Living Room Projects: Looking Forward

I'm very happy to announce that I was able to offload my old couch on a couple of suckers my good friends J & A (just kidding guys, it's a great couch).  My living room, which had previously looked like I was hoarding furniture, now looks like I've been robbed.  

The couch usually goes in the middle of the living room, to divide the space into an entryway and a cozier living space, but I shoved it against the wall for the time being.  I have a new rug coming on Friday, and I needed to open up the living room space to allow me to unroll the rug, which is quite large and will cover most of the floor.

On that topic, I had previously mentioned a new rug, which arrived, and which I hated.  It's woven leather.  I'm not sure what I was thinking, except that it was 1. flat woven, 2. the right color scheme, and 3. dirt cheap economical.  What I didn't realize, until it arrived, is that it looks (and smells) very "welcome to my New Mexico ranch house in 1991" (not that there's anything wrong with that).  So, I ordered another one, because as usual, Jenny Komenda is awesome, and posted about this rug the day after I ordered the leather one.  And it was just what I was looking for.

See how pretty the couch is with those two little coral tables?

Anyway, the living room is wide open now, and it feels a little bare.  However, it has allowed me to evaluate the pieces I have to see what changes are needed and if they still even work.   Expect more updates on furniture projects.  For example:

• I'm painting the entry console, which I love, but looks really dingy with the new furniture.  I think maybe a glossy black.  Nothing too bright, since the front door is blue.

• I'm going to get new bookshelves and create a "library" area, to replace the rickety, too-small particle board bookshelf I've had since college (which has served me well since I moved into this house).

• I have to get a quote to get the round chairs reupholstered in the pretty spotted fabric I decided on (by the way, I was able to return that heinous pink velvet, for those who have asked).

I just spotted a cat hair; did you?

• I need to paint and reupholster the pretty Hepplewhite reproduction chairs I bought at a consignment store last year... 

...and which make me feel like I'm dining at Downton Abbey

Do I have time to do all these things? Heck no.  But I'm going to try my best to do it.