Laura’s paint and accessory makeover is truly a testament that high style doesn’t have to come at a high price. Here’s her letter:
I enjoy reading your blog and wanted to share some before and after pictures of my living room redesign. I too am a first-time homeowner of a charming older house (a Cape Cod built in 1951). Since moving in four years ago, I have enjoyed taking on many projects to make the house my own while still honoring its history. The living room is now one of my favorite rooms in the house. Please excuse the clutter and décor in the “before” pictures; they were taken before I moved in. To complete the transformation, I used Behr’s Tide Pools on the walls with Behr’s Pot of Cream on the trim and filled the room with furnishings from Target, Pier 1, and JCPenney (and accessories from Homegoods, Marshall’s, and Target). The curtains hail from Christmas Tree Shops and the photography is actually pictures I took when living in Spain. Thanks for such an inspiring site. Keep up the good work! – Laura
Here’s Laura’s living room before the big makeover:
And here’s the same room after a few totally doable changes (hard to believe, isn’t it?!):
Isn’t that a lovely and inspiring transformation? We always say that paint and curtains really can dramatically upgrade a space and Laura’s living room is the perfect example of just how far those two things can go! What do you guys think? What’s your favorite part? Thanks so much for sending the photos our way Laura. Long live simple and oh so transformative room redos like yours!
Roeshel says
I love the color choice! Beautiful transformation Laura!
fran says
Laura- this looks gorge! You’re loaded with style. I especially adore the pop of pink (flowers) on the table in front of the window. I dare you to add more pink accessories to this room! A lumbar pillow in the center of the sofa, artwork with some pink in it…just a couple more touches.
Also adore your frames above the sofa. So neat that they’re your own creation. I beg of you, hang another row beneath the ones that are already there so they can be friends with the sofa.
tara says
Laura I would love to know where you got that geometric pillow on the tan side chair. I have been dying for one that color, but cant find any that make me happy.
Live a Colorful Life says
What a beautiful transformation. Laura, thanks for sharing. I really like the furniture arrangement, color, everything. Wow. Very inspiring!
This Lovely City says
Absolutely fabulous transformation! Great Job, Laura!! Hope to see more of your lovely makeovers….
And Sherry & Jon- Your home is gorgeous. I love your blog. You’re truly an inspiration to all us DIY-ers out there. I can’t wait to buy a house & have more space to decorate…my tiny condo just isn’t cuttin’ it!
Xo. Erin
Anna See says
Gulp! What a difference. I am astounded and thrilled. Love the pillowe, paint color, furniture and the whole vibe: pulled together but not cluttered inthe least. Great job!
Alyzande says
It’s a beautiful set of colours, welcoming cosy shapes, and clean white tones lift it perfectly. I love it. I could just snuggle down on that sofa right now. mmmmmm.
Thanks Laura!
Laura says
Thank you so many your kind comments. What a treat to arrive home from work this evening and find that my living room was on YHL! Here are answers to some of the questions (as I sit in my comfy living room chair)…sorry I couldn’t get to this sooner today.
Best,
Laura
tara: The geometric pillow is from Target (it’s reversible — the other side is white with brown/teal stitching). They still carried them in my local store about three weeks ago.
Megan and K*OS: The beige couch, chair, and ottoman are from Pier 1. I bought them about 5 years ago. The dark brown chair is from Target (I added the nailhead trim).
Leigh: I am a certified pillow addict… I think because pillows are one of the easiest and economical ways to change a room’s decor. The brown and white pillows on the couch are from T.J. Maxx (and reversible). The rectangular pillows on the couch and brown chair were a table runner! I cut it into four pieces (the fourth pillow is on another chair not shown in the pictures). Since each pillow already had at least two seams sewn (from when the front and back pieces of the table runner were attached), it was just a matter of sewing up the other sides and stuffing with fiber fill.
Sara: I agree about the rug and have been scoping out another one that is a bit larger. Coincidentally, the current rug is the same one John and Sherry have in their sunroom.
Krista D: I, too, thought about how I might create starting and stopping points when painting my trim, but I can tell you that once I started painting the trim, I didn’t want to stop because everything looked so much brighter and fresher. I started out using a primer from Zinsser (Primecoat Primer and Sealer) that is formulated for painting over lots of types of surfaces, including glossy ones and woodwork with shellac and then followed with two coats of trim paint.
Kristin Jo: The sheers are hung on a flat curtain rod mounted to the window trim, and the drapes are hung from a curtain rod mounted to the wall.
fran: I totally agree with you about the pink–I actually added pops of coral to the room over the summer as well as a few more beachy accents.
Donita says
LOVE IT!!! Those are my colors……although LAURA’S is finished, MINE is not. ;-) FABULOUS job. She has PERFECT style!!!
Holly says
Wow! I scrolled down.. then up.. down.. up.. I can’t believe the difference, great job Laura!
Averill says
Wow! Laura did a great job — it’s amazing what some paint and accessories can do (and those curtains are a HUGE upgrade!).
Debkb says
Everything looks great and love the colors. I agree with Fran above, please add another row of photos beneath the ones over the sofa or drop the single row there. The current ones are a bit too high and have a bit of a disconnect from the sofa.
Zed says
Laura, I logged in to tell you to lower the pictures behind the sofa, and saw that a couple of people already beat me to it.
Other than that, great room!
trish says
It looks nice, if a little cookie cutter. I personally am always disappointed to see nice wood trim painted white.
Donita says
OH I agree with Fran, Laura, it would look so awesome to have another row of pictures closer to the couch…….that is exactly what I am doing on my wall above the TV stand in our living room……:-) LOVE LOVE LOVE this room, great job. ;-)
Marelis says
I wasn’t sure if I had commented yet, but I absolutely LOVE the transformation and it is completely the style I’m looking for. Our Mstr Bdrm is the same color scheme and I’ve been trying to figure out what color to do on the walls. This color would be PERFECT!!!
kristin jo says
thanks Laura for the info on the curtains! And so cool that you made your own pillows from a runner. You’ve done a fabulous job!
Megan says
I LOVE the “after” shots but i also have to say i really like the yellow lamp shade in the before shot. Such a nice bright colour, i think it’s the same lamp in the afters but with a diferent shade?
Emily says
I really like the redesign, but I hardly think you can say it is just because of a little paint and curtains. The furniture is significantly different and I wouldn’t be as impressed with the room with the same old furniture.
Lesley says
That’s incredible! Great job
MarathonMom says
Love it!
Stacy says
Laura,
I absolutley LOVE your room makeover; it looks great! I am actually in the process of doing the same, but could you please tell me the paint color you chose for the walls, I’m loving it and would love an idea.
Thanks so much!