What I did yesterday...

We had dinner out with friends of ours recently and after dinner we went to their house for dessert.  I always get the urge to decorate after spending time in Ell and B's house.  Since it was just too hot and humid to do much else, I spent too much a good deal of time yesterday and last night on the computer looking for ideas for my house; particularly for ideas for my wall behind the new sofa and also window treatments and just having fun looking at all the many wonderful living rooms.  Also, I looked through my Kitty Bartholomew book that I've had 3 or 4 years.  I used to love her decorating shows on TV.  She has great style and uses a lot of color.  I've decided that the older I get the more color I like, but I want to keep a neutral background in the living room and use color for accents.   I'll show you some of the photos that I particularly liked that I found online. 

This doesn't look like my living room, but aren't the colors great? 

I bought an area rug last week similar to this one, also

a pair of red throw pillows for starters.   

I like the little bookcase that separates the doorway

from the living area.  I see the living room is paneled 

like mine is.  It was that way when we bought this house.

We just painted it and have really never considered taking it off

and sheetrocking.  Too much trouble!  It doesn't bother us at all.

I need some kind of blinds on my large window.  Anyone

have suggestions?  I'd like to get rid of the heavy drapes

and just put up sheers and maybe side panels, but I also need something
to keep out the hot sun and for privacy at night.

A wall grouping similar to this is an idea. 

Ell and I have been friends for a long time.  I've always admired her taste in decorating

and she's also one of the best cooks I know.  She can also sew anything and made the

valances I have hanging in my kitchen.  I call her Marth.a Stewar.t because she 

can do it all!  Oh, to be so talented.  The above photo is very similar to the style

of her living room.  Ell loves her pastels and florals.  Her living room walls are a very pale 

pink and the sofa is a pink and white floral stripe with wing back chairs in a deeper pink.

Her accessories are very elegant and tasteful and she finds a lot of these at

garage sales, thrift shops and estate sales.  If there is a bargain to be had, she'll find it!

Did I mention she has a beautiful soprano voice and used to sing for weddings, etc.?

Ell's a few years older than I am and has had a lot of medical issues and doesn't paint,

wallpaper or even sing anymore.  But she still has the wonderful gift of hospitality.

Anyone who has ever been in their home comes away inspired, and usually with 

a recipe that you'll be begging for.   I'll tell you about her beautiful kitchen and the

rest of her house another time.  Back to my decorating efforts...

I'm going shopping tomorrow to look for a few things.  I'll stop at a couple

of flea markets, the thrift store, Marshall's and Hobby Lobby.  Then, if I have
time, I'll look at window treatments.  If you have an idea to share,

I'd love to hear about it.  Stay cool and have a good day!

All of the photos except the first and sixth ones can be found  here.

Until next time...