It All Started With Pillows...

Hey everyone! Hope you are enjoying the long weekend!

So...I have been trying to figure out what to do with my living room, for the last several months. It is very much in need of an update, and I have been pondering just how to do that without spending a fortune. At first I thought that maybe some new curtains with more contrast would pop the room, and do the trick for a while, but I decided I needed more than that.

We've had the current sofa, ottoman, and tables is there since the day we moved in 10 years ago. The sofa was mine prior to marrying Mr W, and though I had bought it 3 years earlier it was still like brand new. The only thing I did when we moved in here, was to have a new slip cover custom made for it.

For the last year or so, I have been trying to decide if I want to buy a new sofa, or try to use the one we have, and just have it re-upholstered. You know I like to be frugal...hence the Budget Design Girl name. So, I've been leaning towards keeping it. It's got good bones, and it holds a queen size sleeper sofa, which has come in handy in the past when we have had lots of company at once.

A couple of weeks ago while out shopping at my local antique stores, I found the solution to my dilemma!! The most awesome pillow covers! Sometimes the smallest thing can re-write an entire room for me!!! WOOO-HOOO!!!!! I LOVE them so very much! Using the pillows as my jumping off point, I will re-do the couch in a very light fabric, and re-upholster the fabric ottoman as well. New lamps, a few more pillows, and lighter curtain panels will follow, but eventually it will all fall into place. I love it when I have a clear vision in my head!

This morning I pulled the old tan slip cover off the couch to reveal the muslin cover underneath. I thought perhaps if it were nice enough, I could leave just that, but it really needs great fabric, and a good quality upholstery job.

Here is what it looked like before...

It's alright...but everything in the room is tan or brown.

Of course, I can't find a good straight on picture of the sofa, but I think you can get the idea. The lighting in the one below is pretty bad, but that's the only close shot I can seem to find right now.

Here's what the couch looks like now with the slipcover removed...

 And again, what a terrible pic with regard to the lighting, it gets crazy light most of the day. Late afternoon seems like the time I get the best lighting in here for photographing, but I didn't want to wait.

 I threw a faux fur throw over the ottoman, because it was is olive green, and was throwing me off. I will probably have it upholstered in a lighter coordinating fabric with some small pattern to it.

 Here is the pattern on the Ralph Lauren ticking stripe down pillow on the back of the couch. I found it yesterday at Home Goods. I think it was $39.99. I thought that was a pretty good deal for a down filled large pillow like this one.

 It works well with my "inspiration" pillows, don't you think?

 I just love the different fabrics and textures in these, and the fact that they still read so neutral!

 View from my WAY OVERLY sunny dining room. I am going to be replacing the side tables and lamps as well.

 I think with a solid neutral behind my new print pillow, I can even make it look great on this side chair by the staircase.

 Ignore the weird stick...it was something I drug home. Who knows if it will end up anywhere permanently.

I was trying out different lamps from the house in here too...guess I will be shopping for new ones this week. 

I have to say, I am pretty excited at the prospect of lightening things up in here. I am going to speak to the upholsterer this week, and get the ball rolling! 

Hope you enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend!

xo

-Lisa