Cottage Life: Living Room Design

Our cottage living room and dining room are right next to each other, so it kind of makes sense to design them together for a more seamless look. I am already onto multiple iterations of the design boards, but below is the latest one for the living room. I am taking a different design direction from my primary residence. My cottage will be more casual, modern and with a lot of Scandinavian chic influence. I enjoy following the trends, but when it comes to design a space for ourselves, I stay true to whatever pleases my eyes. I am a Narcissist that way. This cottage almost feels like a design do-over for me. Whatever I can't change in my house, either because it would trigger a chain reaction or I am too tired to go down that path again, I get to start afresh at my cottage. 

Because our cottage is still being built and we won't take possession until late July, I can only start to line up some purchases and have them ship to my house for the time being. It's quickly turning my primary residence into a warehouse of new and awesome goodies. The first to arrive were these Norman Cherner style counter stools in walnut from Rove Concepts. I am so so in love with them! They will definitely add warmth to a white kitchen. Btw, did I tell you I am finally getting a white kitchen?! :D

Love shopping with Rove Concepts. Each item was well-packed and shipped fast. 

I also scored this Forma Galaxy lounge chair from HomeSense for a fraction of the price. It will be used as a side chair in the living room. 

On the opposite wall facing the side chair, which is adjacent to the dining room, I will be setting up a storage/entertaining nook using this Ikea Regissor sideboard. 

Isn't it elegant? It has a ton of storage room as well, but man oh man, was it difficult to put together. Every part had to fit perfectly otherwise you're in for a lot of hammering and swearing. Assembling Ikea furniture definitely put our marriage to the test! :) Allora, it's done and I can almost see how great it would look when paired with a round mirror. 

Now onto the main piece of furniture for the living room. I decided to go with this timeless Florence Knoll style tufted sofa. 

I managed to get one of my friends who is in the biz to custom make this for me, in a fabric I can see and touch. I always know I wanted a sandstone-coloured textured fabric to complement the grey rug, not too grey, but can't be beige/cream either. I found this perfect one called Nubia 061. The fabric is stain and water-resistant so it can be spot-cleaned, just what I need for a cottage! 

This is what the fabric looks like when made into furniture, pretty cool to be able to visualize how it would look on my sofa. 

It's Lilac season and the Korean lilac bush in my backyard is blooming like no tomorrow, all thanks to the abundant rain we've been having this month. 

Life is a collection of small but sure happiness. I am slowly learning to savour them. 

Rhododendron is next up! 

I will be back to write about the cottage dining room. 

New Abstract Flower Art By Celine Ziang

I've always wanted a sizable piece of art in my living room to anchor the space. But which style? What colours and medium? Uncertainty was my best excuse for procrastination, and over the years, I think I've perfected the art of it. The search went on and off, until recently I came across Celine Ziang's art. It became clear to me that I was still mostly attracted to the more traditional oil-on-canvas medium, so oil painting it was. 

Picture below: the original abstract flower painting from Celine Ziang Art, 40x40 inches - it looks so small in my living room! Did you notice I also replaced these cream Dupioni silk drapes with the lilac gray ones? It's all part of my 2017 Spring refresh. 

Love all the moody and cooler colours and abstract strokes in this painting. Ordering artworks from Celine was so easy - it was probably the best online shopping experience and customer service I've ever received. She even helped me with a mockup to show how the artwork would look in my own space. If you are in the market for an original piece of art, you can use the discount code amdolcevita15off to receive 15% off and choose from Celine's endless collection of paintings at www.czartdesign.com. 

Abstract flower oil painting #LX38A 

I am still debating whether to frame it or leave it as is. The procrastination goes on! 

Here is a shot of the opposite side of the living room. If I make one more change to this room, I am pretty sure my husband is going to divorce me. :) 

I will be back to write about my recent purchases for my cottage, la maison dans les bois (still trying to come up with a catchier name for it). It's been so hard to buy for a place so far from the city core.