2016 is well underway (What? It’s April?!) and I was determined to make a few changes in the house.

#1.  I changed out a chair that had been in our family room, with a chair that lived in our reading room. [It’s the little things]  The energy to clean, organize, and maybe mix things up a bit around the house hits occasionally and I have to take advantage of it. That’s the fun of making changes with items you own, no harm, no foul if it doesn’t work out. 🙂

BEFORE READING ROOM:  This is the chair and ottoman that was switched to the family room.  {The reading room gets its own little pre-lit tree each Christmas} 

BEFORE FAMILY ROOM: This chair is oversized and while it looks comfortable, the upholsterer overdid it with the wrap on the back cushion and it feels like you’re being pushed out of the chair when you sit on it.  I plan to have this corrected with our upholsterer.

AFTER FAMILY ROOM:  The toile chair and ottoman provide a little more space in the room and I was able to move one of my ceramic garden stools indoors and use it next to the chair.

AFTER READING ROOM:  I sit in this room to read during the winter.  The room’s south facing window provides me with plenty of light and warmth when the weather cools.

#2.  In February I reupholstered the red check sofa in the family room.  I’ll be shopping for some pillows and hope to eventually have a variety of cushion covers that I can change out for the seasons.

BEFORE RED CHECK SOFA: I took the pictures for this post when I first changed out the chairs.

AFTER:  I purchased the khaki colored fabric from Dorell Fabrics for the sofa.  {If you live in Orange County, it’s a great source for upholstery fabric} While I shop for new pillow fabric, maybe something more spring/summer like, I was able to switch the reading room black and white pillows with the red pillows.  The red pillows are now in the reading room.  Isn’t it great when you can make changes without spending any money?!

#3.  The final change for this particular post is my header on the site.  Kevin, younger son, changed it for me.  {Thank you Kevin!}

Future changes in store are mostly aimed at the yard.  This year I plan to start small. The first planting area I’ve tackled is the flower bed that surrounds the patio.  Stay tuned, I’ll share other updates as they happen.

Have you been busy around the house this year?  I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to.  ♥ Karen