Well, thanks everybody, for your well wishes on yesterday’s big news. Chalk it up to hormones, but some of your comments made me teary-eyed :) We really are excited, and I’m looking forward to sharing this crazy transition for our family with you all.
Okay, so back to business. I know you love to see real houses. . . . I met Joan earlier this year when I did a couple of consultations with her to give her some fresh ideas for her home. Since our meetings, she’s been a busy bee making lots of changes to her living/dining room and den, and she sent me updates to share on the blog. (On a side note, Joan is one of the most stylish grandmothers I’ve ever met.)
What I love about her updates is that she used nearly all of the same pieces, moving them from room to room and adding some new accessories. She wanted to phase out some of the brighter pops of color she had going on. She ended up keeping the same paint colors in both rooms. Here’s a shot of the dining room before her changes:
And, this is what the room looks like now:
In the living room, I suggested she change her furniture arrangement, pulling the sofa out in the middle of the room and bringing the big console from the den into the space:
I love that she created new artwork (and brought in a great pop of blue) by wrapping a canvas painting (that she previously had in the den) in fabric. It’s such a great focal point without being too distracting.
Here’s another shot of the space decorated for Christmas. The white tree works perfectly in there, doesn’t it?
In the den, I suggested she lighten things up by replacing the canvas above the mantel (the same one she wrapped in fabric later) with a mirror. She also re-accessorized her bookshelves by removing some of the books and adding more pops of blue.
Joan had two of her existing chairs reupholstered, and changed out the rattan ottoman for a coffee table she also had already.
Her mantel all decorated for Christmas and ready for the grandkids’ arrival:
Hope you enjoyed this little tour. Thanks to Joan for letting me share her home! Makes me want to do some rearranging around here today. . .
I love the open ness of the room! What a lovely do over! Have a terrific weekend!
Such a beautiful space now- its ao much lighter and airy feeling. The colors are so perfect for an open space like that!
Wow! Much better color palette! Great transformation!
Wow! Much better color palette! Great transformation!
Wow! Much better color palette! Great transformation!
Wow! Much better color palette! Great transformation!
Wow! Much better color palette! Great transformation!
it looks lovely! and love the pop of blue-so soothing!
I love how different it looks with just a bit of rearranging and mininal “new” items! I have had the bug to re-arrange lately and this may just kick my butt into doing it…and CONGRATS on your two [more] little miracles; I am pregnant with our 3rd and we had the “what if it’s twins” convo before the ultrasound [it’s not] and were like, “uh, we can’t even think about that….” :-) But what a joy!
Really nice! It’s amazing what reworking existing furnishings can do for a space. Wow!
Amazing what those changes can do. I always like to see spaces where they have used much of what they had. And what a difference the styling of the built ins makes. Nicely done, Emily.
such a great transformation!
I love it, I really like seeing what a difference it made without even painting. I get a lot of people that rent asking me how to change their rooms without having to paint.
In the first picture I eyed her cane bookshelf and was hoping she would keep it and I saw that she did and I love it even more painted!
Looks so great!
That is one of the things I love most about your designs…you come from a ‘real person’s’ point of view, and realize not everyone can go out and buy all new stuff! Using what you have makes for a much more eclectic room, too I think. I love all the changes…she’s a lucky girl to get to work with you!!
It’s so calm and soothing – love the white and blue colors. The wall in the dining room is great. Mirror above mantel was a great switch. Love that she re-used the painting by wrapping it in canvas. Thanks so sharing!
looks GREAT emily!!
Bethany
http://powellbrower.blogspot.com/2011/12/heres-decorating-tip-to-ponder.html
Ohh, the stenciling on that wall is fabulous!
Wow….love the transformation!
Really truly beautiful. I love how she reused her existing pieces in a new way. Well done!
OK…Joan was on it!!! She brought that room to some serious POW!!! All with your wonderful guidance I might add :)
Congratulations on your big announcement. I love those expressions on your face…..priceless.
Go Joan! The living area looks like a completely different home. It was pretty heavy before with lots of dark furntiure, but it really is such a fresh look now. I love the addition of the stenciled wall too. Great collaboration!
I love how fresh it looks!
Jennifer
You are no doubt one of the most talented in blogland. This is just gorgeous. Have a great week!
Beautiful transformation! I love the soft colors…looks for serene. And, yes, that white tree is lovely!