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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: A Layered Living Room

| By John Petersik | April 12, 2013 | 151 Comments

Reader Redesign: A Layered Living Room

When Katie sent us pictures of her living room makeover, we couldn’t get over the difference between the before and the after. Here’s her letter:

Hi guys! I just wanted to share my living room redesign with you. When we first laid eyes on our house, the living room (well the whole house) was definitely not our style.

Katie Before 1

Katie Before 2

So among a few other major events since we moved (like having baby boy #3 last summer) it felt great to paint the room, switch out the lighting, and find some great pieces via Craigslist and garage sales.

Katie After 1

The drapes are from [my son] Isaac’s nursery with some pom pom trim added.

Katie After 2

I’m also loving my new canvas (from Surface View). But now I’m thinking my walls should be dark. What do you think?? Navy blue, charcoal gray, aubergine, chocolate? Uh oh, gotta go the hubs is rolling his eyes at me! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!! – Katie

Katie Couch

Thanks for sharing it with us, Katie! I should point that she also tells a great story about saving a bunch of money when it came to getting that big piece of carpet for the room, which you can read over on her blog. And as for the favorite-part game, mine is the graphic throw on the sofa and that skull art. Meanwhile Sherry loves the sconces, that great sofa, and – predictably – the egg chair.

Oh and what color’s your vote for the wall? Thought it would be fun to take an informal poll.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Rebecca @This Nest is BestRebecca @This Nest is Best says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Ooooh, that graphic throw! Love it! Can’t wait until our dining room has real before and after photos!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Katie WaddellKatie Waddell says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:08 am

      The graphic throw is actually a flatweave rug from Urban Outfitters :) gotta use what you have huh!? ;)

  2. Avatar for Anele @ Success Along the WeighAnele @ Success Along the Weigh says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:13 am

    Wow, that is certainly a big transformation!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Jess @ Little House. Big Heart.Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:14 am

    I have to say that I am seriously loving that brass chandelier! It feel so exotic!

    And I’m a sucker for anything navy, so I’d go that way if I were Katie!

    Reply
    • Avatar for EmilyEmily says

      April 12, 2013 at 10:43 am

      Yeah, me too. I NEED that Moroccan chandelier!

      I must be in the minority, I like the walls the way they are.

  4. Avatar for Anne @ Planting SequoiasAnne @ Planting Sequoias says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:16 am

    I vote that they add a board and batten grid to the couch wall and paint it a matte black. But it is a striking change as it is!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 12, 2013 at 10:16 am

      Ooh that sounds like Chris & Julia’s wall! Fun!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for Katie WaddellKatie Waddell says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:07 am

      Anne I would LOVE to do board and batten! One day when the budget can include it we probably will! :)

  5. Avatar for ErinErin says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:16 am

    I’m feeling the charcoal grey but a chartreuse or aubergine might be fun if they are looking for a pop of serious color!

    Reply
    • Avatar for ErinErin says

      April 12, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Oh, and I LOVE the skull art!!!

    • Avatar for KLKL says

      April 12, 2013 at 1:26 pm

      Agreed! And my favorite part is that vintage-looking console they have the TV on. Be still my heart!

  6. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:17 am

    I’m thinking a really light blue / gray that would tie in to the pops of navy but still keep it pretty light and open.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Henna | HENNA BLOSSOM blogHenna | HENNA BLOSSOM blog says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:18 am

    So unique…I love a good transformation! ;)

    …and so this is silly, and TOTALLY OT, but love for you to check out my post today…it’s the “BABY MOHAWK unveiling.” Just making me smile today, and not a bad way to start the weekend. ;) ha

    http://hennablossom.com/?p=1555

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 12, 2013 at 10:19 am

      Oh my gosh, I cant get over how much hair he was born with! Clara was a baldie for years! Haha. He’s such a cutie.

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for normanorma says

      April 12, 2013 at 1:29 pm

      just found your blog this way. very beautiful! love your style!

    • Avatar for Henna | HENNA BLOSSOM BLOGHenna | HENNA BLOSSOM BLOG says

      April 12, 2013 at 5:20 pm

      aw, thanks Norma! :)

      And Sherry, so funny! Yeah, it’s pretty surprising to be handed a newborn with a full on hair-do! ha! :)

  8. Avatar for anneanne says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:18 am

    Looks fabulous! –Navy or aubgergine!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for jackiejackie says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:20 am

    I think a bold emerald, domino mag/lonny mag style.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for ShannonShannon says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:20 am

    OMG I’m OBSESSED with that skull art!!! and, i’m going through a light and airy phase, so i’m digging the light walls.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Samantha@Carnabys Letting Agents[email protected] Letting Agents says

      April 15, 2013 at 5:53 am

      Believe me Shannon, you are not the only one, i spent the weekend looking for something similar, im not able to find anything slightly close, if i type light skull canvas etc on google i still get a range of dark options :(
      … i must have it!

  11. Avatar for BrianaBriana says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:21 am

    I’m thinking a dark grey on the blue side would be rockin’ on their walls. I looooove that throw, too!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Jennifer H.Jennifer H. says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:25 am

    Amazing! Also, I vote aubergine :)

    Reply
  13. Avatar for Crystal @ 29 Rue houseCrystal @ 29 Rue house says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:28 am

    I love the sofa, the bench/seat, tv cabinet and the brass lamp.

    I like the wall color as is!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Alas, poor Yorick!

    Anyone?

    Reply
    • Avatar for WrenariaWrenaria says

      April 12, 2013 at 12:15 pm

      Hamlet!

    • Avatar for ElizabethElizabeth says

      April 12, 2013 at 12:23 pm

      I knew him Horatio… ;)
      That skull art! Not for me, but it looks wicked. Well played.

    • Avatar for JessicaJessica says

      April 12, 2013 at 2:42 pm

      YAY For Hamlet allusions!

      Yeah, the skull art isn’t for me either. I would just walk around calling my wall ‘a fellow of infinite jest’ all the day long. ; )

  15. Avatar for ericaerica says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:29 am

    This looks so good. I’d love to chill out in that room! :)

    I normally don’t really like ‘accent walls’ but I’m craving a white room with one deep navy wall – just like 2/3 of the way up and the top third white like the rest of the room. With kind of minimal style and a few color pops. I must have seen it on pinterest or something – I keep thinking of doing that in our bonus / guest room. Just an idea!

    I love how bright and clean your room is but I also love the drama that some dark paint adds ! It’s worth a shot for sure.

    Reply
    • Avatar for NatalieNatalie says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:31 am

      I’m with you on the accent wall. I don’t normally like them, but I think it would be great in this room. Really make the (awesome!) skull canvas stand out, but still keep the overall feel of the room light.

      Door Sixteen has been painting everything in BM Deep Space so I’ve got that dark grey on the brain.

  16. Avatar for AndreaAndrea says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:31 am

    A navy or aubergine accent wall would look amazing and give a nice pop! And as YHL has proved, adding grey or light blue paint to any room makes it look ah-mazing! :)

    Reply
  17. Avatar for AllisonAllison says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:34 am

    Charcoal gray would be my vote, but I think any dark color would make it too cave-like. Doesn’t appear to have much natural light (possibly only one window?).

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Megan @ Rappsody in RoomsMegan @ Rappsody in Rooms says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:34 am

    I am loving that couch! I wonder if they scored that second hand. I have been scouring garage sales and Craigslist for a love seat but nothing yet! I’m waiting until that perfect piece, like it seems they found!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Katie WaddellKatie Waddell says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Hi Megan! I actually bought this couch on Craigslist and painted and reupholstered it myself, you can read my post on it here:http://katiewaddell.blogspot.com/2012/09/vintage-couch-before-and-after-or-proof.html

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:26 am

      Ahhh, isn’t that amazing?!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for JaniceJanice says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:05 am

      Megan – I was browsing their blog, and they did get the sofa second hand and redid it. Look at her ‘portfolio’ page. :)

  19. Avatar for DanielleDanielle says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:35 am

    I’m so in love with that green ottoman I can’t handle it!

    Reply
    • Avatar for KatyOKatyO says

      April 12, 2013 at 1:09 pm

      YES!!! I was just about to say the same thing! LOVE the green ottoman. That is the perfect green. Maybe that could be a wall color?

  20. Avatar for Sherri J.Sherri J. says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:40 am

    The white looks okay, but you might want to mix it up with some charcoal gray(I believe someone else mentioned this). Also a suggestion would be painting one of the four colors a warm color, such as a red or brown.
    This can definitely open the room up to the eyes of your audience and call attention to it.

    Reply
  21. Avatar for Paige @ Little NostalgiaPaige @ Little Nostalgia says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:42 am

    What a cool space! I hope they stop by and give us a breakdown of what was from Craigslist, and what was from stores. Also, I really want that graphic throw on the back of the couch!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Katie WaddellKatie Waddell says

      April 12, 2013 at 12:18 pm

      Hi Paige! The throw on the couch is really a flatweave rug from Urban Outfitters! :)
      http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=24099624&parentid=A_FURN_RUGS

  22. Avatar for EllenEllen says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:42 am

    I’d love to know more about the re-finish on the chest,including the color.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Katie WaddellKatie Waddell says

      April 12, 2013 at 12:21 pm

      Hi Ellen! I painted the chest with Behr’s Rhino paint and the ‘glaze’ is actually a dark (Jacobean?) wood stain wiped on with a rag. The finish has been great with having kids, the more they beat it up the better it looks. :) Hope that helps!

  23. Avatar for Kate @ Magic City ThistleKate @ Magic City Thistle says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:42 am

    I love the transformation (I have the same little green pouf!). My vote is for charcoal, the skull art would really stand out.

    Reply
  24. Avatar for Janelle @ Two Cups of HappyJanelle @ Two Cups of Happy says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:43 am

    I love the natural light flowing in, so I would be hesitant to paint it dark. Maybe an accent wall? Moody gray or eggplant could be pretty!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for KearneyKearney says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:43 am

    color on the walls, for sure, but i’d want sherry to pick it out, maybe a blue/grey?

    my fave is the tv console with the mirror & frames leaning on the wall.

    Reply
    • Avatar for CaseyCasey says

      April 12, 2013 at 1:49 pm

      Why would Sherry need to pick it out? I’m sure the owners of this house would be happy to pick our a wall color that will be in THEIR house…They’re the ones that have to look it every day.

  26. Avatar for AshleyAshley says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:45 am

    A couple of silver, metallic walls would be fab.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for AudreyAudrey says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:49 am

    Looks great! I vote medium gray :)

    Reply
  28. Avatar for CarrieCarrie says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:51 am

    I don’t care for the skull art, but the rest looks very nice. I would go with the navy blue.

    Reply
  29. Avatar for Julia @ cuckoo4designJulia @ cuckoo4design says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:57 am

    I love that skull art too. That was the first thing I thought!
    What an awesome before and after!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for RachelRachel says

    April 12, 2013 at 10:59 am

    My favorite is the couch with the throw! I like the color of the walls now, but maybe an accent wall in navy would look good.

    Reply
  31. Avatar for New Homes in CharlotteNew Homes in Charlotte says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:00 am

    wow that skull certainly is an interesting touch….

    Reply
  32. Avatar for ale norrisale norris says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:00 am

    i personally love the walls nice & bright like they are, espeically because the skull canvas makes it perfectly moody enough already. great job! psst. i love that throw, too.

    Reply
  33. Avatar for Katie WaddellKatie Waddell says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:01 am

    Thanks so much John and Sherry for featuring my living room! This has totally made my week!!! Oh and since I am so ADD when it comes to my own home that my living room has been rearranged about 3 times since I took these photos. ;) Plan to paint it real soon though, Swiss coffee walls and high gloss black doors. Thanks again!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:18 am

      Wahoo!

      xo
      s

  34. Avatar for STEPHANIESTEPHANIE says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:01 am

    i LOVE THAT GOLD FIXTURE! SUCH A COOL PIECE.
    AND I VOTE FOR A NAVY/SLATE COLOR. DEEP DARK AND UBBER CHIC.

    Reply
  35. Avatar for KellyKelly says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:03 am

    How about a charcoal gray bottom wall that is ombre…dark to light?

    Reply
  36. Avatar for Stephanie, Sandpaper and GlueStephanie, Sandpaper and Glue says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:05 am

    Ahhh- I love that skull art! love, love, love it.

    Reply
  37. Avatar for janicejanice says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:06 am

    Amazing difference! Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed browsing her blog. :)

    Reply
  38. Avatar for erinerin says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:06 am

    I think a dark color would look great on her walls!! Since she has that large white canvas and sofa to break up the darkness. It think it would look fantastic!

    lovely living room!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for DebDeb says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:08 am

    Great transformation! I would paint just the one wall behind the couch charcoal grey – that would really make the skull art pop!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for KateKate says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:08 am

    Wow- talk about a big change. Such an amazing room- I love it… especially the chevron!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for Megan PolettiMegan Poletti says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:10 am

    That skull is AMAZING! I also love the green leather ottoman, I need to find something like that! The TV media cabinet is great, too. I’m loving this whole “vintage buffet or long dresser used as media cabinet” thing. I have one too! Got it for $40 at a resale store. It’s got these amazing starbursts carved into the wood. SOOO mid-century.

    Reply
  42. Avatar for AngelaAngela says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:17 am

    Great transformation! I too love the throw. I also like how she added pom-pom trim to the curtains. I have found some great curtains at CurtainShop.com
    They have all kinds of different ones, but lately I’ve been obsessed with getting simple, plain curtains and adding custom touches to them. (like the pom-poms, great idea!)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Katie WaddellKatie Waddell says

      April 12, 2013 at 12:25 pm

      Thanks Angela! Those curtains are old linen ones from Ikea that I added the greek key and pom pom trim too.

  43. Avatar for jeannettejeannette says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:20 am

    it all depends on whether or not that is a wayne thiebaud over the tv.

    Reply
    • Avatar for jeannettejeannette says

      April 12, 2013 at 11:22 am

      it is, and it should be 40 times bigger.

      http://www.artchive.com/artchive/t/thiebaud/thiebaud_cone.jpg

    • Avatar for Katie WaddellKatie Waddell says

      April 12, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      It is and actually it is just a page from a magazine! Art on the cheap!! :)

  44. Avatar for Katie @ PintertestingKatie @ Pintertesting says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:21 am

    I love how they took what they had a made it their own! On a sweet budget no less.

    Props!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Katie WaddellKatie Waddell says

      April 12, 2013 at 4:59 pm

      Thanks Katie, you hit the nail on the head! We had virtually no budget! :)

  45. Avatar for NanNan says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:22 am

    A huge difference – I love the ceiling light.

    We just moved into a new to us house that has dark walls (navy, forest green & muddy brown) and I’m painting each and every one a lighter color. It just feels so dark and drab with all the dark walls.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for BrookeBrooke says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:28 am

    It seems like they’ve already picked colours for their walls but I would have suggested painting Racoon Fur by BM just behind the sofa since it’s a charcoal grey that tends to look a bit navy and then either keeping the walls white or painting them a lighter grey/or another neutral.

    Reply
  47. Avatar for CarolCarol says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:33 am

    Maybe do an ombre color accent on the left and right sides of the canvas? Take a cue from the now-famous YHL chest of drawers book project, pick hues that will fade into your current color. Just something to make the canvas pop without going dark throughout. Awesome canvas. BTW, I think your house must L.O.V.E you for rescuing it from the Home Interiors overload.

    Reply
  48. Avatar for EllenEllen says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:37 am

    I definitely think they should paint the room dark–I think it’ll add a ton of depth and help their beautiful art and furniture pop!

    Such a fun makeover–the before pictures actually made me gasp, ha!

    Reply
  49. Avatar for BrendaBrenda says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:46 am

    I could see the wall behind the couch having wide chocolate horizontal stripes. I have no idea if that’s good advice, but it could be fun. I do love the throw on the couch.

    Reply
  50. Avatar for ChristinaChristina says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:50 am

    Love it! I’ve been seeing lots of pom pom trim on drapes lately – loving that too!

    Reply
    • Avatar for MM says

      April 12, 2013 at 12:18 pm

      I couldn’t help but think that this house was decorated by pinterest influence. I like stuff I see on pinterest but is there a right way to do it…I want my home to be my home and not like any other Jane.

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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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