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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » A Pale Blue Living Room Makeover With A Tan Rug

| By Sherry Petersik | May 1, 2009 | 59 Comments

A Pale Blue Living Room Makeover With A Tan Rug

When Frances sent these photos of her recent living room makeover our way, we couldn’t wait to share the eye candy. Here’s her letter:

I’m a huge fan of your site and what you do. For that reason, I wanted to introduce myself and submit these photos of a recent project that I completed in a one bedroom co-op in Great Neck, NY. I hope you find it worthy to feature on your site. It would be a huge treat for me.

Here are a few of my sources: Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Silken Pine, All Drapery: Pottery Barn, Drapery Hardware and woven shades: The Shade Store, Living/entry way rugs: Decora Rugs, Entry Way mirror: Source Perrier, Entry Way console: Mitchell Gold, Entryway Chair: Ballard Designs, Entertainment Unit: Stickley Furniture, Sofa and Reading Chair: TCS Designs, Cocktail Table: Hickory Chair, Ceramic Stool: Wisteria, Floor Lamp: Pottery Barn, Desk Lamp: Z Gallerie, Accessories: Target, Home Goods, Ikea, Z Gallerie, Dransfield & Ross.

Thanks for all the tips and great reading! Keep up the great work!  -Frances

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Is that not a stunning transformation? We even think it’s a bit reminiscent of one of our favorite designers, Candace Olson. In a word: fab. We’ve eyed that canvas above the sofa at Ikea a million times, and it looks just as amazing as we always pictured it would up on the wall in a soft and serene living space. Deeeelicious!

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Comments

  1. Holly says

    May 1, 2009 at 9:21 am

    WOW!! This looks amazing, great job Frances!

    Reply
  2. natalie meester says

    May 1, 2009 at 9:23 am

    fabulous! Yes, I agree it does resemble the fabulous works of candice olsen.

    AWESOME job Frances!

    Reply
  3. Madelaine says

    May 1, 2009 at 9:25 am

    Great job Frances!
    I love the paint color, just might have steal that one for myself!

    Reply
  4. christy says

    May 1, 2009 at 9:28 am

    It is stunning! Candice’s last name is spelled with two o’s by the way: Olson. I just posted today about my family room transformation, and I used her wallpaper, that’s why I noticed it in your post. Loved this reveal, and your site!

    Reply
  5. Laura says

    May 1, 2009 at 9:39 am

    It does look very Candace!! Good job, Frances!! Thanks for sharing all of your sources!!

    Reply
  6. andmarie says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:05 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  7. Liz says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:06 am

    Wow, what a great job! It looks so serene and inviting. Well done!

    Reply
  8. LeilaMac says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:07 am

    All I can say is W-O-W! It’s so light, airy, and sophisticated! I love it (especially the sofa and rug!). High five, Frances!

    Reply
  9. Natalie says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:11 am

    Ooh that is beautiful! Such a tranquil space. :)

    Reply
  10. Natalie says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:16 am

    P.S. You guys should take an updated picture of your house since the porch transformation! :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 1, 2009 at 12:31 pm

      Hey Natalie- Yup, we know we owe you guys a new picture of the front of the house for our header now that we’ve pimped our porch. We’re just waiting for the azaleas to be juuuuust right. Stay tuned…

      And for everyone with questions for Frances, hopefully she’ll pop in soon and answer ’em all! We love that you’re loving this makeover as much as we are!

      xoxo,
      Sherry

  11. kathleen says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:17 am

    Beautiful job, Frances. The crown molding adds a great finishing touch!

    Reply
  12. Alexis says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:19 am

    How sophisticated and polished, yet still welcoming! Love it. It looks so much larger furnished, too.

    Reply
  13. Beth says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:20 am

    This is awesome! Congrats on a great job Frances. I’m going to be obsessing over the Ikea canvas art the rest of the day.

    Reply
  14. Jill says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:37 am

    Stylish and classy! Great job Frances– looks so inviting.

    Reply
  15. Danielle says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:53 am

    Do you know where the Black arm chair came from? I LOVE it and was looking for something like that for my living room.

    Reply
  16. Fran says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:54 am

    This is a beautiful room. Nice job Frances. Love the dark wood with the light colors elsewhere.

    Reply
  17. Karin Smith says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:56 am

    Great space planning. I wouldn’t know what to do with a room this shape but this looks fab.

    Reply
  18. CottonColors says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:59 am

    What a beautiful makeover! Very serene!

    Reply
  19. Meredith says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:06 am

    What FANTASTIC use of such a narrow living space! It looks absolutely wonderful.

    Reply
  20. Sarah says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:09 am

    Looks great! And so funny- I was thinking it reminded me of Candace O before I read that!

    Reply
  21. Melissa Anderson says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:16 am

    This room is beautiful Frances! We have similar style and I have been looking for a coffee table like this. So fresh and relaxing.

    Reply
  22. bungalowbliss says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:27 am

    You’re right, it reminds me of C.O.’s work, too. This room is so peaceful and fresh…what an excellent re-do!

    Reply
  23. abbey says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:37 am

    Absolutely Beautiful! I love the combination of colors. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  24. camila says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:48 am

    Beautiful and she’s a local gal to me.

    I’m loving that mirror in the entry way. I’m going to have to check it out.

    Also if anyone is interested the latest featured lady for IN HER SHOES is up at: http://high-heelfootinthedoor.blogspot.com/

    Hope you check it out!

    Have a good weekend!

    Reply
  25. Nikki's Nacs says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:52 am

    Stunning room. Frances did a great job.

    Reply
  26. Karin Smith says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:55 am

    p.s. I’d love a better view of that desk in front of the window

    Reply
  27. jbhat says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:55 am

    She has lovely taste. It’s a very inviting room, and not at all apartment-y/ generic condo-y looking.

    Reply
  28. Tracy says

    May 1, 2009 at 11:57 am

    Wow! That looks so professionally designed. I’m IMPRESSED!

    Reply
  29. Alicia says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    I love that room! Seriously fantastic job Frances.

    Reply
  30. Jenn says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    Thank you for posting. I love the glass coffee table and colors of the space. I also love that this is a design for a long narrow living room. You do not find this type of space posted often…

    Reply
  31. Fatima says

    May 1, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    they did such a great job! i am getting inspired :)

    Reply
  32. Martha says

    May 1, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    Great job, Frances! Especially love the color and the round mirror. Very Candace indeed!

    Reply
  33. staceys says

    May 1, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    what an elegantly cozy space.

    Reply
  34. Sara says

    May 1, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    I’m having living room envy right now! Looks great!

    Reply
  35. Jill says

    May 1, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    Sorry……….this is unrelated, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to vote on BHG.com for the porch makeover. Would it be possible to give us all a link?
    Thanks so much,
    Jill

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 1, 2009 at 8:41 pm

      Hey Jill,

      Thanks so much for caring to vote!!! Here’s the link. Stay tuned for a post about it tomorrow!

      xoxo,
      Sherry

  36. Amy says

    May 1, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    Beautiful job! I would love to know what kind of window coverings you used, Frances.

    Reply
  37. Paula says

    May 1, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Love that little white ceramic stool next to the chair! It makes me think that one will, in fact, work in my living room :) Gorgeous makeover!

    Reply
  38. Susan says

    May 1, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    I love the colors! Everything looks great!

    Question for you guys….I have blue carpet (close to the color of the blue vase on the cofee table in the above photo) in all the bedrooms in my house, and have no idea what paint colors will work with it…any ideas??? Wish I could replace the carpet, but it’s not in the budget!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 2, 2009 at 12:36 am

      Hey Susan,

      Tan and white and cream always look lovely with blue so that’s what I’d suggest. Maybe a sandy tan on the walls with crisp white trim and then you can bring varying blue tones in with other accessories to tie it all together (and maybe even add greens or icy lavender tones as well). Happy decorating!

      xoxo,
      Sherry

  39. Mallory says

    May 1, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    Love the entryway!

    Reply
  40. Alicia says

    May 1, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    Way to go Frances! That is beautiful! Looks like it’s straight out of a magazine. You did such a great job!

    Reply
  41. Barbara in UT says

    May 1, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    Just Lovely! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Reply
  42. Robin says

    May 1, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    Wow, I love it when the air in the room changes from stuffy to spring.

    Reply
  43. G&D says

    May 1, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    Oh wow, that’s beautiful! Love those colors. And the hardwood floors!

    Reply
  44. Amanda says

    May 1, 2009 at 6:35 pm

    I love this makeover!!! I would really like to see a budget breakdown if at all possible. Looks like a Million bucks!

    Reply
  45. Kate at www.CentsationalGirl.com says

    May 1, 2009 at 10:31 pm

    A wonderful makeover of a empty space – perfect color choices. I love the dark wood mixed in with the lighter pieces and the blue touches. Beautiful !

    Reply
  46. Julia says

    May 2, 2009 at 12:03 am

    beautiful! Anyone know the crazy IKEA name of the IKEA art on the wall? I love it!

    Reply
  47. Carly says

    May 2, 2009 at 12:20 am

    that canvas is ikea? love it! it was the first thing i noticed. may have to go get that if i can talk my hubby into it…

    Reply
  48. megan says

    May 2, 2009 at 9:10 am

    Fab indeed! I totally see a bit of Candace Olson in the room. Great job!

    Reply
  49. Robin says

    May 2, 2009 at 11:42 am

    That is one gorgeous living room- congratulations on a job well done!

    Reply
  50. Anita says

    May 2, 2009 at 9:32 pm

    Just curious…is it safe to have those drapes over the baseboard heating?

    Reply
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John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, 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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