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DIY Wall Art & A Living Room Wish List

For almost a year I’ve been clueless about what to put over my couch. I didn’t want to put a mirror because I already have a few of those on nearby walls, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted instead. I knew that I wanted it to be some kind of large art, but we’re talking $100 or more for something large at even the most inexpensive home stores such as Home Goods. I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled online and around town and figured when I saw what I wanted, I’d know.
A couple weeks ago Chelsea from Making Home Base posted about her large DIY wall art, and I was intrigued. I loved how neutral the colors were but how modern and a little funky it looked. I reviewed the materials and realized that I could create this whole project for less than $50 because I already had a couple of the required materials on hand.
I followed her instructions pretty close but made a few changes regarding the type of paint and stain color. I also used different hardware to hang them. Overall her instructions were incredibly detailed, and I’m so happy with the final result! Hop on over to her blog here to glance at the directions and to check out some of her other DIY projects.
I still have a few things in my dream home book living room page I’d like for this room that I’d like to show you (maybe you have suggestions for this non-decorator?), but first I want to show you a few before and after pictures from last September to today!
Before…
Currently…

Before (but after I painted the walls)…

Currently…

Before…

Currently…

If you were around a couple weeks ago for my most recent “Day in the Life” post, you may remember the picture of my living room that looked like a tornado swept through and are wondering where the mess went. It actually took this picture for us to realize that we needed to do something about the toy situation.

The following weekend after Hadley went to bed we sorted her toys in several categories: toys she hasn’t touched in forever that we can add to her baby toys for a future sibling, toys that we could “surprise” her with in a few months as “new”, and toys that are developmentally appropriate right now that she enjoys. After putting away the first two categories we created a new playroom for her in an extra bedroom with the toys we want her to focus on now.

And we have our living room back.
SO HAPPY!

So here’s what I’m dreaming about for my living room!
Rug
 
I’ve been DROOLING over this Tuscan Moroccan Shag rug from RugsUSA for a long time, but there’s never been a great time to drop $450+ on a 8×10 rug (imagine that!). Now I’m not so sure if this pattern would be too much with my wall art. Sigh. I might be back to square one!

Coffee Table
 

1 / 2 
We’d like something a little less harsh on our little bruiser when she bumps into the coffee table for the 20th time in a single day. 🙂 
 
 
Wall decor

I’d love a 10″x14″ canvas of each of these pictures for the sides of our TV.
I’d also love some new throw pillows and maybe a pair of new chairs (Haaaaa! In my dreams!), but I don’t have a clue what I’d be looking for! For now we’re comfortable and very thankful for what we have! Besides, I think window shopping and dreaming is half the fun sometimes. 
Let’s chat!
 
1. Do you have any suggestions for what I should put on the floor on either side of my TV stand? I’d love to put a green plant if I had hardwood flooring, but I don’t think that’s in the cards since we’re out of here in two years. I’d love your input!
 
2. What color combination of throw pillows do you think would look great in this room?
 
3. How do/did you handle the toy madness?
 

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