Monday, January 17, 2011

The Living Room ~ A Picture Walk

My sister mentioned to me that I don't post enough pictures of my home. To tell you the truth, I don't really know why I hesitate to share them. The whole house has come a long way (really long!), but it seems like every room has something I want to change or that has yet to be tackled. I've done a lot of work on it and I'm certainly proud of it, but nothing ever feels "finished".

I try to remind myself of the reason I blog and the reason I love to read blogs. It's the inspiration and ideas I find from others. And of course the supportive comments from my followers. Homes are supposed to be a work in progress and that is what makes them so fun! I believe in taking your time to collect the pieces you bring into your home and loving the result.

I've decided stop nitpicking and just post some already! Let's start with the living room. Sometimes, it takes a look back in pictures to really see how far you've come.

Before moving in (not my stuff :))


I called this fireplace "the muppet". It had a sticky varnish finish which had been collecting dog hair.


The big, bright windows were my favorite part.  


The fun part! Removing 3 layers of wallpaper = FUN!


Ahhh.. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel with a fresh coat of primer! 


A lick of paint and a few furnishings! 


And the living room now. Finally coming together.










Obviously, you can tell from the pictures that a lot changed. Here is a rundown.
  • Floors sanded and varnished
  • All the trim and moldings were painted white (ICI Natural White in semi-gloss)
  • Walls painted (ICI Meeting House in matte)
  • Blue club chairs (reupholstered vintage)
  • Floral Chair
  • Feature wall ~ geometric wallpaper now discontinued.
  • Painted the muppet fireplace. 5 coats baby!
  • upholstered ottoman
The inevitable to do list:
  • Built in cabinet to house the TV, books and accessories (In the back corner where you can spy a TV now.)
  • Light fixture. (The IKEA paper ball is a temporary solution.. it's not even hooked to a light source. The scale is definitely perfect, but I have no idea what to put there!

64 comments:

  1. Wonderful transformation!! I love how light and airy the room looks. I also love how it looks totally "finished" without feeling like a over-done staged house.

    Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love it!! It's so serene...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great transformation. Too bad that wallpaper is discontinued.. I can't really see it but it looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  4. this is an incredible transformation. so inspiring. 5 coats on your fireplace, ahhh!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the colour palate! Great job! Will be following to see more! :) Erica

    http://moth-design.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just became a follower cause I love your style. This room looks amazing! Great work:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh and what about the IKEA PS MASKROS pendant light?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, looks great!!! Would you mind sharing where you brought the frames over sofa.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Jane,
    I just found your blog from Centsational Girl.
    Your living room turned out beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your home is stunning! I love those club chairs...I need to find me a local person that reupholsters!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your home is stunning! I love those club chairs...I need to find me a local person that reupholsters!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Wow I love the colors! That looks great you must feel so happy to have accomplished allot (Including 5 coats of time consuming paint)

    XX Samantha

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yeah!...sometimes sisters just know.

    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a fantastic area, it's so cute and fresh. good job girly!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a great room! So bright and airy. I can totally relate on not wanting to post pics until rooms are done... but you are so right... the work in progress is the fun part!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jane, it is gorgeous! You should be so proud of all of the work that you have accomplished.

    x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Absolutely gorgeous! You have great taste and I'm so glad you shared your living room with us!





    http://noellesbelles.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  18. It looks SO good! I love the club chairs.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh my goodness, Jane. Your room is incredible. I can't even pick out my favorite part. It is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. you should be really proud of the amazing transformation you've made to your home. i always struggle to see the beauty of things under wallpapers or unattractive furniture. your creativity and inventiveness is amazing, keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
  21. So beautiful! I love what you did with the fireplace! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks everyone! For the person asking where I got the frames - I picked them up at Home Sense.. Home Goods in the US?

    ReplyDelete
  23. The floors look gorgeous, and I love the white cabinet! Great job - this is my first visit to your blog and I'm excited to poke around more!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love your living room...
    you did a great job with it,
    now it looks so fresh and inviting:)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I LOVE it! OMG what an amazing difference! You have the exact same colors I'm going for. We have a big huge open space of a livingroom and I'm drawing a blank of how to fill the corners. I wish I had your vision!

    PS- that painting by the chair totally looks like a lion's face. Not sure if it's abstract, but that's what I saw!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your living room looks so good Jane! You should be VERY proud of all your efforts- the result is nothing short of amazing!! I would love to see more of your home!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Gorgeous room!! I love the colors and I am lusting after your blue arm chairs by the window!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love how you've transformed an older house into a more modern one but still kept a vintage touch.

    My mom is struggling with window treatments in her house because of radiators being under a window in each room. I see that you used panels that hang just to the side of them. Does the fabric get hot or is it far enough from the radiator that it doesn't?

    ReplyDelete
  29. So pretty! I love how crisp & clean it looks. Always a fan of blue :)

    Visiting from Serenity Now!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I really like that cream barrel piece on the side of your couch; where did that come from? I saw something similar for $250+ but I can't make myself pay that much. Your room looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  31. WOW! You have such great style! I love everything about your living room! It looks like it could be in the pages of a catalog, yet still "livable." Great job on the white fireplace.

    After seeing this, you should definitely post more photos of your house!

    Stopping over from the Serenity Now link party. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Jane, this room is gorgeous!! You updated it so well...looks like a completely different home! I love how you painted the fireplace. Such a chic space now! Thanks so much for linking up to my party. Hope you'll stop by Serenity Now again soon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow! Jane, its gorgeous!!!! You have done a beautiful job! Remember its not about perfection...its about home. :D

    Visiting from Amanda's party!

    Building Home with Him,

    Mary Joy

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow! You are wayyyyy talented!!! EXCELLENT makeover!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Saw your blog over at Serenity Now...love your dining room! Just became your newest follower :) I'd love for you to visit mine: http://nestdecorator.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Just beautiful. I can't even try to pick out a favorite part - it's all lovely. I've been trying to decide whether to paint my fireplace. You are making my decision easier.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Just wanted to let you know I'd like to feature this room on our blog tomorrow. If you have any questions, shoot me an email at newlywoodwards@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete
  38. wow. this space is magazine worthy. i adore it all.

    stopping over via newlywoodwards.

    i'm a new follower!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Spread the news! You were featured on Apartment Therapy's Re-Nest! http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/living-room/dramatic-livingroom-makeovermodern-jane-designs-137886

    ReplyDelete
  40. This looks amazing! Love the art, and the wall! So glad I found your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Gorgeous! I love your style. Do you mind me asking where that geometric white table with the plant on it is from?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Wow. I mean, *WOW*!!! That is not a transformation, it's a friggin' miracle! Love everything and the color palette just makes me want to snuggle in with a good book!

    ReplyDelete
  43. WOW absolutely beautiful!!! I am in love with your couch. May I ask where that is from?

    ReplyDelete
  44. So happy to have just found your blog. You have done such amazing work and I adore this room.
    Alison

    ReplyDelete
  45. This is perfection! I love it. Where is your sofa from? I love the lines of it.

    ReplyDelete
  46. HI Jane, I love the transformation in your home. It is lovely and modern but it still has lots of that old charm and character. You did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Jane, WOW. I am beyond thrilled you commented on my blog bc it made me find your blog. I am loving the look and style of your blog and your house--it is amazing!!!! Every room, every picture belongs in a magazine. I am so happy to be following you now! Beautiful work..oh my, I cannot get enough!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. You have a beautiful home and will provide much needed inspiration as I undergo my own remodel :)
    Looking forward to following along

    ReplyDelete
  49. Wow, what a beautiful space you've created! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  50. What a beautiful living room. I can't believe the transformation. I saw you featured over at Centsational Girl and had to come by to check out your blog. Each of your rooms are gorgeous. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to come and check out my blog and follow me back at www.diybydesign.blogspot.com. Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Fabulous! You have great vision to see what the outdated living room could become. This is so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  52. It turned out lovely!! I love your colors and love that hutch! It's all stunning. Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I found your blog from Censational Girl. I love your living room! I want to make mine look like that! Where did you get your fabulous couch? I love the clean lines and tufted back cushions.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Where did you purchase your white curtains from? I love them! Everything looks so fresh.

    candacefielding(at)gmail(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I return to your blog regularly. Love your remodel! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  56. This room is gorgeous! I love the colors & textures (they're very similar to the ones I'm implementing in our living/dining area). I am also a teacher with a passion for DIY & interior decorating! :) This room has inspired me! Thanks!

    Just started blogging (nowhere near your site's status & beauty, but if you care to visit: http://roamourhome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. your living room looks great. what are those 3 pictures on the wall with the small mat openings?

    ReplyDelete
  58. Such a beautifully done room, I love the chairs, side table, and silver carafe set. Gret small details.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi! I stumbled upon a picture of your Christmas mantel on pintrest and immediately noticed the white fire place! I've been dying to paint mine white and I was wondering if you used a special type of paint or just regular wall paint! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  60. I love it! I LOVE your blue chairs! I had one and I loved it so much but alas we redid it for a client. It was really hard to part with. Love your blog!

    ReplyDelete

Love hearing from you! Thanks so much :)