As I mentioned here, our living room and kitchen are all one large open space, so the colors need to blend together. My favorite hue (yellow) will take center stage in the kitchen and Page’s fave (green) will make up the living room area, with our neutral grey color running throughout the space.
I don’t have a photo of course, but here’s a spec house photo from our builder – picture dark wood floors instead of carpet, light grey walls instead of beige, and that same white woodwork. Because of our garage, those two small windows will not be there – which is okay with us, because we plan to add built-in bookcases on either side of the fireplace (yay!). A small bonus here is that Page gave the builder the dimensions of the tv that will go in the recessed area above the fireplace so he can build it to those dimensions – rather than having height or width gaps, it will be a perfect fit!
We went neutral on the “big stuff” and purchased a grey sofa, and two big armchairs and a large ottoman. The plan is to bring color in just about everywhere else. I’m on the hunt for a cool flea-market-price-range coffee table that I can paint green and maybe add some pattern to. I’m sure I’ll be asking this talented lady for some help!
I am also totally into garden seats and want to add one as an impromptu side table somewhere in this room. A few that have caught my eye are this one and this one, but let’s be honest…you know we’ll go the color route. And at a favorite furniture consignment store the other day, I stumbled upon one in our featured hue, similar to this one:
Source: ballarddesigns.com via Cassie on Pinterest
I’m hoping to use the existing table and floor lamp we have now, but I’d like to lighten up the taupey-colored shades. Anyone have any tips or experience to share? I thought about bleaching them or painting them with fabric paint. As a last resort I’ll just replace the shades altogether, but the frugalista in me wanted to at least try something else first. Plus, the shade on our floor lamp is a huge drum shade – and I have yet to find one that would fit that isn’t upwards of a couple hundred bucks…and I have better places to spend $200 right now, thank you very much.
On a semi-related note, have you tried floorplanner.com? I didn’t take the time to really “learn” the whole program, but I love that I can build our room dimensions, doorways, and windows and add/arrange furniture with the exact dimensions of what we own. Ignore the crazy colors – and the fact we have two sinks and stovetops… I didn’t take the time to “polish” any of this, but here is what I’m thinking as far as furniture arrangment on the first floor:
Voila – the green and grey living room! I’m getting so excited to move beyond pictures and inspiration boards and start working on the REAL deal…. 
I am anxious to see your home myself. I read your blog everytime you post something. Is your mom the one with the blog: be colorful. If she is, I totally love her blog as well. I came across yours through her one day last year and since I am addicted to both. Love the way you two blog. I can see where you have picked up some of her great decorations experiences. Have fun shopping and can’t wait for the next post.
Thanks for sharing
Seriously? Just quit your day job. You were born to design. Love love love the color palate. You are so much smarter about this than when I was your age. True, you do have the internet but I still think you would have made fewer mistakes than I did.
The chevron makes me giddy but the software makes me feel old. I think I paid for some version of this back in the day. Remember when software like this came in a big box from Best Buy? 
Love the garden stool. I have a black one but I am thinking of painting it white. When all else fails? Two words. Paint it.
You keep me young and inspired. Love ya
Cranky in CR