ooh thanks for the suggestions. In the 6 weeks since I posted here I rearranged the furniture, bought some blue glass bottles for the bathroom & added some cute cd storage boxes to my tv cabinet. I'm still really set on wallpapering some feature walls, but $$$. I might have a look into stenciling but it seems like something that would be easy to mess up?

With the mirror, it's very heavy and so I think I'd need to use a stud-finder to help mount it. Or rather, ask someone who has a stud-finder to do it for me. haha.

ALSO I'm thinking about maybe getting a fireplace installed. Because I adore them and it would break up the monotony of the big rectangle space. We have a gas outlet on the wall adjacent to the tv, but I'm a little concerned it might stick out too much and impede the traffic flow. Thinking it would probably fit in better in the spot where the tv is currently.

Miranda - Stenciling is really pretty easy. I'm not very handy but have done several projects. I DID take a class to learn how though, way back when.

Update for those interested: I ended up taking ptmatthews advice and decided to stencil the wall behind the tv. And I am beyond delighted with how it looks! Not finished yet, but here are some shots to give an idea.

Oooh, very nice! A word of caution about the painter's tape. It should be removed as soon as the paint is dry. If you wait too long, sometimes when you remove it, the paint comes with it.

Nice job! And what a cool design.

The wall is finished! I've attached a before & after to show the comparison. And bonus purple chair for a colour injection

I love the stencilled wall Miranda :) can I ask where you got the stencil from and does it have a clean finish? Ie, no bleeding of paint?

The wall looks great, and so does the purple chair! I love your wonderful, quirky style!

Looks fabulous!

jessnjules: I bought the stencil & a roller brush from here: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/royaldesignstencils
Initially there was a bit of bleeding, because I was using a brush to do all the corners. Either my brush was crap or I'm rubbish at that. But when I just concentrated on using the roller I found it didn't bleed at all, and still gave me a sharp finish.

thanks very much guys! Especially ptmatthews for suggesting the stenciling idea in the first place! The whole project cost me about $100, whereas I'd have been looking at maybe 10x as much for wallpaper

Thanks for that! I was actually looking at those stencils today, I love them- it's really made an impact in your space. Thanks for the inspiration :)

The transformation looks great! Way to go Miranda!

I bought you that vase!!!

Awkward lol

I'm sure I gave it to you, mldesign0401, when we were dating. It had red roses in it.

Hi Miranda
I think your dining table, chairs and flooring are too much of the same colour, and along with the bookcase is an overload of brown/tan tones. White moulded dining chairs would really break this up and tie in your white tv cabinet at one end of the room with your white kitchen at the other end. Painting the bookcase a different colour may also help. :)

Your room looks wondeful, crazy and beautiful - I think your patience with experimenting and evolving this living space pays off - I go with jessnjules that your result with the wall is an inspiration! So as suggested, trust your own style and processes while testing out what others suggest - eg stick with your character loaded brown timber - sometimes all the rules just don't apply - we can get lovely effect from mishmash - if I walked into that room, I would would want to settle in and enjoy your company.

Just a little update. The space is still evolving, still a jumble of styles.. And I still love the stencil feature wall! These days the house is never tidy enough to take photos of, though, and as you can see the only photos I have feature the cause of all the mess. We repurposed the pallet coffee table, it is now out in the garden holding succulents. I have a tan couch that I don't think matches with anything but we're just making do with it for the time being.

I love it. You did good. But...what happened to the purple chair? Or did it turn into that purple balloon?!

it floats around the house as needed. still here!

I think it looks great as is except a bit of color behind the tv wall would add some warmth and a focal point other than the tv but you have solved that with your stenciling. Looks great. I think you should put the purple chair back

You've got a great sense of style Miranda. Stay true to yourself, go with your gut and don't ever get rid of that sofa! Nice work

Your house looks quite modern. I think you need furniture to match. Perhaps modern scandi style?

Miranda
I love the stencil work. Can you tell me where you got the stencil. This is a pattern we have used extensively in our house.

I do love scandi style furniture, and I'd love to incorporate some of that in. also some 70s burnt orange, I think. I actually started looking at painting my tan couch orange. But I'm not confident that I could do it successfully.

The stencil came from an etsy shop called Royal Design Stencils. I linked to it further back but my phone doesn't want to play properly today to relink it.

Thanks

You are nailing it! That stencil wall looks fantastic and true to your style... Agree with never getting rid of that sectional sofa. So cool! Unless it falls to bits of course. My suggestion would be to switch out your dining chairs to something more contrasting as the setting blends into the floor. Or you could put a rug under, but I have three young kids and see the unrealistic side to the option... There are so many affordable options about now days that are family friendly.

Also before I read all the way through your journey I could see a cool art wall behind your television, however again that has changed with your stencilling.

Your kitchen is new and fresh and sometimes some different hardware can transform it... Think something a little different say in a gold or brass?

Happy decorating

X

I'm kinda interested in how your chairs would look painted the same (or lighter hue) colour as your curtains...and I like the idea of a rug under table. There are some really colourful outdoor rugs and the bonus is you can just hose them off as needed.

For example.

Funny you bumped this thread, I am halfway through replacing my dining suite (as in I have the chairs but haven't managed to get to ikea for the table I want). It couldn't be more different from the existing one! I'll post a picture when it's set up... I think it will work to tie the room together as a cohesive area. Watch this space!

As promised, new dining suite. I'm enjoying comparing this to the photo I originally posted at the start of this thread.

Please ignore the excess furniture in the background - we're still looking to rehome some pieces. I should have waited until it was cleared out but I was too excited to share my progress!

Looks fantastic... love the contrast you now have, and the yellow!

Oh wow, that looks great Miranda. Drawing on the yellow ties the spaces together. It's so interesting how rooms evolve over time. Is this the house you will be selling?

Can you tell me what you used in the feature wall, and where you purchased it from?

What a difference a table and chairs make! Love the white, yellow, and blue!

Gallifrey, didn't you already ask this question and she already answered it? Anyway, she says she got the stencil and roller here: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/royaldesignstencils

Thanks everyone! The gamble of buying bright yellow chairs has paid off, I think. Yes Ann B, we're planning on selling very shortly. We still have some work to do out in the backyard and need to do a few more things to properly 'dress' the house before we start, but it will all be happening pretty soon (with any luck). Then I can start all over again, hahah.

I'm sure you will do fine getting it ready. You seem to have an abundance of energy, enthusiasm and creativity. I certainly enjoy hearing about your doings, so pls keep us in the loop! Best wishes.

The house has sold! Feeling accomplished but sad to say goodbye. Here are a few photos of it staged for sale. I was really happy with how the space evolved and you all gave me so much valuable advice xx

I will no doubt start a new thread when the purchase of our new home goes through - it is currently 90s nanna style throughout, lots of work ahead! I'm looking forward to a new challenge.

I have really enjoyed this journey with you, Miranda! The stencilling still blows my mind. Isn't it just fab to look at what it was in your first post and how far you've brought it. Job well done!

Well done Miranda. Love you choice in colours, looks like a different house.

I'm sorry to see the place go. If you have any new decorating adventures to share, you know where to come. ;-)

I LOVE that black chandelier... would you mind if I ask where you purchased that from? Love love love!

Honestly? eBay. I had so many compliments on it when people came to view the house! It was about $80 from memory.

I think I have saved this chandelier!!! it look awesome! will definitely buy!!!

I think living too dark and btw like styling of your pigeon style bookshelf
I love green but the couch and brown chair I'd replace but if not short term option for you try throws with cream or white in them to lighten up rooom and connect with white of kitchen
Nothing wrong with your use of greys or kitchen - no more wood as would make too heavy which is problem - it's the living seating which clashes/ drains

@girlguides - did you scroll down and see Miranda Elliot's subsequent posts? Especially the one from 23 Sept. I think you will be pleasantly surprised...

Hi, your home looks pretty good, you have done a lot on the interiors. Coming back to the question, yes, you can add a wallpaper behind the television, go for a textured wallpaper as it will create a compliment to your television. As you have decorated with wooden elements, you can go with a bookshelf on the wall. And, there is one more thing which will be a simple addition but will look perfect and that is an antique wall clock. An antique wall clock will make your wall look great without any fuss.

Old post

Your new house sounds absolutely lovely! But this black chandelier grabs all the attention.

Old post 10 years old