Thursday, February 11, 2021

Living Room Blues -


I'm not keen on the idea of purchasing home accessories online - I really
prefer to see what I'm buying upfront and close up.
These days, real shopping, where you call a friend, make a date for
 lunch, and look forward to "let's take whirl around Home Goods, 
TJMaxx, Target etc. for a couple of hours" is out of the question.
I'm missing those special days and spending time with my friends.

Following the annual packing away of colorful holiday decorations -
other than leaving out some candles to brighten the long evenings - the
 living room has taken on a bit of a tired look. . . . . perhaps because we
 now spend so much time there and have to look at it so much!

So today you get what has to be the first 'cottage interiors' post
 in a long time, and I require a little help with this one.


I purchased the pair of blue and white 'ginger jar' style lamps online, 
throwing caution to the wind in hopes they would work in the room.

Despite a initial scare when I noticed some serious damage to both
 boxes they arrived in, thankfully the lamps and shades were intact and
 not damaged at all! 


Removing them from said boxes is another story - let's just
 say styrofoam made from millions of miniscule balls should be
 banned now!



My old table lamps were just that, old and dull. 
This small room has a wall of windows facing north, no direct sun floods in,
just enough natural light in the daytime, and for evenings ambient lighting
 from table and floor lamps, and two ceiling spots over the fireplace.


Notice that the lamp on the left of the sofa is currently standing on
 three books! This is because that end table is lower that the one on
 the right - something I never thought about before because the former
 lamps were not a matching pair and apparently their different
 heights worked. 

So, and this is where your help would be appreciated, should I raise the
 lower table by adding something (pieces of wood perhaps) underneath it; 
look for something else to stand the lamp on, such as a wood or ceramic 
plinth/pedestal; or just continue using books which can be changed out 
now and then regarding colors and sizes?  
Needless to say, the right hand table cannot be lowered and I have no
 plans to buy new tables anytime soon, if ever, because I like these!


I enjoy the shades of blues and grays in this room. It was a big change
 after saying goodbye to the old sofa and white slip covers on all the
 upholstered pieces for many years - such a lot of extra work! 
Now however I realize I need a few pops of another color, again to
 brighten up the room - so today I added the velvet mustard patterned 
pillow and citron candle for the time being.




Curiosity makes me want to ask how you feel regarding online shopping.
Have you purchased home decor items this way, and if so were they 
delivered safely, undamaged, and did you keep them?
I was really nervous seeing the state the boxes arrived in. I thought
how awful if I unpacked them but needed to repack and ship them 
back to the seller. 

Life is different these days in so many ways.


22 comments:

  1. What a delightfully relaxing room with its gentle colours. Mary, you are brave to buy those lovely lamps online! But what a success. Personally I would leave them as they are. I like the look of the books. You have now given me an idea, as I have two Thai ginger jars brought back by my cousin who worked in Chiang Mai for many years. I wonder if I could get them made into lamps?

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Barbara. Jasmin stopped by last evening and also thought the books look fine! Lucky cousin to have actually lived in Chiang Mai - it's a beautiful place and I loved my short visit there in 2011. Yes, I've had vases and candlesticks turned into lamps over the years - ginger jars will I'm sure be easy for a good lamp shop to convert.
      Mary -

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  2. I have purchased online, area rugs indoor and outdoor, nightstands, a bed frame. Never a problem. I am going to take more time to “study” your living room. This is FUN!

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  3. Glad your purchases worked out well Helen - it is rather a gamble buying sight unseen!
    I really don't need more stuff - need to downsize actually - so will move things about to freshen up the rooms
    come spring perhaps!
    Mary -

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  4. I like the lamp on the books. I wouldn't try to raise the end table instead.

    The mustard patterned pillow adds just the right "punch" of color and brightness to the room.

    I've purchased house items online and have only had to return something once. That's the only problem though - returning things. Most companies (unless like Amazon or Target) make you pay shipping charges to return the item, unless it's damaged. If you don't like what you purchased, you're out of luck.

    Thanks for answering about your kitchen table. I will start looking online on FB Marketplace and OfferUp. People change decor or move a lot, so hopefully something will come up!

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    Replies
    1. I do hope you can find a suitable table to your liking dear Melanie - don't give up!

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  5. Dear Mary - I am feeling soft yellow at the moment, not the shade that you have shown but a pale soft lemon yellow, a colour which would contrast beautifully with your shades of blue and grey whilst adding a touch of sunshine in the room.
    On the whole I prefer to see what I am buying especially if it is an expensive item, but am very happy to purchase online accessories such as cushions, and bedlinen etc.
    Have you considered changing the tables over, if the taller one was in the far corner the difference between them might then be far less discernible.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm considering some soft yellows too, especially for spring, along with vases of daffodils and narcissi oof course! I think it would bring a little 'sunshine' which we so desperately need lately.
      I thought about the table exchange but they wouldn't work size wise. I'm staying with the books which most people seem to agree about.

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  6. Dear Mary,
    Your lamps are a good start and I like books under your lamp. Now you need to fill your wall (mirror wall) with lots of paintings of blowsy, softly colored roses and such.

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    Replies
    1. Gina dear - having actually visited your beautiful home full of amazing colors and paint finishes - I think I did return to the cottage ready to change some of my own decor to include less white/neutrals and embrace more color. I fell for that 'shabby chic' look and enjoyed it for several years, but then realized hauling white slip covers to the commercial laundromat because they were too big to deal with at home, was no longer fun!!!

      Yes, I've been considering adding more art, especially old floral oils, or even some of my flower photos enlarged and put on canvas! I have a few oils already on different walls, but I can't really shop in person for more these days. My years at SuzAnna's Antiques, both as a seller and buyer, are so missed - especially since they moved some distance from Raleigh.

      Here's to shopping days - soon hopefully.
      Mary x

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  7. Your room looks so cozy and welcoming, Mary. I think the table with the books to raise the lamps looks great. And such pretty lamps - brave you for buying them online. The box condition would be worrisome. I've spent the afternoon moving furniture around our living room, with some success. We hope to replace our sofa and I'm trying to decide on size and placement. I love the punch of colour with the mustard yellow pillow. Adding colour, especially at this time of year, is a boost.

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  8. Dearest Mary,
    Why would one want to constantly 'change'...?
    I've always said, like my dear husband I'm holding on to, the very same with all our solid French oak furniture that we shipped over. Great quality lasts a lifetime.
    To be very frank, that pillow what you call a mustard colored pillow, is a dissonant; it JUMPS right into your eyes... And also the candle lamp on the coffee table is out of proportion for that size table... You ask for some advice/opinion, so here it is. UP to you what you will do with it!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

    PS If you like to 'visit' us, type in the search bar to the right on my blog, Our Living Room, our Our Veranda and you get an idea...

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    Replies
    1. I agree wtih Mariette ref the mustard yellow and sizing of hurricane lamp if you want perfection! she knows her stuff.

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  9. I'm a fan of blue and white so love the lamps. Temporary solutions for raising the one on the left are best because you can change up the look as you please. I absolutely abhor styrofoam, especially when it breaks up into tiny little balls. It definitely should be banned. There's so many better products out there for packing, but companies prefer to stick with the old, destructive materials. I am a believer in purchasing local as much as one can. Supporting people and communities is much better than giving to big corporations like Amazon. I've been rearranging and trying to organize around here which is an ongoing, never-ending process. Take care.

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  10. I quite like the books underneath the lamp. Books add warmth and comfort to any room, especially if they are - as in your case I am 100 % sure they are - personal choices that have been read and appreciated, not just put there "for show".
    The mustard works so well on the petrol/teal-ish blue of the armchair!

    I have never bought a single piece of decor online, and doubt I ever will. Almost every decorative item in my flat was a gift; very few pieces I came across myself quite by chance in a shop.

    Yes, I miss a leisurely shopping afternoon, too! Can you believe I do not even want to look at clothes these days? I am making do with the contents of my wardrobe, and am always properly dressed, but not feeling like anything new at the moment.

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  11. The lamps are lovely, Mary, and I like the arrangement with two different end tables and the books to raise one lamp. It is not too matchy matchy! I especially like the lower, white table - and would have it in a flash.. Occasionally I buy online, and if locked down for extended periods would do a lot more. I bought pendant lights for our kitchen online. They have a white metal bird above the glass shade and I am very pleased with them. Applause for the mustard cushion too. xx

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  12. For starters, the cozy vibe of your living room is wonderful and as others have said, I would keep the lamp elevated on the books. I like that. I know your room faces north and the mirror above sofa reflects a bit of it .... however I would add one large piece of art. Now, I feel like I joined a Rate My Space site. Cheers.

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  13. I have seen many photos in books and on line where books have been added to the base of lamps, I like it as the photo shows. The pillow and candle perfect.
    Patricia

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  14. What beautiful lamps, they really make the room special - I would leave the arrangement with books under one lamp - it's fine, it gives interest and makes it look homely and lived in. If you can't stand it then move the lower table out to an angle to break up the line. The colours are lovely and if you wanted to make things warmer I would add some pale pink cushions and maybe one bright pink one - book covers are a great way to bring colour into the room too and orchids - if you like them - they last for such a long time and give some gentle colour. I prefer shopping on line, shoppers rights on returns are much easier than in store) and nowadays you can see reviews on the products before you buy which I find helpful. Shops tend to have a limited selection and steer you towards their styling, I prefer to experiment - Apartmenttherapy is a brilliant website for ideas. I do shop in Ikea in person as I like the layout and the lunches! but we bought sheepskin rugs and shelving during lockdown.

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  15. Mary! I love your lamps and I have to tell you I purchased some very similar ones for our new living room. I have been buying a lot online since we moved into this condo with nothing and had to start all over. I made a few mistake purchases and had to send them back. Most of the time the shipping back was free, though a few places charged for the shipping back. I have not had anything arrived broken. I did receive one chandelier that was suppose to be antique brass and arrived black not brass, so it went back. I would just leave the lamp on the books!

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  16. I love the lamps sooo much!
    Yes, I have purchased curtains for three rooms, one pillow for the living room, and a new rug for the living room. I wasn't sure about the rug, but have learned to love it. Oh I also purchased shades for our bedroom and returned them, but then ordered something different. So I am happy with what I have ordered online this past year. On the other hand I know what you mean about wanting to touch and see up close before making a decision. Clothing is sort of like that too.

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  17. Oh my gosh, Mary! The lamps and the whole room looks so great! Love the lamps and I must confess I'm used to online shopping but still love going into the stores, browsing and chatting with friends! By the way, what a lovely day. I loved seeing you and Jasmin and hope we get to see Bob soon. Love, xx

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