Monday, September 28, 2009

Met Monday: The Living Room

Thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting another Metamophosis Monday, so that I can share with all of you the mini-transformations of the Casa de la Vanderdogan living room. This summer, we were fortunate enough to have our home photographed for the Buffalo News in a bit they call: Home of the Month.

They opened with: " A place where rusticity meets elegance, in a friendly home in the falls'". As I read the article, and inspected the photos I just beamed with pride. The house looked great this summer, and Susan Martin and her crew from the Buffalo News did a great job of capturing that.
Of course, as we move toward fall, we make changes here. We switch out rugs, move around furniture and accessories; all to create a little more warmth when the chill in the air moves in.

So, this year we moved the rug back into the room (you all might be familiar with it as the rug from Christmas of 2008) and exchanged the two chairs for the sofa that was in the sunroom. The ottoman now lives in storage, and the vintage train cart came back into the space. Pops of a coral/rust/orange-ish (HARD TO PHOTOGRAPH) color came in to bring out the rich rusts and oranges of the rug in throw pullows for the chair and a cableknit throw for the sofa. Curling up with a book and wine in this room has become one of my favorite activities after a long day at work.

Orchids have a special meaning to Scott. It was his first "summer" job tending for orchids, and his first passion and love. He has so much knowledge for all of the varied species of the beautiful plant, that it made it hard not to indulge in one of these gorgeous displays for the space. Would you believe it's fake? Yep, fake as fake can be! But when you have someone who knows so much about real orchids styling the planter ... you can bet it'd be hard to tell.

A lot of times, I photograph our home at night. That's because we don't get a lot of light here in WNY, and it's usually dark when I get home from work. But, this weekend I decided to take a little time to show you all what it looks like during the day. Light pours in from the transom windows aside the fireplace, and a fine glow fills the space from the brightly lit sunroom.

And that folks, is the way we live come fall. I hope you enjoyed the little tour, and I look forward to seeing you all back next week when I get photos of the dining room up.

35 comments:

  1. Beautiful, cozy space! Love the touches of orange! I'm trying to incorporate them here and there in my home too, and am just loving them so far! LOVE your train table! What an amazing piece! Can't wait to see your dining room next week! You have a beautiful home! No wonder it was featured...CONGRATS! :) ~Rhonda

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  2. Love your transformation! Love the colors! Stop by for a visit sometime!
    Michelle

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  3. Artie...just love that you change your family room with the seasons! I don't think I could pick which way I like it best... they are both beautiful! Enjoyed seeing the room bathed in sunlight...this was two Met Mondays in one! :-)Happy MM!

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  4. Great pops of orange and that train train table is enviable.

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  5. Your house is stunning in any season! and I cannot imagine having enough room and/or furniture to completely rotate like that with a new season.... I had never even thought of such a thing, but what a wonderful idea!

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  6. Looks great Artie! Like I previously said, I am glad to see the painting back over the mantle! Now tell me what the two grey items are on top of the books??? They look like vintage metal flower pots that would have fit into a wood carrier and are turned upside down to show the wonderful patina?? Brimfield finds??? They're perfect with the books, table and beads!
    G in CT

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  7. Love the room...makes you just want to curl up and read a book !

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  8. It's absolutley gorgeous! I LOVE your rail cart! I have been wanting one and have no idea where to find one. Suggestions?

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  9. Oh I love the look of the sofa. It is so pretty and the color is just perfect. What a great room. Every detail is perfect. Hugs, Marty

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  10. Both before and after are beautiful, Artie! No wonder it was featured on the Buffalo News! Orchids are my favorite flowers....Christine

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  11. Artie- thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment about my transformation- you made my day!! I sneak over to your lovely blog all the time to see all your wonderful inspiration. It has been fun to see this room over the past year and all the creative touches you continue to give to always make it look fresh and inviting!

    blessings
    mary

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  12. Artie, Artie, Artie. You know I'm loving this. All that yummy texture and delicious hues - I am really in love with that book display - what do you have perched there with the gorgeous beads?? They look stone... do tell.
    Great job.
    xo Isa

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  13. Absolutely gorgeous, Artie! I love the combo of the crisp green and the warm oranges. I don't know why, but the painting on the mantel doesn't feel right for the fall. What the hell? LOL

    Justine :o )

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  14. Hi Artie, it was so nice to see you at my place! What a cozy and inviting room...love 'em both ! I took a peek at your last TT...so chic, just loooove that tree branch, it really "made" the ambiance!

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  15. Love your fall look -- love the touches of orange and the coziness of the sofa and the coffee table -- fantastic! Love the rusticness of it. And I really like that piece next to the couch -- it's really neat and I love the color!

    It's a nice space -- either summer or winter. Perhaps I need to rethink Linderhof's winter spaces . . . my winterizing is bringing the plants in -- the greenery creates a coziness I think.

    Love the orchid -- we grow them and I would have never guessed that that was faux (a nicer word than fake (BIG GRIN)!

    Martha

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  16. Oh, boy...this looks fantastic. I love that you can change out your chairs for a sofa and back again. Pretty dang cool.
    I love everything here...and, I have forgotten the story about the door leaning on the wall...?? It is so pretty.
    Oh, and on Oct. 1 at Rhoda's Fall party I have a post ready with the little bird tealights. If you get a chance, swing by....
    xo bj

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  17. Hi Artieness! I love your beautiful Fallen look! You switched sofas! I love this green one with all of the orange! You're always making pretty! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  18. HI Artie, I haven't been here in awhile and have missed your wonderful blog! I just love this room, and I couldn't pick which way I like it best. I love to decorate for the seasons too! I have done all my fall decorating but have to post it on RMS since I don't have a blog:):) So glad YOU do though! Thanks for sharing this beauty! Pinky

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  19. Such a warm, comfortable room! And I love your woodwork!

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  20. What a lovely transformation! I love the green sofa...so light and fresh. And the oranges are so warm! This combination of colors are my favorites. Interestingly, I was looking at a leather chair today...very much like those in the photos. I do have concerns about the dogs' nails, though. They always seem to be on the furniture when I come home...

    Cheers,
    Jane (Artfully Graced)

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  21. Love your arrangement - very cozy !
    Kammy

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  22. I adore the wooden piece in your back left corner - perhaps a desk? And the urn on top is lovely - beautiful room, nice and cozy for those COLD, SNOWY NY winters!!

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  23. Hi,
    I really want to thank you for the nice comment on my blogpost!
    And now I have found your blog! Thank you!

    Greet

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  24. What a pretty transformation. And congrats on the feature! I loved how light the mantel looked for summer, but now it's perfect for fall. How smart of you to use things all over your house that can be moved from room to room.

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  25. Oh,I love your home! I love that color on your walls! It just looks like the kind of place you would want to curl up,light a fire, and read a good book. Thanks for stopping by and leaving the kind words you made my day. Traci

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  26. It looks wonderful, as always. It just makes me want to sit down with a good book and some chocolate. BTW, are you applying for Design Star again? Hope so - you definitely have the talent. Sally

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  27. This is simply beautiful. I agree with the first line of "where rusticity meets elegance". My kind of style. Love the music you've set to this post. My hubby sitting next to me even asked "who's that?"! Thanks for posting your talent.
    Cheryl
    www.cherylkugler.com

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  28. Artie, I love the green sofa with the pops of orange in the room! Simply comfortably elegant. How fun to change furnishings out for the seasons.
    :-) Sue

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  29. I love that you change things for the seasons! I do that too although I don't move my furniture around too much. It looks great and I love the pops of orange!

    Manuela

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  30. You have a lovely home, it deserves to be photographed and featured!

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  31. Beautiful changes in the room, it looks so warm and inviting. Love the orange and green together. Thanks for stopping by.
    Sandy

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  32. Hi,
    I didn't see this transformation earlier in the week but am very glad I saw it just now.
    Your home is lovely, so tasteful & elegant.
    I'll be back soon to see the dining room.
    a bientot
    Maggie

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  33. Love your style--dark and homey. That's what I aspire for my home to someday be!

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  34. Artie~ I'm still trying to catch up. A lot goes on when you take a blogcation.
    I adore a warm and cozy setting for fall. The warm wood pulls it all together. what is it about French doors that "I love sooo." I would have my house ensconced in French doors if I could...It probably would be a tad awkward since I live on a boulevard...unless I invested in several drapes, but that would defeat the purpose...oh well, a girl can dream anyway,lol.

    Sweet wishes
    Sara

    P.S. love that song "Like a Star" on your player.

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  35. What a cozy space, I can see why you might like to cozy up with a book. I love the orchid.
    -Angela

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