Feather Your Nest: A Week of Carnival--Day One--LIVING ROOM

I just had a vintage carnival themed birthday party for my 11 year old and thought, "why can't you incorporate vintage carnival into your everyday home decor" for a mix-it, eclectic fun way of living. So, instead of creating a crazy post full of ideas for every room of your home, I thought I would break it up and have a new post everyday for a week.

Each day this week, there will be new ideas and pictures for a specific room of your home. If you like something or have ideas of your own, leave a comment.

Happy decorating

Day 1--Living Room

To have a vintage carnival decor theme for your living room, start with one statement piece like a patterned rug or wallpaper for a feature wall.

Rug & Wallpaper

Since Chevron is one of my favorite patterns right now, it would be easy to start with one of these rugs. You can find a chevron rug in almost any color as well as many mixed colors.

Although this pattern wallpaper on this fireplace wall is pretty formal, it would be easy to mix it up and add eclectic elements to turn the formality tone down and the fun & funky volume up.

I really like this wallpaper. It is in a nice blue and cream tone that would look great with almost any other complementary color as accents. Also, this picture is great because it shows how mixing patterns is fun and easy.

This is a great example of how to take wallpaper and use it to create a feature wall of its own. I also love this color pallet.....chartreuse, grey and black....throw in some pink and it would have a carnival touch.

The Couch

Next add your couch. I would definitely use a solid color...so you can add fun pillows of course:

A linen couch like this above in it's natural color, makes decorating easy. The clean lines and slim silhouette will stay in style for many years to come

This couch above has a vintage look with a great burlap shadow print fabric. Having a juxtaposed frame with an opposite type fabric throws a bit of whimsy into the room.

This couch is actually vintage and screams fun in both the green color and shape. Nothing says funky fun like this 50's era mod furniture

Taking a nod from its 50's cousin, this couch is new but looks vintage. The yellow color may go out of style a some point, but it sure is fun for now.

One of my favorite couches on this post is this pink vintage style sofa...LOVE IT. Don't you?

Accent tables

A coffee table such as this re-purposed and painted pallet on wheels is sure to make a statement

Another idea is to only paint the bottom of the table especially if the top has a vintage appeal.

This set of nesting tables take a old dog and shows it new tricks with the shape, color and numbers.

A colored foot-locker as a coffee table anyone? What a great idea.

This hot little orange number is an outdoor end table taken indoors....Why not?

Here is how you can take almost any table and give it a new life....PAINT. Add a pattern and you have instant whim.

Of course a plain non-descript table in a fun punch of color like this orange one takes a needed living staple and adds personality.

Lastly, take the above idea and apply it to a bookshelf for fun in the organizing and function department.

Pillows and Accessories

Nothing says carnival like a diamond pattern, an easy fix with a pattern pillow like above. Also, there is something about orange and white that tells the carnival story

Whenever you choose pillows for your living room. Once you have established your color pallet, choose a few pillows in the same colors but different patterns like above.

Another example of a pillow collection in an orange, pink white tone....Etsy is a great source for pillows.

Here is an idea of colored end tables, mirrors and mixing pillows....symmetry is the key to this.

A beautiful grey, pink and orange living room. Notice the colored cubes, mixed textures and animal pattern pillows.

Chevron again...but in a tray for the coffee table...organization and fun.

The queen of pattern & function, the macbeth collection.

Add a pattern vase to punch up the fun.

A colored lamp mixed in with fun furniture and art...says this living room is one to live and play in...not just stare at.

Another look at pattern and color.

Chairs

You could choose any one of these chairs and it would be a hit.

A modern wing-back chair is an easy decision, or if you have enough guts....go for the pattern settee below

The Egg chair..been around since the 1920's........

Here is a modern twist on the classic wing-back...add black and white for more fun.

Curtains

Here is an example of mixed patterns with the curtains taking center stage.

This orange and white pattern curtain would be a sure hit.

If you aren't bold enough for pure pattern, then go with stripe...classic and fun.

Here is a idea of mixed patterns, and fabrics with washed furniture and color..but staying within a common color pallet.

ART

Art is the easiest way to pull and room together and give the statement punch to the space. A great way to add art is with a collage of pieces in a common theme.....like below...these are vintage circus pictures.