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I’ve been watching too many home make over shows. OK, just the one. And now I have realised that if the contestants on these shows can completely gut, rebuild, design and make over several difficult rooms in a week, then I could probably get off my arse (after seven years) and start prettying up my place a bit more proactively. I think I procrastinate a lot. Shocker.
The other night I had a flash of inspiration. A vision. My living room (the first room you see when you walk in the house) was looking pretty tired, despite having great basic pieces of furniture in it to work with already. It needed a freshen up. It’s our sanctuary in the evenings – our little parents’ retreat. Also, I want it to invite people into our home. It’s kind of spent a bit of time being that first room we rush everybody past when they visit. Oops.
It looked cute when we first decorated it, but seven years (this month) is a long time between improvements!
I have been excited to have a little bit of extra money and time lately (thanks to going back to work and putting the Little Mister in day care a couple of days a week), so I couldn’t wait to catch up on lost time!
I decided to front up to some homewares stores and got my (extremely) amateur interior designer on. I was walking from section to section, carrying bits and bobs. Putting them near each other. Rearranging and primping and matching stuff. I used to be too embarrassed to do that. I used to just leave the things where they were and work from memory as fast as I could in case the store staff wondered why I was still there or why I was bothering to pretend I knew what I was doing (“It’s day 3 and they’re starting to get suspicious”).
Now I’ll spend an hour in a store, getting things just right (which is also why I never have time for it haha)! This kid is growing up. No more self conscious shenanigans!
It’s amazing how a few cushions and stuff can make a person (me) so happy.
Isn’t this cushion a beauty?! It tied everything together. Also, I’m so in love with the whole geometrical thing that’s happening lately.
I’ve never really had throw rugs before. This one is a shocker and I LOVE IT! It is neon pink chevron and it livens up the room so much! Also? It’s really comfy to lean against and snuggle into (totes tested it out last night). Still working on my draping technique, but we’ll get there!
I wondered what Mr Unprepared would think of the colour, but he was typically non fazed. He acknowledged that it wouldn’t necessarily be his first choice of colour, but he saw the whole look I was going for. And I quote, “I’m not bothered by it.”
I’d take that as a positive review from the least-likely-to-ever-become-an-interior-design-guy that I’ve ever met haha.
I went through all of my magazines and only kept the prettiest, best quality ones. The kinds you go back to. The kinds that visitors might want to browse through. Bye bye crumpled up old TV Weeks! I updated some dull looking photo frames and I bought a little coral statue thingy (I love beachy things) and shoved it on a celebrity cover girl’s face (sorry love)! Suddenly that stack kind of looks like it’s meant to be there.
I then splurged on some little milk bottle thingies with hydrangeas (pretend of course) in them. The purple ones remind me of the flowers we had at our wedding. Add a photo from when we were newly engaged and a kissy smoochy one from our wedding and we’re good to go.
Of course I couldn’t forget some coasters for the coffee table. Mr Unprepared loves his night time cup of tea.
Aren’t they gorgeous?? Glass was a calculated risk because the Little Mister is growing up just that little bit more (and he’s blocked by a safety gate when we want him to stay out haha).
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a better looking living room!
All I need now is some amazing white wallpaper with some kind of cool textured effect on it (for a feature wall behind the TV) and I do believe I will be very pleased with myself.
I can’t wait to keep tackling my house room by room! And don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about my future lady cave. We will get there eventually!
Do you enjoy decorating your home? Know where a gal can get some wicked wallpaper??
None of the items in this post were gifted or sponsored. I bought them because I love them!
19 Comments
Sonia Life Love Hiccups
Do i love decorating a room! HA! Love what you have done and cannot wait to see the progress chick. As for wall paper DTLL have some gorgeous ones xx http://downthatlittlelane.com.au/product_search/results?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search%5Btext%5D=wallpaper#per_page=20&search%5Bcategory_id%5D=179&search%5Bprice_from%5D=0&search%5Bprice_to%5D=300&search%5Btext%5D=wallpaper
KezUnprepared
Oh yes!! Of course!! Can’t wait to check it all out *rubs hands with glee*
Mazz
Great post, made me giggle a lot (especially your husbands comments, very much like mine!). You have inspired me to take a look at my own lounge room. Especially love the throw! Can’t wait to see more rooms (before and after pics would be ace!).
KezUnprepared
Oh good – I like making people laugh 🙂 I did consider before and after pics. If I get the courage to show the ‘before’s then I will give it a go next time – no promises haha.
Mazz
Great post, made me giggle a lot (especially your husbands comments, very much like mine!). You have inspired me to take a look at my own lounge room. Especially love the throw! Can’t wait to see more rooms (before and after pics would be ace!).
KezUnprepared
Oh good – I like making people laugh 🙂 I did consider before and after pics. If I get the courage to show the ‘before’s then I will give it a go next time – no promises haha.
Michelle @ An Organised Life
I love your colourful photo frames. They look great!
This is the first time I’ve visited your blog and I’m totally in love with the name. Awesomely unprepared… the story of my life!! lol
KezUnprepared
Thank you so much for visiting, Michelle! I knew I’d found the right blog name when I realised it applied to most aspects of my life 😛
Michelle @ An Organised Life
I love your colourful photo frames. They look great!
This is the first time I’ve visited your blog and I’m totally in love with the name. Awesomely unprepared… the story of my life!! lol
KezUnprepared
Thank you so much for visiting, Michelle! I knew I’d found the right blog name when I realised it applied to most aspects of my life 😛
Ctrl+Alt+Mum
As you know, we’re doing our place room by room. Started gutting the kitchen today. Realistically, it’s going to take us YEARS (we have to save up the $ in between each project, and then of course find the time to do it) but it’s so rewarding. And hopefully it will definitely add value to our house, the upside being that it will also become much nicer to live in.
KezUnprepared
Wow, what a big job! Definitely worth it, though. And how proud will you guys be when it’s done and you know YOU did it? 🙂
Ctrl+Alt+Mum
As you know, we’re doing our place room by room. Started gutting the kitchen today. Realistically, it’s going to take us YEARS (we have to save up the $ in between each project, and then of course find the time to do it) but it’s so rewarding. And hopefully it will definitely add value to our house, the upside being that it will also become much nicer to live in.
KezUnprepared
Wow, what a big job! Definitely worth it, though. And how proud will you guys be when it’s done and you know YOU did it? 🙂
Maxabella
I love decorating and I’m a big House Rules fan too. You are so right in the fact that I procrastinate terribly and here they are doing a whole house in a week. What is wrong with me! I’ve been “planning” our renovation for FIVE YEARS. FIVE! Help me! x
KezUnprepared
Haha I think the trick is to take little nibbles out of the big tasks – motivates you to keep going! Like how only a third of our gutters are painted at the moment…oops haha.
Maxabella
I love decorating and I’m a big House Rules fan too. You are so right in the fact that I procrastinate terribly and here they are doing a whole house in a week. What is wrong with me! I’ve been “planning” our renovation for FIVE YEARS. FIVE! Help me! x
KezUnprepared
Haha I think the trick is to take little nibbles out of the big tasks – motivates you to keep going! Like how only a third of our gutters are painted at the moment…oops haha.