New Dining Chairs

I've had a busy couple of weeks: attended two out-of-state weddings and the Design Research Conference here in Chicago (loved it). Not to mention I've started working on an identity design project for my church.

But I'm back in blogging business. I have a few decorating posts coming in the next few days, and today we'll start with my new dining/everything chairs.

These were a craigslist find, complete with a bad picture, and I was really hoping they would turn out to be the real thing: Navy Chairs by Emeco!

But this is what we found: imitations from Kmart. With cushions that don't fit well. I'd already convinced Kevin that they would be a good style in our house, so we bought them anyway.

So out with the two old, ugly, dirty chairs, and in with the four new shiny, aluminum ones!

Living Room Inspiration

Last month I found this room by interior designer Amanda Nisbet posted on House of Turquoise. Wow! I literally looked at it every day for weeks.

I think the Chicago winter is getting to me, because I love the use of bright turquoise, blue, yellow, and orange on a neutral beige background. I'm aiming for the happy but not-too-bold feel of this room in my apartment.

I think I have too much dark brown in my own living room for it to ever feel this airy, but I'll give it a good shot. I like the near-symmetry and her repetition of fabrics and furniture pieces, even between the living room and dining room. Does this house give you any good ideas?