~ family room update

Just before the holidays, I got an itch to follow through with something I'd been fretting over for years. The shelves in my family room were spaced too far apart and I fantasized about moving the shelves up and tightening the space. I knew it would be a cleaner, neater look, but I would need to order more shelves, have the shelves painted, and rearrange the shelves. Rearranging shelves, for me, is a really, really serious job. I also felt the room was blah and needed a bit of a lift. The transformation began with the rug from Trace Mayer. (you can read all about it in this post.) I've made some progress as reported in several recent posts.

As you can see, it's much warmer in the room in the photo above, in part due to a new camera, but also thanks to the changes. 

Here's the boring and blah room.. Notice the shelves (only four) and the rug specifically...

Here's the old painting which I adore in my basement! I always thought it was too small for this wall, and the lone cookie cutter looks, well, it looks like I was trying to fill empty wall space. (Most likely because that is exactly what I was doing...)

Even when I added another... still no good.

I happen to have people in my life who will come over and just flat out tell me, Jan, the cookie cutter(s) have to go. Thank you cPv and sRe! 

Here's the new space with the tapestry, the rug, and the pillows...

I mean the tapestry is basically amazing, is it not? I'm so thrilled with that thing! I searched for days and spent hours on 1st Dibs. I narrowed it down to a few ~ all of which were from Keivan Woven Arts in Atlanta, GA. If you have ever thought about shopping for a tapestry, Keivan is a great place to start... and finish! Check out their website... (here) 

I love the new set up in the hutch!

I stole the small french confit jars from my dining room table (they'd been there too long) and added them to the mix.. I LOVE it!

I was inspired to use these Mackenzie-Childs plates instead of the Majolica. I love the color better, and I have tons of them. I copied my friend Charles Faudree and added some plates above the hutch. I think this addition gives a more finished look. ( I like to fill empty wall space..) The lampshades, as mentioned in a previous post, feature a charming Charles Faudree fabric from Vervain... (Coming soon: back of hutch upholstered in check fabric, also copied straight from Charles Faudree!)

    

Here's the old.. pretty, but I like the new better... the blue-green color of the majolica plates always bothered me... I like the yellow-green ones better. I also created some height with antique books above.

Here you can see the old pillows, (too many) the old rug, and the old coffee table. BORING and BLAH! (I think my camera was blah.. I'm not sure why the new photos have a warm, yellowish glow to them?)

The new pillows are so much better. Plus, there's room to sit on the couch... a welcome change!

And here are the old shelves ~ notice the spacing problem ~ 

That space at the top of each shelf DROVE ME CRAZY!

 As you can see, a shelf was added to each side. I also decided to take off the covers of all the books. I added some antique books for interest (on the right side second shelf up) and I'd like to continue switching the new for old... 

Oh! I also added the sconces from Zane Moss. I scored the pair at the Lauritzen Gardens Antique Show! The antique glass is so pretty and when the candles are lit... pure charm!

I am so much happier with the shelves and the room in general! Still waiting on the kitchen chairs to be covered, the hutch to be upholstered, new kitchen counter stools, and a few other details... It's getting warmer and cozier, don't you think?