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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Janis’ Design Dilemma: Solved

| By Sherry Petersik | February 4, 2009 | 53 Comments

Janis’ Design Dilemma: Solved

I just received these updated pictures of Janis’ living room and I almost fell out of my chair. Talk about a major transformation. As a reminder, here’s the before picture that she submitted along with her design dilemma:

familyroomjanisbeforefinal

And here’s the custom mood board that we whipped up for her (see more details here):

2966071714 72c67d8c66

Here are a few snapshots of her updated space after she put our mood board makeover into action:

100_4012

100_4011

100_4018

And here’s her letter:

So here it is – the new look! I am still tweaking the accessories, but we got a ton of compliments over the holidays and even my kids approved! You told me that getting rid of that stencil would give height to the room, well there were 2 or 3 people who came by who have been in my house many many times and they asked if we had raised the roof! We are astounded at the difference and we love spending time in the room now. Thanks so much for your guidance. We really love the new look! I redid the dining room at the same time and am now moving on to the bathroom, which is the last of the dated rooms on the first floor. Thanks for getting the projects off to a great start! – Janis

Gotta love that fresh pop of color on the walls, that leggy glass coffee table, those two-toned silk curtains and every other aspect of the room that took it from dated to pretty darn fabulous. And we especially love that Janis achieved a totally new fireplace look with a coat of white paint on the bricks and some dark stain on the mantel. She eventually plans to incorporate the travertine tile that we suggested but painting the bricks was a quick fix for the time being- and it looks amazing. Hooray for white paint. And hooray for Janis and her gorgeous new living room. We’re so glad that she’s pleased with the result and we couldn’t be more excited to share the afters with you guys! What do you think?

And if you’re in need of some decorating advice of your very own, click here for a mood board makeover. You can also click here to see all the other rooms we’ve helped transform with custom mood boards and even in the flesh. Oh and if anyone out there is withholding their after pictures, please please please send them our way!

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 JennyJenny says

    February 4, 2009 at 11:25 am

    Wow. Just… wow.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for meganmegan says

    February 4, 2009 at 11:28 am

    A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    February 4, 2009 at 11:29 am

    Amazing! SO beautiful and swanky!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for AllisonAllison says

    February 4, 2009 at 11:47 am

    Speechless.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for BlayneBlayne says

    February 4, 2009 at 11:47 am

    Wow. Love that.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for CindyCindy says

    February 4, 2009 at 11:55 am

    holy cow!! What an amazing transformation. That room looks awesome!!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Making it LovelyMaking it Lovely says

    February 4, 2009 at 11:58 am

    Yowza, what a difference!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for kimkim says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    geez…can u get info on where the matching chairs are from?

    Reply
  9. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    Janis, where did you get that cute single circle chair in the blue/brown motif?

    Reply
  10. Avatar for BarbaraBarbara says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Fabulous!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 4, 2009 at 12:12 pm

      Hey guys,

      So glad you’re enjoying the dramatic transformation!

      Janis had already ordered those chairs before she contacted us for help (although we did do our best to find similar versions for the mood board so she could generally see how things would come together). That being said, I don’t know where she found them other than that they hailed from a showroom in her hometown (Room Store? Haverty’s?). I’ll definitely shoot her an email to find out more. Stay tuned…

      xo,
      Sherry

  11. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    Yes, I would love to know where the chairs are from as well?!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for PriscillaPriscilla says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    is that paint color the benjamin moore tea light you guys suggested or is it something else? i love it!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for NatalieNatalie says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    WOW! This woman did an amazing job on her transformation – and kuduos to you for giving her so much help and insight! :)

    Reply
  14. Avatar for darlenedarlene says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    I think this is the BEST improvement I’ve seen on here! She did great! It’s a totally different room now!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for AverillAverill says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    Great job to you — and to Janis! Room looks beautiful. I love the art over the fireplace!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 4, 2009 at 12:27 pm

      Email to Janis sent. I also asked for a confirmation on the paint color so all the details are hopefully on the way…

      xo,
      s

  16. Avatar for morganmorgan says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    that is one hell of a makeover. my own living room is jealous!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    February 4, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    I really love this room! The transformation is amazing! What a difference in the room. I love how Janis added the table and lamps behind the sofa. I would have never thought to do that! And, I want that pair of modern chairs!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for courtneygcourtneyg says

    February 4, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    Can we also find out where the gorgeous piece over the fireplace is from!? I love it!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 4, 2009 at 1:13 pm

      Consider it done. Just fired off another email to Janis about the art above the fireplace. Stay tuned…

      xo,
      s

  19. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    February 4, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    wow wow wow

    Reply
  20. Avatar for LisaLisa says

    February 4, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    It is a gorgous room! Janis did a fabulous job! It’s very inspiring. It goes to show that the mood boards are such a great starting point and a source of inspiration. Even though they didn’t do everything EXACTLY like the mood board, they definitely carried out the vision!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for life a colorful lifelife a colorful life says

    February 4, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    I also hope she gives details on the chair with the circle print. It is AWESOME, as is the whole transformed room!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for momomaticmomomatic says

    February 4, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    Oh my heck. It looks fabulous–*excellent* work!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for heather s.heather s. says

    February 4, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    The room is beautiful! I have to say that I’ve never seen a table behind a couch when the couch is against the wall – I’m trying to decide if I like it or not (I’d imagine vaccuming would be a chore).

    Reply
  24. Avatar for JaimeeJaimee says

    February 4, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    This looks great. I love the table…too bad it is out of stock :(

    Reply
  25. Avatar for meredithmeredith says

    February 4, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    looks great! only change i would make is to lower the mirror. maybe the midpoint should be closer to the midpoint of the lamp shades…

    Reply
  26. Avatar for Denise T.Denise T. says

    February 4, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    What a divine transformation! The room looks 35 years younger.
    Heather, I have a sofa with a table and lamps behind it against a wall and a window. It is a great way to illuminate that area at night because space is limited on either side of the sofa for end tables and lamps. I clean behind the sofa about as often as I would if it were pushed up against a wall. Not a problem.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for jessejesse says

    February 4, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    I just about fell out of my chair too! Doesn’t even remotely resemble the room before.

    Reply
  28. Avatar for karakara says

    February 4, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    I LOVE this! I really am smitten with the shades too. I would never have thought to position the sofa and a shelf that way. Genius!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for JanisJanis says

    February 4, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Hi Sherry,

    I thought our living room was one of the biggest transformations! So glad everyone’s enjoying it. The paint color was exactly what you suggested at 1/2 strength and the chairs were made by Best (I got them through Stanis Today in Chantilly VA). The lamps were from HomeGoods and the picture was from your referral store, Z Gallerie. We had never heard of it before and found that they have a store close to here which is where we found an aqua elephant vase there (matched the tall pottery bottles) and took it home to think about it. When we went to Home Goods, we found the same thing in a lamp version – that’s how we ended up with that lamp!

    We love spending time in the room now. I even had a workman who literally stopped in his tracks when he entered the room. “Wow, this is a great room!” Thanks again for your guidance!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 4, 2009 at 3:47 pm

      Thanks so much for all the info Janis! Of course we’re super excited to hear that even workmen like you living room. It usually takes a lot to make a guy with a tool belt utter a decor complement!

      xo,
      Sherry

  30. Avatar for AlinaAlina says

    February 4, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    AMAZING!! the room looks so modern and beautiful now… great job on ths one

    Reply
  31. Avatar for BethBeth says

    February 4, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    I love it too! I found the link for the picture she found…

    http://www.zgallerie.com/p-6200-beauty-1.aspx

    Reply
  32. Avatar for KelliKelli says

    February 4, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    Wow, this is amazing. Great job, Janis!!!

    Reply
  33. Avatar for CHCH says

    February 4, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    Everything is beautiful. Is it just a shelf or is it actually a console table behind the sofa? I can’t tell definitively. Great job!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for bungalow_blissbungalow_bliss says

    February 4, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    It’s gorgeous. Wonderful transformation!!

    It’s so fun to see the results!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for KarenKaren says

    February 4, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    Wow! I love it, what a great transformation!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for jbhatjbhat says

    February 4, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    Congratulations all around. The new look is simply stunning. I am drooling.

    Reply
  37. Avatar for SoBella CreationsSoBella Creations says

    February 4, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    Congrats! What a great transformation.

    Reply
  38. Avatar for Anna SeeAnna See says

    February 4, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    Are you kidding me???? This is one of the most dramatic transformations I have ever seen! Wow.

    Reply
  39. Avatar for harpharp says

    February 4, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    what at transformation, i think what really makes this room is that lovely, soothing wall color and that great art piece over the mantle. You provided her with great inspiration so kudos to both!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for Laura LynnLaura Lynn says

    February 4, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    It’s beautiful and looks so much bigger! Good job to all of you!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for BarbaraBarbara says

    February 5, 2009 at 7:00 am

    The console table is a brilliant solution for a room that is too small for end tables. You also managed a lot of seating for a small room and it doesn’t look crowded.

    Reply
  42. Avatar for JanJan says

    February 5, 2009 at 11:09 am

    Utterly incredible transformation! Truly breathtaking! Well done to the homeowner — and kudos to you both for your inspiration and help! — Jan at Rosemary Cottage

    Reply
  43. Avatar for DeniseDenise says

    February 5, 2009 at 11:33 am

    Unbeeeeeeelievable!! I LOVE the transformation! WAY TO GO JANIS!!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for CourtneyCourtney says

    February 5, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    That looks AMAZING!!! Can you please tell us where her chairs are from?? I LOVE the patterned one! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 5, 2009 at 2:28 pm

      Hey Courtney and Marge,

      So glad you’re loving the transformation! If you scroll up in the comments you can see where Janis commented with her sources on the chairs. And if you click the link to the mood board that we designed for Janis in the post above, you’ll see the direct link to that fab coffee table. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      Sherry

  45. Avatar for MargeMarge says

    February 5, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    AH-MAZ-ING!!! I love everything about this room!

    Where are the coffee table and patterned chair from!?!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for scenicladysceniclady says

    February 5, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Room looks great quite the transformation, the picture really makes the room! Just a heads up, I saw the same pic at World Market this morning for $149.
    http://www.worldmarket.com/Wall-Art/lev/0/sectionId/2934/N/1100453/index.cat

    Reply
  47. Avatar for FranFran says

    February 5, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    Grand slam! Janis, do you feel any different when you’re in this room now? It literally went from “let’s knit while I wait for the Bengay to soak in” to “let’s sip martinis – and talk about my fab life”!

    Reply
  48. Avatar for MandiMandi says

    February 5, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    completely gorgeous makeover WOW!

    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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