Tuesday, August 22, 2006

TV Decorating Shows

For lack of anything better on TV, we have been watching the decorating shows on HGTV. Especially interesting are Design Star and Designed to Sell. The first one is a contest of young designers to see who will win their own show based on challenges ala The Apprentice. I really like the show and especially root for David. The other is more real life, where a family needs help making their house appealing to buyers. The sad thing is that they make the place soooooo much nicer than their original house, that it seems a shame that they didn't get to live in the newly designed house all those years.
Both programs use limited budgets and do really cool things which of course whetted my appetite to do something similar in my own home.
We love having the rich red walls and were not about to re-paint them, but the tv shows had me feeling that the room was too dark and needed brightening up. So I rethought my previous design and took down two massive darker quilts in favor of smaller brighter ones.

The dark draperies also had to go lighter and I traded out my red leather chairs for the lighter cream ones that were in our library room and kept the ottomans as additional seating. I opened up the room by placing them away from the chairs that match. I placed the round table in the corner and added a bright yellow tablecloth to make that spot a focal point.

At IKEA I found some inexpensive accessories that gave me more color, such as this yellow vase and this coordinating set of votive candles. A red rag rug with yellow stripes echoes the wall color.





The shows always make a point of saying that a room needs items of differing heights, so that was my excuse for this arrangement of willow twigs. The tall glass vase is pretty heavy, so I am hopeful it will not tip over.

Dave and Popeye like the downstairs couch better, since it has a TV within view.

O I almost forgot... At IKEA I noticed the fashions are getting more graphic.


IKEA

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:41 AM

    Am I reading her shorts correctly...is it Dr. Pooper? Who would wear this and why? Sounds like something that would be on a baby diaper! Your house looks great - always fun to mix things up and freshen up a bit..I will have to try to catch those shows.

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  2. Anonymous9:44 AM

    speechless..hahahahahahah..falling off the chair...gasp..hahahahahah..must catch breath..talk to ya later...after I get on the treadmill for about three hours-I'll take a Dr. Pepper in case I'm tempted to stop walking...LOVE YOU!!!!Gorgeous room, cat, and husband.

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  3. omg lol too funny. Your home looks gorgeous you should have filmed it in progress ;) I like watching the transformation shows also! xoxo melzie

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  4. Love all the wonderful little scenes in your home. I think there is some wise old proverb that says if you move 27 things, it will change your life. I think you did it with a fresh, bright, welcoming attitude!

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  5. Love the new living room arrangement, but man, is that an unfortunate shot of the Dr. Pooper shorts. -shudder-

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  6. Like the changes in the room.. it is bright, warm and welcoming. Wait a minute.. wasn't this the room with your computer desk in it? (or is that another red walled room?)

    That woman with those shorts has no personal pride. Yes clothing is getting graphic again, but those are just tasteless.

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  7. Oh Good Lord, Melody, I wasn't expecting THAT! Good thing I wasn't drinking a tasty beverage at the time.

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  8. Ah! I love your red room,Mrs.Melody! so full with colours! It's simply beautiful

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  9. I love both of those shows. I am rooting for David, too. Was glad to see Temple go. I just love color. I was able to get a wall of red in the kitchen. I think I am painting the living room, Bamboo. Love all your decor - can I come over for a glass of wine?

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  10. I catch bits and pieces of those shows too...but never seem to come away with what you did, Melody. You're amazing. Melody J: Artist, Hairstylist...now Decorator!

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  11. Can we vote the Dr. Pooper picture off your blog so we don't have to look at it? AHHH!

    The room looks great. The shot of Dave and Popeye made me and Glory go, "Awww!" They are so cute. I'm lovin all the new Ikea stuff! Thanks for not making changes and then not telling me, if that makes sense.

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  12. You've done a wonderful job decorating your living room. Looks very nice. You're welcome to decorate my house anytime. I'd like to pick my own clothing though. Thanks.

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  13. Well, wouldn't you just know it.....now we have to worry about our beautifully appointed homes. It would take a month of Sundys just to get my living room that clean. The tasteful DVD, incovers and jewel cases boxes could be turned into some fabulous industrial structure. OMG, how do you keep this up....amazing as I always knew you were.

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  14. OMG! Those shorts are awful. It's a definite Glamour DON'T. It's kind of like the house you see on the block that is painted a truly awful color - you have to ask, "Did they choose that color on purpose?"

    On the other hand, your living room is beautiful. You know, DIY is looking for a new host for a show. Hmmm...

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