That’s right, we have after pictures for ya! We’re over the moon about Eve’s stunning dining room makeover and we’re here to share her amazing transformation. Back in February, Eve contacted us for some decorating help with her dining room, so we supplied paint color suggestions for the fireplace, wall, and trim around the room along with a few accessory ideas for the window and the table that would really make all the difference in her space (without breaking the bank). Here’s her letter:
When I first contacted you for help I promised myself that not only would I implement your recommendations immediately, I would also immediately send the after pictures. Here I am three months later – but I have an excuse… I cannot believe that such a simple thing like paint color can have such a grand effect. I LOVE MY ROOM NOW! The change was so immediate and so wonderful, I wish there was a way to capture the feeling of the room in my pictures. The new curtains made quite a difference too, and a quick trip to the basement helped me to uncover a white mirror I had purchased for my daugther’s room and never hung (it found a home on the fireplace wall). The paint colors you suggested are colors I would never have chosen, even as I made the purchases I was nervous of the end result. I’m so happy I trusted you. Walking into the house now gives me a sense of peace and order. At first my family and I felt like we were living in someone else’s house. Now we want the whole house to feel this way! You guys are awesome, THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! – Eve
Here’s the before picture of Eve’s dining room (she wanted our help making it more “glamorous and luxurious”):
And here’s the super fabulous after thanks to a few easy and affordable recommendations:
The difference is night and day, eh? But if you look closely you’ll see that it only took a few inexpensive changes to totally transform this room: painting that dated fireplace, bringing in a new wall color, adding a larger mirror above the fireplace, hanging new curtains and blinds on the window, and bring in a pretty tan runner to break up the large wooden table. And because we love a good budget breakdown, here’s Eve’s:
- Wall paint (Glidden’s Silver Plum): $23
- Fireplace paint (Glidden’s Ready Mix White): $23
- Mirror: free from basement
- Curtains & blinds (Ikea Ofelia Rund curtains, Target clearance jute blinds): $33
- Plants & planters in window (planters from Ikea): $28
- Tabletop accessories (from Pottery Barn & Ikea): $50
- TOTAL: $157
If that’s not proof that style is accessible at any budget, I don’t know what is. Fabulous job Eve! We actually also suggested that Eve stain or paint the table more of a mocha color but she has yet to tackle that project as she feels it’s a bit more involved than painting the walls or hanging new curtains! And although a darker table would really polish things off nicely in the future, we love the room just as it is- and we’re so thankful that Eve sent us the fabulous after pictures!
What do you guys think? Did Eve not do an amazing job executing the big dining room transformation?
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!
What a great transformation!!! And for only $157, that’s amazing!!!
wow! What a difference. Great work. So much more bright and calming now. I dig it!
wow! what a difference!! :) beautiful!!!
Wow, that looks good Eva good job and great advice John and Sherry! The fireplace paint and wall color change certainly does the job and carries the room. The only thing i think is missing is a table that doesn’t compete with the new style. Sanding and darkening the color of the table would make this room even more awesome. Candles on the fireplace too would give even more of glam feel. All in all excellent work! I do enjoy a good before and after.
That’s so funny KJ because we actually suggested that Eve stain or paint the table more of a mocha color but she has yet to tackle that project as she feels it’s a bit more involved than painting the walls or hanging new curtains! We totally agree that a darker table would really polish things off nicely in the future, but we also love the room just as it is- and we’re so thankful that Eve sent us the fabulous after pictures!
xoxo,
Sherry
Can you provide the link to Eve’s mood board? I want to see the blind/curtaine suggestions since I have a bedroom that is in need of something just like this!
Hey Molly & CG,
This actually wasn’t a mood board makeover it was a quickie decorating chat, but we can tell you that the curtains are Ofelia Rund curtains from Ikea (she used two sets but she already owned one set) and the blinds are from Target (she used three clearance paper jute blinds to span the window). Hope it helps!
xoxo,
Sherry
Amazing! I keep trying to get my fiance to agree to paint our fireplace white…he’s not falling for it though.
This looks beautiful! Would you mind telling where you found the blinds and curtains for such a great price?
Your ideas are so inspirational…thank you so much!
Looks awesome!
Sherry, I think everyone should have the same window treatments as you (and now Eve)! I just did the same thing to my french doors after seeing it on your blog….it works in ANY room and is really genius. I don’t know where you got the idea to do that, but it makes for a great transformation and everyone should try it!
Aw thanks Beth! For anyone interested in more details about the white curtain/bamboo blind combination (hung high and wide on your windows to make them extra fabulous), here’s one post all about ’em and here’s another for good measure. Happy hanging!
xoxo,
Sherry
So much brighter – it looks great. I have to say that my favorite things in the room were already there – the chairs and the chandelier. Gorgeous!
Thank you so much! You guys are the best!
Did you paint the chandelier? If so, can you please tell me how you did it?? I have a similar chandelier in my dining room (it came with the house) that is gold and I would love love love to paint it white, but I’m too scared to take the plunge.
Hey Meghan,
Eve actually didn’t paint the chandelier, but I’ve painted an old chandy that used to hang in my dining room. It’s super easy. Here’s how:
1. Remove chandelier and bring it outside
2. Remove bulbs and tape off bulb pockets so paint doesn’t get in there
3. Spray paint it the color of your choosing (you can lay it on cardboard to spray it or even hang it and spray it that way)
Some basic spray paint tips would be: don’t get the nozzle too close or stay in one area too long (you’ll get drips) and let each coat dry before applying the next thin, even coat (you might need 2-3 light coats, which are far better than one heavy, drippy coat). Hope it helps!
xoxo,
Sherry
Absolutely amazing!! I love it! Now that we are almost completely done with our huge elaborate rip the walls down remodeling projects, I am learning that it’s the smaller, simpler things that can make a huge difference in a room and it sure as heck doesn’t cost a lot of money to make a big difference. Of course, it helps having good bones to work with. I love the blinds and room color – fabulous!
Wow! What a huge improvement! It’s lovely. I love how fresh and bright it is now! Great job!
Forgive me if I missed this somewhere….But could someone tell me where I might find that wonderful chandelier?
Thank you!!
….Oh and I love, love, love your blog!! :)
Hey LuvnLife,
We actually don’t know where the chandy is from since it was already in the space when we stepped in to help, but hopefully Eve will drop in and share those details soon!
xoxo,
Sherry
Great change. The mirror is a good solution but to maximize the impact I would recommend a longer mirror that fills the span of the wall above the fire place. Looks great!
Gorgeous!!! I cannot believe that all she did was paint, add some curtains and accessories!! That is absolutely incredible. Congrats on another awesome job!
That room looks great. I agree that a darker table would look more updated. Also covering the chairs would really make it pop.
Thanks, Sherry! I’ll make it my weekend project.
I like the proportion of that table. I think after living in the space a while, Eve will find even more ways to personalize it and glam it up. Maybe something on either side of the mirror above the fireplace (decorative plates hung on the wall perhaps).
More after pics! We love them!
I simply adore this! I hope to ask for some advice soon once we get a few more pieces for our bedroom!
Love it!
Oh, I just had a thought. Another way to add architectural interest to Eve’s dining room is to add a ceiling medallion above the chandelier.
Here’s a blog post about them from haus maus:
http://hollymaus.blogspot.com/2008/05/ceiling-medallions.html
Sherry and John,
I’ve been reading your blog for some time now and love that you inspire people to tackle design projects in their homes! It’s amazing what the right paint color and a few new touches can do to a room – this one looks great!
Rachel
Wow – lovely and affordable! Nice job everyone!
OK, so this is a perfect example of why this website has become my new decorating and inspiration source now that Blueprint and Domino are gone.
Wow – that is stunning!
I think it looks great but would look even better if the wood table was painted white or even possibly refinished in a darker stain color like the chair legs.
The room looks awesome!!!!
This does look awesome indeed! And for this budget..it definitely leaves a big smile on your face and in your wallet too!Congrats!
Amazing!! It looks like a completely different room…bigger, brighter, and in a house that’s from the current decade! :)
Eve, Sherry and John, nice work! I’m wondering how to determine how many bamboo blinds to use in my home. I have three side-by-side windows that would benefit from one single blind, but that’s a fortune! I see Eve used three, one large one in the middle flanked by two smaller blinds, but is there some sort of magic formula to makeing the look seamless? In other words, will it look weird if I use two blinds that don’t necessarily match up with the windows themselves?
Hey Holly,
We also used more than one bamboo blind to create the look of one seamless window treatment in our living room (you’re right about big custom sized blinds costing an arm and a leg). Here’s a post all about it (check out the comments for even more info). Basically the texture of bamboo is very forgiving so it’s barely noticeable when you use more than one blind to create a seamless look. As long as you’re flanking your blinds with curtains (which shift the focus to their billowy texture and away from the blinds) you should have no problem making two blinds that don’t match up with your three windows work- as long as you install them right next to each other at the same height to create the illusion of one long blind. Hope it helps!
xoxo,
Sherry
Wow! Paint is awesome! I have to agree with Sherry and John. Having the table in a darker finish would really complete the project. I have refinished lots of furniture and it’s not that bad. I bought a cheap black and decker mouse sander at my hardware store and used elbow grease for the rest. It does take a little time, but it’s very worth it! Making it a weekend project isn’t a bad idea. But the darker finish would really bring everything together nicely.
I, too, thought it was a new chandalier………….looks fantastic. Loving the wall color and the windows!!
Nice start but Eve could definitely take it to the next level and paint the table a deep, rich chocolate brown… The rug could also be a little more exciting. However, congratulations for a huge improvement.
That’s beautiful. I agree, the table would flow better with the rest of the room if it were a darker color, much like the chair legs. However, it’s still fabulous. And even better that she could accomplish such a huge facelift on a small budget.
Way to go, Eve!
Sherry, thanks for the reply–and so quickly! I appreciate your thoughtful and thorough response. Although I had read the post about your blind installation project, I hadn’t read the comments. Eureka! Thanks again.
Another awesome makeover for little cost! I am amazed each time. Great job Eve!
Thank you for all the feedback! It was so much fun doing this. It felt like a treasure hunt. Even as I was rolling the paint on to the wall I had my fears, but once we had half the room done it was like holy moly!!
The Bellora Chandelier I first spotted at Pottery Barn. I’m a bargain shopper, after giving up on finding a Pottery Barn coupon, I searched online. I lucked out and found it on ebay, being sold by seller: michelle-nj
I paid $199 for it.
The link to the seller is: http://cgi.ebay.com/B204-5-Light-Crystal-Chandelier-Iron-Fixture-Bellora_W0QQitemZ310132452800QQihZ021QQcategoryZ20698QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
And yes – I spray painted it silver before I assembled it (but not between the makeover pictures as a few people wondered).
It is so gorgeous! Great job to all! I think that staining the TOP of the table and then painting the table legs white (or vice versa) would really be a cool effect too! I love how open and airy and FRESH the whole room looks! Kudos!
I love the airy centerpieces. Good work Eve.
Ok… My hubby is going to hate me for this (he hates change). But I have someone coming over to estimate\schedule having the table refinished. Hehehe…
Oh Eve you did such a fabulous job that the refinished table will be the icing on the cake! Either way, your dining room looks gorgeous just as it is and we’re still so excited that you took the time to snap a few after pics for us to share!
xoxo,
Sherry
I’m with most everyone else….the room looks great, but the table being stained darker or painted a dark chocolate would really make it sing!
I LOVE AFTER PICTURES!!!!!! This looks absolutely fabulous, and knowing that you did it under $200 makes it, well, extra fabulous! I have to agree, if you refinished the table I think you would love it even more… and trust me, it’s not as hard as it sounds! Good luck and great job :-)
This looks fantastic…however I would love to see a bright pop of color somewhere. Just one other color added in. Red..orange…aqua even better. Something to add some zing. I also vote for a darker stain on the table. It’s easier than you think to do…I say do it yourself!!! Use the money you save for making a nice dinner to share in that new room.
I’m totally sold on the wall paint color for my living room. Finally a color I have fallen in love with.
Noooo!!!! Don’t make the table darker, please! It will be a giant dark hole in the middle of your very lux room. Perhaps an antiqued white finish or an ash, but please consider not going espresso.
Wow! This makes me want to go move some furniture around and see how it looks. Great job on a tiny budget!
Amazing! It always amazes me how little things can make such a huge impact. The lighter wall color definitely enhanced the room! I am looking to make some changes to my bedroom and I’ll be contacting you soon to schedule a Decorating Chat!
Been a reader since early this year and got to say, you both rock! Love the ‘after’ result here.
I love the light blue. Thanks for sharing.
I just commented on another makeover but this fireplace is identical (brick color I mean) to ours! I REALLY want to paint it white…was it hard? Any advice for me? We’re doing the floor now, wish I would have done the fireplace prior but still REALLY want to do it. Thanks!
Hey MelisaG,
Here’s our tutorial for painting a brick fireplace! It’s simple and easy and can be completed in an afternoon:
https://www.younghouselove.com/how-to-paint-a-brick-fireplace/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
It’s always great to see a before & after, but even better when it’s something I can see myself doing! Great colour inspiration and congrats to Eve for taking a “risk”.
This is really an amazing transformation. I love it. The paint is just perfect. It makes the room look bigger and better. Great work.