Good morning! Back to back posts, I know, that is unheard of for me. See what happens when one takes a small break? I'm excited about getting things freshened up for spring...I feel like I'm preparing for a special guest, and, then, all of your sweet comments yesterday simply inspired me to share again today.
So, I decided I needed to do something about the big, red beast that takes up residence in our living room. It's hard for me to believe that at one point I actually liked this piece of furniture...but I did, and, in fact, I was so thrilled that this particular couch came in the color red. Red, I had a crush on red! When we first built our home we painted our mudroom barn red (which is now a pretty sky blue); our everyday dishes were red (eventually, many of them broke, and I was able to replace them with white); our piano room is currently red (I have plans for the very near future of changing that), and our couch is red...oh, and the barn is red and our front door is red. What was I thinking? I put myself in red overload. I guess it felt warm, cozy...and maybe farm-housey. After moving from a rental house where all the walls and trim were white, I was starving for color, and the color red, evidently, fulfilled that craving. Well, I have outgrown my love of red. I still like it on the buildings outside and in small amounts. I don't mind accenting in a bit of red here and there, especially in winter, but I tend to lean more towards the calming neutrals and soothing blues now. With days that are so full of activity and noise, I am now craving colors that create peace and tranquility.
I would like nothing more than to replace this big, ugly red couch with something more to my liking, but a new couch is not in the budget right now, so I decided some new throw pillows might make the red beast a bit more tolerable. I couldn't resist this lovely songbird fabric when I found it on sale and bought enough for three pillows. I paired it with a celery green, suede-like fabric for the back side, and using this tutorial I sewed three new throw pillows for our couch, adding buttons to the back of each. I stuffed them with the old, ugly red throw pillows that came with the couch. I'm happy with how they turned out, and the bright cheery birds do help make the beast a bit more tolerable.
Linked with Craft Frenzy Friday
Oh, those are pretty! So was your shower curtain. I love red! I always use it somehow. It has a very Scandinavian farmhouse flavor to me. In the spring and summer, my sectional slipcover is white. In the fall and winter, it is red. Perfect for the holidays too! I always have white walls and woodwork, so the red is the pop of color I love. Could you maybe find a loose fitting white slipcover for your sofa while you wait to replace it someday? A reasonably priced one can often be found.
ReplyDeleteEmily, this post came at the perfect time! My little babe finally fell asleep and I came downstairs and thought, hmm, some time in blog land or I could look through my fabric stash because I want to cover up the boring cream cushions that came with our sofa and making big square pillowcases would be an easy project. Then I just read this post, so I believe I will close the computer and get to work! Though mine will not have fancy buttonholes like yours.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we went through the red, too. My living room was red, a beautiful dark red...cave. The "stuff" in my living room seemed to disappear, moods weren't great. After mulling it over, I went and got "boring" beigey paint, and was so HAPPY. I can see my stuff, moods have lifted, good stuff, haha! Your pillows are wonderful, I really, really (horrid word, I know), love the print and colors!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love those. And the fabric is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteI love your new pillows. You are so creative that I think you could reupholster your big red and turn it into soft cream, taupe or sky blue.
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous, perfect for that sofa, I love the fabric.
ReplyDeleteVery nice job with the pillows. I'm with some of the other...Any chance you can 'pillow cover' any other cushions that aren't tacked down?? If the bones of the couch are good, it's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful! Love the fabric.
ReplyDeleteYour pillows are so wonderful!!! And your scissors are almost as cute as your fabric!!! : )
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
They look lovely. I've been watching a robbin red breast add to the nest he's been building in the ivy right near the kitchen window. I've also just begun cushion cover making I plan to make four more this weekend...all being well.
ReplyDeletedebx
You chose a perfect theme to compliment your furniture, Emily! Red-colored furniture creates a cozy ambiance to every room, and choosing those throw pillow design can provide a good balance to the eyes. At least now it doesn't stand out too much like it used to! And since it was spring, the design is definitely a perfect choice. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteJon Snow
The color red is very pleasing to the eye, and I understand why you wanted to use it in almost everything. But using too much of it could make the house look too hot. Haha! Anyway, I like the throw pillow you’ve made. They’re quite soothing to the eyes, and they provide a good contrast to the red couch. That being said, have you replaced the couch yet? I hope you are satisfied with the things at the house more than ever. Thanks for sharing this post with us, Emily. All the best!
ReplyDeleteMelissa Robinson @ Pillow Perfect