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A Living Room Update + A Few Pieces You’ll NEVER regret buying

August 19, 2020

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This post is sponsored by Lulu & Georgia. They just launched their fall collection, check out the beautiful pieces here

Last week, I got the itch to rearrange our living room. It’s my favorite thing to do and I really wanted to come up with something that was better for flow and conversation. I tweaked things more over the weekend and I’m so happy with this new layout! We had Chris’s family over for dinner on Saturday and it was perfect for conversation, ample seating, and the flow felt easy–and the best part–everything we had!

By moving our beautiful velvet navy sofa perpendicular to our neutral one, it creates an intimate seating arrangement–plus! That navy sofa is a show-stopper in front of our arched window, right?! (Navy + Black forever). We’ve had the navy sofa (from Lulu & Georgia) since February and we couldn’t love it more. It’s dramatic and stylish but also comfortable! (We actually have the same sofa in green in our office, but I think I’m moving it to the girls office soon!) The great thing about an accent sofa that it took me SO long to realize is, they’re room makers.

Everyone that comes over compliments our navy sofa. It’s honestly the least risky risk you can take.  A classic sofa, in a rich color–ooo! you just can’t go wrong.

You’ve probably also noticed this bench bouncing around our house from room to room and even within the same room. A good bench is a purchase you’ll never regret: They go everywhere! At the base of a bed, in the entry, in a long hallway. Right now, we have ours doubling as a coffee table/foot rest/extra seating in a pinch. We do still have dreams of building a coffee table, but for now, it’s functional and cozy and I love the collected feel.

I’ve preached this before, but a large vase will serve you well forever. We moved the antique side table into the corner and proper a large vase on top and it completed the whole look. I learned this when I had ONE large vase and would move it around all over my house. I like to cut some big branches from our yard and it instantly fills a corner. This one from Lulu and Georgia is so cool and has so much character it became a conversation starter over the weekend, too. When they’re empty, they double as sculptures. You’ll never regret a large vase!

Table Lamp | Pom Pom Pillow

Lastly, A few months ago, in a Casual Friday post, I shared this cloud art that I came across on Lulu & Georgia. It was soft and moving and I loved it so much. Now it hangs in our bedroom and it makes me happy every morning when I wake up. You’ll truly never regret buying art!

We feel at home in the living room now. I’ve even noticed we have been lounging in it more, chatting more and, okay, I can’t stop looking either. I think this arrangement might be the one.

Don’t forget to check out Lulu & Georgia’s earthy fall collection here!

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What do you think?

  1. Tanya says:

    I see that you changed your carpet in the Living Room than the one listed under “shop our house”. Are you able to providemore information on it and why did you choose to switch? Thanks!

  2. Patti says:

    I love this new arrangement! Two questions; where did the other sling chair go and are you concerned about the gorgeous navy sofa fading in the sun?

  3. Monica says:

    A big round coffee table in the center and you’ll be all set – how gorgeous!

  4. Robin Anderson says:

    I am a little confused. A sofa can be placed in front of a window? I thought the common train of thought was move the sofas off the walls and somewhat closer to the center of the room. This idea should provide more walkway space around the sofa. Please advise I am rearranging my living room as well. I thought your room looked very inviting.

  5. Lisa says:

    The living room looks gorgeous! I love that it doesn’t look “formal” or “fancy”, like a stuffy, symmetrical business suit. This room is inviting and warm and cozy but still so stylish. Its “stylish casual” like dressing up your favourite pair of jeans with a fabulous blouse, the sassiest shoes, and eye-catching accessories. The kind of accessories where everyone asks you, “where’d you get that?” :)

  6. Linda Hirschfeld says:

    I love navy. The show stopper to me is the amazingly beautiful arched window. Also the door in the kitchen. I have enormous arched-shaped doors/windows in my home that need replacement as well as an updated look. Can you give me any info on these?

  7. Ela says:

    Love love love!! Whenever I’m rearranging my space I think of what Julia would do!

    Where can I get the vase? Please!

  8. Leesa says:

    Still would love to see larger matching sofas or a sectional for scale or cohesiveness. Just curious why the stools, which are great, are next to the bench?

  9. WJS says:

    Aww wow! You have totally nailed it with this arrangement! Couldn’t love it more. Well done!
    Wishing I could get that navy sofa over here in Australia… It’s gorgeous!

  10. Deborah Ganley says:

    I love the new arrangement – the flow is a great improvement. The furniture and colors are in harmony and blend nicely – except for one thing! The bench color and style looks totally out of place. To me, the bench color and style do not go with the rest of the room. I’ve always been a fan of your decor style….your home is beautiful. Love the leather ottomans along with the leather arm chair. Rather than a bench, I think a traditional wood and glass coffee table would look fab!

  11. Yokasta says:

    This layout seems to be the best so far…and that large window, is amazing! What size of the Lulu and Georgia forba pot do you have? The dimensions for the large one seem so big. Thank you!

  12. Ryan says:

    I feel like you have to get a gorgeous console for behind your neutral sofa now that the back faces your kitchen and breakfast area! AND the back is straight and not slanted!? Console! Console! Console!

  13. Joanna says:

    I’m curious how the sofa does with the sun exposure. Maybe your new windows block a lot of UV? I had a couch backing to a window with a blanket draped over the back to help protect it and it still faded :/

  14. Makila says:

    I love our living room sofas that sit perpendicular! Great for lots of people.

  15. Cami says:

    I can’t stop looking at these pictures. I just really love every detail. The previous arrangement(s) were great but this is perfect. Beautiful work!

  16. Sara says:

    It looks great! I feel like one could spend hours lounging on the sofa and gazing out that gorgeous window.
    Have you considered trying the blue sofa in front of the fireplace (with the back to the fire)? I really like the conversation area created when the two sofas face each other. Then each sofa would provide its own angle for gazing out the window, too.

  17. Alesha Thompson says:

    Yes yes YES! This is by far my favorite arrangement you have come up with yet! This room stops me in my tracks every time I scroll past it in my insta feed. You guys nailed it! The before and after of this space still blows my mind.

  18. Miriam says:

    It’s looking so good and it’s been fun to see how the different arrangements transform the space!While you’re on this rearranging kick, I’d be curious to see how it looks with the blue sofa and beige sofa switched. In photos at least, it looks a little unbalanced with the dark sofa in front of the heavy, dark window trim, while the rest of the room is so bright and airy.

  19. Ellis says:

    I’ve long been Team Put the Blue Sofa in Front of the Window (TPBSFW) and just love this! Its lines feel more architectural in front of the window and highlight that area so well!

  20. Shannon says:

    I like this one. I definitely like two sofas for your room, however you arrange them.

  21. Michelle says:

    I love this new arrangement! Navy + Black is a big YES in my house, too. The sofa looks so gorgeous in front of the window, I’m glad you brought it back in.

  22. Kim B. says:

    This looks great. I am so happy you put the blue sofa back — that was my one plaintive comment the other day: “I miss the blue sofa.” This arrangement looks fabulous.

  23. Candice says:

    Any worries about the sun bleaching the navy sofa? We have two window seats in our living room, which I found the perfect pillows for, and I worry about the sun streaming in. Love the sun streaming in and my view, but… you know worry wart.

  24. Liz says:

    I think you’re right! This is a great setup. The couch is stunning and I like it in the green also.

  25. JL says:

    Looks great Julia! I think a beautiful wood coffee table will really finish the space. Eventually, when you do get the swivel chairs for your parents, you’ll be able to angle them on that corner of the space where the occupant can sit towards the sofas or turn to face the fireplace.

  26. Jen N says:

    This is always my favorite seating arrangement in almost every room! Looks great here, too!

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