We’ve been working hard to transform our living room. It is the center point of the entire house and more like a gigantic hallway than a room, so it just felt like it needed attention. A living room makeover is always fun because it really doesn’t take a lot to make a huge impact. Hosting my neighborhood book club recently in the transformed space was such a treat. The space is certainly not where I hope it will be one day, but I think one of the biggest challenges facing home DIYers is the feeling that it must be completed overnight, HGTV style. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE those shows (and have been making up for more than 10 years spent abroad without it!) BUT! Our homes are ever-evolving.
Start with the basics. Paint first. Furnishings that are necessary next. Flooring when possible. (Or would you place your priorities differently?) We didn’t want to have beautiful floors but sitting on cardboard boxes. That’s why we chose a couch first… plus that was waaaay cheaper. We are still trying to finish the bathroom! (more on that very soon!!)
So, here is our living room makeover: Before, in between, after, and one day the “final” room!
BEFORE PAINT::
The In between::
The moment right before we hung up the artwork and I painted the marble surround… black!
Artwork was hung on the previous homeowner’s hooks, which didn’t work. We had to raise it (per my mom and BFF):
You can really see from above how badly we need hardwood floors, but at least the carpet isn’t filthy (yet. 3 kids, a husband, and a Valentina? How long will this pearly white carpet last?)
I brought metal shelving up from the basement, and started styling…
A few more plants and books, a favorite pillow, mixed with H&M pillows…
The sofa is from CB2, rug from wayfair.
The banister and stairs will be stained to match the floors we will eventually put in. Walnut, is what I am dreaming of!
In the meantime, we need to switch out the hallway light, finishes changing all the knobs to brushed bronze and put back the light switch plates. The list is ongoing!
But sometimes, it’s good to sit back, enjoy the little moments, and celebrate what is rather than what isn’t!
All styling and iPhone photography: Valentina Fussell
Damned beautiful ! And with the sunlight on the pic with the metal shelving! Bravo <3
aww!! Thank you!! xoxo
Damned beautiful ! And with the sunlight on the pic with the metal shelving! Bravo <3
aww!! Thank you!! xoxo
Damned beautiful ! And with the sunlight on the pic with the metal shelving! Bravo <3
aww!! Thank you!! xoxo
Looks incredible Tina! Wonderful job. You must be thrilled!!
Thank you! I keep reminding myself to celebrate was is finished rather than focusing on what is still on the list!
Looks incredible Tina! Wonderful job. You must be thrilled!!
Thank you! I keep reminding myself to celebrate was is finished rather than focusing on what is still on the list!
Looks incredible Tina! Wonderful job. You must be thrilled!!
Thank you! I keep reminding myself to celebrate was is finished rather than focusing on what is still on the list!
This looks awesome. With all the light in your house those dark walls and the dark fireplace look much better than before.Well done!
Stephanie
Thank you! A lot of people thought I was NUTS but I’m ok with being a little crazy every now and then! LOL!
This looks awesome. With all the light in your house those dark walls and the dark fireplace look much better than before.Well done!
Stephanie
Thank you! A lot of people thought I was NUTS but I’m ok with being a little crazy every now and then! LOL!
This looks awesome. With all the light in your house those dark walls and the dark fireplace look much better than before.Well done!
Stephanie
Thank you! A lot of people thought I was NUTS but I’m ok with being a little crazy every now and then! LOL!
Well done! All with you for the carpet, though! And yet, enjoy it right now! With your young family, you may have to wait until you are a grandma to get a new creme one installed!
LOL! Yes! Even then it will be grandkids!
Well done! All with you for the carpet, though! And yet, enjoy it right now! With your young family, you may have to wait until you are a grandma to get a new creme one installed!
LOL! Yes! Even then it will be grandkids!
Well done! All with you for the carpet, though! And yet, enjoy it right now! With your young family, you may have to wait until you are a grandma to get a new creme one installed!
LOL! Yes! Even then it will be grandkids!
So beauitful!!!! Would you please share the paint color you used on the walls?
So beauitful!!!! Would you please share the paint color you used on the walls?
So beauitful!!!! Would you please share the paint color you used on the walls?
[…] we chose the same color for our living rooms. Clearly that makes us kindred spirits! (Mine is Platinum Gray by Benjamin Moore and his is Light Blue by Farrow and Ball, though I must say it looks a lot more green in […]
[…] we chose the same color for our living rooms. Clearly that makes us kindred spirits! (Mine is Platinum Gray by Benjamin Moore and his is Light Blue by Farrow and Ball, though I must say it looks a lot more green in […]
[…] we chose the same color for our living rooms. Clearly that makes us kindred spirits! (Mine is Platinum Gray by Benjamin Moore and his is Light Blue by Farrow and Ball, though I must say it looks a lot more green in […]
[…] walls are silky smooth and the color is tantalizingly tactile when painted matte. We have done the living room, the bedroom, and the kitchen in it. And LOVE […]
[…] walls are silky smooth and the color is tantalizingly tactile when painted matte. We have done the living room, the bedroom, and the kitchen in it. And LOVE […]
[…] walls are silky smooth and the color is tantalizingly tactile when painted matte. We have done the living room, the bedroom, and the kitchen in it. And LOVE […]
[…] I was imagining adding this cheap DIY wainscoting to my bedroom wall… then my wall in the living room under the stairs. I’m definitely going to need a saw for that. I actually don’t have a lot of walls […]
[…] I was imagining adding this cheap DIY wainscoting to my bedroom wall… then my wall in the living room under the stairs. I’m definitely going to need a saw for that. I actually don’t have a lot of walls […]
[…] I was imagining adding this cheap DIY wainscoting to my bedroom wall… then my wall in the living room under the stairs. I’m definitely going to need a saw for that. I actually don’t have a lot of walls […]