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Orange is the new Red

Living Room

We live in our living room.  And as much as it pains me to say this…Jeremy was right. 

AHHH.  The pain!  The agony!  My flawless record!

What am I talking about?  the living room rug.  This rug is not faring well in this space.  As much as it looks okay in photos (like the one below when we first got it), it is in serious need of a translocation.  It’s being constantly abused by the boys in my life.  Since it is thinner and is easily pulled, the ottomans that we use every night for our reality tv/football/sitcom watching are making it quite impossible to lay flat anymore.  Not only do we need something heavier duty and thicker, but we need something, well, less white.  I have a boy.  and his little boy.  Booyah.

Basically, the rug is like Rebecca Bloomwood (name that movie) and needs rehab.  and we need to find something else for this space.  But until my money tree out back starts blooming, I will have to make it work.   

Now the point of this post – I think the red/white/blue combo just isn’t working for me this fall.  I need a different, less patriotic look.  Not that I am not a proud American…oh I am.  It’s just that I want to be proud in an autumny color scheme.  Enter my alternative for red….orange.  Which is kinda like red if it made love to yellow.  Color wheel and sex ed in one sentence.  awesome.

I ordered a couple yards of fabric that I loved so that I could make pillows.  The orange one is Metro Living Tile Orange and the navy is Michael Miller Secret Garden Vintage Ironwork Midnite (whew!).  I figure they will help tie in the new direction of orange/chocolate brown/navy I am going for.  I might even throw a plum in there for good measure 🙂

And I am moving out the Dulce chair in the corner to fit in the old Ikean den chair (seen below & yes, I did write Ikean – like Korean…but Swedenish).  As much as I like the Dulce chair, nobody opted to sit in it.  It was like the redheaded stepchild in the living room. 

I found an orange foot stool at Goodwill for $11 (that is a similar one that I scalped the photo online)…and want to redo the coffee table (again).  I also am looking for an orange throw now.  Don’t let me down TJMaxx!  I’m counting on you!

Oh and you may have noticed that I repainted.  in photoshop.  Yes, I think my heart is still leaning towards a nice neutral tan.  Something warm but classic.  And the trim could not be painted fast enough.  Maybe one of these days I’ll have a painting party.  You will all be invited.  Especially anyone not afraid of heights.  there will be a scaffolding involved.  and a waiver of rights to sue me.

All that to say, hopefully I’ll have some throw pillows done before it is Thanksgiving 🙂 

Anyone else looking to switch up your spaces for fall with simple throw pillows?  Or perhaps you just want to say how completely awesome it would be to be able to photoshop walls and then it actually happens.  presto painto.

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  1. I can never seem to find throw pillows I like – do you have any great go-to places for pillows? I wish I could pick out fabric and make them myself, but they would be botched up to the tenth degree for sure! I’m looking forward to seeing all the changes you have in store!

    Bonus: Confessions of a Shopaholic 🙂

  2. Rebecca Bloomwood = Confessions of a Shopoholic
    Woohoo!!

    Love the color wheel and sex ed all in one sentence! I laughed out loud.

    Love the orange and blue combo. The fabric you picked out is divine.

  4. Rebecca Bloomwood – Confessions of a Shopaholic! I love the new Orange/Navy/Brown scheme! I get really happy this time of year when I can bring out all my fall decorations for those pretty fall colors!

  6. Really like that Michael Miller [Insert an entire novel here] Midnite fabric. White rugs are definitely a challenge, even without kids in the house.

  7. Hey watch it! I’m a redheaded stepchild! 😉 Ya know, redheads actually have orange hair, and you’re throwing some orange love into that living room of yours… so maybe you have a secret love of gingers? Just sayin.

    I love your fun/sassy attitude in this post. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

  10. I love that blue and white rug! Where did you get it? It’s too bad that rug doesn’t work in the living room bc I really like it in there.

  13. Bummer about the rug! (I adore the look, but was wondering about white on a floor, too!)

    I have been toying with using orange and teal in our living room, so anxious to see the direction you take! 🙂 Also – have you thought about going navy on the walls? You have so many windows and height that your room could handle it – and I think it would look smashing with white trim. Just a suggestion! 🙂

    I suppose unless you’re committed to it (ie don’t want to get up on scaffolding again!), it probably makes more sense to go with a neutral, but thought I would put in a plug for navy, anyway!

  14. I had to laugh at the Confessions of a Shopaholic reference 🙂 I think Isla Fisher is adorably hilarious!

    And I’m loving the orange direction you decided on, its one of those colors that can go autumnal and springy by switching in/out other colors and accents.

  16. I absolutely love the new color scheme!! And you know what would look great with all of that too? Your green chairs! I miss the limey Kelly green in there. Maybe that’s because I’m obsessed with green. I really love your choice of wall color too! Also does this mean you are going to repaint the red kitchen chairs too? Probably not, since they are amazing! But I always struggle with that in my house, wanting rooms to flow seamlessly.

  18. Ah I love orange! I definitely don’t have enough of it in my own home. Depending on the shade of orange you may even be able to pair with with a fun yellow and make it work next spring/summer too!

  19. Also – Pottery Barn had a burnt orange throw – It was on sale a couple of weeks back for really reasonable (so maybe discontinued, now?) I believe it was chenille.

  21. It’s from fabric.com. The link is right there in the post. Click on the fabric name and it should take you right there!
    xo – kb

  22. haha…you won’t want it holly – that thing is getting abused. Imagine what your boys could do to it…then multiply that by 10….that is my husband.
    xo – kb

  26. I’m a big fan of pillows from lots of different spots…ikea, pottery barn, pier 1, walmart, tjmaxx…you name it.
    xo – kb

  27. I feel your pain on the too thin rugs. We got a similar weight one from Urban Outfitters that I put by our front door and it drives me crazy that I have to constantly adjust it. So annoying!

    I love your plan to bring in the orange. I added an orange pillow to my living room (it’s about the same color as yours currently is with yellow suzani print curtains) and that seemed to warm it up a lot. Have you thought about putting some yellow into the mix?

  29. I would bet you that painting a nice tan on the walls would make your house officially feel like “home”. Especially in a room that you spend so much time in. Cheers!

  30. Confessions of a Shopaholic… is it sad that I knew that?

    Laughed out loud at the line about red making love to yellow 🙂 You’re a funny one, Katie Bower.

  31. I have been using touches of orange also, & I love it. I have been a spray-painting fool this year when adding color to rooms. Have you ever thought of painting your coffee table orange? I know that is a bold move, but what an impact that would have. Or you could do an accent table in orange,chunky candlesticks,ceramic vases.The list goes on & on. Look aroung your house, & you’ll be amazed at what you can spray-paint.The best thing about it-it’s cheap!!

  34. Katie – I actually think rugs are one of the most difficult choices to make in decorating a room. I have bought several Persian rugs discounted 80% at a local high-end furniture store, which has frequent closeouts on overstocked rugs. I think deep red/golden tones would look great with your white couch.

  35. I love the look of your current rug but I can see muddy paw prints all over it and I can only imagine what boys would do to it. I have a question about your Dulce chair, I’ve been scoping them online (Great price!) and really want them but since you are switching out yours, I have to ask.. not comfortable? We currently dont have any armless chairs and i’m wondering if thats what makes it not so great? How has it held up? Any other comments about them?
    thanks!

  36. We did our living room in orange (rust to be technical). We keep it that way year round, orange is just so warm and inviting! Great fall choice!!

  37. It’s not that it’s not comfortable…it’s just armless. And most folks will choose an armed chair every time. And it has held up great…and we definitely want to use it in another space, but it is more of a sitting chair vs. a lounging chair, if that makes any sense.
    xo – kb

  38. I love the idea of using orange! I’m sorry the rug didn’t work out, I remember you fighting for it. I’ve been wanting to switch out/up our throw pillows for awhile but I’m having a hard time deciding what direction I want to go. And I think that new pillows will mean a new rug is needed. The whole thing is going to spiral out of control quickly. 😛

  39. Love the orange/navy/brown color scheme. And, I think the tan would look awesome as a wall color, but whoo-wee sounds like a big project when scaffolding and legal waivers are involved. Good luck, I know it will turn out great.

  40. we just did a similar color scheme in our entryway and used Behr’s tropical tan, its nice and warm and not too beige-y and looks great with the pumpkin, plum, chocolate brown accents. I hope you have a good ladder! : )

  41. This, is a wise decision KB. I think you need something that can endure the shoes of a dirty man and boy. Something that can get spilled on while you are out, and not cleaned up right away because who cares. Go Katie Bower. Go get your rug on.

  43. Confessions of a shopaholic! (its basically the way my mind works! haha)

    I think the living room would look good painted Tan, the photoshopped version looks cool.

    I was wondering when will you do a clothing shopping list? like your ‘Fall Wishlist’ I love them posts! 🙂 So get shopping Katie!! well virtual shopping… hehe

    xoxo

  44. Etsy also has a lot of great pillows in fun fabrics that you usually can’t find in the stores.

  46. Try Ikea…I saw a beautiful orange throw for only $7.67. I was tempted to buy it but of course still trying to find a sofa…where would you buy your sofa at? Thanks so much!

  48. Have you thought about using the Flor rug that’s in your dining room, and moving it to the living room instead? I know it looks great in the dining room, but I think it would also look wonderful in the new orange/brown/blue living room. And from what I’ve read, Flor tiles seem to stand up to a lot of abuse, and clean pretty well (and if you get a spot you can’t clean, you can shift that tile to a different spot). Just a thought, while you’re waiting for that money tree to start producing.

  49. i comment in the wrong place:

    Oh good lord, finally I found a blog with someone that HAS a tv mounted on top of the fireplace.
    I only have this place to put my tv in and Im having major issues with hiding cables, placing cable box, ps3 etc. Can you please please please let me know what you did?
    If you allow me to right an email I can send you a picture of my living room so you have an idea of the disaster.
    Thank you so much!

  52. I loved loved loved the color the walls were, I mean *are*, but I think the tan would be more your style. I wouldn’t be surprised if you felt more creative about switching up the space more often if you have a nice neutral wall you don’t have to worry about working with.

  54. We are looking all over. I kinda want to go with leather but we are both really picky. Plus, the slipcover was REALLY nice with spills 🙂
    xo – kb

  55. Aww thanks for sharing Amanda – I am so flattered. I don’t get much press so this makes me feel like a superstar (and yes, I did the whole spirit fingers front lunge while saying rockstaaah)
    xo – kb

  57. Have you considered painting the white stripes orange (or any other color?). Painted rugs are all the rage right now :). AND you wouldn’t have to stress over getting your lines straight!

  59. Have you tried a rug pad under your rug? In my experience, they really help keep the rug from curling and bunching up so much.

  60. I’m so glad you used that “read made love to yellow” reference! I’m always saying “it looks/tastes/feels like if A and B had a baby” and people give me funny looks like it’s inappropriate or something. 😛

    PS. I think that orange fabric is exactly what I’ve been looking for to recover some pillows for our livingroom!

  61. Oh I know how to mount the tv, this is the easy part. I want to know about the wires, how did you hide them, where do you place your cable box, ps3 and stuff. Can you add a picture or point me to a link with a picture of fireplace + tv + place to hide your stuff? Thanks

  62. Oh…okay – well, there is a hole in the fireplace that leads to a little ‘tunnel’ behind the stones but in front of the flue where it gets hot….it takes the wires from the center to the built in cabinets next to the fireplace so that is where we have the cable box, the surround sound system and the ps3. If you follow that link to the post – you will see the empty front of the fireplace and the hole that has all the wires sticking out. That’s the wire-hole 🙂 Wish I could be more help…
    xo – kb

  64. Your website is horrendously bad. Could you stick to capitalizing or not capitalizing? And, what’d you do, find young house love and contact them to make you famous in some way? Your stuff you do isn’t fantastic. Your photography looks horribly photoshopped. Yeah. Just not a fan! And, the more I read, the more it’s like a train wreck I just can’t look away from!

  65. Sorry Fjm…I guess we’re just not your cup of tea. That’s cool.
    And yes, how did you guess? I totally paid for my friends. That’s what everybody does these days, right?
    I also paid for each of my readers, my muffin top and for each one of those capitalized letters 🙂
    xo – your favorite train wreck

    p.s. Jessica or Mike or whoever you are, I have heard your concern in the past about the photoshop stuff and I understand that we just have different styles! I do wish you all the best in your photography biz though!

  66. Oh so happy to leave you a positive comment after the nasty one. Why do they do that? *sigh*

    ANYHOW

    I wanted to let you know that I am the one who designed the Secret Garden collection. I can’t wait to see what you do with it! And if you end up adding plum, there are prints in the collection that include both that navy and the plum to “bring it all together..” I’d be happy to send ya some samples if you want.

    Love your blog, if you want to pay me – I’d be happy to be friends with you too. 😉 ahem.

    Sandi Henderson

  67. Whoa. Totally doing the whole silent exaggerated bowing thing right now in your direction Sandi. Soo impressive. Your collections are gorgeous. Love them. And yeah – I would totally be thrilled with samples. I am always such a dufus when it comes to picking fabrics (I’m such a nut about undertones – so samples do really help!) Although I must admit, I’m already thinking of moving this fabric into my reading room because I don’t want Will to ruin it…and I pretty much have my heart set on that Grand Tapestry or the Garden Gate as drapes. I love when things come coordinated because it helps a decorating newbie like me!
    xo – kb
    p.s. how much exactly would your friendship cost because I’m totally interested 🙂

  68. How much would my friendship cost.. I’m hmmming and hawwing over that one. Hugs & Kisses? Chocolate on Wednesdays? Wait.. that is starting to sound like a real friendship. Is THAT how this crazy stuff happens in blogland?

    Email me your mailing list and we’ll get some samples to you! This fabric is a higher density cotton, which gives it a lovely drape for curtains, dresses etc.. and then when I use it for “stiffer” projects like pillows or bags, I use an iron on fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. And then it’s perfect. 🙂

    Yep, tata for now, send me your mailing address and some chocolate and we shall be officially friends.

    xo
    Sandi

  69. Here it is –
    P.O. Box 2357
    Loganville, GA 30052
    (I’m giddy with excitement right now!)

    And you just tell me where to send it and chocolate will be on it’s way!
    xo – kb

  70. You got’s it girl. Want to see snippets from that main color group, or some other colors too? I’m not fancy shmancy with a PO Box, so I guess my chocolate will just have to wait. 😉

    But we will get fabrics out to you monday.

    Maybe we can have a virtual sewing bee or something. With chocolate, of course.

  71. Hi! I’m new to reading your blog and I just love it! Your home and family are beautiful 🙂 I’m loving the addition of orange! I was wondering when you photoshopped your walls that tan, what color did you use? I have the same green walls and have been on a perfect beige/tan search for a year! I love the color you put up, can you share 🙂

  73. Love your new color choices! I liked the old wall color, but the new wall color will make a big impact and warm up the space. It’s also more complimentry to changing out accents. I tend to do a lot of neutrals in our main living areas so I can change out accent pieces for seasons or Holidays.

    And I for one love your blog, photos and style! Keep up your great humor added posts!!

  74. Yes, Katie pays us in smiles, belly laughs, inspiration, and BACON!!! It’s sad to think what you must be going through in your life that makes it ok to be so disrespectful and just plain mean.

  75. Girl you have no idea how excited I am! I’ll take whatever you sendand make sure to put it to good use 🙂 and justemail me your address and I’ll make sure your chocolate arrives – [email protected]

    Thanks again! Xo – kb

  76. I love the color orange!!! Are you thinking a solid color rug???????????

    Attention Fjm – haven’t you ever heard if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all!!! Lighten up and dont be such an Ass (get a life) !! I tell you no class!!!

    I Love your everyday blog keep what you are doing!!

  77. I am going to start using the word Ikean right away; it describes at least one thing in every room of my home. Now I just need an adjective for “Got it on Craigslist” and I’ll be set. (Craigian? Listish?)

    (Fun to see the conversation between you and Sandi, btw. It’s like a behind-the scenes-peek into the KB world.)

  78. Wow Fjm, that is really rude. In fact, it’s just plain nasty and completely unnecessary. There are MILLIONS of blogs out there – if you don’t like this one no one is forcing you to read it or check in here. And last time I checked, this was still Katie’s blog so, basically, she can write or do whatever the F she wants, however the F she wants. I get your whole jealousy thing regarding Katie’s genuine friendship with the guys at YHL, but it’s no reason to lash out at her! Anyway, here’s a tip for finding (and keeping) some friends of your own Fjm …. if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it all! I think you’ll find you do much better in life and feel so much better about yourself if you stick to that one 🙂

  79. Hi Katie!
    I have to say that I enjoy the orange/blue/brown combination so much. It used to grace our livingroom, but I got an itch one day to switch up our bedroom. Our orange and brown throw pillows are now atop our brown comforter. We dyed our curtains orange as well. It kindof has this 70s glow at dusk, and I love it! But I’m vintage like that. ANYWAYS, I am really looking forward to you working your Bower Power magic using my favorite color scheme! And, I hope you are doing really, really well.

  80. We are thinking probably a neutral rug…something thick and wooly. I kinda leaned toward a thick jute but then I changed my mind since the majority of them are rough on little knees 🙂
    xo – kb

  81. I agree, the comment was out of line. I tend to ignore comments like those or admire the grace with which Katie responded. Your response that if one has nothing nice to say then they should say nothing at all? I agree. Except that in your next line you called them an ass. So they can’t say rude things but you can?

  82. Katie are you using a rug pad with that rug? If I remember correctly you scored a deal on it at the PB outlet, right? I work at PB & definitely recommend a pad for under it. It will stay in place better plus prolong the life of the rug & your floors. A standard one would work, but the premium is so much softer and won’t wrinkle under your rug – they are felt….& they are always at our local outlet & probably yours too. Don’t give up on it yet – I love how it looks!

  83. I am catching up on my Katie blog…if you want a neutral tan, my most favoritist EVER color is Pebblestone (Behr, Home Depot). I have painted countless rooms with it, sometimes it has a gray tint, sometimes brown, sometimes green. It really depends where you put it and the light in the room and the furniture with it, etc.

    Just a suggestion!!

  84. Love the orange and blue! I added different bedding in my room just for football season that is orange and blue… although the colors naturally work well together.. I’m also going to have to throw a “WAR EAGLE” out there 🙂

  85. I have a turquoise, sour apple green and chocolate brown house with some orange accents. I want to take the browns and change them into deep purples. It would look soooo good, and very girly. It’s kind of masculine now. I don’t have the funds yet (my money tree isn’t blooming either) but I can’t wait to make changes.

  87. Ikea has a gorgeous & thick orange throw (but not halloween orange. like sophisticated orange…ehh think, less Jersey shore and more Kardashian). *Omgoodness…what is the world coming to? Kardashian was my sophisticated reference?I’ll get back to you with a better one. BACK TO THE POINT. Orange throw= Ikea= cheap. =)

  88. Hi Katie! Where did you get your two white coffee tables? I look everywhere for a decent one and I can never find any. Thanks!

  89. The one in our old den was a craigslist find and the one in the new living room is a thrift store score 🙂 Happy shopping!
    xo – kb

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