These are a Few of My Favorite Pins

It's all dreary today and I just don't have the energy to reveal my crazy painted fireplace yet, so I'm going to rely on all the fabulous people out there in pinterest land to write this post for me. Thanks, guys. You're the best.

The one thing I don't like about pinterest is how easily sources are lost. I try to be careful about crediting the people I borrow images from, but who knows where many of the images originally came from? I wish there were a better way to track things.

[You Have Been Here Sometime, Elle Decor, This is Glamorous, My Interior Life, YHBHS]

Leopard Rug Update

For President's Day my leopard rug arrived. Thank you, Obama (and Overstock). So the rug is pretty -- it's by Safavieh and looks to be of decent quality. Better Half Ben rolled it out for me and three seconds later Ike and the cat were clawing and break dancing all over it (cat = clawing and Ike = break dancing, although I would prefer for the opposite to have occurred), so I guess it's plush enough.

What it's not is the right size.

I took this picture at night so the colors are all wonktacular, but maybe you can see the problem with this space. It's really long and narrow, and the 6x9 rug isn't working... I think. I could shove it up under the credenza, but then it would leave this awkward open space on either side where I had planned to plunk down a pair of matching chairs.

For everyone interested in buying the same rug, here's a daytime shot that better shows the caramel/tan colors:

I should really straighten up my furniture before I take pictures, right? Oh well.

So, what do you think? Can it work here, or should I move it to the front room and keep shopping? I'd like to maintain an open space in front of the console table so that I can roll out the benches beneath it for seating.

As a reminder, here's some newborn baby pictures of how the room is laid out:

First of all: don't panic! The fireplace has been painted and the tv is better situated (I plan to reveal it this week). The brown dining table is now in the dinette area (it looks terrible -- new dining table is on the list), and the black credenza is against the back wall. The open area between the credenza and console is where I plan to hold play convention 2012-2040 (holy shit I am going to be old when these kids are grown). I just need a rug to mark out the space.

It would be so easy to buy a crazy 4x10 or 5x11 Persian rug off Ebay, except I already have a red Persian rug (which I like) in the room, and I can't have two, right?

I was thinking I might could get away with a Nain rug (they tend to be blue), because it would be different yet similar to the one I already have... I don't know anymore. Rug overload.

What do you think? Leopard where I have it or leopard in the front room?

What kind of rug should I get if I move the leopard?

Or should I totally reorganize the entire living area?

Fireplace pictures to follow.

Wallpaper sample pictures to follow.

Damn I have a lot of things to do.

Leopard: Trend or Classic?

Remember when zebra rugs made everyone go all swoon! and lurve! and heart it so much! Ah, the 80s. Kidding -- that was just a few days ago. The internet in all its infernal efficiency has shortened the trend cycle almost to death, as in it's busted before it even begins. Case in point: I find myself yearning to jump on the leopard band wagon because it's trendy and I have been inundated with eight trillion hot ass pictures of fancy leopard sundries that make me want to run out and tattoo leopard spots all over my face. But if I invest in reupholstering a pair of wingback chairs in leopard velvet (something scalamandreish that magically costs about $40/yd hahaha), or -- even more attainable -- a leopard rug, will I regret hitting a wave that's already crested?

But I'm also lusting for leopard because it's dirt colored. Thank you, evolution, for considering the unavailability of showers in the wild for our feline friends. I, for one, support all things invented by necessity. And if you have a toddler you know patterns and dark colored fabrics are a necessity. Toddlers are a lot like wild animals.

Also leopard is just really pretty.

So what do you think? Is leopard a classic -- worthy of an investment piece? Or is it better used in small, easy to swap doses -- like pillows and throws?

Due to a major case of analysis paralysis (and a very tight budget), the fate of my living room decor depends on your opinion.

[via This is Glamorous, Barclay Fryery, via My Interior Life, Aerin Lauder's couch two ways, Miles Redd]