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I rearranged.

November 15, 2011

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We have talked about having a few friends over for a holiday kick-off at the beginning of December, which would fit in nicely with our decorate-the-day-after-Thanksgiving tradition.  Except, we have a deadline for our basement project just a couple days after Thanksgiving.  So now, it’s about finding any smidgen of time to squeeze in and enjoy decorating our home.  Whenever that may be.  We were so close to decorating for Christmas on Sunday.  Thhhiisssss close.  What stopped us?  Our lack of Greta-proof ornaments.  Tonight, we hope to be able to do some fun ornament shopping and a few basement painting projects and *crossing our fingers* put up our tree within the week.  
Which brings me to the title.  I rearranged.  Of course we wanted our main Christmas tree (we will probably have a small one on top of the piano in the family room) in the living room because that is the room you walk into when entering our home.  The problem was there was no room for the tree the room’s current layout:  

Our initial plan was to put the tree in front of the picture window.  I tried putting the two armchairs next to each other underneath the 15-frame grid, but they looked so crammed.  Furthermore, because the picture window isn’t centered on the wall, the tree would be a little snug by the white couch.  Next, I tried putting the two armchairs under the large rope bridge photo and the white couch under the 15-frame grid.  I thought this would give the tree a little more breathing room by the window.  And it would have.  Except now the couch looked squeezed in behind the chairs.  I started exploring other options as to where the tree could go, and that’s when I came up with this solution:

The tree can go in front of the 15 frames!  Looking in the window, you can still see the tree and coming in the front door, it will be among the first things you see. I moved the ottomans (that are filled with Greta’s toys) underneath the window to serve as additional seating for the season.  With the chairs facing the couch, although admittedly not as open as the previous layout, is much more conducive to chatting.

In an aerial view, you can see the space that is left for the tree on the right.  :) !!!  

 This layout may be a more permanent solution in the future, when we tear down the wall between the kitchen and the living room (!!!), but those details are for a different post.

Anyone else rearrange for the holidays??

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What do you think?

  1. I love the new arrangement – even if it is just to make room for the tree. That aerial view your home has is gorgeous!!

    P.S. Today is my first blogiversary (yay!) and I’m hosting my first-ever giveaway (and it is handmade!):

    http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/11/blogiversary-giveaway.html

  2. Kar says:

    Ah, we, too want to someday rip down the wall between living room and kitchen. But that means I’d have to redo my wood floors…yadda yadda yadda. I’ve been thinking a lot about your gorgeous rope bridge photo lately – I rearranged things in my living room and now have a huge wall that needs something big and beautiful on it. Did you buy that photo as is, or did you get one of your photos blown up? Just curious.

  3. Did I already tell you that we’re not decorating for Christmas? I am so sad, so I will just live vicariously through you guys. I am so excited to see this tree and the cute ornies you found to go on top!

  4. Oops, I never replied to this. Sorry. That is from Ikea. $150. My favorite thing in the room for sure!

  5. Dana Fox says:

    i am so not looking forward to rearranging for my tree haha. i finally got a layout that is just perfect and don’t want to ruin it but will have to when the tree goes up :(
    looks good though! and i loveee that giant photo behind the couch!
    xo dana
    thewonderforest.com

  6. Chris’s grandmother made the throw and it is SO cozy and sentimental. Double the fun. I am excited for Brinley’s room! I LOVE rearranging. It gives me such a boost.

  7. meaganbriggs3 says:

    LOVe that arrangement. It really does work perfectly in that room. And maybe after Christmas, look for an awesome hutch or something to go against that wall under the frames. LOOOVING that cozy green throw too. I need to get us a throw. We are using these totally old and ugly plaid blankets you take on camping trips to cuddle with and it just isn’t that cozy as a beautiful throw!

    PS my project after Christmas? Rearranging Brinley’s room. It needs a face lift and more of a toddler girl feel.

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