cvsbean's Profile

I was shocked when I saw the price of the Good Mod desk....until I realized it was the shipping cost. :) I knew it was too good to be true!

What a weird shape for an apartment. High rise living is not my bag but I do like the grey tones, the furniture and layout. I would have liked to see more of the apartment and less of the shoes though (even though they are cute)!

UPDATE FROM COLLEEN:
Thank you everyone for your advice! Trust me - I know what I need to do and want to do - unfortunately I have two obsticals. A husband and a budget! :) So buying new frames, new art, etc is appreciated but unfortunately not an option. My husband agreed to painting on the condition that I wouldn’t spend a ton of money redecorating the rest of the room. I suppose he has a point but if I had no budget restrictions – I could decorate the heck out of this room in the right way. Ah to dream….

Here is why i did the things I did and what I did to save money plus some updated pictures:

Track lighting – not going to change. My husband doesn’t want to do the handiwork - and he is very handy. He see's nothing wrong with the lighting and unless I am willing to do it myself, it stays. I have repositioned the lights and they are on a dimmer. So when guests come over I will definitely dim the lights. Plus I added a lamp on the ledge by the bookcase for some ambient lighting.

Frames – not painting them. Now that the track lighting is less direct, they aren't so shiny. I considered sanding them and tested it on a fourth frame I have. It didn't look good. I also tried matte metal paint - didn't look good. So stay they must. Budget and a husband prevent me from changing them out.

Paint - I love it now. When I emailed AT the first time, I was in a bit of a panic the day after painting. It has grown on me and I am all good now :) I do wish “he” would let me paint the rest of the room as many of you suggested but comprimise is what marriage is all about ;) I MAY be able to convince him to paint the other wall behind the couch…

Updates: in the following pictures you will see I added Pussy Willows, Coral colored pillows, Cream and Brown pillows. Also, I have included pictures of the rest of the room to get a better idea of the layout.

Still hate: The sparseness but I also hate clutter.

How I saved money: I couldn't find cream pillows ANYWHERE except Crate and Barrel. And trust me - I looked at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Target, Cost Plus, Pottery Barn, Ikea, etc. I am sure there are tons out there now that I have given up. The Crate and Barrel pillow was WAY too expensive so I bought two pillow covers on ebay for the price of a half a pillow at C&B! I stuffed them with the existing stuffing from my old couch pillows. AND I re-used the coral pillows that were sitting in my bedroom. My husband is happy to have saved the money.

Still to do: New coffee table. Thinking of two smaller side by side tables to add texture. Add a coral colored something to the top of the bookshelf. I still have some money left in my budget for select items – so more bang for the buck ideas? Add more teal and coral accents - maybe to the pussy willow wall? Change out the picture of the orange flower to something with more brown, coral and maybe chartruese – but still using the existing frame. I want something bolder, maybe even a graphic pattern. I am picturing the beehive designs of Jonathan Adler. I can paint it myself too but need a good idea.! Any links to good accent pieces or art prints would be much appreciated! I have searched art.com etc. but haven’t found what I want yet.

Here are the new pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/colleen.kanaan/Condo