Last week I had the pleasure of having Wendy from Shabby Nest and her photographer over for a photo shoot.
One of the things on her bucket list was to write a design book (yes, she’s got big ticket dreams on her bucket list…kudos girl!).
I felt very honored to be on her photograph list.
So when you clean your house for hours you’ve got to pull out your camera and document the momentous occasion.
One of my decorating challenges in this room is the mantle area.
When I designed the mantle I wanted clean, modern lines.
The thing I didn’t take in to account was the tv. Because there is cinder block behind there the outlets had to be installed super high which meant if you want to mount a tv you’d have chords dangling from the top down. One of my pet peeves is seeing chords slithering out from behind a tv.
The tv had been on a metal lawyer’s bookcase to the left and we had a mirror on the mantle but it was beginning to feel like too many rectangular items lined up against the wall. So to break it up slightly (for the time being) I put the tv up on the mantle and hid the chords behind pictures and vases. It still looks like prison line-up against the wall but it works for now. In the spring I’m planning on doing some built-in shelves around the mantle so everything has a place.
For a quick project I emailed this picture I took (with my phone) of the Arizona desert last year to Staples.
I had them blow it up big (they call it an “Engineering Print”) and for under $5.00
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… I had a large picture to disguise the black chords.
At the same time I was framing my picture I saw a very similar project on Chris Loves Julia that turned out fab!
So here’s our latest living room set up…
Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!
AHHH You have the ikea blanket that I want and has been sold out for weeks!!! So jealous!!!!!!!! I have some of those pillows though. Your home is gorgeous!
Where do you live? Our Ikea had a gazillion of them. They are great aren’t they! Thanks Tina! 🙂
awesome!!! Of course, now you know you need to give us your sources for the mirror, bookcase, etc., right? 🙂 LOVE how this looks!
Doh! Silly me. I should have known better. Totally spaced that one. Will do, thanks Elizabeth!
Hi!! Can you give me a little info on the curtain rod over your bay window? I love that it is continous and used with clip rings. It would be perfect in my bedroom, which has been curtainless for way too long as I watch for the right solution!
I found that curtain rod at Bed Bath and Beyond. It is great because it has elbows accessories (optional) which allow it to fit in a bay window. Then I used simple ring clips. I also used the same rod in my masterbedroom, Arizona house. They are really great! Hope that helps! 🙂
Can you tell me where you found the wooden marble ramp? Awesome. I would love to have this in my house.
My mother-in-law got it from an Amish boutique (isn’t that an oxymoron?). 🙂
Can you tell us where you got the white shelves for your photo display? Or did you make them?
Hi Allison, I made the shelves. See tutorial here: https://4men1lady.com/diy-wall-shelves-and-a-giveaway/. I do know that IKEA makes one (which is where I got my inspiration) just in case you didn’t want to DIY them. Thank you!
I love your living room, it is beautiful. Where did you get the curtains? Thank you!
Thank you Tamsin! Curtains are from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Michelle!! I love your blog!! Do you mind sharing the source for your area rug and grey pillows?? Thank you! 🙂
Rug I actually ordered from a carpet company and had cut and bound. Pillows are from Skoope. Hurry, quick because she’s closing her shop March 31st. Great prices right now!!! Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/skoopehome?ref=listing-shop-header-item-count
What are the paint colors in the family room. ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Michelle, I really love, love the black and white throw pillow but I can’t find that fabric anywhere! Is it store bought or can i go purchase the fabric and where?
Thanks much, loving forward to your response!
Ruth
The pillow is actually from IKEA. 🙂