Your face is posted on the trees of the forest for the animals to watch out for!….ha!…be safe out there!….Also, glad you found a great car to tow…wow, only 4,000 miles?..that’s incredible!
rue says
“some toothless guy in Alaska named Jethro who hunts for his food hangs out in.
(My apologies if your name is Jethro and/or toothless, but I do know a good dentist. Youβre on your own with the name though.)”
BAHAHAHAHA…….. I almost spit my coffee out on that one! You’re so freakin’ funny π
The living room looks great! I think the chairs and the rug are perfect and it really did open up the space, like you wanted.
I’m glad you’re okay after your brush with the bear π
xo,
rue
Patti says
The room is just perfect now, love the chairs and awesome rug. Wow, bears? Be careful!
Happy weekend!
Hugs,
Patti