Summer Living

I thought I would share some summer changes in our living room…so come on in:-)

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This room is truly a living room. We watch DVDs, listen to music, and the kids play here. It is open to the dining and kitchen areas.

I am a big fan of Cuban-born designer Vicente Wolf. I especially love how he often places furniture on the diagonal…especially in small spaces, like I have. I have done this before, but with the large leather furniture, it didn’t work as well. Now that I have only my antiques, which are smaller, it works so nicely and really opens up this room.

I am, of course, using found and family things.  A lot of the pieces, including my great grandmother’s chaise lounge and table, have been in my family for well over 100 years.  

The wagon wheel table my dad and I built holds a 100-year-old family photo album and some vintage cars he put together as a young boy. My kids love those cars:-)  

The pink Asiatic lilies my mother gifted me with have been spectacular this year, and I am sad to see them go for the season. The brass candlesticks belonged to my grandmother, as did the blue Mason jar. One of the things I love to do when using a Mason jar to hold flowers, is to use just the canning ring to dress up the rim. You can use ribbon, twine, etc., but I like to see something there.

I do not ever want to see a TV unless it’s on, and I have had this pine armoire for years to hide the TV. I painted the orange-hued wood black about five years ago, then distressed it a couple years ago and really love it this way. I added crystal pulls this winter.

My mother brought this candelobra back from Lebanon in the early 1970s, and I dressed it up with chandelier crystals. Some of you will remember the vintage pink Chinese silk used for the runner was passed down from a relative who lived in China in the 1940s. In fact, the settee, chair by the piano, buffet, and glass lamp on the buffet also came from her.

I’m still loving the pink and loving the grey distressed walls.

Pillows I made can be tossed on the floor if the kids are watching TV or playing…

I think that I have been able to put together a room that is not only comfortable for my family but also has the vintage, time-worn look I love, but not old and stuffy.  We love it anyway, and that’s what matters isn’t it? 

I have been tweaking things here and there for a home tour I will be part of later this year or early 2014, so I’ll keep sharing those updates with you all. Just like the master bathroom redo, they are all low or no-cost updates that anyone can do. I really want to show that you can still have style and elegance on a non-existant budget. Really, you can–it brings out the creativity in you.

Thanks so much for stopping by:-)

Anita

I’ll be joining:

Wow Us Wednesdays

Treasure Hunt Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday

Furniture Feature Friday

Homework Wednesday

Sizzle into Summer

34 Comments

  1. dgmills
    July 16, 2013 / 11:40 pm

    Your living room is so lovely and I adore your coffee table. It was a pleasure meeting you while shopping. Hope to get to visit again soon.
    Regards,
    dgmills

    • Anita Diaz
      July 18, 2013 / 4:58 pm

      Oh Donnie, how wonderful it was to meet you!! Thank you so much for following along here:-)

  2. Nancy
    July 16, 2013 / 11:53 pm

    Your living area is wonderful and beautiful! I also love the diagonal but sadly have the leather couch so it's not going to work in my small living room. I love how your home is so cozy and looks so livable.

    • Anita Diaz
      July 18, 2013 / 4:59 pm

      At least give it a try Nancy…mine is really smaller than it looks only about 13 feet wide. Thank you:-)

  3. Blondie's Journal
    July 16, 2013 / 11:58 pm

    Anita, your living room is absolutely beautiful! You have such a wonderful mix of antique and vintage pieces and it makes for a comfortable, inviting place to get together and relax. I especially love the armoire you painted…lovely! I'm looking forward to your home tour!

    XO,
    Jane

  4. Unknown
    July 17, 2013 / 12:21 am

    Beautiful!Family history, vintage , homey and comfy with a BIG emphasis on luvly! Eagerly awaiting the home tour.
    Hugs, Gee

  5. Betty
    July 17, 2013 / 12:57 am

    It is beautiful and I love it. So relaxing and inviting.

  6. Rosemary@villabarnes
    July 17, 2013 / 1:10 am

    I love it. Your living room looks so comfy. Great colors, and a nice mix of styles that blend beautifully.

  7. Michele
    July 17, 2013 / 1:20 am

    You have an absolutely gorgeous home, Anita! You have decorated/designed it perfectly – just wonderful…and full of so many special memories of loved ones. How awesome.

  8. Emelia DiCarlo
    July 17, 2013 / 2:29 am

    Thank you Anita for sharing your beautiful home. I love all your choices and antiques of course. God Bless your home and family. Love the soft colors and how you positioned all the furniture, bravo!

  9. Unknown
    July 17, 2013 / 3:10 am

    Wow..your home is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing it……it is truly inspiring!

  10. Carlene @ Organized Clutter
    July 17, 2013 / 11:21 am

    Beautiful Anita. I love your style!

  11. mzzbev
    July 17, 2013 / 11:57 am

    What an absolute gorgeous living room! Looks like it came straight out of a vintage magazine for the wealthy!! Wow, I'm so impressed and yes, I do love the diagonal settings. Great job!

  12. andrea@townandprairie
    July 17, 2013 / 2:03 pm

    How romantic. I just want to sink into your chaise and read a book! What a beautiful room!

  13. Pamela Gordon
    July 17, 2013 / 3:31 pm

    I love the look of your living room now. The peachy pink colours are soft and warm and all the vintage furniture and decor just brings it all together perfectly. Beautiful!

  14. The Tablescaper
    July 17, 2013 / 6:12 pm

    Your living room looks very relaxing. I am sure you spend many wonderful hours there with your family.

    – The Tablescaper

  15. Alycia Nichols
    July 17, 2013 / 11:19 pm

    I love the "low or no-cost updates" aspect, so I'll be watching your posts with interest. I want so much to update our home and am looking for as many ideas as possible. Our budget is less than zero, so it's imperative that I gather lots of ideas! I love it that you have created a living space that surrounds your family with things that represent your family and its past. That really makes it comfortable as well as a daily history lesson for young ones. I also like how you have cobbled such a pulled together look without going "matchy matchy" throughout the room. It shows true imagination and creativity. I'm not a matchy matchy girl, either. I'm with you on not wanting to see the television. We have armoires in both our family room and master bedroom. I'm afraid the need for additional floor space may win out in one or both rooms, though, in the near future. πŸ™

    Beautiful, Anita!

    • Anita Diaz
      July 18, 2013 / 5:02 pm

      Trust me Alycia, I know!! After trying everything to deal with the laminate counters in our kitchen, we are going to make them from wood here so I hope to get that started soon and show everyone how easy it can be. I have seen so many versions that are not easy, or east to maintain, that I'm determined to do something a little more accessible. Yep, floor space here is at a premium too:-)

  16. Judy Biggerstaff
    July 18, 2013 / 1:57 am

    I'd step through that door anytime to see your beautiful room – stunning. Plus the mason jar is perfect with flowers.

  17. Shelia
    July 18, 2013 / 9:34 pm

    Hi Anita! Oh, your living room is so beautiful! O love your olden pieces and how lovely that they have been passed down through your family! My mouth is still watering for your mother's biscuits! πŸ™‚
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia πŸ˜‰

  18. lynn cockrell
    July 19, 2013 / 1:41 am

    Your living room is lovely. I really like the way you have arranged on the diagonal and the white rug is perfect!

  19. Erin
    July 19, 2013 / 2:56 am

    Hello love! So happy to visit as always, it feels so welcoming at your house and I love it all. The changes since I've been here last are wonderful and you know I love how you mix all your family pieces for a wonderful happy blend. Looking forward to stopping back again! Ps, I have some more cabin pictures that I will be posting soon, will email you when I do:)
    Erin

    • Anita Diaz
      July 19, 2013 / 3:51 am

      Oh yes Erin, please do!! I don't want to miss those!! Great to see you again:-)

  20. Debbiedoos
    July 21, 2013 / 3:21 am

    Looks beautiful Anita. I love all your summer changes!

  21. Keeping It Cozy
    July 23, 2013 / 1:43 am

    You have such a beautiful living room, Anita! I love your family pieces – how special!

  22. Unknown
    July 31, 2013 / 3:26 pm

    What a gorgeous home you have. Thanks for sharing and blessings to you, Patti

  23. Christine @ Rustic-Refined
    July 31, 2013 / 4:25 pm

    Your living room is gorgeous…there is so much thought and detail put into it and it shows….I love that you kept your families treasures all these years.

  24. Anonymous
    July 31, 2013 / 4:29 pm

    Anita, how wonderful to see a beautiful, traditional room with a personal style that is for a family. I love how you used your upolstery pieces and family ones to make a place of welcome and comfort. I love that there are colors, tradtional yet updated. How many of us have those but don't want a white room or can't afford a change. Thank you for sharing. Linda

  25. Pamela
    August 1, 2013 / 4:11 pm

    Anita your living room is just beautiful and comfy and so inviting! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us today at THT!

  26. Unknown
    August 6, 2013 / 7:26 am

    What a gorgeous room – and it's so nice to hear that that's the room where all your " living " is done!
    XOXO

  27. Marty Walden
    August 6, 2013 / 10:10 pm

    Hi, Anita. You were one of our top 3 most viewed links at our Home{work} Wednesday link party and will be featured this week there and on my fb page. Thanks for linking up!

    I don't know if you know it but all your hosts of the link party are from NC! I read your about me and we have much in common. My undergrad degree is in vocal performance and my husband and I did theater around the country before settling down. He is now a worship pastor and I've been a stay at home homeschooling mom for 20 years. And now I blog!

    Have a blessed week!

  28. Sharon @ mrshinesclass
    August 7, 2013 / 1:48 am

    Your room is gorgeous! And your feature at Homework is well-deserved.

  29. At The Picket Fence
    August 7, 2013 / 5:54 pm

    Anita this room is AMAZING!!! Love all the layering and how you have created a comfortable, charming space for your family. You are so talented! πŸ™‚
    Vanessa

  30. Ivy and Elephants
    August 7, 2013 / 11:27 pm

    Anita,your space is amazing, just the kind of room I love! All the gorgeous vintage pieces all work to give your room a sense of history and home. The chandelier and candelabras add that touch of feminine elegance that we all want to attain. Can't wait to see more!
    We'd love to have you link with us as well. Happy weekend!
    Hugs,
    Patti