River House Diary

Once I decided on darker throw pillows for the sofa , the decision about the lumbar pillow was an easy one. The Gabrielle Chambray fabric from Ballard Designs would be perfect. Gabrielle Chambray fabric; courtesy of Ballard Designs It picked up the darker blue fabric as well as the beige-y gold sofa fabric. Of course, I ran into another issue, because nothing about the great room has been easy. Ballard Designs no longer carried the fabric. This time eBay came to the rescue and I was able to order enough for a lumbar pillow.

 Once I had decided on the dark Romilly Embroidered throw pillows for the great room sofa, I needed to order a second pillow. I had originally planned for it to "live" on a wingback chair so had ordered only one. Romilly 22" Square Embroidered Pillow; courtesy of Pottery Barn However, the pillow was no longer available from Pottery Barn. Google saved me. A website I had never heard of -- BLINQ  -- had three left in stock. The second Romilly pillow waiting for its insert; personal collection

 The decorative pillows for the sofa have been quite a puzzle. When the sofa was first delivered it looked like this: Sofa with the too dark lumbar pillow; personal collection The lumbar pillow was too dark and the Baker Furniture occasional tables overwhelmed the sofa. On to attempt number two: Three throw pillow option; personal collection Okay, kind of boring as there isn't much contrast between the pillows. The small occasional table on the left is too yellow. Five pillow option; personal collection Still not enough contrast and it looks a bit crowded with the extra long lumbar pillow (originally made for the bench), but the David Francis Mahogany Swirl end tables look great! Final option; personal collection Darker large pillows and and paisley fabric for a small lumbar pillow that picks up the color of the sofa and the darker blue.

I backed away from the edge of fabric selections that did not complement the coastal theme of our house. Instead, we hung the water color painting of the creek behind our old house in the back hallway. That got me back on track for some lovely blue and white fabrics for our primary guest bedroom -- the one with the river view and access to the screen porch. Eastern Accents Penelope bedding collection from Eastern Accents; courtesy of  Eastern Accents The draperies will be in the embroidered fern leaf fabric. They will be fully operable, blackout lined and stacked on the right hand side so there is easy access to the sliding glass doors. The bed will be the Carmine upholstered bed in Blick Denim -- the velvet fabric on the Euro shams in the photo above.  Penelope bedding swatches; personal collection Hopefully, everything gets delivered in time for Thanksgiving. Also, in the room are the David Francis Charleston Mahogany Swirl chest (which has been discontinued), the Uttermost...

We have a watercolor painting of the creek behind our Oakton house that we bought from a local artist. We love it but finding a place for it in River House has been a challenge. If we don't use it in the back guest room, then it really doesn't have a home. So that's what we're going to do.  Bull Run Creek by M. P. Strickler; personal collection It's has lots of blues in it which would continue the blue theme of our coastal home, but it also provides the opportunity to go in a different direction. I think this is okay in guest rooms. Fabrics from Eastern Accents; personal collection And a better swatch of Sloane Prism -- the floral/botanical print: Sloane Prism; courtesy of Eastern Accents We have decided on the Eastern Accents Carmine upholstered headboard -- fabric yet to be determined.

 I've decided to move the Thurston Wing Chair from Ballard Designs that lived in our Oakton house master bedroom to the guest room that overlooks the water. That means I need a club chair for the great room. I think I've decided on the Maggie Chair also from Ballard Designs in the Gabrielle Chambray fabric. Maggie Chair in Gabrielle Chambray; courtesy Ballard Designs

 The date for the delivery of our long awaited sofa is growing closer and closer so I am thinking about the finishing details of the great room more often. I've started collecting art for the mantel and the gallery wall above the bench. I also purchased a floor lamp to place beside the chair (yet to be purchased) that will be placed near the fireplace. Crossing at dusk; courtesy Pottery Barn Secluded Coast 1; courtesy Pottery Barn Kate Spade Walker Floor Lamp by Visual Comfort; courtesy Lumens