I think some of you may have been worried about me.
You’ve heard me go on and on and on about the new old house.
You’ve listened to the story of how we bought back the house I grew up in.
You’ve watched me decorate.
You’ve read about how I transformed the office with drop cloth drapes.
The rooms are pretty, you think to yourself. I can see where she’s going.
But.
But….girl.
That is a lot of neutral.
Bless my heart.
Good thing I like to keep you on your toes.
Good thing I like to keep you guessing.
Because just when you think I’m all about neutral….
I go and do this.
I know, right?
Are you as surprised as I am?
The living room is about to go all blue and white with beautiful artwork with blue and red and vivid colors in it.
And this is phase one.
I’m starting where all really good rooms start…
…with a rug.
I ordered this rug from Overstock a while back and it just arrived today.
It’s a 10′ x 14′ rug to allow the furniture to fit on it.
The walls are going to be painted.
And there are some new pieces for the room.
And I’m repurposing some thrift store finds.
And the back of that beautiful carved built-in bookcase will be painted navy.
I don’t want to give it all away because I want to surprise you.
But do you want to see some of the textiles I’m looking at for the space?
The curtains are being replaced and there are chairs going under the window and fabrics that may or may not look like this.
Truth?
I still love neutrals.
But every now and then I want to walk on the wild side.
Color made me do it.
Bless my heart. 🙂
PS Please ignore the wrinkles in the rug.
I literally JUST unrolled it and snapped these pictures.
My rug and I were so excited we couldn’t wait to be wrinkle free to share.
Karianne! I love the rug..it's bold and beautiful. I can't wait to see the space come together. I am so enjoying your journey with this new old house!
I am thrilled! While I love Farmhouse decor (and your home is beautiful), I am so excited to see color! For me, color is a joyful thing. So when I see rooms devoid of color, I see rooms without much joy. Consequently, I just can't wait to see a colorful room in your happy home!
Uh oh. It is going to be different. Can't wait to see the end result.
hold on.....you turned left when i thought we were going straight... another fun Karianne adventure!! I can't wait to see (and want to copy) your new room!
OMG!! The color pixie took over!! I know there is one because I have one and she/he has no taste at all. Sometimes I'll put it all together like the pixie suggested, and it looks like the color wheel went nuts. But you, my friend, have a pixie with taste. So all will look beautiful and coordinated. I'm giving my pixie your book to read before we start on any other project. Can't wait to see your progress. Sending 🤗
nooooo. it is beautiful with just the rug and a few pillows or accents. But, it's your home....thanks for sharing your dreams.
I love where you're going with this! I think having a neutral base is the perfect jumping off point, and I love the freshness of blue and white. Do you notice how all the spring magazines feature blue and white on the covers? They even name the issue the "Blue and White Issue"! And with your neutral base, you'll be ready to decorate with green and red come December!!! Always fun to follow you on your path!
Ta-DAAA!!! Love the (navy) blue~ I think you were influenced by a cute sailor a few years back and kept it a secret...ha ha ha
It will be beautiful like always. Can't wait to see.
Loving the new direction. Neutral is not my personal cup of tea although I admire the way you've pulled it together in your new old house. Looking forward to seeing what you do next!
Ooooooh, this is going to be gorgeous!!!!
Being a color enthusiast ....I’m going to enjoy this walk of yours on the wild side! Just have fun with it...and mix in a few stories!! ;)
You go, sweetie. Another exciting adventure ❣️
What a wonderful journey - absolutely LOVE your direction- you go girl!
I'm very interested in how you do with the rug. I ordered one from wayfair this winter that looks so much like yours. I had to return it because the creases didn't come out. Please let us know how that works for you. I love in an area with so few shopping places and online is nearly my only option! Did your rug come rolled and then folded over? PS... If you have another garage sale I'd love to buy your old curtains LOL! Love them!!
Even though I love the farmhouse neutral look, I love color more. It just makes me happy to walk into my chili/ orangey family room. So the adventure begins!! Can’t wait to see the finished room! And of course it will be beautiful ✨
YAY! Excited to see you having so much fun with this house. But I've gotten to the point that I consider blue a neutral--I call blue and green God's neutrals. Everything matches the skies and the trees, right? :) This looks awesome, KariAnne!!
I was reading and thinking the very same thought - Blue is a neutral in my book (as is green, although I use it far less in my home).
All I can say is, " It's about time, Missy!" I love the new rug!!! I bought one similar to it from Waverly for my Mom before last Thanksgiving. We both loved it!! Actually, I think yours is even prettier.. 😉 Welcome to the world of color!!!!
Love where you're headed! I can't wait to see what you do with the fabrics. Especially love the painterly dot fabric. And the paisley. Always love a paisley!
Over the years starting when we were married in 1970 - we have had avocado (yuck), greens and apricots, then golden yellow and reds -- but now we have just redecorated with neutrals and blues. It started with a new area rug in our family room that is traditional with blues, taupes and creams - then new leather club chairs, and then the pillows - lots of pillows in creams, navy and a mix of light/dark blues, We had our 40+ year old trestle farm table refinished, in the dining room, added new Parson's chairs with creamy white slipcovers - and navy/denim table runner and place mats. I just said to my husband last night that I never thought we would decorate with blue, but we are loving it. It's refreshing, and at our ages you need to keep your home up to date - because as they say "if you look good you feel better"! I love the addition of blue to your home as well.
I love where you're headed but you know me and color! 😉 I can't wait to see the transformation. Beautiful rug!
I am so proud of you. Color does bring life to the room. I have read where color is coming back to decorating. Neutral is a fabulous background. Anything you create is amazing no matter what. You are fabulous!
This is truly gorgeous!!!! I love .... love that rug!! BUT..... I think my heart skipped a beat... maybe even slowed down a bit??? lololol.... Ummmmm.... you are taking down those amazing "rock star" burlap smocked curtain panels???????????????????????????? Please say they are being hung elsewhere????? :) .... they would be really lonely packed away in a box in the attic somewhere................................. :)
I love it! Our new house will be ready to move in soon and I too am doing blues. I work as a designer for a popular furniture store and blue will be taking the place of gray next season! We're ahead of our time! I've never ever done blues in my own home but as I get older I can appreciate this lovely color! Your space will be very lovely!
Oh thank you. I love the rug and can't wait to see the finished room. It will be beautiful.
Love it! I have my eye on a blue and gold rug I saw on Pinterest. Now to find the actual rug! Lol! I can’t wait to see what comes next!
I love blue! It’s used in almost every room in our house. Front door will turn blue after our spring here in Ohio decides to turn summer. I can’t wait to see the blues in your home. I think you should produce a coffee table book with beautiful pictures from your “homes.” Such inspirations.
Beautiful. I love neutral walls and furnishings so I can switch up the accents for the seasons. Love the blue (could be because that is what I have right now!!!
Oh but I love the curtains. I have a set in my closet just waiting to be hung in the perfect house. We are selling in July and so I hope to get my own lil place ( divorce just finalized). And now I get to decorate without any hassles. Yippee! Oh and btw the rug is beautiful!
Woo-hoo! Finally, the Karianne that decorated her little office house in black, bright pink, and white is shining through. I love neutrals too, but only as a backdrop for my beloved COLOR! I’m so excited to see these gorgeous textiles.
I can’t wait to see the color infusion! I have been reading your blog for a long time, even though our styles are so different, because I love your stories. When you did the gatehouse pink and black I was in love! You keep mixing it up and sucking me back in!
WOO-HOO! KARIANNE! How awesome! You've been playing around in the crayon box again and found the blue! Yay! I'm a BIG blue and white fan. I love that rug. To tell you a secret, as much as I love neutrals, I love color as well and the neutrals were a little much for me. However, you do it so well, it always turns out beautiful! Can't wait to see it all finished. Your spin will make it awe-mazing! ❤
Totally with you on your adventure into your wild side. I love neutrals with texture also, but usually only in the bedrooms for their calming effect. Everywhere else, COLOR. Happy, wild, beautiful color. Your blue and white pallet will be perfect for that room. Bless your sweet, beautiful heart.
I cannot wait to see the new incarnation of this room! The rug is fabulous!
Can't wait!!!
Blue is my absolute favorite decorating color and I know you will make is shine perfectly. 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 Can’t wait to see it all come together. The rug is stunning. Let us know HOW you got the wrinkles out if it, please. I’ve tried everything, and as soon as any humidity comes back, the wrinkles return!
I love your new rug and I can't wait to see what you do with the blue and white fabrics. Blue and white has always been my favorite color combination. I'm glad that blue is coming back!! Yay for blue!!! And yay for you!!! I hope others will follow your lead. The blues should look stunning in your new (old childhood) home!
How exciting!!! The rug is beautiful- or can I say blue-tiful 😀.
Hallelujah!! It will be fabulous.
Love, love, love the sharp turn you took into a new page of the color deck!
Love, love, love the blue!!!!!😍💕 Best color EVER!!!
Yes! Can’t wait to see new curtains and the color! How exciting!
Yesss! I love color. Having no color is like having vanilla ice cream every day. What? no sprinkles —no cherry on top? I love the blue! Good choice .
Noooooooo... stop at the rug!!! Lol I am afraid of colour 😬😬😬 I love the rug, though! I can’t wait to see the rest! Maybe you will bring ME to the wild side, too!!! Have fun, darling!
The rug is wonderful and a great price...Love the blue and white...perfect...and a dose of the stripes...fabulous!
I doesn't look like it snowed in your house anymore.....keep up puttin some more color accents!
Blue and white is always so classic. This will look great with Your wood floors and moulding. Looking forward to seeing it!
Be still my heart!!! So glad to finally see color!! It’s going to be beautiful ❤️
I Love It!!!! Can't wait to see how everything turns out! I vote for the blue and white stripe. Stripes are classic and you can never go wrong with a classic!
LOVE!!! I'm going with a blue & white theme in my home so I'm excited to see what you do! I am desperate for ideas!!!
WAIT!!!!!! I NEEEEEEDDDDDDD THOSE CURTAINS. Just in case you couldn't hear me all the way down in TX. The rug looks great!
I've always loved blue!! Can't wait to see what you do. Love the rug!!
So, Miss K, I will take those old curtains off your hands in a flash!! You really surprise me with all the redecorating - I can't keep up!! One question: Do you hire all this work out? It exhausts me to think of doing all this painting?!!
What an adventure...it's what keeps us coming back - that and your sweet ways (of course). The classic blue & white will flow like the Danube!! Such a nice addition to the neutrals. Can't wait to see what's next.
Yay! I'm going blue in my dining room. It all started with a rug from Pottery Barn that I love more than the day it arrived. lol Can't wait to see what you do in the living room. SO exciting!
Love love love blue and white. We moved to an old house 4 1/2 years ago and I’ve been working nearly each room to blue and white ( not all the blues are exactly the same...neither are the whites). But I love it!
Wow! I'm SO excited! But, you have shown us before that you like color! :-) I KNOW it's going to be just as gorgeous as ever! Hugs!
Yes, I have been thinking for a long time 'that's a lot of neutral girl'. Color is trending everywhere. I am glad. While my home has neutral basics, I love art and colorful accents. Life isn't bland and decor should follow. When things look good, it's easy to keep repeating that success in every room. While every decor should harmonize throughout the house, it should have some commonality but not be exactly the same in each room.
KariAnne, I love the way you are introducing the blue to this room! Your new carpet is beautiful! I love blue and white and we have a lot of this in our country home. I also love the smocked burlap curtains we have in our Great Room -- which I ordered immediately once you introduced them! We always have so many great comments on our burlap curtains, Have a blessed day!
You go girl. I love it and love blue. Can't wait to see where all this is going.
It will be fun to see your new design. Can you please tell me where you bought your current curtains and rug and if you have a specific description of them and/or link that would be awesome. I have admired them every time I see them!
Oh please tell me my love of color rubbed off on you just a little. 😄. Love that blue rug and especially like that first blue fabric. I know the room will be beautiful.
Actually, I had a feeling you had something up your sleeve. Love it when I'm right. ;) While I love your smocked curtains, as soon as I saw that rug, my thought was that the curtains don't fit the space anymore. Kinda hoping the curtains are the first blue and white pattern you showed, but I guess I'll have to wait to find out. What is it about blue? I used to have blue decor ... then I veered into red accents with a little green ... but now I'm wanting blue again. Enjoying the ride you are taking us on.
Love the rug! How do you see go about purchasing a rug from Overstock or Wayfair type stores? Do you have any tips on what you look for in a rug when you’re purchasing it unseen so that it isn’t a disaster when it arrives, i.e. cheaply made and not worth the shipping to return it? I’m looking for a new area run for our family room and would like save some pennies but am hesitant to purchase online (but really want to!).
Please, no polka dots!!
Polka dots all the way!
Live on the wild side - go with color! I really do like you home - it looks so inviting.
Hi, Sweet Lady! I wear a lot of blue, but haven’t used much in our decor ~ just some aqua in the kitchen, the light turquoise from my dad-in-law’s silk flight map and now the wooden map (metal’s reflection) in a guestroom. But I LOVE your blue rug! And especially the blue brushstroke print fabric! I suppose it’s the “artist” in me ... (I do use that term very loosely!) I’m crazy about painterly shapes and forms. And the navy paint ~ swoon! Can’t wait to see the progress ~ though lately your “thinking about it” becomes a finished room in just a day or so, with no waiting!!! p.s. I’ll join those who’d love to take the gorgeous smocked draperies off your hands! If you decide to sell, I’ll drive up to get them ~ “meet you on the Square!” (But you really should use them elsewhere!)
I absolutely love Blue & White! It's my all-time favorite! I think it's so classic. The new rug is gorgeous. I was thinking about your old house the other day and I remembered photos of the Blue & White curtains as well as the Blue & White rug. Thanks for sharing!
Heard the loveliest compliment about you today Karianne at a little birthday gathering. My friend told me how helpful you were, and how you emailed her back with information she asked you about. I admit she was bragging just a bit about her very own email from Karianne. We all proceeded to talk about you like you were are very best friend in blogging land. Truly, we think you are ! Thanks for putting a little color in your beautiful new/old home!
YOU ARE SO CUTE
That rug. It definitely shrieked to be seen. So gorgeous. Love the blue and white! Can’t wait to see the full reveal!
Navy (or any shade of blue) and white are my favorite! Like my whole house FAVORITE! Love that rug and those fabrics are gorgeous! You Rebel!
Such a pretty rug, KariAnne, and those fabrics are gorgeous! Your room is already beautiful, but I look forward to seeing what you do next.
I can’t WAIT to see this! It’s the classic color way I love most, and I’m headed in the same direction in my living room! And I have a little dream...while visiting my sister who lives nearby in Pilot Point, TX, I will bump into you on the streets of McKinney, and we will chat, and have a sweet tea, and maybe a peek at your beautiful new home! A girl can dream, right?
Thank you! I loved the warmth of your farmhouse! I am glad to see you warming up this house. I, personally, find neutral over neutral over neutral boring, and you are anything but!! Beautiful carpet! Looking forward to seeing the updates!
Hello! I am enjoying your blog and love all your stories! I love the blue changes you are making to your room. The rug is beautiful and so are the fabrics you are looking at. I just read your book So Close to Amazing. Once I started, I could not put it down, so I read the entire book in one evening!!! I love your writing style and you had my attention the whole time! All of your homes have been so beautiful because of your talent for decorating. The posts are all so interesting! I also love how you insert your wonderful faith in God in all of your writing. You are truly an inspiring person, and a great role model for young women of today. God bless you.
Oh my goodness when I saw your new rug, it was like......yeeeessssssssss !! I am so excited to see what you do !! I have collected flow blue pottery for years and use Blue and White like crazy in decorating. So for you to change it up,will give me some great ideas!! I cannot wait ! I love your style and your peacefulness of the finished project ! Checking in daily !! Thanks for sharing your ideas with us !
Oh you are so surprising! Good choice with the new rug, lovely!
Now you know you're going to have to tell everyone what you do with the curtains. They are almost as iconic to you as red lipstick and good hair days, Which reminds me, you were totally cracking me up on your video on Facebook the other day admiring your own wind tossed hair and fabulous earrings. I totally do that kind of thing when I'm Facetiming my sister. I am so happy that your life seems jolly and I loved the tour of your first house. That is such a pretty place and such a great story. Here's some sugar from VA, Darlin'. All the best, The Other Marian
Blue and white with wood tones are my all time favorite! So excited to see where you go with this :)
Walk on the wild side! How exciting. Love blue and white. Good luck!
In my world blue and white is tops! I love the rug and I can't wait to see what comes next.
Whoops, forgot to mention that I just painted a pine cabinet SW Peacock Blue. I fell in love with the color, was afraid it would be too much but took the leap. I'm so glad I did : )
Okay this is not related to your house...I always love what you do-take that walk on the wild side ! I am patiently waiting for Poldark...but found the sweetest series...Lark Rise to Candleford. It has one of the characters from The Bleak House (the one in the chair that got shimmied up) and Mr. Bates from Downton Abbey. Watching it on Amazon Prime.
Girl, I can't wait to see the finished space! The fabrics you may or may not be using are so whimsical and fun. Way to shake things up. Welcome to the color side, my favorite place to be.
Love it! And didn't even notice the rug wrinkles. Seriously!
You had me at blue and white! Classic!! I simply cannot wait to see the transformation!!! xoxo
Oh my goodness.....I LOVE the new rug and the plans for the room!! I am definitely a "blue & white girl", although not too many rooms in my house reflect it! Can't wait to see the progress and the reveal..... Blessings, Friend!