1.19.2011

Evolving A Room...







images via house beautiful...

I'm itching to change-up things in my house a bit...nothing too drastic, just some tweaks here and there, moving stuff around, editing the rooms a smidge. But I am thinking of doing a few more dramatic things in the living room, as I'm feeling like all the neutral (i.e. safe) earthiness going on in there could use a little amping up.

It makes me a bit nervous, but this is my first attempt at "embracing fear" in 2011, so I'm going with it.

I'm using Roman Alonso's house as my inspiration. I posted his sunroom a while back in a "loving" list and have since been sort of obsessed with the space. I like that it's earthy and natural but with a slunkier, groovier vibe.

I've already pulled the trigger on a rug, (which seemed key to the whole enterprise) and laid it over the existing sisal in the room. I also got a big fiddleaf fig and a groovy pot that I'm loving in the space (both visible in weekend scenes). Now I'm thinking I need to switch out my grey and yellow anthro pillows on the couch with some sort of cobalt blue ones (maybe velvet) and am on the hunt for a big chrome swing lamp and something, well...hot pink.

Hot pink = totally embracing fear.

We'll see how it all goes ;-)

I'm heading out to Salt Lake City in just a bit for Alt, so I'm signing off for the rest of the week, but I'll be back on Monday.

Have a splendid rest of your week friends!

25 comments:

Tamuna said...

You have an amazing taste! I'm sure it will all turn out looking chic! xx

http://tamunatko.blogspot.com/

Lucia said...

i had a kilm rug like the one in his living room in my dorm room in college. i was stupid, though, and cut foam core with an exacto blade on top of it, ripping it to threads. i used it for years afterwards, until, stupidly, i threw it out in one of our many moves. moron! i'd give anything to have it back, threads and all.

Lindsey said...

Great idea! Love your style and how it is changing with the new year :)

Emma (Glitter and Gold) said...

embracing the fear - i love it! it sounds like all the elements are going to pull together beautifully. Cant wait for updates and photos --- i am planning on tweaking some of my rooms with rugs, pillows, and accents too -- keep an eye out!
www.glitterandgoldblog.blogspot.com

Julia @ Boredom Abounds said...

I love that retro sideboard! I have an old side buffet from the 1970s that was my grandmother's and I love it to death. That and my grandfather's 1960s radiogram are my most prized possesions.

I love making over rooms - so creative and satisfying at the end!

Nicola said...

After you posted his sunroom last time I went to have a peek at the rest of the house, its gorgous I love its laidback feel and the picture over his bed is one of the sexiest ive seen without being overt!!!!!
I'm sure your rooms new look will be fantastic I'm really looking forward to seeing how it evolves.

girloliver said...

love. I think it will look awesome, curious where you got the rug??

Ashley said...

That Roman Alonso spread was amazing. I'm not always struck by the features in that particular magazine, but that one really jumped out (All the Commune stuff, in fact)! Don't tell Aron, but we just bought a cream colored rug (which I do really love), but I keep having second thoughts about not going for something in the Oriental Rug family...

Keep us posted if you discover great sources (esp less pricey ones than Commune). :) Good luck!

celinejn said...

good luck with your fig. ours dropped all its leaves. once it started we could not stem the tide. it was very frustrating... don't know if it was over-watered, under-watered, suffering from too much or too little light. if you have success with yours, please pass on your tips!

About Last Weekend said...

Great ideas especially the hot pink. We were going to do that in cushions in our very earthy living room but chickened out and went for purple. Hot pink would have been much more unexpected and fun. Have fun in the snow...wish I was there. For years we skied at Alta right up there hill, the most amazing mountain in the world.

Joslyn said...

Ashley
I know I usually don't pick that one up, but that spread was amazing... Maybe they're evolving :-)

I found my rug on eBay...lots of amazing kind of worn out ones that aren't expensive. Look there I won't tell Aron!

emma@themarionhousebook said...

Love your new rug and the fiddleleaf fig. Is that issue of House Beautiful still on the newstand? I'm loving that room for inspiration as well. My kind of style!

Joslyn said...

Emma
You inspired me with your fiddle leaf!

It was the January issue, so it might still be out!

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the Hot Pink ! It certainly does give a real pop to the room .

News Update said...

You know, lovely girl, you worry too much. Don't make a list, you think, "If I'm meant to find it, I will." I bet it all works out well in the end.

By the way, I'm not Ian Green. I'm his piggy-backing wife, nicking his id....

Unknown said...

Bravery! you can do it! smiles....

Andi of My Beautiful Adventures said...

Loooove hot pink, embrace it girl!

Mrs.French said...

i can't wait to see what you come up with...i demand photos! it is absolutely killing me that i am not able to join all of my favorite bloggers is salt lake. i do hope you had the most wonderful time!

and can we please talk about your rug? i am in love...where oh where did you find it? i neeeeed to replace the one in our family room. i would love something similar. have a happy monday friend! xo t

Anonymous said...

Your home is insanely gorgeous...I am struggling with the same issue...mid-century house with 2 kids wanting to bring something else to my woody, earthy tones...I wish you lived closer and we could put our minds together!!! LOVE your blog...

Bobbi Huffman said...

You have great ideas! I LOVE your blog. By the way, if your big gray and yellow pillows need a new home, I would love to buy them! :)

Joslyn said...

Traci -- the rug is from this ebay shop: http://stores.ebay.com/RugSource
Lots of goodies and pretty affordable! I so wish you had been at Alt! Next year???

Jennifer -- Thank you!!! huge compliment since I LOVE your art. I would love it if we lived closer and could house-collaborate...sigh.

Cher said...

I have this room in my inspiration binder. I love the layers! I can't wait to see how you pull it all together. Fabulous I'm sure.

I think it's the season too- I'm selling things on craigslist like crazy and redecorating and I love it! It's a disease I think...

Dottie said...

OK--as if I didn't love your fashion style, you pull this gem out! Your house of course is spectacular! Very Laurel Canyon! J'adore!

Kim said...

I love that the sunroom is dark brown rather than beige or white or yellow... Can't wait to see your changes! I love your style. FYI - If you like Roman Alonso's use of burlap, check out ballarddesigns.com for curtains, throw pillows, etc. I added burlap and grasscloth to my living room a few months ago and love the earthiness of it.

julia wheeler said...

i LOVE this house!! so cozy and warm combined with some sleek modern touches... that's my fave:)