After months of sharing my design plans, the design plans of others, and many other thoughts on my living room I can finally share the reveal with y’all today! No “after” would be complete without the grizzly before so let’s take a stroll down memory lane….
There have been so many versions of this room: wonky furniture layouts, bad curtains, too much brown, over-sized furniture, beige paint, ill-fitting rugs, and so much bad! To my defense I was just stepping into the whole world of design and I was presented with a horribly long and narrow room with only so many layout options. Also, I was pregnant during many of these transitions and that caused some hormone-driven decisions (hence, the huge brown couch…it was great for snuggling a newborn!) Here’s a medley of the ugly:
This poor little corner couldn’t catch a break…
Just absolutely humiliating. If I never get another design job I will know this picture is why.
NOTE: This picture is circa 2008!!
I’m not even sure what’s happening here. Were we turning the room into a make-shift hospital? Just sad. And scary. I am going to assume we were, uh, “in transition” here.
Aw, look at me. I thought if I threw a couple of starfish up there it would appear that we lived in a charming beach cottage. Keep an eye out for those paper trees because they do make a reappearance!
So many changes to the mantle, pillows, coffee table, console table, art….
Until it finally started to take shape and reflect more of my actual style…
This is still in the peak of “white box” syndrome. The size of that art over the couch is all wrong and the room is lacking so much personality. After I repainted the room white I was too gun-shy to put holes in the wall.
This was just last year and I really liked the room at this point for the most-part but, I got sick of the black and white really quickly. And the size and shape of the coffee table irked me.
Slowly I was able to flesh out what worked and all the really hideous things that didn’t. I could hide all those ugly parts from you but I think it’s only right to show you how much work and time it has taken to get this room right in my eyes. And I know there are still changes to come but it is finally a room I am really proud of…
The major game-changer for this room was adding a much larger rug. RugsUSA provided me with this awesome 10×14 jute rug as a base layer, as well as, my choice of any rug from their site. As you know, it took me weeks to decide on one from their huge selection but I am so happy I chose this solid navy one. It has just the right amount of color variation, giving it a great vintage-like appearance. I loved so many of their patterned rugs but at the end of the day I had to take into account how much I love swapping out accessories. I knew if I committed to a pattern I would be limited on how much I could change on a whim. With this solid base I can add pattern through pillows and art. It’s also really soft and holding up well to a room that gets a lot of abuse!
I also added a new dimension to the former layout. I decided to make the couch more of a separate seating area by adding a chair. The pouf serves as a side table/extra seat.
And this little corner has it’s own seating, perfect for curling up with a book.
This layout feels so much better and more natural for the way we use the space.
I waivered my times about what to do with this console. I debated painting it, replacing it, and adding fancy hardware but, at the end of the day the dark wood didn’t bother me so much. Once I added in this woven stool and some of the other wooden accents in the room I kind of liked the contrast. It is definitely not a forever piece but it works for now.
I did decided to swap out the coffee table and it was a great decision! Switching to a round table gave us breathing room around the couch and any spare inches are a hot commodity around here!
Ignore that wrinkly slipcover back there 😉
Washing it is a breeze but it will be a cold day…before I iron it!
I love styling this new little table with flowers and greenery and, of course my urchins!
Adding in some new art was my favorite part of this makeover. I wanted pieces that added soft color, a sense of personality, and that had meaning. I found my happy place between this DIY leather hanging and a group of paintings I had in my personal stash. I love the worldly-moodiness the paintings add to the room.
And my favorite piece, BY FAR, in the whole room is my new wood beaded chandelier!
I am so so happy with this room! So happy, that I declared to my family that I could not touch another thing and be totally fine. I know it’s a lie but I was just trying to stress to them how much I love the changes. Not ones to let me off that easy, my 8-year-old issued a bet…I have to not touch ANYTHING in the living or dining room until March 14th. If I do then I owe him a Skylander for his Wii. Mom of boys, you know what I’m talking about. Usually I would just go ahead and pay up on this bet, but I really think I can win. If I do, he has to take me to dinner at IHOP 🙂
This post has turned into a novel, albeit a beautifully illustrated one, thanks largely to the talented photographer, who captured all of these shots, Ariana! (Make sure to check out her blog!) She also got some of my dining room since the changes overflowed into there as well but, I will save those for another post. Instead I will leave you with a pretty sneak peak…
Thanks again to RugsUSA for the beautiful rugs!
And I promise to share the rest of the details/sources of this room soon!
Make sure to come back tomorrow for a really exciting announcement!
*UPDATE: if you are coming over for the Best of The Nest link-up, welcome!! Don’t make it a one-time visit…stay in touch via the blog, Facebook, or my fave Instagram!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
BETH!!!!!!!!!! it is STUNNING!!!!! come do mine next! 🙂 i LOVE LOVE LOVE it all! and let's not look at my circa 2008 house either please, k? OMG. unfortunately there is evidence WAAAAAY back on my blog. eek. pinning away as soon as i get back from the bus stop!!!! LOVE!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thank you!! I will be happy to come do yours…can I bring a couple of pieces of furniture for you to paint for me?! 2008 was a scary year around here!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
It looks just beautiful my friend. You did such a wonderful job with a very tricky layout. Your excellent skills at work! What a great example of your talent. 🙂
Dee says
Wow! You did an excellent job making your home beautiful. I scrolled through the entire post then started right back at the top again to experience the changes all over again. Your living room, and from what I could see of the dining room, is truly magazine worthy… 🙂
Annabode says
This turned out beautifully Beth! My living room has also gone through countless reimaginings in the past few years, that I shudder to even think about it. You did an amazing job–I especially love the coral and deep blue palette and the texture combinations you've created with the double-layered rug, leather chair, etc. It looks much more happy and peaceful now. I hope you and your family enjoy your new space! (P.S. My fiancé also likes to make bets on how long I can go before touching a room I've just "finished").
Julia Konya says
It looks so pretty, light and bright. Love everything!
Summer Hogan says
It is so gorgeous Beth and Ariana captured it so well! I can't wait to see it in person…uh when???? 🙂
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
I love to see the progression of rooms like this. It's absolutely gorgeous, Beth!
Improvement List says
Great looking room! The layout looks so functional. Glad you showed the process it took to get the room to this stage…after all that is what many of us go through when decorating our homes.
Bethany DeVore says
It looks so good!! I love all the texture and layers. The navy was such a great choice! I went through a brown phase too, in fact I can't seem to part with the brown chairs in my living room! 🙂
Claire Brody says
SO great!! My favorite part is the wood beaded chandy too (but that fabulous rug is a close runner up). It all looks so beautiful! Don't invite me over because I don't think I'd ever leave!
theanatomyofdesign.com says
love this post! I love seeing the way the room has transformed. the current floorplan is really cohesive and cozy, and i love all the patterns and textures. and, the layered rugs might be my favorite part…such a luxury!
gina says
Love what you've done! I also love the fiddle leaf fig wall hanging in one of your earlier pictures. Where did you get it?
Robin Warzywak says
I love it Beth! And I love that even though it is "staged" for photos it still looks real and livable. Thank you for sharing the process along the way. I think a lot of us (myself included) newbie designers/bloggers/decorator lovers get caught up in beautiful pix on the web and forget that these rooms don't happen over night. Especially if we don't have a huge budget. I love the bead chandelier!!! It makes the room! Where are you going to put the capiz light?
http://www.designbyrobinsnest.blogspot.com
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I am all about the real life behind the blog!! Thank you for that thoughtful comment Robin! Oh, and the cadiz is going in my bedroom 🙂
Our Pinteresting Family says
It is absolutely gorgeous!!!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thank you so much- I am really loving it!!
Karen T. says
I clicked over from Emily A. Clark. Nice job–I soooo love what you did with the rugs and dividing up the seating areas. It makes perfect sense but sometimes it's so hard to figure it out even when it's staring you right in the eye, right? Gorgeous room!!!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thank you for stopping by from Emily's! It did take a lot of time to see this space with "new eyes"
Jill Hinson says
I have been blogging for many years and it's always fun to discover new blogs – today it was yours! Love you style, love that navy rug! Love your honesty with this post – it really does take some time for rooms to come together – and even as designers we don't always get it right the first time. Plus, it's always harder to make decisions in our own homes!!! I added you to my favorites on my sidebar!
xo~Jill
Forever*Cottage
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Hey Jill! your comment made me smile! I love to find new blogs and am excited to go see yours now.
Jennifer Thornton says
Nice job- you really have style!!! Can you share the source for the amazing beaded light? thanks for your reply-
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Sure Jennifer- it was from One Kings Lane!
pam {simple details} says
Beth!!! You have got to be SO thrilled with how this came together, I love the collected look and that it's just as stylish as it is functional for your family!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thank you sweet Pam!
Meg says
looks fantastic. love the layered rugs, and love RugsUSA!!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
They have a crazy selection! Thanks Meg!
Shavonda Gardner says
I just love real world transformations. Its all the little things that make the biggest impact. Its so great to see the evolution of your style and this space. I love it all!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I was a little scared to put it all out there but what fun is a reveal without a super ugly before 🙂
Tracy Laverty says
Beth! I love the layout and how light and airy it all looks now. Oh, and that beaded chandelier is gorgeous! Great job! Rooms do take awhile to evolve the way you want them to.
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
This one definitely saw some ugly times but I am getting happier and happier with it!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
Okay I totally missed this exciting post while I was on February vaca with my family. I love how your living room has evolved to really represent your taste and your family's personality, Beth! The touches of blue and color here and there are so cheery and pretty against the fresh white background and while your new rugs are totally fabulous, the game changer for me is that AAAAAAAWESOME beaded chandelier!!!!!!!!!!!! I love love love it. Can you please talk my husband into the whole chandelier in the living room thing???? He thinks I'm nuts but I am so sending him the link to this post right this moment so he can see how it makes the room! Love what you do sister. Keep doing it.
Heather Freeman // DecorFix says
Oh gracious. this is GORGEOUS. PS- Can we talk about your photography for a sec?? Loe the final turnout for this room:)
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
Beth, you know I love this room! Thanks so much for linking up with us at Best of the Nest!
Howard M. Wright says
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Laney says
Where is the ottoman from?