Before:
After:
This summer (when I took my long break from blogging), one of the things I did to amuse myself was purchase furniture. My old sofa was becoming an embarrassment. (See photo 1) So, one day, I went out shopping with my wonderful friend Kathy (we both had our babies with us!) and I asked her if she would go with me to the Ethan Allen furniture store. I was a little nervous, I’m not an assertive person by nature but I marched myself in there, determined to try to find a sectional sofa that would withstand the rigors of life with six children. I told the nice lady who worked there, Lisa, what I needed and she was more than happy (eager) to help me in any way she could. She became my “interior designer” and even came over to my house one day, to take measurements of my livingroom space.
She helped me choose the sectional and the other pieces–the fabric of the throw pillows, the rug, and the three low bookcases. Rich was along for the ride this time! (He’s normally the one in charge, and that’s why I’m proud of myself, I did it on my own!) He liked everything, but especially the area rug. I really wanted bookcases and love how they protect the back (see photo 1) of our new sectional. There are three of them side by side. Ethan said it will be fun to choose books from the shelves. I just don’t know what books to put on them yet! There will have to be a little something for everyone, I do believe. ANd maybe a spot for photo albums, too.
One of the throw pillows on the sectional is dark red velvet. Oh, how soft and warm it is! I’ve been rubbing my cheek on it and smiling!
As you can tell, I am quite excited. I ordered everything a month ago and they just came this morning, at 7:15 a.m. I can’t wait until Rich gets home (tonight, please pray for his safe flight back to us!) to see our new livingroom. I pray for lots of good times here, making family memories, in our nice new room. It now just might be my favorite room in the house! It probably will be, after I change out those awful purple curtains (they came with the house when we bought it)……which means more shopping ahead…… 
I just love feathering my nest and making my house a pretty home! Not just with furniture (which is a rare treat)….wild flowers picked from the side of the road and put in a vase for the kitchen table counts, too! I love my family, and I want, with the best of my abilities and resources, to surround them with lovely things, beautiful places to joyfully play and rest. It pleases and glorifies our Father in heaven when we women “looketh well to the ways of our households.” (Proverbs 31:27)
Good to be Home 
it’s amazing that a bigger couch, made the whole room look even bigger. it’s beautiful and i hope you have many many many beautiful memories made here for years to come 🙂 melissa
I think you did an excellent job at picking it out and decorating!!! It looks fabulous!!! 🙂
I love the new furniture…now to see who makes the first leap over the back of the new couch…LOL
What a lovely room you made – well, yea, I agree the drapes could be a different color now! ha But it looks lovely and family oriented! I love the bookcases doing dual duty – being bookcases and protecting the couch! Little Seth will learn to leave books there before too many months!!
Very nice! Although my favorite picture is the first one. LOL!
Wow Shanda, Cheers to you. It looks really nice and I can easily imagine all the excitement at your house as you wait for your hubby’s safe return.I love the beauty you bring to your family…. they will never forget that.
Your home has always been warm and homey, and now has a new loveliness! Oh, it looks wonderful Shanda! You did a fantastic job!!! And I have an Interior design degree That sectional looks so cozy and the rug really does make the room a special room! Love the colors. I look forward to happy pictures of you all enjoying it, and expect we will see books being enjoyed on it, as well as lots of snuggles.I prayed for Rich, what a great welcome home your new room will be. I got David off on the train this morning. It is a fun way for his first solo travel. I told my older son to call me when he gets there! My big guys always had each other, kind of like Jacob and Ethan, so I didn’t have to send them off alone. David is pretty confident and does well after being in Boy Scouts all these years…but you know, I am still the mama. Love your verses and encouragement. After the train station I went to the farm store for produce,and the nursery for plants to finish the fall planting on our deck. I thought that it might be nice to get out the Fall decor for the mantle in the living room and make it look like Autumn. It is a bit hot…though only in the 80’s today, better than the high 90’s a couple days ago!! I brought the red and yellow mums in and plunked them on the dining table…they are so pretty and cheerful. Lord bless you today, and all your sweet ones! Jenny
wow…what a difference. at first i thought the second picture was from a catolog, i had to look twice. it made the room look so different and even larger.
Your new furniture is just gorgeous! Great job on choosing Ethan Allen. Their furniture is just about the best I have ever seen. My mother still has an Ethan Allen couch that she bought in 1983. It still looks great! Ethan Allen might be a little bit more expensive than other furniture companies, but their things are of such good quality that they last forever.
What fun to have empty shelves to fill! I love the color and the rug goes so well, the boys look excited in the picture! Is the lady from Ethan All. going to help you with curtains? Have you picked your fav. spot yet?
It looks so pretty and comfy – and I was wondering about the color of the curtains. 🙂
It looks really nice!
How beautiful your nest looks! I’ve always wanted to try a sectional ~ God gave me a chance just recently… the verdict is still out. However, I don’t have six children!!! I’ll be over for movies tonight (I’ll even bring my own blanket), but popcorn is a must :o) Have a blessed weekend friend!
IT’s beautiful!
New furniture, how exciting! It’s always fun to change things up a bit. It looks very nice! and I love the bookshelf idea.
What a lovely new look! I didn’t even notice the purple curtains until I read the comments!!
It looks GREAT! I especially love that rug. Good job!
I love the rug! We’re headed the other way-away from a sectional which is just not right for our living room. You have a lovely room!
Love it all–especially the bookcases ready to fill with books!!! It’s funny that you mention the purple curtains b/c I totally noticed them!! lol Looks great Shanda–nice and cozy 🙂
Getting new furniture is so exciting! I LOVE the new rug!!!
Love it! It is very bright and cheery!
Yay, yay, YAY!!! Your room looks fantastic, and I know it makes you feel wonderful to sit in there. That sectional provides so much seating – awesome for your family. I can’t wait to see the new window treatments! It will be a little while before we buy new furniture, but I have actually been mulling over and reading up on what style and pieces I want, for couches, chairs, and curtains. It is so much fun to think about! Thanks for showing us your new room!
you chose well!
It looks lovely and definitely a step up from what you had 😛
WOW! I love it! You turned it into a beautiful haven for your family! Good job!! PS for some reason your e-mail isn’t in my address book. If you still have mine, could you send me a quick note and then hopefully, it should automatically go in my address book when I reply back. Have a wonderful weekend!!
I love it! and I so need to do the same thing one of these days, our boys love to dive over the back of the sofa (when i’m not around), what a great idea to put book shelves there! Happy Feathering 🙂 can’t wait to see what curtains you add.
How exciting, and new furniture is sooo fun! We bought a sectional a year ago, and I can’t tell you how much we love it. The whole family can fit! Yours is so pretty, and I like the rug. Hope you have a good weekend! =)
Love it!
Looks Great
well, the feathers you chose are lovely! 🙂 looks so nice and homey and comfy.I’ll bet everyone will have “their spot” on that spacious couch~
What fun to make such a wonderful upgrade;) Looks very comfy and classy. Loved reading your earlier post about your CO trip. I’m yearning for one of those trips with my Man, always makes me miss him more though when the real world hits us again. It takes alot of effort to really get the connection time with 6 kiddos and a business. I don’t know how you do it on your own so much, that takes alot of grace! Blessings to you, have a wonderful wk. end.
Very pretty! Good taste!
I love the furniture!! Makes a very nice addition to your home.
wooohooo!! I’m SOoooo happy for you. 🙂
Love the furniture and the rug!
What an awesome couch!
LOVE it! Your house looks so warm and cozy and inviting that I just want to GO THERE! 🙂 I LOVE the bookshelves behind the couch! I’m totally out of room for all my books so I just may have to look into that.
I know, I’ve commented on this post once before, but while here reading your most current post (Saturday) and scrolling down the page a little – I noticed the beautiful rug beneath that new sofa of yours, that I did not notice before hand. I love, love, love it!!!