LOOK AT THIS BEFORE & AFTER LIVING ROOM
This is a story about our living room. Our main-level room in our brownstone in the suburbs home. Our living room has mile-high views and sunshine. The space includes 90-degree corners and a rounded corner where the stairs meet the landing into the living room. Wait until you see the before of this before and after living room.
BEFORE & AFTER LIVING ROOM
BEFORE
Go ahead, and take a look. It was rough. story. The rug was the color of a melon with a matching chaise. I wrote these tips on how to choose a rug based on the rug below.
Yes, those are brownish walls.
Here is our living room now.
Our living room had great bones and the main floor location made it a central focus. But the room was a little lost. It shares a wall with our family room and the stairs are adjacent to the room.
A friend suggested this tip when feeling stuck (with a room).
This method raised a few eyebrows when the family came home to the living room furniture in the hallway. The dog bed (aka our daughter’s childhood pink Pottery Barn Kid’s chair) stayed.
EMPTY THE ROOM
We emptied the room and removed the shutters. I have a stack of these sliders in my entry closet when the mood to move furniture strikes.
PAINT
The power of paint is undeniable. We went from Tuscany theme walls popular in the mid-90s to a neutral Revere Pewter.
RUG
As soon as Elliott (our Bernese Mountain dog rescue, completed the potty training stage, I focused on a rug for this space.
It was love at first sight when I found this this blue and white rug . I forgot how soft a wool rug was under bare feet. The wood floors had a beautiful blankie over their worn and tired finish.
The rug created the color palette for the main level. The rug has since been trashed with two 100-pound Berners, but it will be back!
DRAPES
With the shutters removed and the painted interior walls, I was ready to add a little color without distracting from the view.
I found inexpensive blue drapes with a soft brushed texture at 1/2 Price Drapes.
I positioned the drapes to frame the windows. The hammered hardware was on clearance at Pottery Barn.
FURNITURE
We loved our chaise but the color and style were dated. We invested in this Crate & Barrel chaise and positioned it in front of the two-story window instead of the angled placement on the previous chaise.
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The walls are painted with Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore and I eventually added navy window treatments for color.
Over time I replaced the wool rug but stayed with blue and white.
Once we finished the updates with paint and textiles we were ready to move forward with plans to build a library wall and add an electric fireplace.
LIVING ROOM UPDATES
- Built a custom library wall between the living room and family room. We found our inspiration when Leslie created her library wall. My husband did the entire project. I helped build the base.
- Added an electric fireplace to the center of the two-story wall.
- Added stone and a live edge shelf similar to this side table.
- Added lighting to the library bookcase.
- Refinished the hardwood floors.
And, now this room is the most popular space in the house. It is where we unwind read, catch up on our days, and watch the sunsets or weather as it rolls in from the mountains.
This room was worth the wait. Now as we enter the empty nest stage we appreciate the space and a living room that we use everyday. I would love it if you shared this for others to find on Pinterest.
If you are in a decor rut I suggest emptying the room without pulling a back muscle. These furniture sliders help!
If you are looking for inspiration on a budget check out this idea.
TAKE A LOOK
I love the rug Laura! The blue is perfect!
It is gorgeous! I love the color and design. Wool rugs are great investments. I’ve bought a few from QVC of all places and they are all holding up like champs!
Gorgeous! Love the colors and those windows are amazing too.