Welcome to my Den

Well here it is, another Met Monday and I think I am actually going to make this one!   Be sure and link back here for more at http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Also I'm featuring some of my favorite blue things too!  So be sure and link back here for Blue Monday,  at; http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/


I  FINALLY finished up one long awaited project... adding new drapes in the den!   This is how my living room looked not too long ago.

I posted my living room on RMS a few weeks back just before I started blogging and all the compliments were very nice.  They all had one thing in common however, recommending to change out the valances to drapery panels.  Trust me, I have been wanting panels for some time!  But, I didn't want anything that would be too heavy or too busy or mostly too expensive!  I love plaid of all types, so I knew I would head in that direction.  I found the drapes I wanted from JC Penny's online in the clearance section.  I waffled back and forth between the black and brown plaid which would be a big contrast and the gold plaid that would be a subtle look against my gold walls.  Well trouble is, I waffled so long that the black and brown plaid sold out!  It really wasn't any trouble though, since I took it in stride and decided it was fate, decision made for me!  And here it is, the finished look, after all is said and done with the new window treatments.

My walls are NOT this yellow but I couldn't seem to get the right lighting to show them accurately.  The photo below is probably the closest to the real color.

And here they are up close, they are a lined pinch pleated drape.  The coloring is two shades of gold and an off white plaid.

I choose black w/hints of bronze for the rods and clips to accent more of my other pieces in the room.

Speaking of the rest of my room how about a little close up tour.

Here by fireplace are my two favorite arm chairs that I've had for quite a while.  I reupholstered these chairs myself, they were denim.  I had an upholsterer do the T cushions,and I did the chair itself, I saved quite a bit doing it this way and learned alot about how chairs are made.  Today I made these blue slipcovers for the pillows that are shown on the chairs in this photo above.

This is what is under the slipcovers.  Nice brown pillows I've had for awhile but rather dark for the summer.  So I made removable covers since these pillow are our favorite to snuggle on the couch and watch TV with.

My arm chair pillows now match the blue pillows I made some time ago and put on my sofa.  There is one of each of these on each sofa.  Then, I have two each of the blue and green plaid pillows.  I made all of these sofa pillows myself some time ago.

 

My princess ottoman is a chocolate microfiber that I got from TJ MAXX for a steal.

And this is what everyone always refers to as my Tommy Bahama chairs.  I purchased these at a local consignment store, that carries new unsold furniture from N.C.  The pillows did not come with them, they were a great Marshalls find.

In the corner, by the french doors to the screened porch is our old primitive hutch that I just love.  It was found by husbands family in an old barn on some farm land they once owned.  His mother retrieved it many years ago and striped it down.  I have kept it exactly this way ever since I have acquired it.  I just love it!  I use it to keep our afghans and throws neatly tucked away, and to store our favorite games and magazine.

Another corner of the room is home to small black sofa table that I just recently moved here after Christmas.  The tree always goes in this corner of the room.  I had a heavier piece of furniture here for years that I have finally permanently relocated upstairs.  I am tiring of so much rearranging heavy furniture during the holidays.

It's light and airy and easy to move.  LOL!  The lamp on this table is the first of many I will be showing you.  I really have a thing for lamps.

I just love the details on the edge of this lamp and of course it was the bird that sold me on it to begin with.

Beside my sofa is one of two round tables that I ordered from a furniture retailer when I was on a round table search for just the right size and style.  I love everything about these tables.

They are a distressed black w/glass on the top and plenty of space on the bottom for larger books.

On this one I have another bird lamp.  It's another favorite, can you see why.

The other table sits nicely between my other sofa and club chair as shown.   That is what started the whole round table search.  I used to have both sofas facing each other w/the club chairs by the FP and needed the perfect size round tables. 

This one is home to my crystal lamp given to me as a wedding gift.  I still love it!

The cut of the glass reminds me so much of pineapples.

Our antique card table holds yet another lamp and sits just below a fabulous old bamboo mirror I found at another consignment store.  I love the contrast of the pieces of wood and unexpected mix of styles.

This lamp has little painted butterflies and branches w/leaves.  So cute!

Beside one of my club chairs is a standing lamp, another family hand me down.  I really want to paint this lamp black but the Mr. is not too keen on that at this time, so I'm waiting..

Finally the last of the lamps in this room are my two over in another corner, again near the french doors.

The hurricane lamp was another antique thrift store find with a handcrafted electric candle.  The other one is my very first Lamp Berger lamp.  We sold these at my previous employment.  I just love them, and they really smell wonderful!  This one is a beautiful colbalt blue.  I have 3 more in different styles and colors, but that's another post for another day.

In between the two sets of french doors are my precious bird plates picked up at my favorite decor store at the beach.  The store is called Tomlinson's Warehouse and just has the best finds.

And no room is complete without several spaces to hold your magazines.  I love baskets so these were some of my favorites.

This one below doubles as a FP log holder in the winter.  I like to keep the store bought logs in it.

And you gotta have some wrought iron around!

Well, I've shown you everything except the art, I'll save that for another day too.

Ooops, there is one more lamp!  I almost forgot the rather large overhead decorative refreshing lamp.  I am of course talking about my ceiling fan.  We call it a lamp because literally it doesn't give off much light.  I bought this fan strictly for its pleasing appearance as well as it's refreshing qualities.  The light is awkwardly positioned so that when the fan is going and the light is on you get a very unnerving strobe light effect.  I did realize this when purchasing it but loved the look of it!   I knew then the light would rarely be on in this room, except for photo shoots like these!

And now if you have made it all the way to the end of this very long post, I am quite impressed and greatly flattered.  I hope you will have seen some things to delight and please your eyes for the time you have spent.  I've shared a little more about me here and would love to hear your comments.

Please feel free to let me know what you think and thank you for your time!

Happy Monday!