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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: A Total Transformation

| By Sherry Petersik | March 24, 2009 | 47 Comments

Reader Redesign: A Total Transformation

When Anna sent us pictures of her family room redo, we couldn’t wait to share the major makeover with you before-and-after-lovin’ people. Here’s her letter:

I thought you might like pictures of my 1960’s step-down family room re-do. The best part was getting rid of the textured ceiling and replacing the carpeting with wide plank wood flooring. Because the flooring is engineered wood, it could be applied directly to a concrete slab. We couldn’t commit to painting the fireplace, but we hoped that getting rid of the paneling and making a few other changes would lighten the room up enough to make it livable. The etageres next to the fireplace were found on your website and we bought them on clearance from JC Penney! Thanks! The pillows and rugs are from Target, and the white chair is a thrift store find that I spray painted and made a new chair pad for. I don’t really like the coffee table, and hope to find a new one soon. Have a great day! – Anna

Here’s the dark and dated before:

family-room-brown-paneling

And the amazing after pics:

dscn4826

dscn4832

It’s unbelievable that a chair that once looked like this…

dscn4408

…was transformed into this showstopper with some spray paint and a new fabric cushion.

dscn4838

Deeeelicious. Thanks so much for the gorgeous pictures, Anna. Now everyone’s gonna be on Craigslist trying to hunt down a quatrefoil chair like yours. Including me!

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Laura at Emmy LuLaura at Emmy Lu says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Oh oh oh! I just LOVE the big ampersand letter above the fireplace!

    I am just amazed at the transformation! The room went from dark and cramped looking, to bright, airy and open. It is a complete breathe of fresh air!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for JennaJenna says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Wowza, where did you get the Ampersand? I would love that.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for WendyWendy says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    Wow – great transformation! I gave you guys props on my blog today! Happy Tuesday! http://southernstuf.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-fave-blog-young-house.html

    Reply
  4. Avatar for sarahsarah says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    WOW! Gorgeous transformation. Hopefully she can chime in with where she got that ampersand for the mantel–it’s awesome!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for SamanthaSamantha says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    Wow, that looks great! I love the shelves by the fire place. This room looks really fresh now. Great make over.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for TamTam says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    Wow..well done..

    Reply
  7. Avatar for AllisonAllison says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    Good before and after photos of transformations are so inspiring

    Reply
  8. Avatar for heather s.heather s. says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    I love the ‘after.’ I think the fireplace looks great as-is and wouldn’t touch it. The chair is amazing!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Gosh, I can only imagine what the inbetween pictures must have been like. Did you and your husband do it all or hire some contractors to help? Either way, wow!

    I bet you don’t miss that old ceiling one bit.
    Katie

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Sam & JacciSam & Jacci says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    I love you guys. Anna, I love you, too.

    We have the SAME dark wood paneling and a *hugemongous*, dark brick fireplace all on a concrete slab covered with… John and Sherry know what’s coming next…yup, pee carpet. (I’ll forever be remembered as the reader who kept talking about her stinkin’ pee carpet, won’t I?). BUT, you lovely, wonderful people give me all kinds of swanky hope with before and after pics like these!!! Look at that room!!! You would never know it had been so funky before!! Anna did such a fabulous job. My inner designer is very, very much encouraged by this post. Thank you! :)

    Jacci

    Reply
  11. Avatar for AnneAnne says

    March 24, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Must have ampersand! Where did you get that?

    Reply
  12. Avatar for ellisellis says

    March 24, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    Wow, this is one of my favorite transformations! I think the brick on that fireplace is gorgeously incorporated into the final room. I definitely can see how John & Sherry painted their brick since it was sooooo dark and overpowering, but I think you made the perfect decision on this room. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for KimKim says

    March 24, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    Great job! I actually think the brick fireplace looks nice with the new colors.

    Reply
  14. Avatar for JMJM says

    March 24, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    I love seeing dogs in reader photos :)

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Erin M.G.Erin M.G. says

    March 24, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    Lovely transformation! I love the colors and the mix of textures. I’m so glad they didn’t paint the fireplace. I believe people will regret that trend down the road.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for Liz @ itsgreattobehomeLiz @ itsgreattobehome says

    March 24, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Love the chair!! I want to steal it for my very own. :)

    Reply
  17. Avatar for DANIELLE FORTEDANIELLE FORTE says

    March 24, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    IT’S BEAUTIFUL!!!!I LOVE ALL THE WARMTH.
    WE HAVE THE SAME COFFEE TABLE AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SANDING IT DOWN AND PAINTING IT BLACK. WE GOT IT FROM POTTERY BARN, ITS THE PARKER COLECTION, 10 YEARS AGO!!!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

    March 24, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    I love it! And don’t you dare paint that fireplace! I think it’s beautiful exactly how it is. The colors pop more against the white wall!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Denise T.Denise T. says

    March 24, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    Amazing transformation. The arched soldier course on your fireplace is a beautiful architectural feature in your room. You’ve played it up in all the right ways – well done.

    Reply
  20. Avatar for Anna SeeAnna See says

    March 24, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    Thanks for all of the encouragement! I needed it today since that disobedient dog in the picture just peed all over the new white shag carpeting. Oh well.

    The ampersand was from a furniture store called Haverty’s– $100 marked down to $9.99.

    The chair was part of a set I got for the dining room. 8 pieces for under $50 at a thrift shop. It was pretty gross trying to get the smoke smell out of them, but it was worth it. You can see the whole set on my blog. http://aninchofgray.blogspot.com/2008/11/give-me-staple-gun-ill-give-you-chair.html

    Thanks for including me, Sherry and John!

    Anna
    aninchofgray.blogspot.com

    Reply
  21. Avatar for stephaniestephanie says

    March 24, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    PAINT PAINT PAINT the fireplace!! You will LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! I love mine everyday!!! painted every brick on my 50’s ranch, inside and out, and LOVE it!!

    LOVE the chair re-do!! beautiful!!!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for TamaraTamara says

    March 24, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    Love the ampersand, funny, I was just mentioning the other day how it’s one of my favourite symbols and I’ve been trying to think of a way of incorporating it into a corner of our home. Looks like I’m not alone in the ampersand love.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for MissyMissy says

    March 24, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    Wow… love the big black lab too! We have one of those! :)

    Reply
  24. Avatar for christychristy says

    March 24, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    Love the transformation! Gorgeous. And I love your blog – I’ve never been here before – you have a new fan!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for Kristin CampbellKristin Campbell says

    March 24, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    Looks lovely! Great Web site, guys…and such beautiful design! Love how down-to-earth you are…it’s refreshing to read your posts. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for KateKate says

    March 24, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    Beautiful color choices. Love the chair, wow !

    Reply
  27. Avatar for Ami RaeAmi Rae says

    March 24, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Leave the fireplace alone. It’s a fabulous character piece in the room. The room looks fantastic. Great job!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    March 24, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    Wow this redo looks fantastic!! I love the fireplace as is…. don’t paint it! I love what you did with the chair! It looks like something right out of a West Elm catalog.

    Reply
  29. Avatar for BlayneBlayne says

    March 24, 2009 at 10:59 pm

    Wow gorgeous! That chair is amazing. I never come across anything that cool at thrift stores. Great job and I think the fireplace looks 1000% better with all the other improvements whether or not you paint it.

    Reply
  30. Avatar for SarahSSarahS says

    March 25, 2009 at 8:23 am

    This redo is amazing. Totally made my morning! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for SoBella CreationsSoBella Creations says

    March 25, 2009 at 9:25 am

    What a fantastic transformation! I love it!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for Ann-MarieAnn-Marie says

    March 25, 2009 at 9:47 am

    Beautiful! These pics make me wish we’d taken before and after shots of our apartment (Before: plain, nearly empty bachelor pad. After: colorful, homey newlywed nest). I’d love to see before pics of the rest of this room, too.

    Reply
  33. Avatar for MeredithMeredith says

    March 25, 2009 at 10:52 am

    Anna–I’m not sold on painting the fireplace, but I DO think you should paint your coffee table white. I think the sturdy structure looks great in your space, but I’d love to see it lightened up!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for bungalow_blissbungalow_bliss says

    March 25, 2009 at 11:17 am

    Wow, so fresh and airy! I love that you didn’t paint the brick but still achieved this look. So, so nice!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for Melissa E.Melissa E. says

    March 25, 2009 at 11:20 am

    where did the curtains come from? I’m looking for a similar color…your new room is beautiful!!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for JillJill says

    March 25, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    I love the way the mantel looks now and that chair… speechless. I love the whole look of the room. Amazing and so inviting!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    March 25, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    Do we know where she got the curtains? Did she have them made? I love the color!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for KellieKellie says

    March 25, 2009 at 4:23 pm

    Beeeeeeeea-U-tiful!

    I am PRO painting the fireplace, myself. However, it still looks great with all your other changes. Either way you decide, the room will look amazing.

    Great job!!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

    March 25, 2009 at 5:13 pm

    Hey guys,

    We’ve dropped Anna a line to let her know that there are a few questions about her space over here. Hopefully she’ll pop in with the answers asap!

    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  40. Avatar for Julia @ Hooked on HousesJulia @ Hooked on Houses says

    March 25, 2009 at 6:15 pm

    That makeover is amazing. Great job, Anna! Hard to believe the “after” is the same room as “before.” :-)

    Reply
  41. Avatar for melissamelissa says

    March 25, 2009 at 6:17 pm

    Wow, I love, love, love the details that come out in the chair now that it has been painted white. I’m not always a fan of covering natural wood with paint but this is one of those times it makes the piece look much better. Congrats on a great room.

    Reply
  42. Avatar for BrookeBrooke says

    March 25, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    I hope I’m not repeating a question here! Where did you get those amazing shelves?

    The room looks great! I love how the fireplace stands out now!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2009 at 6:29 pm

      Hey Brooke,

      The shelves on either side of the fireplace, also known as etageres, were actually from JC Penney a while back. We posted about them when they went on clearance and Anna snatched them up for her space! Here’s the old post with the link, although they might not still be available:

      https://www.younghouselove.com/2008/05/penney-pinchin/

      If not it might help to google “white etagere” or search Target or JC Penney for an “etagere.” Hope it helps!

      xoxo,
      Sherry

  43. Avatar for Anna SeeAnna See says

    March 25, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    Anna here!

    The paint is Benjamin Moore HC-82 (Bennington Gray). The curtains are from Target– Color: Rocky River. Super Cheap. Both rugs and the bird pillow are from Target, too. The coffee table was from a thrift shop. I love Meredith’s suggestion to paint it white. BTW, my favorite spray paint color (as seen on the chair and its 6 buddies I painted) is Heirloom White “Painter’s Touch” by Rust-oleum. That’s a whole lot of fun in a $3 can. I love Young House Love and I can’t wait to see more transformations here.

    P.S. The worst part of redoing this room was getting rid of the textured ceiling. I got it tested for asbestos and found that there were trace elements of asbestos(less than 1%), but that still counted as asbestos. It looked like a scene out of ET here– men in space suits, etc. to get rid of it. While most of this room was done on the cheap, that part was pricey.

    Reply
  44. Avatar for MarissaMarissa says

    March 25, 2009 at 11:36 pm

    So great! One more question… did yo uend up replacing the light fixture as well?

    Reply
  45. Avatar for Anna SeeAnna See says

    March 26, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Yes, we just got a plain burshed nickel fixture from Home Depot.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for Anna SeeAnna See says

    March 26, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Oops! I meant brushed nickel, not burshed nickel.

    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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