"giveaway" saves the day!

As mentioned before, I've begun the search for bedroom decor (well, except furniture...we'll save that for when we can afford a matching set like the grown-ups do).

After much online/store searching I decided on this brown/white comforter set...

It's a steal from overstock and falls in that cozy space between sleek modern lines and organic feeling design. I imagined a lighter shade but stuck with chocolate for 2reasons: First, We have a dog, our Lily, and while she hardly sheds, she does love to get wet and muddy and jump anywhere she pleases. (my white micro-suede couch pillows can explain this dillema best) Secondly, because Spencer suggested it. And he doesn't get too too much say, so I thought: what the heck. Chocolate brown it is. (Blue was out, because I didn't want to gamble not matching the wall the bed rests against)

So we'll have this new bed-look which should pick up the white in the curtains nicely, all resting in a 2 hue room of dusty blue and soft beige. hmm...this is starting to sound like the rest of the house. So, inspired by 2 beloved poppy prints I picked up in Florence years ago, I'm going to try and interject some fun red into the design.

First Step: Locate some delicious throw pillows in a modern red floral print.
Failsauce.
I googled my heart out to no avail...what would I, glorious impatient Bria do?!?!

I went Blog-hunting and a new Fav saved the day!!
Sarah, from Dream in Domestic, is a college student writing a blog about all the things budding domestic goddesses "oooo" and "ahhhh" over. From recipe revamps to thrift store do-overs, I love checking in to be inspired and reminded how awesome daydreaming is!

Well, Sarah just happens to be posting her first giveaway for modern pillows from allmodern.com. I'm in! Whether I'm the lucky winner or not, this giveaway has directed me towards my perfect pillow...

The contest ends next Wednesday...I'm not sure if I can hold off until then, but I'll just have to! Go check out her blog NOW! and wish me luck!!!

could it be? D-O-N-E ?!?!

Oh my goodness, not the whole house! certainly not! We still have loads of empty space and some iffy paint choices to review...

But I had set out to decorate in stages, i.e.-take on one room at a time as not to overwhelm my brain or pocketbook. So #1 for me (for US, whatever...) was making our main living space-the living and dining room-look DONE. For the most part...I suspect I'll be adding little odds and ends as time passes.

So for now I'm pronouncing these rooms....blissfully done-ish...
Our Living room...BEFORE


and AFTER...



Our dining room BEFORE


and AFTER


Full shot BEFORE


You know what's next...


Ahhh...
We decided to hang the giant mirror we scored at scratch n dent above the couch after much discussion. I had scoured art.com for *the perfect* piece of giant artwork to no avail. I considered making my own art. I was iffy about the mirror because it would be reflecting our gigantor TV...ew. But then I realized it would also reflect our gigantor 96" window. And we already had it. I'm still on the fence about the brick wall decor. I grabbed the 2 N. Wyatt framed prints at Ross for an awesome $17 a pop (saw them on art.com for over $100 bucks each!!) I like them there, but I'm on the hunt for a tall, wide (but skinny!) table with a drawer to go under and then I'll probably hang 'em a little higher...we shall see.

So, long story done, I'm on to the next room(s). 1) finish the main bathroom and then work on the master bed/bath combo. After that...who knows? But I've got at least 3-5 business days (until my comfy new discounted comforter comes in) to sit and relax in my cozy living room!