Sunday, March 17, 2013

My Little Living Room



These first three pictures are harsh in color because of the bright light I was shooting against.  My camera was rebelling I think.  The fourth picture looks almost exactly like the color of my walls and my furniture.

From my place on the sofa, this is my view.  It is hard to believe we have lived here 7 years and I just now finished getting it decorated.

I painted the picture that hangs over the love seat and just bought the architectural elements this past weekend at Hobby Lobby for $20 each--50% off sale.

The desk belonged to my mother-in-law and the stool was given to me by my good friend, Angie.

The drapes--my sister-in-law and I made them--mostly she did--she is an incredible seamstress.  I did a little pinning--LOL!



I painted the canvas to the right of the desk and just now put it in this particular spot.  It is my favorite spot I've had it so far.  It really needs light shining directly on it to get the full impact of the paints so the tiffany lamp works great there, especially since it has a tilt shade.  

I just acquired the antique oak library bookcase a few months ago.  It holds all my devotional and teaching materials.

Right above the library case is a hand-stitched 23rd Psalm.  I made that in the 1970's.  

Next to that is a lovely piece that my son, Jeff, bought me from Mardel.  The lady who does the calligraphy for most of Carpentree's line was my calligraphy teacher in Tulsa.  Her work is simply exquisite.  Mine looks like child's play next to hers.  If you have any calligraphy from Mardel, there is a good chance it was done by Marj.  Marj Miller is her name.  

To the right of that piece is another watercolor I painted and an Olan Mills picture of yours truly when I was about four years old.

The picture below me is one I painted.






The white pitcher is from Target (recently) and the forsythia is from my side yard.

I wanted so much to wipe up those forsythia leaves but I made myself NOT do it--

you know, they always leave some petals in the magazines--wonder why mine never looks quite like theirs?





I painted the portrait of one of my sons on the right end of the gallery and I photographed two of the four pictures of some of our grandchildren.

We bought the lamp many, many years ago--wish I could remember how many.

My husband was with me and he is prone to spend more on things than I am.

We bought a set of two and they were not cheap but they have stood the test of time.

I love them and would never get rid of them no matter what the styles dictate.

The only thing is, I need new shades--and none fit them from any of the cheaper places.

I did find some at a specialty lamp shop but oh my, they are so expensive--not sure I can ever make myself do that--

I started out years ago making things hand-stitched for our walls for thrift reasons.

Now I photograph and paint for the same reasons and I just like the homeyness that it adds to the decor.

--the personal touch--

Hope you enjoyed the tour of my little living room.  It sure is special to me and where

I spend a lot of time.

I guess my decorating style is eclectic because I like a little bit of everything--from farmhouse to Tuscany to Country French to vintage to traditional to Shaker to English Countryside--





© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted