Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Canine Transformation: Part 1

If you've been following our Dad's blog for any length of time, you've likely seen the living room change ... over and over and over again! But if you think you've seen them all, trust us, there are hundreds of things he tries and never takes pictures of.

We've watched his attempts over the years, and each time he puts something together we paw all over it ... but secretly, we have always had something else in mind.

This sofa is quite comfortable, and it's big! REALLY, REALLY BIG! So I (D) had an idea to switch it up a bit. But first I needed a better look of the room, higher up, from a human's perspective ...

so I had Abby give me a boost! Once I got up there, I knew exactly what we needed to do. Abby was questioning the idea so I called her up.


That's when our plan really started to take shape. All we needed was a night alone, and the help of someone with thumbs! Once we got that, we could make this room perfect!

So I went off to find a human to help, and Abby did what she does best ...


Eventually - Abby got up off of her hind quarter and helped me and our found human (Dad) push some things around ...

And voila. When we first moved to New York, before D was around ... oh, those were the days ... Dad and D2 got these 4 leather chairs, and large ottoman. I remember that Dad tried several arrangements.

I'm not sure why he ended up using the sofa in the living room, but D and I always thought that the room would look much better with the leather chairs around the ottoman. Then, we switched around some of the side tables, had Dad by a bridge lamp and recycled pressed paper shade, but everything else pretty much stayed exactly where it was. How's that for a quick change!?

First we tried my (Abby) set of accessories for the space. A large wicker tray/bowl Dad bought at Pottery Barn filled with books D2 (Scott) loves to read. A zinc urn held a beautiful arrangement of orange tulips, and I put some books and a bowl D2 found in Texas on the side table.
I love the look of throws gently perched on chair arms - so I had to arrange this one just so. Oh, and I changed out the apothecary jar with the mini bottles for one slightly larger. I like that it looks 1/2 full now.

I forgot to mention we got 4 new pillows, covered in a delicious flax colored linen with white piping, and of course - filled with Down, always Down!

And looking into the room now, you see that there is a completely different layer of sophistication to the room. We like to call it, Yuppy Puppy.

But Abby failed to mention something to you great bloggy humans! I had my own ideas for what would work in the space. Sure, Abby's ideas of accessories were ok for a blonde! But I wear a tuxedo everyday! I know sophistication.

First I put together this ottoman vignette. Two of D2's favorite cast iron replica's of moi on a tray covered with grasscloth, adorned with my own tulip creation! I took the other apothecary jar that Abby didn't need because she wanted things to be 1/2 full, and did a layered moss and stone botanical planting with beautiful fresh tulips in a silky white with lemon centers.

The white really helps to bring the white mats of the bullfight prints (Picasso) and the white piping in the pillows we had Dad buy onto that ottoman. Plus - with the dark ebony stain on the tray, it helps give those chairs some balance. Abby was on track - but really, this is chic! I moved her urn of tulips too - and I bet you're wondering where!

Right into the very space where we moved the sofa! The sofa was so comfy it had to be in the sunroom where we could lounge about all day, sunning and watching Judge Judy! Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Before the sunroom held two of the leather chairs, and the ottoman that we moved in the living room. Now, with the help of our Dad, (although I did almost ALL the heavy lifting) we have a comfy space that can easily be opened up into the living room - or closed off into it's own space. Oh, the doggy naps we'll have in here.

Of course, we know you're looking forward to more pictures of the sunroom, and I bet you're wondering where else we've had our decorating paws. Check back tomorrow and Wednesday!
OH! AND! Dad said we get to be a part of Tablescape Thursday! So, look forward to that post, too!

42 comments:

  1. You did a most excellent job! Your Dad is quite fortunate to have you both! Just lovely.

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  2. Wow that looks amazing! Glad you popped by to leave a comment! I love your blog...Aww your furry babies are so adorable!

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  3. Thanks for the visit! :)

    Lovely rooms--I especially like the angled rug under the leather chairs.

    ~ Sarah

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  4. Wait!!! I thought all the chairs didn't fit in there!! Artie, I mean Abby and D - it looks so wonderful in there. seriously, I could cry!!! It looks so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and i love that lighting painting. omg- this is beautiful!

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  5. Wow - what a beautiful room! Thanks for coming over and saying hello! It's so nice to meet you!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  6. I love the furniture flip Artie! The vignette on the ottoman is awesome too. Great post by your assistants too! Keep 'em comin'! ☺♥☺ Diane

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  7. I died laughing seeing you pups on the sofa - the expressions on your cute faces is priceless. Happiness on 4 legs!

    What a great switch up! The living room looks fantastic with the 4 chairs and ottoman and the couch and cart table look like they were made for the sunroom. It's LOVELY!

    Three cheers and a woof woof!
    xo Isa

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  8. Hi Artie, love what you did with the room! Outstanding!! The sunroom looks wonderful too, would love to see more. What helpful dogs you have! Looking forward to your tablescape. Kristen

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  9. Hey what a grand idea! Moving the furniture around is perfect!!!

    Kudos!

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  10. Artie!! I love the look of four chairs!! It's so cozy and makes alot of sense to me! Gorgeous.

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  11. Hi there:) Lovely room and adorable doggies!

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  12. The room is now so much more open and comfortable. Great vignette on the ottoman, as well. Everything looks VERY nice, boys! I wish I had some doggie help.... I have some projects upcoming... Do you rent out?
    ruff ruff Sue

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  13. I am crazy about this fabulous arrangement. How neat that you have enuf room in your amazing house that you can move furniture around like this. It looks fantastic!
    Another house I love? Charlie's on 2 1/2 Men....isn't it awesome!!

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  14. Manly but I like it too! The vignette on the ottoman really makes it perfect. I love the tulips and the new arrangement in the sunroom really draws you in there, I love it! Abby and D are a dynamic duo.

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  15. Love it all...what a huge transformation just by moving the furniture. I want to see more of the sunroom...the sofa looks like it was meant to go there. I think I will go see what furniture I can move around now!

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  16. I just love the new layout! Everything really looks great, those pups sure can decorate.
    ~Michelle

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  17. You Yuppy Puppy's sure can pull a room together. It looks amazing. I love your choice of accessories.
    Have a great day laying on the sofa in the sunroom! ~~Terrie~~

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  18. ~Beautifully done Artie!

    Your dogs are absolutely precious!

    Have a wonderful day.
    ~Melissa :)

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  19. Fabulous post!

    I am so happy to find other "canines" interested in decorating. I always have an opinion about all that moving of furniture and vignette creating at our house. It's so wonderful when my folks listen to me!

    Keep up the good work, sweeties. I'm looking forward to the tablescape!

    Hugs and Kisses
    Molly

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  20. Hey you two adorable Poochies ... I left you a comment on the post below this one .......

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  21. thanks for stopping by to visit my blog and for your kind comments, i hope you visit again. The room is absolutely beautiful!!! and im exactly like your dad, im forever playing around with the living room, other rooms i dont change as often.
    hugs
    janet

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  22. Hey, just 'cuz' we blondes don't wear evening gowns all the time we do have sophistication!

    A job well-done KIDS!

    Hugs, hugs -Brenda-

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  23. Great rooms! This is a wonderful blog, I'm so glad I came upon it. The fresh design of your space is really nice, but it was beautiful before. I think I remember your rooms from Rate my space, were you on there? Bill in FL

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  24. BEAUTIFUL JOB PUPS!

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  25. Y'all did a wonderful job!

    It looks fantastic...and omg if you don't mind I'd like to squish in with you on that couch in that uber inviting sun room while we giggle at Judge Judy lettin' someone have it the way she does. Heaven.

    Oh, and if you could please teach my poodle some of your tricks, I'd much appreciate it.

    -Nat :)

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  26. You decorating dogs are something straight out of a magazine! I think you should send these pictures into Better Pups and Gardens!

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  27. Oh D and Abby, you two are just adorable. I have to admit, I'm a little partial to you,D, because you look so much like a little fuzzy face I had named Sugar! We had her for 15 years and she was my baby!

    Now you two little darlings have helped your Dads so much, I can tell! The decorating is just beautiful! Glad you're able to jump, um, I mean hop up ever so gently on all of the furniture! Tell you Daddy Artie hello!
    Be a couple of fuzzy sweeties,
    Shelia :)

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  28. You pups sure know how to decorate! Well done....I know you love your new digs in the sunroom!

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  29. Oh the pooches will have a field day with leather chairs and down pillows.

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  30. I'm in love with all of it. You pretty puppies sure know your way around a room or two! You think you could teach some of us humans your tricks?

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  31. Well I am not so sure I am interested in decorating, like some other dogs who write to you. Hope that's OK.

    I just want enough comfy sofas and cushions to flop on, but I sure could use some opposable thumbs, and I've always thought pockets would be a good thing for dogs to have. Anything I didn't want to eat right away I could put in a pocket. It would be sweet.

    My Mom says she really likes someone called Otto Man in your pictures, but I don't see any Otto Man, I just see a big footstool. Humans. Go figure.

    Mom also says to tell you to tell your dad that the paint color he mentioned in his comment on her blog (which for some reason is NOT all about me and Connie) is Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan HC-45. Mom says it is a great color, a bit changeable, and absorbs light, whatever that means. She says she used a slightly lighter color also, in the hallways and stairwells -- HC-44, Shaker Beige, Benjamin Moore again. She says it is more reflective.

    I understand I am not reflective, I am more reactive. So they say, anyway.

    So nice to meet you, dude. That's one big honkin' sister dog you got there. I once was in love with a girl like her, but I didn't have a ladder....

    The other dog who lives here only weighs 14 pounds, but she's kind of opinionated for such a dinky dog.

    Bye -- Dion DiPoochy

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  32. Hey there! It was great to see a new face commenting on my blog. Thanks so much.

    I'm totally with you about waiting for the PB bargains. I've scored in a MAJOR way on some great items. It's patience that's the hard part ;).

    I LOVE your living room, by the way. It's very masculine, cozy and inviting. Love it.

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  33. I love the leather! You have excellent taste. Thanks for visiting my blog to see my front door.

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  34. EXCELLENT! Really like the change! D you are welcome to my house any time. Of course, no one ever turns away a blonde either Abby!

    G in CT

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  35. D, you and Abby are frigging canine geniuses!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe your dodo daddy never thought to try this arrangement! Although be careful when you light that fire... the ottoman is a little too close for comfort!
    One of these days I'd love to take a little snooze with you on that nice comfy couch in the sunroom. Ahhhhhhhhhh. But first, you'll have to tell me what your full name is. Even dodo daddy wouldn't just give you an initial for a name!

    Justine :o )

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  36. Yo, my fuzz-butt homies!!!!!! It's me, Strudel! Mommy just popped into the kitchen for some of that coffee stuff she likes and I hopped on up here on her chair. Hey, what she doesn't know isn't gonna hurt her, right? Anyway D, I just wanted you to know that I think you're sooooooo cute, and soooooooo talented. I think I can learn a lot from you, and well, Abby too. We've got to give the girl some credit, right? I have to stick by my home girls, know what I mean, D?
    Slurp slurp,
    Strudel

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  37. Ruff, ruff, woof, woof,rrrruuufff

    For all of you people who don't understand dog talk.....the translation is...

    Great, great, wonderful, wonderful, fantastic!!!!!!

    Licks :)
    'D'

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  38. lol This is adorable! I love your furbabies...and the new arrangement looks fantastic! Thanks so much for coming by and saying hello...hope you are having a great week!

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  39. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love your dogs. They're adorable!

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  40. Adorable doggies! Love it all, especially the last picture with the urn and books on that cool coffee table!

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  41. Wow, I do love the furniture placement and how the two rooms flow so nicely! Daddy, let the fur-babies decorate more often!
    :-) - SherylCanadianGirl

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  42. Fabulous job, puppies! Your dad is my ultimate newest blog crush!!!!

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