{ L i v i n g r o o m }

Summer updates (new sofa, new layout)

Isn't it funny how just changing out one piece of furniture can make such a difference to the look and feel of a room?  This is exactly what happened in our living room when we got a new sofa a couple of weeks back. Gone are the old , uncomfortable leather sofa's...... .....hello new, squishy, deep-seated sofa-chaise! And it has made such a difference!
So this has been a long tome coming.... When I posted about my plans for a new sofa back on October last year, I had the entire living room mapped out how I would ideally like it. But because I lacked the funds to get a new one at the time, I ended up DIY'ing a new sofa cover for one of the old ones instead... It has served me well. Even if it didn't make the sofa's more comfortable, at least it was easier on the eye....But of course it meant keeping that old awkward living room layout....
....until now! Finally I've got the layout I'd planned all those months ago....and what a difference! The room is now less stuffy, more open and more comfortable... ...it has actually improved the way we use the room: With more floor space and a more defined area for just chilling at the end of the day.
So today I am sharing some pictures I quickly took of the new and improved living room yesterday: With the new sofa, and other changes that has subsequently happened in there...including my most recent DIY, which is perhaps the one I am most proud of to date: A new sideboard, MCM style!!
If you're curious you can see the old living room layout and what it used to look like here. And here's what it looks like now:

I can tell you: Finding the perfect sofa/chaise , which was essentially the style I was after in order to achieve my dream lay-out, to fit this space was not easy, but I am really happy with my end choice: This IKEA soderhamn modular range combination works perfectly.

And I love the deep seats and the relaxed feel it adds to the room. And that minty-blue color.....it works perfectly in this room (And if I ever grow sick of it, I can change the color by swapping covers on the sofa....bonus!!)

I can't tell you guys how pleased I was to see the back of the old sofa's...having been with us for almost 15 years, they really had seen better days.

...and of course , the observant of you all will have noticed that the old bookshelf is gone as well! Hello, mid century modern sideboard!!

And yes....that's a DIY....from scratch: Made from a piece of ply-wood....

Can you tell that I am chuffed with it?

It is my first attempt a cabinet-making, and I think I've done a great job....even if I do say so myself!

I love it...

....and yes, of course there will be a tutorial on how I made it, so stay tuned for that one, coming next week!

If you have been following along here for a while, you will recognize that gorgeous rattan chair from my garden post a couple of months back....I love it so much I decided to move it inside...it can easily be brought back outside if it is a particularly glorious day, and I feel like lounging in style ;)

Doesn't it look great in it's new space by the window?

I also love the way my vintage Formica coffee table from An Artful life ,now has pride of place in the middle of the room, as unfortunately my DIY MCM coffee table is now a bit too big for the space...

You win some, then you loose some...

C'est la vie!

So what do you think of my new look living room and my new sofa?

Do you think it was bold of me to go with that icy-blue color?

And what do you think of the new layout....and THAT DIY sideboard??

I hope you'll all tune in for the how-to next week.

Until then, happy weekend peeps!