Let The House Mission Begin!

If you missed yesterday’s post about this mission click HERE.

I’m cheating a little and starting in the family room because I’ve already gotten a head start.  The blinds, windows and baseboards were cleaned after the painting was done right before the holidays.

TIP:  If you really want to get motivated to clean and organize your house, start with something easy to clean out that’s not too overwhelming so you can guarantee yourself some success.  It will get you on the right track to keep going and you’ll feel proud of your accomplishment!

1. Cleaning:

I have leather furniture because of our dog, Murphy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  Using a good leather cleaner at least once a year will keep your leather looking good and feeling great.  This was the only special major cleaning task I had to do in this room.

2. Organization:

Do your magazines and catalogs get out of control after the holidays?  Mine do. I have thrown most of them away today. 

I bought these baskets from Target last fall to corral all our movies.  I like their uniformity and dark color against the white.  

Tip: I put felt pads purchased at Lowe’s or Wal-mart on just about everything I have from accessories to furniture to prevent scratching.  They come in several different diameters.

My most challenging organization in this room is Murphy’s toys.  Yes, the dog’s toys.

Seems he thinks it’s a game between us….I put them in the basket and he gets them out and spreads them all over the floor.

I had just put these stuffed toys away and went to get the vacuum cleaner and this is what I found when I came back!

Does this face look guilty to you?

Caught with the evidence. He doesn’t have an alibi either.

Now the cat gets in on the act.  Don’t they realize I’ve got lots of work to do here?

Okay, enough diversion with the animals.  Back to the post.

I use this large basket that I got from HL for out of season blankets and throws that we use in the winter.  Other than that I don’t keep a lot of things stored in this room not even in the furniture drawers.  They’re pretty much empty.

3. Décor:

Now the fun part.  I haven’t put any fabric on the windows since I removed the original custom treatments last fall and they have white wood blinds  I was looking at probably doing a simple white linen drape from Pottery Barn but after today I’ve changed my mind.

This is what the room looked like waaaay before with the drapes.  (Please don’t tell me you like the before better because it will hurt my feelings. lol  Sometimes you change things not because it’s really bad but because you just need a change!)

I’m going to use the old drapes without the topper.  They are a nice heavy lined toile that’s pinch pleated.  I am going with different rods though…these were mahogany wood and clunky.  Today I ordered antique brass metal ones from Country Curtains.  Here’ s a better pic of the fabric.  It’s very Provincial.

Tip: I always allow 6-7” on either side of the window for treatments.  Measuring outside the casing these  windows are 44” W so I’ll use a 56” W rod.  I have to be careful with drapes and rods  because of the surround sound system.

There is definitely a design dilemma in this room.  It has two competing focal points.  The fireplace and the TV.  “Houston, we have a problem”.  But there’s always a way to work around it. Believe me I’ve had this room arranged every which way but loose!  You can see in some of the photos where I have a couple floor outlets that I used to have furniture over with lamps on it.   They have also been covered with rugs in the past.

The mantel is over here.  (If you want to read about the Charles Levier painting over the sofa click HERE…it’s fascinating if you love art)

And the media wall is here.  You can read about the board and batten treatment HERE.

I can’t decide which I like better on the mantel.  The faux boxwood topiaries or the hurricanes?

I’ve had the antique sugar mold for quite some time.

I replaced the oversized mid-century Sheraton style mahogany framed mirror with this lovely Louis Philippe example that I brought from my Lexington home.  It’s one of my favorites.  It has that luscious almost two- toned silvery gold that I adore.

See the smaller etched mirrors all around the frame?  I love details like this.

I’m wanting to replace the dark coffee table with a glass table since I have all the dark seating in here.  I added a grain sack runner to lighten the top up a bit.

I also worked on a vignette using some of my ironstone and a bunch of lavender.  It smells so good!  Tip: Dried florals and fresh fruit are a win-win whenever you need a quick tablescape.  A few candles and you’re good to go.  Other can’t miss items are trays and books!

Here is a blank wall canvas that I need to do something with.  I’ve had a secretary here and different wall hangings but I just want something different.  This leads to the powder room and garage.

I’m thinking of using these vintage Paris photos that I got from Jermaine at French Kissed.  I want to frame 4 or all 6  in simple black frames and create a collage.

I’ll leave you with a few more photos.  There is Murphy again playing on the floor with his toy.  I can’t seem to get him to move when I’m taking photos.  The rug came from my daughter’s bedroom. 

The fireplace is see-thru.

The “boob” light has got to go.    I’m trying to decide between a lantern or a drum shade style.  I’m keeping my eye on Aidan Gray lighting.

That just about does it for today.  What will I tackle tomorrow?

The paint color in this room is SW Wool Skein and the white trim is Porter Queen Anne’s Lace.

Blessings,

Kim

Linking up to:

Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Nifty  Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm