Family Room Spruce-up

I’ve been wanting to add a few more blue accents to the Family Room.  I bought some beautiful blue and white Ikat fabric at the crazy warehouse sale that has been waiting very patiently to be made into pillows. 


This fabric is “Kalah” by Duralee.
It’s available at Calico Corners for $29.99 per yard.  I was able to snatch it up for just $6. 






Here’s how they turned out.

I love this fabric so much, I wish I had enough left over to make me a skirt to wear for the Summer.

Don’t you think it would be super sharp paired with a white or fuchsia button down like so?!
But sadly, the three pillows used up all the fabric.  So, looks like the sofa and chair are going to be the only ones sporting this fancy pattern for the moment!

The pillows weren’t all that got the blue treatment!  The porcelain garden stools did too!

I picked up 2 of these babies at Big Lots a couple years ago.  

They cost a whopping $10 each.

They were turquoise when I got them and they had a couple of little scuffs on them.  I spray painted them white.  Well, after being used as a parking lot, bridge and as an ever running, barrel rolling circus act by these two clowns, it’s time for another paint job.  This time I chose Cobalt blue.




Here’s the room before the Spring Spruce-up:

After:



I really like the blue accents.  What do you think?  Notice that all the blues in the room are not the same color.  When mixing accessories and patterns, its always better to vary the shades of the color you are using.  It gives your room more interest.  Don’t be matchy-matchy people!  It’s boring!
Question:  Anyone want to share a comment on the fireplace screen?  I’m thinking about painting it either white or navy.  Or, should I leave it the way it is?  Please share your opinion! 



As far as the mantle, I really want a pair of blue and white ginger jars like these to flank the sailboat picture.  Until then, the plate and compote will do.  It brings in enough of the blue and white to make me happy for now.

BTW, I picked up the sailboat picture from Goodwill for $13.  It was custom framed and went straight from the GW to my mantle.









The last tid-bit I want to share today is the flowers.  I’ve never been too crazy about the flowers in the white vases.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE forsynthia! 
But comparing the real thing:

To the fake Wally-world ones:  Not so much!

Here’s what I did.  while I was out enjoying the beautiful weather, I clipped a few branches off my forsynthia and added then to the Wally-world flowers with some water.  It’s amazing, the blooms have lasted for 2 weeks!

(Shhh…. don’t tell anyone they’re fake!)
Have a great day!
I’ll share more about those birds flying around tomorrow!
Katie