living room | So Pretty is as Pretty Does.

Apr 22

A brighter bookcase

I love having books in my living room. I love decorating with them and I enjoy the practicality of having my favorite novels and reference material on hand. One of my bookcases on the other hand, is sort of dreary and boring – not something I love having on hand. But, it’s a hand-me-down so I’m not complaining.

Here’s how I brightened it up.

Another easy reupholstery.

I found this piano bench at my local consignment shop, Phantastic Phinds, for $15. It had been sitting there for a couple of months, which is hard to believe because there are so many nice details in the wood. I like this piece because it’s a multi-tasker – extra seating when we have people over, a foot stool when we don’t, and with a tray on top it makes a nice side table.

Reupholstering this bench was so simple. It took 15 minutes and $4.

Update: A new coffee table

As promised in yesterday’s post, “A new coffee table! Sort of…” my new-ish coffee table is upright, in place and the glass seems really secure. The beauty of designing this little space is that the display case opens and closes easily, the contents within are by no means permanent, which is sort of liberating. I love creating vignettes throughout the house, but I sometimes agonize over decisions because I once I design a space I feel like should stay that way, at least for a little while. But, the display case can be ever-evolving – like a mini-gallery, and I like that.

I used some really neat graphic art supplies and drafting sets that my Dad and Granddad used when they worked at the Newport News shipyard. This arts and design theme is a great reminder to stay creative.

{Off to a good start, but instead of covering the wood bottom with fabric, I’m looking for some antique blueprints.}

A new coffee table! Sort of…

I have been looking for a new coffee table for the past nine months. I took two months off due to the wedding, but started looking this week, and wouldn’t you know that after a little time away, I found exactly what I was looking for on the very first Craigslist click! I had been hunting for a display coffee table, mainly because I think they’re cool, but also because I like the idea of being able to change my table to suit the room as it changes and because I thought I could get away with having a larger coffee table if it was all glass and didn’t take up as much visual space.

Here she is!