I wanted to show some changes that I've made to couches and windows. In our family room, I made new, simple pillows out of corduroy and linen in bold colors . . . it gets so cluttery in here just by virtue of the kitchen/fam room combo layout, that I wanted something that looked less "busy" and also chose fabric that would be practical for napping! I used the zippered pillow cover tutorial from Design Sponge and now can whip these out in the same time it would take to make an envelope-back pillow cover.
The "love one another" banner is just made of felt (the cheap stuff from JoAnn's) that I cut out using "stencils" I made by picking a font I liked and blowing it up big, then printing out the document (using grey for the letters to save ink an toner). I used some twine I had and attached the letters with cute mini clothespins from Michaels. I did the same thing at Christmas but made a turquoise and red felt banner that said, "Come let us adore Him." It dresses up the windows and the simplicity is striking.
In the piano room ("living room") we painted over the green with a great creamy color (it's literally called "half and half"). I should say, Mando painted . . . I cheered him on! It was time for a change. I made valances using Jessica Jones fabric (Outside Oslo) that is stylish and slightly retro-looking. I used an idea I found online somewhere to make a rod pocket on the BACK of the valance, which gives it a look like pinch-pleated drapes, but softer and looser. I also made corduroy and linen pillow covers that kind of match the valance for the sofa under the front window. It's hard to see in this picture (it was bright and sunnny out here, hence the contrast. But the room is very bright and cheerful now. I liked my Amy Butler Love pillow covers, but after two years was ready for something different and a little less fussy.
