Styling a room with IKEA accessories is always satisfying! Today I'm sharing a few updates to my living room and some family antics during our recent shopping trip!

Remember that episode on Fixer Upper when Joanna and Chip hit up the antique store to find the perfect item for their clients...and Chip disappeared for a minute and then came out wearing nothing but a funky pair of liederhosen? If you missed it, don't worry...he does something like that on every episode!

Shopping with the DIY beautify family is a similar experience.

We don't have an IKEA in middle TN, so when we're in Atlanta, Orlando or Raleigh, I always drag my family along with me.

We eat at the cafe (love those Swedish meatballs!) and then get down to business. In other words, "Momma's Gonna Shop!"

And while Momma takes her shopping very seriously, and am busy measuring my favorite farmhouse sink (that I promise will be in my home some day)...


studying room layouts for inspiration and color options,


looking for pillow inserts, baskets and the perfect dish towel...

...this is what my family is up to! 😐😑😕😧
Laugh if you will, but I swear it's like shopping with a bunch of 5 year olds! Amped up on sugar!

In spite of recent shenanigans, I did manage to find and purchase a few goodies for my living room!

My new purchases found a home in our living room. I'm a sucker for buffalo check (I used IKEA's tan buffalo check duvets as curtains in my guest room!), and these gray pillow covers are the finishing touch for my cottage-style sofa!

Do you spot that antique aqua door in the background? It's the entrance to my farmhouse laundry room that I made over for under $200!


I love the warmth of gray walls, and neutral furnishings with lively accessories! I picked up some more artificial greenery on our shopping trip.


This round coffee table is also from IKEA, purchased a couple years ago. I painted the black legs with (affiliate link)  Krylon Champagne Nouveau and switched the glass and dark surfaces around to make it feel more airy.

Update: I turned the lower shelf into a shabby farmhouse clock!

A new hand painted sign above the sofa adds texture and the warmth of wood tones. You can find the tutorial and a free printable for my 'gather' sign here.


I don't think I've ever shared my pleated ottoman before. I found the faux leather base at Goodwill and fashioned a removable cover for it using (affiliate link) painters drop cloth. It's a welcome place for weary feet! The little pleats are my favorite part!

Update: I reupholstered the ottoman in buffalo check! Find that tutorial here.

If you're lucky enough to live near an IKEA...I'm crazy-jealous of you! I hope your family is easier to shop with! Or do you just leave them at home?

This will be my only post this week as I'm on a road trip to NC with Little DIY! I'll be back next week with an antique crate tutorial as well as the instructions to make the gather sign in these pictures!


bringing beauty to the ordinary,