So if you'll remember, a while back I posted about this bookcase. I ended up not getting that exact bookcase, but one very similar to it (actually, it's more cheaply made than that one but it won't help to grump about that now...). Around that time I also decided that I needed a round coffee table and not a rectangular one anymore and miraculously found just what I wanted on Craigslist. I don't feel like going out to the garage to take a picture of it - but you'll have to trust me. It's round, brown wood, pedestal leg, cool. It looks a little like this, but shorter. And it cost like $30 - not $800.
It's all part of my plan to give my living room a little face-lift. I'm thinking "lighter", less red, maybe some greens, blues, mustards... I don't know yet. I had in my mind to go sort of Martha Stewart monochromatic in there, so I bought paint just a little lighter than my wall paint and was planning on painting the coffee table and the bookshelf that color - sort of this kind of look but not as stark - but now I'm not sure. Any ideas?
Now for the new project. The other day I mentioned to Justin that I would like some wicker patio furniture. No sooner had I mentioned it - my deal-loving hubby found a set at a garage sale. I matched it with a chair I already had and voila! Cuteness. All cozy and ready for me to sit outside and read while the kids play the summer days away (remember, I said humor me...) Except it needs an update.
Next to it I have two picnic tables - a kid one and an adult one. I'm just about finished painting the kid table (vintage rick rack from Martha Stewart at Lowes) and the adult table I'm going to paint the same color as my kitchen (vintage map also from Martha). So here's my question: What color should I paint the wicker furntiure? Here are some ideas I have and I'd love to see what you think: White and then I'd recover the cushions to coordinate with the tables. Olive green and cover the cushions with this cute oilcloth. Blue, cute oilcloth. Red, cute oilcloth. Something else, cute oilcloth? What do you think?
Here they are to show you how close they are to each other. Please disregard the tent hanging to dry, the scattered toys and the morning shadows. We're dreaming here.
10 comments:
The red and vintage map picnic tables are going to look adorable! I'd go with those colors for the patio furniture. I've seen some adorable vintage-inspired oilcloth that would go great with your picnic tables (and I read an article on turning any fabric into oilcloth by rubbing linseed oil on it). I would go with a darker color for the wicker furniture just because I would assume it will be pretty hard to scrub dirt and stains out of the weave. But I've never tried, so that's purely speculation. I can't wait to see what you do with it!
IMHO...
For your living room. I like "light" - the room seems bigger and it gives me a lift all winter to have bright, cheery spaces. Remember to consider, though, how a lot of cool colors are going to 'feel' by February, when it's been raining for five months straight.
For your wicker... you've already got two colors going in the picnic tables - I'd go with one of those, and then coordinate the cushions.
And I'd go with a dark color for wicker. I hope this doesn't sound pessimistic (just view it as a reflection of MY house-keeping!) - I just think of how dust and dirt can settle down into the wicker and be hard to clean out. That's why I'd go with a darker color, not white.
LOVE that oilcloth with cherries! Can you get it in outdoor fabric? (Just asking... do you want to sit on oilcloth, wearing shorts?)
Julie
Definitely the olive green and oilcloth. And then get some extra oilcloth to use as a tablecloth or at the very least, a runner on the table. Then it would all tie in.
I think the light blue would be too light (and get dirty quickly) and the red, just... not as cute as the green.
Love your table. Fun outdoor furniture and indoor plan. I'm not a fan of monochromatic but I think you have good taste so I can't wait to see what you come up with! :)
Where on earth did you find a husband that a) listens to you and b) SHOPS?!?! at a GARAGE sale?!?! Mine would rather have skewers stuck under his fingernails. :)
Ok, everyone said white would get too dirty (I was thinking it would look classic...) I have SUCH a soft spot for green, but I think doing the same color as the adult picnic table might give the whole thing a little more cohesive look.
While we're at it, tell Justing I'm looking for an inexpensive but not cheap looking/cheaply built patio dining set. All the stuff I've found around town is C...R...A...P. I'm very disgruntled.
Congrats on the wicker! If I were looking for wicker, I'd be green with envy, but since I'm not, I'm only mint green with envy.
here's what I love. The ikea cup sitting on the bench of the table. It reminds me so much of my yard. Toys laying about and me dreaming of a perfectly manicured and matched yard. I have no great ideas but I think you are going to come up with some great ones.
I LOVE the red kid picnic table and I think a map color would look awesome for the adult table. I really like the idea of painting the wicker furniture black...it is so striking with whatever oilcloth you use for the cushions and I think it adds a bit of sophistication so you can bring those pieces inside and still use them in cooler weather. I got so used to my wicker chairs in the living room, I almost didn't want to put them outside this summer :)
For your living room ideas, check out the issue of Cottage Living out right now...it has some great (tons) of pictures incorporating some of your colors, arrangements,etc...it sounds dorky, but I was really inspired by it...lol
I LOVE the round cofee table and...clearly Justin rocks...yeah for awesome hubbys!
Okay...checked it out...its actually "Cottage Style" not Cottage Living...hope that helps! I am so bummed that Cottage Living is gone! I LOVED that magazine!
I agree about the black for the wicker...she's a cool gal! All those colors would also go well with a sunny, buttery yellow, which personally I think is happy. Maybe you could incorporate the yellow in with cushions or something.
OMG. Love that coffee table and bookshelf and I'm a BIG fan of the grey.
I love the idea of an olive color for the wicker and I love that fabric - it really ties in the two picnic tables! Oooo! I love a project!!
Any new Xo photos?
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