When I decide to change up a room, I’ve learned how to turn on my ‘critical eye’. In other words, I try to see the space as a neutral party, not swayed by what I love in it, but really trying to allow myself to consider all the possibilities.

So with that opening, you’re probably thinking I’ve gone and done some huge dramatic change in the living room, but not really. The reason I bring that up is because I know how easy it is to actually get stuck in ‘a box’ because at some previous time you found just the right piece for a certain place…I just need to remember that just like in life, the same goes in decorating as well, just because something was right for a time, doesn’t mean it will be the right thing forever.

Case in point:

(Yes, I know this is a picture of the dining room and I’m supposed to be writing about the living room…I’ll get there.) But do you see in the far corner the nested tables, just to the left of the Pier 1 settee? Well I thought they were perfect for the dining room… (ha, as did I about the pair of chairs in the foreground, but they were changed up too!)

But when my critical eye started looking at the tables in the living room, although I loved this little green one, at one point, now that I was bringing in a blue accent it just seemed sooooo green…and the lamp on it is one of my favs in this room, but should I keep it, move it or sell it? (Yep, always willing to consider selling stuff too.) I could paint the table, but the green on it is very pretty, so I wanted to consider all the possibilities first.

Once I moved these tables from the dining room into this spot, I loved the light feel they brought. The dark lamp that was on the green table just seemed to overwhelm this cute toile tile topped table (try saying that 3 times!) though, so in its place…

I found this lamp at Pier 1 and I really like how the lampshade looks almost faded, it kind of repeats the faded feel of the printed linen on the new chairs I put in front of the fireplace. (Oops, I see I need to remove the red and gold tassels on the French doors.)

The open legs reinforce a lighter feel as well.

I just love the sweet story toile tells, and in this format with the rustic painted wood, rusted metal edge trim and broken and grouted tile it seems to tell an even sweeter story to me.

 

 

 

 

I’m linking up to these great parties:

http://www.niftythriftythings.com/2012/03/nifty-thrifty-sunday-50.html

http://asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com/2012/03/simply-klassic-sunday-link-party-and_24.html

http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2012/03/overflowing-with-creativity-14.html

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/sundae-scoop-link-party-22/

http://itssoverycheri.com/2012/03/25/its-party-time-3-25-2012/

http://my1929charmerblog.com/sundays-best-24-par-tay/

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2012/03/creative-bloggers-party-hop-52.html

http://alderberryhill.blogspot.com/2012/03/make-scene-monday-18.html

http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2012/03/manic-monday-linky-party-11.html

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/2012/03/craft-o-maniac-monday-with-canvas-corp.html

http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/03/mop-it-up-mondays-9.html

http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/03/making-the-world-cuter-monday-giveaway-for-75-amazon-gift-card-march-26-2012/

http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/2012/03/more-merrier-55.html

http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2012/03/just-something-i-whipped-up_25.html

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/03/sunday-showcase-party-no-94.html

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/03/26/made-by-you-monday-93/

http://www.polishthestars.com/2012/03/link-party-59.html

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/2012/03/market-yourself-mondayombre-ribbon.html

http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2012/03/tutorials-tips-party-photobook-giveaway-50-value.html

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2012/03/109th-table-top-tuesday.html

http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-327/

http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/2012/03/tuesdays-treasures_26.html

http://todayscreativeblog.net/how-to-craft/

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2012/03/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no107-and.html

http://kammyskorner.blogspot.com/2012/03/trash-2-treasure-tuesday-25.html

http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/2012/03/cowgirl-up-linky-party-8.html

http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2012/03/show-me-what-you-got-linky-party-7.html

http://shoprubyjean.com/2012/03/sew-crafty-tuesday-16-and-features/

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2012/03/white-wednesday-145.html

http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/03/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-9.html

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/wow-us-wednesdays-59-and-winner.html

http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/2012/03/uncommonly-yours-link-party-21.html

http://lilluna.com/lil-luna-link-party-70/

http://www.sew-much-ado.com/2012/03/we-did-it-wednesday_27.html

http://onechattychic.com/2012/03/27/your-turn-wild-wednesday-4/

http://www.restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/03/restored-it-wednesday_27.html

http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com/2012/03/swing-into-spring-its-party-58.html

http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2012/03/whatever-goes-wednesday-110.html

http://mrshinesclass.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/show-tell-no-16/

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2012/03/open-house-party_28.html

http://www.blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/03/home-and-garden-thursday_28.html

http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/2012/03/crafty-soiree-83-glorious-decor-a-mingle-magazine-g-way.html

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/03/28/hookin-up-with-hoh-93/

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/03/how-to-make-hanging-starfish.html

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/blog-link-party-with-giveaway-from-appliances-online/

http://www.the36thavenue.com/2012/03/kitchen-accent-cabinet-tutorial.html

http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/2012/03/treasure-hunt-thursday-50-highlights.html

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2012/03/home-sweet-home.html

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/03/inspiration-friday-no-58-and-giveaway.html

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/03/vintage-inspiration-81-repurposed.html

http://www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/03/feathered-nest-friday_29.html

http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/03/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link_29.html

http://mom4realky.blogspot.com/2012/03/4-real-friday-link-party-7.html

http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2012/03/friday-feature-party-49-and-mes-preferes/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2012/03/show-and-tell-friday_29.html

http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/2012/03/frugal-friday_29.html

http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/03/feature-friday-free-for-all-13-fashion.html

http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/2012/03/simply-link-party_30.html

http://www.remodelaholic.com/2012/03/kids-matching-game-printable-and-ra-116/

http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/03/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-jeanne-oliver-designs.html

http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com/2012/03/weekend-link-party-59.html

http://too-much-time.com/2012/03/diy-crafts-recipes-link-party.html

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/03/sat-nite-special-127-full-room-reveals.html

http://www.classyclutter.blogspot.com/2012/03/spotlight-saturday-7.html

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2012/03/show-and-tell-saturday-33112.html

http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-before-and-after-party.html