Wednesday, August 18, 2010

You guys choose....

My living Room. Well, my living room  a couple months ago.  


Those pics were taken by Terilyn Fisher.  
Then I switched it up and did this: (crappy photo by me)


Clearly one photo is better styled and better lit, etc, the bottom one was with my point and shoot last week, sans flowers and with some lovely chords.  (and brians leg is randomnly in it).
 I switched out the hides to this black and white one that I got at an antique store ($200) and put the other hide in my bedroom.  Brian misses the warmth of the brown cowhide in here, but i much prefer this one.  And Brian likes the swiss flag more than the collection of weird black/grey art - some are crooked, i know. i was only trying it out.   

Ooh, and I found those nesting tables on the left side of the sofa at the flea market for 20 bucks, and they are staying because i love 'em.  Right now the flag is back up because Brian gets to win sometimes.  Like this:


What do you guys think?  Swiss flag or weird art?  The flag would go somewhere else, don't worry, i'm not getting rid of it.  I think the collection of art is more sophisticated, but the cross is much more interesting.  

I can't decide, i'm too close to it.  Its like how sometimes you need another parent or a friend to tell you how good or bad your children really are. 

 When you are emotionally involved with something, its hard to be objective. 

 Yes, maybe i do have a romantic relationship with my vintage pieces. 
and  yes, I'm ok with it. 

****UPDATE:  you guys are awesome.  You really should try out for a little old show called Design Star, cause some of you guys have some pretty good ideas. The flag is staying. And i'm reworking whats above the fireplace.  Thank you sooooooooooooooo much.

82 comments:

  1. I just recently found your blog and I'm lovin' it.

    I like the Swiss Flag the best. JMO.

    Best Wishes on Design Star!

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  2. I like the weird art. I think the flag is cool, but the fact that the lines are NOT straight (I think it needs re-framing?) bothers me. I think it bothers me too much. haha! I'm a BIG (no HUGE) fan of eclectic art collections.

    Big Fan of you as well. Good luck!

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  4. I actually liked the flag more. Sorry.
    It's unexpected and quirky. It really added some interest to the room. And the red was a nice pop.

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  5. I like the swiss flag better mostly because you already have a collection of frames / art on the fireplace wall. The flag is totally unexpected and a bold, graphic element. And although I LOVE your ability to style eclectic and sweet vignettes I think the flag is a fun change from those.
    Also I think the blue couch has most impact with the red of the flag. (but I personally love primary colors together!)
    I see what you mean about sophistication but I think the flag is fun and bright but not unsophisticated or silly looking..
    Loved the post of your apartment on AT!!
    Whatever you choose will be great!

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  6. What if you put the pictures that are above the fireplace over the couch and the flag over the fireplace? That might make you both happy...

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  7. I'm confused --do you still have the art wall over the fireplace? if so, i say keep the flag over the sofa.
    god, i love that sofa!!!

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  8. I vote for the flag. The first photo looks the best to me,feels more warm, comfy and interesting.

    I think I need you at my house. I completely agree about not being able to be objective in my own space.

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  9. Okay, I hate for the boy to be right :) but I do actually like the flag better. More of a statement.

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  10. I am wondering if you took the "not styled" picture of the eclectic frames setting to throw us all off? I actually like them better from this angle, but agree with the fact that you have a similar look on the next wall.

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  11. i like the flag too...whah whah... but what's important here is not the flag, but the carpet! i miss the original carpet, i dunno why, perhaps because i want to run and steal it from you? can't though, my beagle would be rolling on it all day long. love it, love navy...love!

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  12. I'm 1000% on Team Swiss Flag w/Bri. The one two punch of the gorgeous blue of the couch and that singular graphic is like POW! Look at me world! I OWN this room.

    Red Flag...just say yes!

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  13. I'm going to go with the Swiss flag as well. Love that pop of color... I'm a big fan of color pops. :)

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  14. A couple of quick thoughts here. The two coolest things in the room aren't complimenting each other they're distracting from each other. The Swiss flag is the sh#t but then again the couch is the staight po#p so....why not separate them. That couch is very cool but I’m too busy staring at that very dramatic and stark flag, pun intended. Side note the Swiss flag being a point of contention in the room is a bit ironic given their nature. Maybe there's another room that needs a Swiss flag or maybe over the fireplace and thus not in the same line of sight. As for the cowhide Brian is right. There are so many cold colors already in the room why not warm it up. Like a freshly buttered Aussie toaster biscuit. Plus the brown one looks a lot more like a cowhide than the black one. Consider also that my living room is quite lame. Sorry for fouling the comments with my salty language, I've been at sea. -Jeff D

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  15. I say totally go with the swiss flag, it pops so much more. I love it and want it my house! For what it's worth i also prefer the brown hide in the living room.

    BTW love your couch!!

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  16. def. flag! so unique!

    btw- I blogged about you & DS and got some nasty feedback on FB about your competition. Michael's cool right?

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  17. I'm for the flag and the art over the fireplace :)

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  18. so far, its the flag folks. keep 'em coming. i'm almost convinced.

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  19. Hi Emily. I really like the Swiss flag because it provides a little juxtaposition with the more traditional looking sofa and other vintage pieces in the room. :)

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  20. Initially I was going to say the flag, but it looks like the situation above the fireplace has changed (big mirror and a couple of other things, maybe?), in which case I say keep the gray arts and bring back the other rug. Then maybe carefully fold the flag into a box and send it to Denver.

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  21. Swiss flag. Definitely. The contrast between the flag and the couch highlight both of them, IMO. In the "not styled" picture, my eye goes to the couch and stays there, ignoring the pictures all together; with the flag it takes in the whole shebang.

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  22. I love the pop of red of the swiss flag. It looks great with all the blue. And it is a modern, clean lined element like your modern chair. I'm with Brian. I like the other rug better. Hope you win Design Star!

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  23. I like the Swiss flag and definitely the brown rug. Too much black and white with the new rug.

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  24. Swiss flag, hands down.

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  25. The flag seriously has to stay (its so cool, I even like that its wonky!) and I'm all for the warmth and scale of the browner hide. That big pop of red is killer with the tasty blue beast of a sofa.

    I hate to even mention it, but I miss the other side table. It was an unexpected choice and totally played off the linear aspects of the coffee table, sofa and flag with just the perfect scale and charm.

    I love a deal though and understand the need to move things around for fun. I get a lot of flak for moving furniture around or selling things that seem to be a perfect fit. It's hard to know via pictures how a space feels and functions in real life, and sometime you just get bored with things as they are and need to switch it up.

    Keep it up, sometimes my boy is right too and it drives me nuts!

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  26. I find it always helps to take photos and decide then, rather than face-to-face. It gives you detachment from the object/space. My opinion: the flag above the sofa! I have a thing for red-white-blue schemes, and the collection of vintage art would probably go better in an area (like a hallway) where people can walk by each piece and take in the story, like a mini-art-gallery. If that makes sense. Then again, I'm kind of a hypocrite, as I have a collection of vintage art above MY sofa, but in your case, the Swiss flag is amazing. Also, I'm with Brian on the brown cowhide. It does add warmth and the scale is perfect for the furniture arrangement in the living room. It's so beautiful! Hope this helps!

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  27. Flag - pop of color - nuff said

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  28. Flag. I like the burst of color.

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  29. I agree that the frames are more sophie and the Cross is wild and unexpected. Cross has got this attitude that keeps drawing me back to look. If you could find a way to do that with the Frames, by arranging them with a bold attitude that might be even better...that SOPHIE will still come through...right? I'm going with CROSS if you dont make more changes.

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  30. Flag - graphic.
    Black and white cowhide - cuts back on all the brown, but maybe a tad too small?
    Rattan side table - nice feminine, round shape to counteract all the squarish shapes

    I think you're the Design Star winner. Well-deserved! The room last week was awesome. Come do my apartment. I need help. Eileen.

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  31. Swiss flag for sure, and I'm jealous of it! As other commenters have said, it looks great with the beautiful sofa and makes you look at that room as a whole. Also, I really liked that chair on the left side of the 1st pic.

    My painting looks really good in that frame on the other wall, it's great to get to see it......

    My dear I don't have your email or I would send you my more personal thanks for everything, but once again THANK YOU SO MUCH, I loved what you got and how you used it!

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  32. I love the contrast of the Swiss flag with the sofa. Really does it for me.

    Also, just wanted to mention that A. your blog is awesome, and B. while we were watching the glass house episode on Sunday, my husband said he liked your room best, which was awesome because I've been trying to get him to come around to that kind of style for awhile now, so thank you so much! :)

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  33. Flag and brown hide, definitely! I also lived the roun ornate side table more :)

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  34. While trying to steal this idea for myself I have come to find that perhaps this is not a Swiss flag but a Red Cross flag. The Swiss flag is red with a white cross in the center. Either way it is great! Brown rug stays.

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  35. Flag! It anchors that space really well. I love eclectic art, but when the two images are side by side, for me, the art image looks empty while the flag image looks vibrant.

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  36. flag. love the brown rug too.. and wish you luck on design star. always a big fan of yours from beginning. :)

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  37. Flag! two reasons:
    1. it is heavier and holds the room together without looking like you tried too hard!
    plus the red pop is awesome.

    2. I love red, white, and blue together as long it doesn't look too patriotic. which it doesn't. that being said...keep the flag ;p

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  38. Just discovered your blog... AWESOME!

    I prefer the flag... Adds so much character and boldness... Everyone has a collection of frames on the wall nowadays :-)

    Also I have to say that I loooooved your room in the glass box challenge. The green sofa was to die for and the fabric wallpaper was fantastic!

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  39. Emily,

    I looove the swiss flag

    It's more Emily

    Sophia

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  40. I like everything in the top picture the best, including the Red Cross flag. That flag is a crazy blast to the senses. The brown rug keeps it sane and inviting.

    (But I do also like the nesting table.)

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  41. The flag for sure! Love your home. So well styled, of course! I hope you win on Sunday!

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  42. Glad you are keeping the flag, I like the way it adds a graphic element to the room. I think the gray & white art would work better in a room with lots of brighter colors like greens & oranges. The red in the flag somehow warms up the room more.

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  43. My first thought was that it was the symbol for Red Cross. I shouldn't have taken that medicine for my headache.

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  44. Well, you already decided and that is great because that is exactly what I was gonna say!
    Keep the flag and rearrange art over fire place (i like the version with the blues and ladder thingy)
    I thought I was sick of flags but this one looks cool (and the uneven lines are nice and give some quirk) but I also like the cooky art collection and think it will look good all over the fireplace. Am I rambling here...

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  45. Dang it, I didn't get here in time to vote. But just so you know, I would've chosen the flag. There, you can sleep now. And by the way, congratulations!!!! I have a strong feeling you're the winner. I just know it.

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  46. Both. use the flag to upholster an ottoman. You're so inspiring on the show!

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  47. The top photo is so superior I think its hard to be objective. I think we all subconsciously like it best because the photo quality is so much better. I think to get a more unbiased opinion we either need 2 pro-quality photos or 2 crappy photos :-) You gotta compare apples to apples, right?

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  48. Here's my two cents: even if the second option was styled and shot better, I think you had it right the first time. I vote for the top two pics--the brown hide, the flag, the rattan side table, oh, and I LOVE the ladder thing and that arrangement! PLUS, Brian digs that look so you'll score big points for doing it his way...or so he thinks ;) ...Bear in mind I'm viewing these pics from my itty bitty iPhone screen while in a sleepy stupor :)

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  49. I actually like the Swiss flag- it adds a nice touch, and makes the room seem classic, comfy, yet modern. BTW-- I knew from the beginning that you won the show. Super hoping you did- you would be an AWESOME host!

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  50. well I'm with all of the other 50+ peeps who like the flag. I just dig that unique statement. And I'm with Brian on the warmer hide too, actually. I don't hate the wingback, but it defintely needs to be recovered - too like, but not like the sofa. The nesting tables are sweet, but I kind of think that bentwood piece works better because it echoes the shape of the little leather ottoman. Paint it a gloss color. Maybe kelly or olive green? Put the black and gray art over the fireplace.

    That's all I got. :)

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  51. I definitely agree! I'm on Brian's team-red flag!

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  52. Feeling like the last to jump on the bandwagon, but the flag is just too great and graphic to deny. I should mention that I LOVE the vignette above the fireplace for the AT photos, it seems to let your eye wander around a bit more instead of just focusing on the band of the mantle (and I am a big picture/art leaner, so I'm surprised at my recommendation here). Also, I have one other suggestion, have you considered (gasp) painting the wood trim on the incredible sofa, white (or swiss army red haha)? It'd pop so beautifully with the navy. Plus, you already have a good dose of wood tones in the room..

    Good luck on DS!! I'm excited to see what happens!

    xo
    -julie

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  53. Swiss flag for sure...but I love all things Scandi. Just found your blog via Simply Grove. Great style...Julie

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  54. I think you should keep the flag (but maybe straighten it) and the brown rug. The room is beautiful either way but there are a lot of cool colors so some pops of warm colors would be nice.

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  55. I like the flag, but would like to see a deeper gray or beige or tan behind it. The background of the flag gets a little washed out on the cream like-colored wall. Best of luck!

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  56. I'm usually all about a crazy collection of pictures but I have to say for this I am going to go with the flag. I love the way it looks in your living room. So different and fun!

    Can't wait for the finale Sunday! I have my fingers crossed for you...you've been my pick from the beginning :)

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  57. I love the flag, first thing I saw in the picture and it popped, you go Brian. See he has picked up skills just living with you.

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  58. Brian (the husband)August 19, 2010 at 1:18 PM

    Ha ha ha! I win! I want to thank all my wonderful supporters, you all have excellent taste. Although, I still can't get Em to put the brown hide back in.

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  59. I think your living room is perfect and reminds me how much I love navy.

    I hope you win!!!

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  60. Oh, and I'm partial to the Swiss cross flag.

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  61. Emily - seriously?! It's the flag all the way (even Bearcat knows that). Congratulations, Brian (and Bearcat)!

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  62. Definitely, the flag ... who is the artist? Love it! Also, that woven folding chair? My parents had two when we were growing up and got rid of them at a garage sale in the late 70's! I cry every time I see them somewhere, why, why, why did they do that?! I wish I had them back! So cherish yours, enjoy it. Be sure to include it in the room!

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  63. Although it isn't the Swiss flag, (as that is all red with a white cross), it still wins hands down.

    Although I love the art, the flag is just so much more original and looks crazy against the blue couch, (which looks super comfy).

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  64. Definitely the flag. And to be honest, I liked the original stying better. The rattan table is great and the brown hide adds some warmth. But what do I know? I'M not on a design show!

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  65. The FLAG!!!! And why can't I find $20 nesting tables and $200 awesome rug!

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  66. The flag has another vote! Graphic and bold!

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  67. Ok... Totally unrelated question to the topic at hand: where-oh-where is the airplane in the 3rd picture from?! Love love love it!!

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  68. Anyone know who that sofa is by? I am guessing its vintage..but would love to track it down, as part of my never ending quest for the perfect sofa for my space no less..

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  69. The flag pops! Everyone has a collection of art...go Swiss

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  70. I vote two BIG thumbs up for the flag, as well. (Isn't yours actually the Red Cross flag -- red cross on a white background? The Swiss flag is a white cross on red...)

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  71. CONGRATS..!!

    must be AW-friggin'-SOME feeling winnning the competition.. =)

    i totally heart ur designs.. ALL of em..

    cudya pls pls tell me where u got that GEORGOUS blue couch from..?? its soo beautiful..!!
    CONGRATS agn..!!

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  72. btw.. Jennifer's right actually, the flag u got hanging over the sofa's the sign of the red cross, the swiss flag is the inverse (white cross on red).. ;)
    im a doc, so it hit me right away, but im surprised more ppl didnt pick it up..=)

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  73. the flag. mainly for the red. also because it feels ironic.

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  74. the flag. mainly for the red. but also, it feels ironic.

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  75. I am in love with your sofa. Please let me know where you got it.

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