Curtains in the Living Room

After the Christmas decorations came down, the living room was looking really bare.  In the span of just a couple of days we went from this:

to this:

What a difference!  The room felt so spare and empty, and definitely in need of warming up.  I decided that now is the time to put some fabric on the windows.  Even though we've been here 16 months without curtains, and are moving again in about 7 months, I figured if I could find some inexpensive options, then it would be worth it to feel warm and comfy in this room.

I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond and browsed around their curtain selections for a while.  I found quite a few options that would have worked, but eventually decided on this pattern: 

The colors are perfect - a mineral spa blue with beige, white, grey and a darker slate blue.  The colors will blend nicely with the beige and blue/green colors I've been trying to use in this room.

I decided to just use side panels, and not attempt to make them operating draperies.  This will give some softness to the room without adding the cost and bulk of a full coverage drapery treatment.   Here's what the fabric looks like hanging on the first window. I'm really pleased with the way the colors blend with the art that's the inspiration piece for the colors in the room. 

I realized that somehow I didn't get a full-room photo, probably because my daughter was camped out on the sofa most of the evening and refused to be in a photo. ;-)   So here's the only shot I have showing the curtain surrounding the sofa.  This is before I ironed them.

This sweet little canvas was a gift at Christmas time.  It's perfect, in color, style and sentiment.

On the other side of the fireplace,  the corner panel looks narrower than the panel near the sofa, but it's just the angle of the photo - they're actually the same width.

Here's a shot of the fireplace wall with the new curtains and with some simple rearrangement of accessories from around the house.  That floral chair's colors blend better now, but the pattern is clashing more than ever.  I just HAVE to get the slipcover made for this chair!

The wood and metal medallion came from a different wall in the same room.  The bucket of silk hydrangeas looks nice and full, and the iron candle holder blends nicely with the rest of the colors.  The picture frames on the mantel carry the blue-green colors around the room.  (I still haven't filled that one frame yet... its been empty for months and months!!!)

While I was making changes here and there, I made one small change to the lamp on the side table.  It had a green shade with gold bead fringe around the bottom.  I changed out the shade from this:

To this:

It's a small change, but the style of the shade is a better match for the room now, I think.  I may or may not paint the lamp base to lighten it up a little.   The silver mercury glass candle holder and small lidded jar were gifts from my son and future daughter-in-law, and I haven't found their permanent home yet.  This spot is as good as any for them for now!

All in all, I'm really happy with the new curtains and the comfortable and more finished feel that they give the room. 

How are things in your home now that the Christmas decorations have been put away?   Have you made any decorative changes?  I'd love to hear about it. Please say hello in the comments and let me know what's happening in your home these days.


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Linking to:

Between Naps on the Porch - Metamorphosis Monday
A Delightsome Life - A Return to Loveliness
StoneGable - The Scoop