Little Changes, Big Results

Sometime the smallest changes make the biggest difference.  The other night while the boys were at swim practice, I talked Mr. into helping me flip the wing back chairs and the sofa.  We like it so much better because when you walk in you see the front of the couch and not the back (should have been an obvious change, but it took me a while).  I still have some tweaking to do, but let's have a look.

Of course the minute the camera comes out, the co-editor comes to supervise.  I think she is waiting to be discovered because it is really difficult to take a picture that doesn't include her ;)



There is nothing like looking at a picture to see what your rooms really look like.  Even if you don't have a blog, I highly recommend taking pictures of your space and studying them to see what stands out.  When you are in our family room, the lamps look ok, but in the image, the room is WAY too lamp heavy on this side.  As I said, still need to tweak a little.

The plan is to move one of the lamps to the table in between the wing back chairs and re-work the arrangement here a bit.  Also, we never saw the sofa table from this vantage point before because it was against the wall by the window.  Now I can see that two lamps are too heavy for this table.


One thing I am really enjoying is using my Reader's Digest books in vignettes.  They add a nice touch of color to my mostly neutral rooms.  They are available in the hereI don't want to sound like an advertisement every time I post, but the shop is new and I am adding things almost daily so if you haven't checked it out lately, you might want to take a peek.

So have you made any big/little changes lately?

Have a great weekend everybody!!!

Joining IBNOP for Metamorphosis Monday.

38 comments:

  1. Love your home.
    And, I agree....taking pictures lets you see what you need to tweak....

    I never knew that before I had a blog!

    love those chunky lamps....beautiful room!

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  2. I love how moving funiture around can completely change a room. Looks great! Taking a picture reveals everything. I don't know how many times I've taken a picture and thought, "Should've dusted first," or "I'll just crop that mess out." Thanks for sharing.

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  3. God bless our husbands and their willlingness to help rearrange our rooms on a whim! I think it looks beauitful, lamps and all. I have a bit of a lamp addiction myslef. I love the look of a pair of big chunky lamps together on a table - I really like yours too. Not that it won't look great separated too, but I really do like them together. Have a great weekend! xo, Tessa

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  4. Rene, isn't it funny how moving the furniture can totally refresh a space? I love your soft color scheme.....I could curl up and read a book in that room. So pretty.

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  5. looks so pretty! I like the readers digests as well, they add a splash of color. Have a great weekend. XO

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  6. What a great change! I just love your house. You are the reason we bought the white Luxe sofa from World Market! I'm thrilled to be able to have a bleach-able sofa with the two boys. :-)

    I'm always amazed what a difference small changes make. I recently added drapery clips to my drapes and it looks SO much better.
    abby

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  7. This is so pretty and you are so funny you made me laugh this morning... Our animals always seem to get in the pictures.. have a great day

    Pattie

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  8. Your living room looks wonderful, I love it when little tweaks result in a better look...and in this case for free!!

    Isn't it true? Looking at photos...I quickly discovered this right after beginning to write my blog. I now use this "trick" all the time, it is something about seeing things frozen in a position that allows you to see all the elements in a different light.

    Have a great weekend! Janell

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  9. Great change, but your house always looks good.Can I ask where you got that long burlap lamp shade, I've been looking for one that long and it's hard to find. Martina

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  10. Thanks everybody! Martina, the shade cam from Lowes and recovered it with burlap. Here is the post
    http://cottageandvine.blogspot.com/2011/01/burlap-drum-shade-how-to.html

    Rene

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  11. The changes look great! I love the where's Waldo arrow, too funny! I miss my parents Weimy. :-(

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  12. How much jute do you need? I have more than I could ever use I dont mind sharing a roll. Let me know it would make me happy to share.

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  13. Amazing what a little furniture arranging can do! I am kicking myself for not buying a set of 10 old kids primer books with the most beautifully colored spines...readers digest might be a good consolation:) Have a great weekend with your "new" living room.

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  14. I completely agree with your recommendation to photograph your space. It's incredibly useful! I'm loving the pair of lamps on your sofa table--so pretty.

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  15. You are so right about photographing your space because I recently took some pictures for my new blog and I was astounded by what I could "see."
    Great tip for everyone.

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  16. I love the arrangement...it looks so cozy! I wish I could rearrange my furniture more but my rooms are so small. It always looks so refreshing when you can.

    I see what you mean about picture taking. When I start to photograph something, I always see where I have spots of clutter! lol!

    Happy Friday, Rene!

    XO,
    Jane

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  17. your family room is beautiful. i love the new layout!

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  18. It looks so great, Rene. Isn't it great how moving things even just a little, or taking out the camera, can help you see things in a new way? Oh, and do you mind my asking--what is your wall color? It looks like a warm cream.

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  19. Rene,

    I love your couch/ottoman...just perfect! You have very good taste. I never really noticed my rooms until I started blogging. It's a great way to edit and change it up. I move accessories around all the time and my husband always asks, "how long is that going to stay there"? :) I bet it feels like a whole new space. Looks great! xo, Michelle

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  20. Casey, it is Eddie Bauer -coir in Valspar from Lowes. It read taupe, sage, cream depending on the time of day.

    -Rene

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  21. What is it about dogs and cameras??! Sometimes I feel like the paparazzi! I completely agree with you about taking photos of the room. I don't know why it is, but it's much easier for me to find what I need to fix if I just take a picture. :) PS. I love your couch!

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  22. It looks great Rene! I try to rearrange my furniture to face towards each too but because of our large couch it is an issue. I think that that is a great idea to take some pictures and see how things look. I will be trying that soon.

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  23. awwww... sweet miss mattie wants some camera time! haha....love your home. love it. what a great idea to take a pic just to see what doesn't stand out in person. we must be on the same wave length cause i just found your reader's digest books on Etsy yesterday and it inspired me and i did a post about rd books today...and then i see your pretty books on your blog! : ) have a great weekend!
    -Rebecca

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  24. p.s. LOVE that you have a mirror behind your books...displays the back and the front, best of both worlds.

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  25. It's funny how moving things from one room to another breathes new life into them! It all looks great Rene! I have some co-editors too who want to be discovered!
    Kim:)

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  26. love those books! they look adorable there! and i love that throw- it adds the perfect pop of fun color! i just love your home, rene. and i love your co-editor. my kids always want to be in my pics.... i have loads of pictures of dressers with a kid posed smiling next to it, because they just desperately want to be in it.

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  27. Rene, truer words have not been spoken. There are so many things in a room you do not see, and a photograph doesn't lie. It is as if there are two different rooms. Your room is so pretty.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  28. I really like the book arrangements! They look great - and I totally agree with you about adding a pop of color.

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  29. The co editor is cracking me up the way he peaks around the corner! I agree that the camera is amazing at picking out things that we just don't see with our eyes. Including dust! Not in your photos, in mine!

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  30. My biggest re-do
    on the horizon is
    happening next week...
    My powder room with
    the new paint, STENCILS,
    light fixture and
    hopefully, new mirror.
    Thanks for your
    inspiring posts, Rene!
    It IS good to step
    back and mix things
    up!!
    xx Suzanne

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  31. I had no idea how revealing pics were until recently. I'm moving back into my childhood home and decided to blog about the whole journey. It's a 1920's home and needs a ton of work! When I saw the 'before' pics, I just shuddered! But it really helps me to visualize better. Does that make sense?

    I'm finding such great inspiration from you and other bloggers - it's just wonderful! Much better than simple decor magazines!

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  32. Your room looks wonderful. It really is amazing how just moving a couple of things can make such a big difference. And, I have had the same experience with taking a picture and finding a different perspective on the look of a room. That's when I tell myself that "change is good"!!!
    Your pup is so sweet...look at those eyes! By the way, I also really like the chair you found for your office.

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  33. I love to move things around. You place looks great!
    Mary Ann

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  34. Looks so pretty!
    Debbie from nofiltermom.blogspot.com

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  35. Wow, this is a great idea! Love your pillows by the way. -K

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  36. Something must be in the air. . .I spent Friday night re-arranging furniture, and then mostly moving it back :) I totally agree about taking photos of your space. Amazing what the camera sees that I don't.

    Happy Monday!

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  37. My pups always try to get in EVERY picture I take, ha ha!

    I agree with Emily... it must be the upcoming spring or something, b/c I've definitely got the "ready to tweak" bug, too! Your room is looking good, though, especially with the little changes!

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