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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Chantel’s Design Dilemma: Solved

| By Sherry Petersik | March 31, 2009 | 50 Comments

Chantel’s Design Dilemma: Solved

When we whipped up a custom mood board for Chantel (all the way up in Canada) a few months ago, we couldn’t wait to see how her living room turned out. Well she’s baaaack! And she sent us a few fabulous after pictures along with this lovely letter:

Thank you again for all your help with our living room in January. We followed all of your advice to the letter (except for the pillows because they wanted to charge me $200 to ship to Canada). I hope our replacements are up to your standards! We love the transformation, and everyone who’s visited has loved it, too. I don’t know how you did it, but you managed to make it feel like a beachy summer day in our living room, even though there’s two feet of snow outside! And we hope you’re up for another transformation. We’ll be sending you before shots and a plea for help for our master bedroom later this week. Thanks again! – Chantel

Aw shucks Chantel, we’re so pleased that you’re so pleased! First lets remember what the room looked like back in January before the big makeover:

view-from-stairs

view-from-front-entryway

Chantel asked for “a beachy casual space” with pops of green and blue to work with a large work of art that she already had on hand for over the sofa. So here’s the mood board that we whipped up for her (see more details about it here):

3216545691 Fbb61fc59c

And here’s her room after the big mood board makeover:

view-from-stairs_after

view-from-door_after

Sometimes a few simple changes can really make all the difference. Switching out Chatel’s old leather sofa for a slipcovered one from Ikea and painting the walls a serene blue hue took the entire space from white on white to beachy and light. Painting the TV component shelf white and introducing another white piece of furniture under it really made it appear more integrated and less invasive. And bringing in some texture in the rug, the sweet printed curtains, and even the woven table lamps that flank the sofa really added to the casual-chic vibe that Chantel so desired.

lamp_detail

She even took our advice and painted the nook above her fireplace a slightly deeper tone of blue to accent the lovely little mobile we found for her which serves as a charming focal point in the space. Gotta love a 3D piece of art in an empty enclave just begging for an airy and ethereal accessory.

mobile_close

And of course we adore the pillows that Chantel picked up to finish everything off! They’re full of the same soothing tones that can be found around the rest of the space, and we love that the stitched look mimics the printed curtains that we picked out. Deeelicious.

pillows_detail

Thanks so much for the fabulous after pictures, Chantel! You’d never know there was snow outside with an airy and inviting living room like that! What do you guys think of her transformation? Did she not do an utterly amazing job?! What’s your favorite part? I’m trying to decide between the mobile and those leafy curtains…

Update: We sadly can no longer find the time to take on client commissioned mood boards (we now whip up general inspiration boards instead) but if we ever reinstate them we’ll make a big announcement!

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Comments

  1. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    March 31, 2009 at 9:27 am

    The mobile is wonderful! The whole room turned out so well… great job!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for LizLiz says

    March 31, 2009 at 9:40 am

    Wow, great job! The mobile is my favorite part – what a unique idea, and it really works perfectly in the space. I hope Chantel kept her fun grid of artwork that she had in the room “before” and used it elsewhere – I really liked it!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for SaraSara says

    March 31, 2009 at 9:41 am

    Gorgeous! Absolutely amazing transformation.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for CHCH says

    March 31, 2009 at 9:41 am

    This looks fantastic. I love, love the mobile!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for sarahsarah says

    March 31, 2009 at 9:46 am

    love it- this is so pretty!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    March 31, 2009 at 9:50 am

    I LOVE THIS ROOM! It feels so inviting and and calming. And it feels more like a beach house than a living room with a snowy view! And, I love that 3D Art. Simply amazing!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Denise T.Denise T. says

    March 31, 2009 at 10:00 am

    I really like how the mobile and the artwork of curtains gently blowing in the breeze bring movement into the room.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for AmberAmber says

    March 31, 2009 at 10:00 am

    I love it! Especially the mobile…I live in a beachy, coastal area and I’m trying to transition my home to that feeling :)

    Reply
  9. Avatar for SandySandy says

    March 31, 2009 at 10:21 am

    Fab, fab, fab!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for LisaLisa says

    March 31, 2009 at 10:25 am

    It’s an amazing transformation. GREAT JOB!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for ChantelChantel says

    March 31, 2009 at 10:43 am

    Oh, yay! I’m so glad others like it as much as we do. I’m sitting in the room right now, actually, gazing out my “painting” to convince myself it’s summer. I would chime in on my favorite part, but it changes every time I look around. The rug does an amazing job of unifying everything, though, and I never would’ve even thought to add one. Thanks again, Sherry & John!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for RoeshelRoeshel says

    March 31, 2009 at 10:46 am

    It’s stunning. I love every single element. That huge print over your sofa looks like a mirror – with a real ocean view. I love it!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for ReginaRegina says

    March 31, 2009 at 10:57 am

    Great job, simple changes made such a huge impact!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for heather s.heather s. says

    March 31, 2009 at 10:58 am

    They did a great job! The mobile has to be my favorite piece in the room with the lamp shades a close second.

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Nicole GreeneNicole Greene says

    March 31, 2009 at 11:00 am

    where are the white frames and the art from in the BEFORE photos?

    Reply
  16. Avatar for ChantelChantel says

    March 31, 2009 at 11:09 am

    Heh … ok, it looks like some of you are really into the “before” art! I’d originally planned to repurpose those prints, but I think I’ll reconsider and offer them up for sale (since they’re not fitting in anywhere else as we redecorate). We paid $18 per print, plus $12 for each frame. I’ll sell any of them for $20 each: [email protected].

    Reply
  17. Avatar for TamTam says

    March 31, 2009 at 11:10 am

    Sherry and John..just wanted to tell you guys that you do a wonderful job everyday! I also love the fact that you comment back to your readers which shows that you are involved and interested in what we have to say. Again…woooo hoooo..thanks yall!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    March 31, 2009 at 11:31 am

    Definitely love the new couch…the new paint color…and the lamps…you would not be able to take my hands off those textural shades! Lovely!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for jbhatjbhat says

    March 31, 2009 at 11:42 am

    It looks soooo good. Chantel, you took great pictures of the afters, too. Thanks for the close-ups. Nice job!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for christychristy says

    March 31, 2009 at 11:52 am

    Wow I am so impressed – both with your mood board and with her end result! I love that mobile – I never would have thought to hang a mobile in that niche – brilliant!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for AliciaAlicia says

    March 31, 2009 at 11:54 am

    Wow-another great transformation!

    I really like the cabinet you chose for under the TV. Where’s it from???

    Reply
  22. Avatar for ChantelChantel says

    March 31, 2009 at 12:29 pm

    The shelf is from Best Buy, and the cabinet is the Grevback TV bench from Ikea. They were both originally quite dark, so we used about 1500 cans of spray paint to get them to white. It actually didn’t work that well in the end … if I were to show you a close-up shot, you’d see the paint bubbling up all over the place. My dad (who helped us throughout the whole transformation) was set on spray paint because he said a brush or roller would hide the wood grain in both pieces, but we couldn’t stop the spray paint from bubbling up and kind of ruining the finish anyway. Sherry and John, maybe you guys have had experience with this? What do you think caused the bubbling?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 31, 2009 at 12:41 pm

      Hey Chantel,

      Hmm, spray paint can be a trickly little beast, and it sounds like those pieces weren’t solid wood (maybe they were laminate?) which can also have a lot to do with paint adhesion. I’m assuming your dad didn’t use a spray-primer to begin with, which might have helped with a smoother finish. We would definitely suggest using a spray primer (or even brushing on an oil-based primer) to create a good foundation for the whole project (not properly prepping the surface can result in bubbles and cracks).

      The other key with spray paint is that it’s applied in thin, even layers. Three or four thin coats are always better than two goopy & drippy applications. And you always want the nozzle about 8 inches away from the piece (never right on top of it, which can rile up the paint and cause more of those dreaded bubbles). Hope it helps! Maybe you can sand ’em down and re-prime & paint if they really bother you? Either way they look just fabulous in the pictures and we never would have noticed! Maybe everyone will be so busy staring at the mobile and the lamps and the pillows and the curtains that they won’t even notice the less than perfect paint job. Here’s hoping!

      xo,
      Sherry

  23. Avatar for NatalieNatalie says

    March 31, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    I looove the fireplace art! And the woven table lamp is gorgeous! :)

    Reply
  24. Avatar for elizabethelizabeth says

    March 31, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    Looks fabulous! Just curious…would the tv fit in the recess above the fireplace?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 31, 2009 at 1:59 pm

      Hey Elizabeth,

      The TV was already mounted with the TV component box below it when Chantel came to us for help, so we don’t know if it would fit in the niche (one of her requests was that the TV and TV box stay put) so we assume that it wouldn’t (or that the components would still have to be kept in a big box below it so they went for the area next to the TV instead). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      Sherry

  25. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    March 31, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    Long time reader, first time poster!!! :)

    Sherry & John, I love these before and afters!! It really makes the mood boards come to life.

    Chantal, where did you get that really cool coffee table?! My husband and I are coffee table-less and waiting for the perfect one to reveal itself. It looks like you can store quite a bit inside, too! Please let me know where you found it!!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for ChantelChantel says

    March 31, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    We might just strip it down and start all over with your tips. You guys are always full of good advice. Thanks!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for GGGG says

    March 31, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    My jaw dropped when I saw the “after” pictures! The mobile is a show-stopper for sure. Amazing transformation!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for CottonColorsCottonColors says

    March 31, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    It looks great! The colors are beautiful and the mood is so relaxing. Love it!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for KellieKellie says

    March 31, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    WHOA! It looks so great; I love that shade of blue (and I’m not normally a blue gal).

    Reply
  30. Avatar for JillJill says

    March 31, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    OMG, what a great makeover! Kudos to Sherry and John for coming up with such super ideas and also to Chantel for implementing them. Great job!!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for KimberlyKimberly says

    March 31, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    Yay for after photos! Thanks so much for sending them in, Chantel! I love seeing Sherry and John’s moodboards come to life!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for shannonshannon says

    March 31, 2009 at 7:43 pm

    I must know…Where did you get the mobile?? I love it!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 31, 2009 at 8:14 pm

      Hey Shannon,

      Part of the first sentence in the post above is actually a link to the original mood board that we whipped up for Chantel (so you can see where the mobile and almost everything else in the room comes from by clicking it)! Here’s the short cut link for your convenience:

      https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/01/chantels-design-dilemma/

      Hope it helps!

      xo,
      Sherry

  33. Avatar for Keri R.Keri R. says

    March 31, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    I also really love that coffee table/trunk! Where did you find that? Its a great piece!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for Candied FabricsCandied Fabrics says

    March 31, 2009 at 9:18 pm

    Fabulous job. It’s so nice to see the whole process, beginning to end!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for ChantelChantel says

    March 31, 2009 at 9:45 pm

    elizabeth,

    The TV doesn’t fit in the nook, of course. Even if it did, I don’t think I’d want it there. I’m more of a “hide all the technology” girl, but my husband loves his gadgets, so we compromised.

    Michelle and Keri,

    The coffee table is from the farmer’s market, and yes, it holds a boat load of stuff! (Mostly baby toys, actually, but I like to pretend it’s full of treasures.)

    Reply
  36. Avatar for BlayneBlayne says

    March 31, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    Gorgeous! I love the shades of blue and LOVE LOVE LOVE the mobile!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for Anna SeeAnna See says

    March 31, 2009 at 11:38 pm

    very nice! i like the mobile and the lampshade the best! great job!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for rebeccarebecca says

    April 1, 2009 at 8:22 am

    In general, this is a very pretty room, only marred by the TV. I hate those huge TVs though…so I am biased. Love the white couches! I am considering having covers made for my less then lovely but still serviceable couches and this definitely supports my idea.

    Reply
  39. Avatar for Ann-MarieAnn-Marie says

    April 1, 2009 at 11:27 am

    This is so pretty! What a soothing room. I’m glad to see she put another piece of furniture under the DVD shelf, though I’d be worried about lighting those candles!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for michellemichelle says

    April 1, 2009 at 11:51 am

    I think the mobile above the fireplace is my favorite part of the entire room.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 2, 2009 at 12:27 pm

      Hey everyone,

      So glad you’re digging our latest mood board makeover. Aren’t after pictures the best?! We just wanted to let you guys know how thrilled we are to hear such nice things about our design and about Chantel’s fabulous room, and we’re so happy to have such lovely and sweet commenters who never fail to make us smile. Smooches to every last one of ya!

      xo,
      Sherry (& John)

  41. Avatar for SaraSara says

    April 2, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    Chantel,

    You did a great job with your makeover! It looks like such a fun, inviting room! Congrats on the makeover!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for MarelisMarelis says

    April 11, 2009 at 1:32 am

    Wow what an amazing transformation!! Great job :) LOVE the mobile…such a creative solution for an empty space!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for SusieSusie says

    May 13, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    Love the room. Where did you find the mobile? I’ve been looking for one like that, to hang in front of my four-panel mirror screen. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 13, 2010 at 5:57 pm

      The mobile is from Anthropologie. If you click the link above the mood board it will take you to the post with all the shopping details. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  44. Avatar for Katie C.Katie C. says

    March 1, 2013 at 3:00 am

    The mobile is my favorite part, though I’m in love with the woven lamp too! GREAT advice on painting the console beneath the TV. In the before pictures, it looked so bulky and just ugly in the room, but now that it matches the color scheme it looks so much less invasive. Yay!

    Reply
  45. Avatar for BeckyBecky says

    October 15, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    I love the colors you chose for this one.

    Reply

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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