Recreate a Vintage Living Room

The Inspiration \\ Emily Henderson

I hope you're staying warm on this chilly Iowa day! Today was actually the first day I broke out the winter coat this season. Sally informed us we have only 7 weeks left until Christmas. Isn't that insane?! As a kid that felt like an eternity but geez, that doesn't sound like very much time to do shopping.

As my design style has evolved and grown over the months, I find myself drawn to vintage decor with a past. Everything is unique and one of kind which makes it all the more exciting when you discover something really good. However, when you find an amazing piece, chances are you won't find another just like it.

Emily is known for trolling Craigslist and flea market finds. Somehow she manages to score some of the coolest stuff and use it in all of her clients' homes. Truthfully, I don't know how she doesn't keep it all for herself :) Emily then reveals a fantastic room she designed (like this) and goes through all the work telling us where she purchased each piece in every room. Unless it's vintage. Which, like I said earlier, is pretty dang often. No source. Womp womp.

So, just for the fun of it, I recreated one of Emily's rooms so you can get the look yourself.

Of course, accessories make a personalized room and should always be added. You should do your fair share of antiquing for pieces that speak to you for an equally quirky and layered room. That's the fun part with accessories. You can play with it and make the space your own. I mean, besides Emily, who wants a dalmatian in their living room?

Sofa // Rug // Side Table // Chair // Chest // Bear Print // Lamp // Leather Pouf // Pink Pillow // Bolster

Update: Couch Makeover

This is what it looked like before...

Remember when I first started working on my couch makeover way back when in May? Well I finally finished up sewing all of the pillows this past weekend and couldn't be happier with the results! No, it didn't actually take me 3 months to sew 5 pillows-- I began at my parent's house and then was able to finish them when I got back there again (I don't have a sewing machine.) Has anyone sewn pillows with zippers before? It can be a little difficult to get the hang of at first since I am not a seamstress by any means. 

The easiest way to cover the couch without reupholstering the whole thing was a slip cover. I actually found mine at Wal-Mart for about $40 which is a very reasonable price when we're talking about a couch. It doesn't fit perfect and there are areas I have to tuck it into the cushions for a more fitted look, but it works. 

My apartment makeover is coming along nicely and I can't wait to completely finish and share it with you guys! In between classes, work, and blogging I make changes, come up with new ideas, and finish more DIY projects -- all of which I will be sharing! I have some shelf styling and a dresser makeover yet to complete and then hopefully I will give the big reveal in a few weeks! Stay tuned.

What do you think about the couch and pillow cushions? 

Can't Get Enough

I'm having so much fun selecting designs for my apartment makeover. Like it is all I think about, but in a good way. My move is coming up in August and I plan to reveal the finished product in early September once I get everything situated! Get excited. I have always loved interior design ever since I was a kid. I remember looking at the JCPenny big catalog we received in the mail and picking out the items I'd want for my future home, everything from bedding to mailboxes. Over time my love for interior design has only grown, but my style has come a long way from the JCPenny catalog. In fact, just over the past couple months I've noticed my style evolving. Remember in my early blogging days when I was obsessed with pastel pink?  Well, I have come a long ways since my pastel obsession. Style is constantly changing based on your surroundings, your feelings, inspiration. All of which makes the decorating process an ongoing thing. 

My inspiration right now? This. I'm so happy I discovered Emily Henderson and her blog. Pushing limits in design is important and I think she does just that. 

Emily Henderson's living room

Bri Emery's living room, designed by Emily Henderson

I mean can we just take a second to take in these masterpieces.

Instead of just saying "I like this", I want to point out the details that really make these rooms so perfect.

1. The rug. It's from West Elm and it's used in both spaces. It's texture and neutral color play up the space just enough to make it interesting. I loved it so much I bought my own (cheaper) version of the rug for my apartment. More on that in my apartment reveal :)
2. Midcentury furniture. Notice the coffee table and sofa in each living room. The peg legs are what make it midcentury.
3. Unique use of accessories. One of my favorite accessories in the entire collection are the arrows on the mantel in the second image. The simplicity of taking something that was not initially designed for decoration and making it work is completely cool.
4. Pops of color. Different forms of color are found throughout both living rooms, yet it doesn't feel overdone. The turquoise couch for example. She ties it in completely with wall art, lamps, pillows and the key, a neutral rug. 
5. Personality. I don't know about you, but every time I see a room straight from a catalog I cringe a little. Everyone has their own taste, but a room doesn't feel like yours unless it has pieces that make it yours. Fun accessories and a little mixing with furniture helps create that finished, not too perfect look with your own touch.

Happy Friday!

All images via and via