urbancricket's Profile

I would find a way to work the brown into the textiles so that you're not fighting it.

For example, you're sticking with neutral furnishings. GREAT! this means you have a fab opportunity to pick a theme for your textiles. Given what I can see of what you have, I would go for tribal area rugs that have just a bit of that brown. I would also look for a geometric widow treatment that references the tribal pattern. You could accent with ikat pillows and some gold /brass accessories.

Given that you're starting so many neutrals (white, black, ivory, brown), I would choose textiles to that bump up the contrast in the room, drawing attention to themselves, rather than highlighting the carpet. So choose a color family that provides some contrast and interest against the brown, but doesn't fight with it -- citrine, teal, colbalt, persimmon, colbalt, plum, and even oxblood.

Here are some examples of what I mean:

rugs -- look how great the first one looks with white and a spash of aqua:
http://www.the-brick-house.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/DSC03546.jpg
http://www.missmodish.com/.a/6a00d8341caca853ef014e866dcd67970d-580wi
http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/6323291/il_fullxfull.269679996.jpg
http://st.houzz.com/simgs/f1e14e5f0edab21a_4-3191/modern-rugs.jpg
http://lesdeuxmaisons.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/kilim-rug.jpg

windows -- I love quatrefoil or ogee patterns with tribal rugs! Chevron or ikat would work too (I like the simplicity of the ogee, and that it's a less angular geometric). With the brown rug, you'll definitely need to keep the fabric background white or ivory.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EtKu7aKlL.jpg
http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2010/07/17/f7098656805e.jpeg
http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/192x/c5/c8/fc/c5c8fc87c80b445a97aca9e0d6bdaaf7.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/joidan82/Office/DSC_5979.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BRkGBoxdv8I/TSn-FN9YCMI/AAAAAAAABvU/FzAWw3MFLkc/s400/quatrefoil.jpg

pillows: Ikat can get as colorful or simple as you like. Stick with the color family you chose, and watch this video from Emily Henderson about mixing your prints. http://youtu.be/2WFoWQy-unk Again, don't include brown in the pillows or drapes -- stick with colors that contrast with, but don't argue with the brown.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-if8Ci1ltj8A/Thti-FCpfKI/AAAAAAAAAbk/bDu221xu1GU/s640/yhst-81896639215747_2163_9027444.jpg
http://img2.etsystatic.com/010/0/6990949/il_340x270.455583058_smtq.jpg
http://flygirls.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834515c9769e20133f4a7cbd8970b-450wi
http://www.pepperdesignblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ikatpillow_pillows.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ArsoPSN8fU/UAXzBKiJaNI/AAAAAAAAFks/GiqB_VZ6JGk/s1600/Ikat+PIllow.jpg (this is ikat dots, chevron, and lattice all together!)

accessories: check out previous AT post on Brass accessories
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/fabulous-brass-lighting-roundup-189293
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/warming-up-to-b-104154

Here's a room with chevron drapes and ikat pillows.
http://lindaholtinteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Ikat-pillows-House-beautiful1.jpg

I love it! And I don't think it's MCM-- looks Art Deco. Which means the embellished version (which I think is FAB!!!!) is in keeping with the era's aesthetic. The nail heads remind of the Phoenix motif that was popular then.

Agree with so much of what folks are saying.

1. Allow yourself time. I've been working on 4 rooms for three years (and ignoring the rest of the house).

2. Layer a room, just like you layer an outfit. Start with building the "skeleton" -- this is furniture of the room. Then put "clothes" on the bones -- your upholstery and other textiles. Don't accessorize (art, mirrors, paint) until you have the rest of the outfit pulled together.

3. You can find anything you want for 20-30% off it's retail price just by waiting for a sale. This can slow things down... I've been waiting for a quilt at restoration hardware to go on sale for about six months (I just couldn't swing it over Christmas). But when it does, I'll snap it up.

4. Use Pinterest to and Google Images to collect similar products and note the prices. I love a $1500 end table.... Target has one that I like for $80. Which leads me to my next tip...

5. Consider changing a budget item to be more like the pricey item. That Target end-table I like? It's orange, but I want a gold one. Rustoleum Spray Paint & Primer is your friend. DIY doesn't have to be completely from scratch.

6. Resist flash sale and impulse buys unless you are shopping for something very specific. I have paid for this three times. But I have learned from this. Unsubscribe from those notifications.

7. Quality should always be the deciding factor. I'd been shopping for a bathroom rug for months and months. I found stamped cotton dhurrie rug from West Elm on mark down for only $20 (I got two). Brand new it was perfect! several months later, it's no longer vibrant and I'm going to move it into the mud room. Lesson learned. A wool rug for $150 (marked down from $200 + free shipping) is the smarter choice. That $50 I saved? I already kind of wasted it on a rug that didn't make me happy.

8. Shop locally for custom alternatives to very expensive items. You may be surprised. I fell in love with the steel parson's tables at Room and Board, at $500 ea, plus tax and $200 shipping. On a whim I contacted a local machine shop that laser-cuts steel for industrial application. They made me my tables for $150 each! I still have to get glass, but that will be about $120. Still an huge savings over all. Here are photos.
http://www.athomeonthehill.com/athomeonthehill/2013/1/31/winner-winner-chicken-dinner

9. Ask your like-minded friends to keep their eyes open for you. My friend is shopping for a budget minded chaise to go under her new pergola. Every time I see one I think she might like, I take a pic and send it to her.

10. AT has stopped talking about 'carb' and 'protein' furnishings and decor, but this is such a great idea! I have two very nice dressers. I can get away with less expensive mirrors. But if everything is cheaply made, it looks like you outfitted your whole place at Home Goods. Put something inexpensive next to something well made, and the cheap thing looks instantly better.

11. Learn some theory from the pros. I love Emily Henderson's How-to videos. Here's a great example. There's probably a 4 month course at design school for this concept, and she breaks it down into this 4 minute video.
http://youtu.be/I4bM2Usq9LQ
Have an unrequited love with color that leaves you feeling like your efforts are just a hot mess? Read about color theory. Want to mix styles like a pro? get some coffee table books or magazines and study how designers create great spaces by using contrast. Not sure how to arrange your furniture? Read about negative space and furniture placement. There is so much to learn!

12. Learn about what makes something expensive and decide what you are willing to pay for, and what you're not. I was willing to pay $100/yd for some fabric to make my own duvet. The top of the duvet cost me $600! I bought $15/yd fabric for the underside. Picture frames? There's a place go to budget. Ikea fames are great, and it's easy to spray paint them for an upgrade. I'll pay a lot for a great mattress. But an accent chair in the bedroom for the cat to sleep on? There's an opportunity to save. I got a used chair for $80.

13. Swatches. Paint and fabric come in swatches so you can test just about anything before you commit.

14. Live with empty space. You can roller skate in my living room, and we can throw the ball for our dog in the family room. It's ok. It's clean and uncluttered which has it's own appeal. The great thing is that our space isn't filled with stuff we don't like or don't want.

These are adorable, but are really only great for either a semi protected balcony, or for decorating a special party. I think patio umbrellas fall into that category of furniture that takes so much abuse from the elements (would you put your upholstered chair outside?) that getting a cheap one means you'll be getting a new one next year. That said, that's all some us can afford and so we make do with cheap, or buy used.

We've had a used one for three summers and its done fine. The pole is more worn than the canopy!

But. I am SO excited to have gotten a new Activa brand 11' round cantilever umbrella from Costco this year for $500. Here is a link to a youtube video (not mine!) that does a great job of demoing the functionality:
http://youtu.be/E_iSUHAQ9BQ

I have coveted this umbrella in stores for about 5 years going and finally found the "disposable" cash to buy our very own (I sold my grandmother's fur coat that has been sitting in mothball storage for a decade). It's similar to the resort version on the website, but half the price. It's HUGE. And the cantilever action means I can tilt it into juts about any position I want.

The downside? It's brown. I think last year's color was green. If I had more free time than I do, I would love to paint chevron stripes on it with fabric paint. Since I have less time than that, I'd rather be enjoying the shade with a good book and and the dog.

Apparently I can get a web of string lights that attaches to the ribs. That might makeup for brown.

You've got glass and metal, so now you need leather or fabric. I didn't look at anything above, but read Kilim covered chair above and I think that would be awesome. You'll need to decide whether to go vibrant or black and white, but I'm sure there are a jillion wonderful options. If you get stuck on finding something budget minded, you could get ikat upholstery.

They seem to cary a great line of quality affordable products.

nooooooooooooooooooooooo

We have a similar problem. The fireplace is at one end of a very large room, tucked into a corner. It's very strange. I've had to completely rethink traditional ideas about making a fireplace a focal point, because obviously it can't be.

My friend has one of those long living rooms with a corner fireplace, and I got my inspiration from her. She literally turned her back on her fireplace -- her sofa and lounge chair face away from the fireplace and surprise, it works!

Think about your fireplace as an unmovable art installation. It's an accent in the room, not a focal point. Create one or two conversation groups (as suits the size of your room). Float your furniture in the space, allowing for traffic patterns around the back. Style your fireplace as if it's part of the room, and it will feel natural.

I simply do not get how any one has a problem understanding what a healthy meal includes, and what healthy portions are.

It's like not getting that if you stick your hand on a hot stove it will burn, or put white shoes in mud they will stain.

I am so lucky that my husband and I have about the same requirements for a clean and tidy bathroom.

--We keep Lysol wipes in the cupboard to keep the counter, sinks, and toilet rim clean.
--We have his-n-hers trays for the products we use daily and are too tall to keep in the drawers.
--The trashcan has a lid. We have dogs. And while it's funny to see the puppy running around with dental floss between her teeth, an open can poses a health hazard (razor blades and puppies, anyone?) and is unsightly.
--We squeegee the glass shower after use.
--We quietly disagree on the paper direction. He puts in on underneath, and I turn it around. But we've never actually spoken a single word out loud about this. I think it's funny.
--In the guest bath, we keep the shower curtain open, and opposite the toilet, lest "splash back" end up on the shower curtain. Ew.
--We use terry bath mats, not those rubber backed nylon monstrosities. I can't believe anyone still makes toilet mats!!
--Art and plants are a yes. Cheap art, though.
--Candles for bath time, but we keep them in the cupboard so that they don't get dusty.