Design

Room Swaps

May 10, 2012

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

Portfolio

Projects

Design

We're Chris + Julia

read more

What we're                   right now

Loving

browse the shop

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here. 

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen. 

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.

browse all

browse all

browse all

02

01

03

Popular Posts

1.

2.

3.

Top Categories

It’s almost a joke to bring a third room into the equation when we are knee deep in a studio renovation and at the tail end of the family room renovation–but the living room has been stripped of a few items that has forced our attention.  You know I love a little Spring tweaking anyway.  Our living room, despite what our “house tour” page shows doesn’t quite look like this:

It’s a little more echoey nowadays, like this:

The storage ottomans we moved up to Greta’s room a little while back when they became stained and more in demand for her playtime.  As for the lamps? Turns out, the floor lamps flanking either side of the couch in our living room fit perfectly on either really narrow side of our new Lounge sofa in the family room (photos of that to come).  And although I had dreams of a big arc lamp in the family room, the proportions were too good to pass up.  With the room feeling pretty cleared out, I took the opportunity to swap out the area rug because that’s my idea of a good time.

In reality, this space needs an 8×10 area rug (really!), but until I can save up enough pennies for that to happen I am happy to work with the 5x8s we have floating around here.  Last year, we got a super soft, gray trellis rug from Rugs USA for the guest room/office that I laid in place of our high pile shaggy rug we bought at a going-out-of-business sale last year:

The change is slight but refreshing and our gray shag rug plays nice with the colors in the guest room, too.  I guess that’s a major perk about keeping your home in a set color scheme–mix and match all day long.  But back to the real task at hand–filling in those missing parts.  As for a coffee table of sorts, I’m still brainstorming, but the lamp we have a head start on.

Looks like I’m gonna get that big arc floor lamp I’ve been dreaming of after all.  Two nights ago, we ordered this guy from CB2 and he should arrive early next week:

A big arc lamp like this really makes much more sense in the vaulted ceiling, minimal light, lots of space living room anyway.  We are so excited to see how it changes the dynamic of the room and finally get some decent semi-overhead lighting.  And call me crazy, but I’ve been reading all sorts of tutorials on dyeing Klippan sofa covers.  Hmmm. Could be interesting.

Anyone else strip a room to furnish another?  Any luck in dyeing large amounts of fabric?  Do you love an arc lamp as much as me?

P.S.  The race for the ultimate fixture for the studio is tight–as in, way too close to call as this point.  So, if you haven’t voted yet—do so here.  And while you’re in the voting mood, drop a quick “love it” vote for our Exterior Melodrama vid here

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What do you think?

  1. I am CONSTANTLY stripping one room in order to furnish another (just did that with our master and guest bedroom: http://evanandkatelyn.com/2013/07/be-our-guest/), and also I have tried dyeing a large amount of fabric from an Ikea bedframe we have. I’m retro-reading your blog posts so I don’t know yet if you attempted the dye, but hopefully you have better luck than we did! We were going for black and ended up with a splotchy navy… meh

  2. Meghan Kearney says:

    I love an arc lamp as much as you! we were totally going to get one for our living room which has a slight 70s/americana vibe going on. But silly ceiling fans – they ruined those plans. I have a smaller architect looking lamp in the corner instead – it does the job and still fits in well. That lamp will look amazing in your living room!

  3. Love the new rug! It looks great in the living room!

  4. Meagan says:

    My husband and I are in the process of making an offer on our first house which happens to be stripped down to plywood right now (lol, but not really!) it needs some majorr renovation. If I could just steal you away to Pennsylvania to help me decorate I’d be very appreciative!! I’ll have to get you to do a mood board for me at least though.. Oh and btw, your dad wa my bishop at byu-I!

  5. I so love arc lamps. Ikea has some GORGEOUS ones that are fairly inexpensive.

  6. Katherine Sanneman says:

    I really like the picture over the sofa…did you buy it or make it?

  7. Love that IKEA art.
    Have you thought of turning the two rugs sideways and putting them next to each other? You could play it up like “two zones.” Too crazytown? If I were having fun rearranging rugs I’d at least give it a look!

  8. Long gloves is a GREAT tip. Thanks, Courtney!

  9. Courtney says:

    I just dyed 7 tablecloths deeeeeep purple. WEAR LONG GLOVES! That is my only suggestion. Oh, and use one more dye packet than you think you should…. You will like the results better.

all the latest

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

HI! We're Chris + Julia

read more

Load More

Reader Faves

SHop all

What We're                     Right Now

What We're                 Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop. 

Loving

looking for inspiration? 

A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

Follow Along on Instagram

Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations

@chrislovesjulia