What’s the best way to refresh a space when your wallet is recovering from the holidays (and those hard to resist post-holiday sales)?
Move the things you already have around!
Swap an end table with a night stand. Use that old trunk at the foot of the bed for a coffee table. Move your dining buffet lamps into the living room. It’s amazing sometimes what giving new purpose to an old piece can do – and it’s free.
I’ve been giving new meaning to the idea of ‘musical chairs’ lately. My antique chairs are back down in the basement and the slipcovered chairs are back up in the dining room.
This time I tried something extra new and used the bench in place of two chairs. Maybe not the most conventional idea with a small round table like mine, but it’s something different. And boy does it open up this little room more.
Another tip for when you’re making changes – live with it for a few days before you nix it. Sometimes I know immediately and without a doubt that I don’t like something – so I won’t keep it that way. But any time I make a change and I’m a bit on the fence, I like to just live with it for a week to see if it grows on me. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t, but a lot of the time you’re just so used to seeing something one way that you need to give yourself time to adjust to seeing it another.
This bench at the table?
I wasn’t sold right from the start. But now?
Now I quite like it.
Bonus that the vintage typewriter stand gets to have a place to shine now too. It was much too cute to be living in the basement.
You probably noticed the jute rug came back out – I enjoyed the wool rug for the fall/holiday season, but was starting to miss the jute so up it came too.
A few hydrangea branches (I don’t know why but those branches just feel so winter-y to me) and pretty brass banded hurricanes for the center of the table.
And simple, neutral accents for the cabinet too.
Nothing new as in “new from the store” in here, but by making a few simple swaps with the old it feels fresh and new.
So what do you think of the “new” furniture?
Sources:
Curtains
Hurricanes
Hydrangea Branches, Large White Vase, Throw, Candlesticks, Sign – no longer available
Table, Typewriter Stand, Enamel Pot, Silver Tray, Silver Plates, Cabinet, Mirror – Vintage
Plate Rack, Ladder Shelf, Bench – DIY
Previous Post – Blast from the Past – Before and After
Linda says
My goodness Wonder Woman! Swapping out rugs like a pro! Seriously, I love how everything looks, including the bench….I did the same with my kitchen table and I loved it because it was very convenient (plop down my handbag on it and get to sit too). The typewriter stand looks like it belongs there…love it with the plant on top. Nice update for your room.
Tonya says
Thanks Linda! The bench is super convenient – I like it too. And the rugs are surprisingly not that bad to swap – as long as you remember the chandelier. I can’t tell you how many times I walked into it lol.
Carol says
Love it all. I’m missing my jute rug…you made me want to buy another one. Love, love that cabinet and the typewriter stand looks really good there.
Tonya says
Thanks Carol! I love my jute rugs too. π
lynne richmond says
i love the whole look… including the bench at the table…. and i always laugh when i see the spool knobs on the chest!! they are my fav…… I hope that you are having sunny days!!!
Tonya says
OMG. Those spool knobs! Lol. I can’t stand them BUT I haven’t found anything that I really want to replace them with either. I wish I knew what had originally been on there… π
Sally says
I think it looks wonderful! I donβt know how you got those rugs up from the basement and then under the table…..what a woman!
Tonya says
Where there’s a will there’s a way Sally! To be honest, it’s not that bad – I definitely break a sweat but I just look at it as a more fun way to burn off those Christmas calories than cardio. π
Marjorie Misener says
Love pretty much every thing here! I love the vase of flowers branches and the bench!
Tonya says
Thank you! Those branches are some of my favorites too. π
Ellen says
Revamping is the perfect solution for a still “smokin” credit card! Your sense of style is amazing. Marvelous advice…waiting for a few days might be all it takes to embrace a change. Love all your choices. Thank-you!
Tonya says
Thanks so much Ellen! Still smoking – and sizzling – credit card is right lol!
Kristine PuzelK says
The bench looks great at the table with the slipcovered chairs. They are much more visible, and the bench even looks inviting. I love that little typewriter table – very charming, and opens up that space nicely! It all looks refreshed and renewed – and it only cost a little creativity! Beautifully done!
Tonya says
Thanks Kristine! I’m really trying to be creative with the things I already have and love – I need to do some purging in 2018. Way too much stuff around here lol!
Anita says
Gorgeous!! Love the winter look so much!!
Tonya says
Thanks Anita!
Julie says
I love all of your updates! I love to move things around too. It is fun and free and gets the creative juices flowing. I just moved an old empty frame to my mantle and was coming up with a new idea. I was thinking, what would Tonya do? for real. I used some old books and some glass scones I had instead of buying new. I did buy some of those flame less candles that flicker for the sconces. I am impressed that you can move all these rugs by yourself!
Tonya says
Haha – Julie, I love it! And that totally sounds like what I would do – empty frames, old books, and candles are pretty much my jam. π
Patty says
I never thought I would like that bench anywhere else, but this does work for me, too! At first glimpse today, I thought that marvelous typewriter stand was under that longer piece of art by the front door area…..nope! And sooooo nice to see sunshine streaming in, too. Enjoy your NEW room!
Tonya says
Thanks Patty! I AM enjoying it – and I never thought I would like that bench anywhere else either – but I was wrong!
3rdststationdesigns says
I LOVE the bench idea!! I have a round table too and today I’m going to make some changes with the seating as well.
Love your new cute picture too!
Wishing you the very best. I love the way you design.
Tonya says
Aww…thank you so much!
Carol Heartfelt Whimsies says
Looks great! I needed some inspo-/maybe I can get moving now!!
Tonya says
Thanks Carol! Have fun rearranging!!