mini living room makeover

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After 5 years in our house, I was ready for some serious changes. After reading blog after blog including The Lettered Cottage and The Shabby Nest (two of my very favorite), I felt so inspired to go ahead with the changes and not wait until I had more money. I made these changes about 1 year ago now, but they still make me smile so I thought I would share...

We opted not to re-paint at the time even though I wanted so badly to be done with the green walls. Instead, I decided to make the green work for me. I searched the house for things that were just lying around and put them to work. So, a few cans of spray paint, a couple trips to Ikea & Hobby Lobby, a yard sale or two and I've got the changes I was so desperately wanting.

The first thing I did was change the red candles next to the barn picture...

I bought some fake flowers at Hobby Lobby for about $3 and placed them in the candle holes. Such a simple change that could so easily go unnoticed, but I love it!

Then I added the jars that I bought at a yard sale for $9 and painted numbers on (you can read about those here)...

Next up was the brown mirror with hooks that we had received as a wedding gift...

We had a silver mirror in the basement from our apartment that I decided to try instead...

Next up were the couch pillows. My Mom had made me these when we first moved in. It is amazing how much my taste has changed in the last 5 years. I still think these are pretty, but just not the look I am going for anymore...

I found this beautiful Alexander Henry's Mirabelle fabric at this etsy shop . My Mom made me these pillow covers. I got 1 1/2 yards for $11.25. I was in love with it. The picture does not even do it justice. It is bright and happy. All the other changes are very classic and simple, but I always have fun with my pillows since they can be changed at any time...

I had striped curtains that matched one side of the couch pillows along with a red rug at the front door...

I just wanted some classic white curtains and that is when Ikea comes in handy. You can get two panels for $9.99. I got four of them so I only spent $19.98 + tax on new curtains. They hang nicely and don't get too wrinkled, love them. These made the biggest difference in the whole room.

I wanted a simpler rug too and found a solution at Ikea for $2.99. I got one for the front and back door...

Then there was the giant red chair we got when we were first married. It is the chair I nursed my babies in and oh so comfortable, but I was over it and ready to see it go. I sold it on craigslist (& 1 year later, my husband is still bitter about it)...

I found a temporary replacement in our basement. It is a little black chair that just needed a fresh coat of spray paint and a little number sticker for character. Still saving for a more permanent solution.

The last thing I worked on were the frames on the wall. I wanted to add black in the room and loved the way it looked against the green wall so I took down the old shelves and frames...

and replaced them with some with other frames from the basement and around the house. I spray painted them all black and distressed them. To fill them, I printed a picture of Avery, cut around it and traced it onto black paper for her silhouette. I also used iron-on transfer paper to get the word family on a piece of orange dotted fabric. I just had to include a wedding picture and the other is an old picture of my Mom with my grandparents and some siblings.

So, this mini living room makeover actually cost me nothing since I sold the old pillows, curtains, and chair on craigslist. Although, I am still searching for the perfect chair replacement, and then there is the strong desire for a new entertainment stand. Oh, well. It's a work in progress for sure, but that is the fun part. Small changes can make such a big impact.

I am joining these fabulous link parties, so come on over, check out all the amazing talent, and show us your latest project!